In Liu Yu’s mind, she was still considering opening an embroidery shop in Xifeng Town first. After all, if she were to open a shop in Anyi County, let alone the rent, just procuring various types of expensive fabrics like silk and satin would be beyond her means. Even after paying the quarterly rent of forty taels of silver, she wouldn’t have enough to purchase twenty bolts of fabric.
But if she were to open the shop in Xifeng Town, with forty taels in hand and considering the rent of six taels per quarter, she wouldn’t need to buy expensive fabrics like silk and satin. Liu Yu thought that if she could put some effort into designing the styles and start with fewer fabrics, with sixty taels in hand, she could manage to get the business started.
She had about two or three taels of loose silver in her hand, and with the forty taels, she still needed another ten to twenty taels.
Liu Yu knew that once Lu Chengxiao left, her aunt and cousins would probably discuss pooling money for her. With her savings of ten to twenty taels, she believed her aunt would have that amount.
But if Liu Yu wanted to open the shop herself, although she would involve her aunt, the forty taels she had reclaimed from Liu Village would not add any extra burden to her aunt’s family. Now, if she needed additional money, Liu Yu didn’t want to drag her aunt’s family into taking risks with her.
Her eldest brother was twenty-two this year, and her second brother was also twenty. Even if her aunt had saved some silver, it should be reserved for her brothers’ marriage. Liu Yu would never use her brothers’ marriage funds for her own business.
How could she earn these extra ten to twenty taels?
She furrowed her brows in contemplation.
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When Wei Shi saw Liu Yu approaching, she smiled and joked, “Why didn’t you sit outside for a while longer? It’s not easy for Chengxiao to come over. With your three brothers accompanying him, it’s not a big deal to chat for a while.”
Liu Yu replied, “Auntie, I just asked Lu Chengxiao about the cost of opening a shop in the county and in the town, and he mentioned several channels for getting fabric.”
She roughly relayed Lu Chengxiao’s words to Wei Shi, who nodded in understanding. “Pooling together to buy in bulk could work. If you estimate that sixty taels would be enough to start in Xifeng Town, I have some silver here. It should cover our costs.”
Liu Yu shook her head hastily at the prospect of Wei Shi filling in the money. “No need, Auntie. I’ve come up with a way to earn some silver. Let me tell you about it and see if it’s suitable.”
Pausing her vegetable cutting, Wei Shi looked at Liu Yu. “What’s your idea?”
Liu Yu lifted the hem of her skirt slightly and said, “Auntie, I can make money with my skills. We have plenty of fabric at home, and it’s all good quality. I just calculated the approximate price of fabric earlier. If these fabrics were bought from outside, they would cost at least seven to eight taels each. I thought, since I can’t use so much fabric myself, why not turn them all into clothes, place them in Sister Cui’s shop for consignment sale, and split the profits with her after deducting the cost of the fabric? Sister Cui can also use ordinary fabric to make clothes based on my designs for custom orders, which would benefit her too. It wouldn’t be taking advantage of her.”
“I think if we can sell all of these, and split the profits with Sister Cui, we would have around eleven or twelve taels after considering the original value of the fabric. If this works, once these fabrics are used up, we can buy more and continue. That way, we’ll have enough capital to open a shop in Xifeng Town.” Her eyes sparkled as she continued, “It’s perfect. This way, while we’re saving up capital, we can also see if my clothes are popular in the market.”
After hearing this, Wei Shi nodded repeatedly, but then hesitated. “This plan sounds good, but the fabrics the Lu family gave you are all good quality. If you sell your finished clothes too cheaply, it won’t be profitable. If you sell them at a high price, will anyone buy them?”
Liu Yu wasn’t too worried. She smiled and said, “There are wealthy families in the town and prosperous households who appreciate finer things. Since you and others think my clothes are better than those from Anyi County’s embroidery shops, I believe there will be people interested. Auntie, shall we give it a try?”
After some consideration, Wei Shi thought that cooperating with Cui Erniang would be profitable and likely acceptable. She nodded and said, “Alright, tomorrow your eldest brother is going to Changfeng Town to deliver gifts. I’ll have him ask Cui Erniang if she’s willing to help. If she agrees, we can start making clothes. If not, we’ll think of another way. I think we can consign them to the embroidery shop or perhaps other shops in the county that specialize in women’s goods. However, we might need to put in extra effort to negotiate for display space.”
As for collaborating with the embroidery shop in Anyi County, neither of them had considered it. They knew that partners in the same business were often rivals. Collaborating with shops that sold cosmetics and accessories for women wouldn’t be a problem, but collaborating with the embroidery shop in the county might mean giving away their designs for little gain. Naturally, they would prioritize their own profits because they could make additional profits from the fabric and pay the embroiderers less.
Only Cui Erniang was suitable because their products and customer bases were different, and they knew each other well, building mutual trust. This kind of cooperation was viable.
After they reached an agreement, Wei Shi didn’t let Liu Yu help in the kitchen. “Such nice clothes would be a waste if they got stained with oil. If you’re not needed there, go back to your room and figure out how to deal with your fabric.”
Liu Yu didn’t object. Her mind was already focused on making clothes. When she returned to the west wing, she remembered the outfit she had made for Lu Shuang and packed a few sachets, planning to ask Lu Chengxiao to take them back when he left later.
After tidying up, Liu Yu busied herself with her money-making venture. Time flew by without her noticing, and it wasn’t until Wei Shi came to call her that she realized it was time for dinner. She set down her scissors and rubbed her slightly sore shoulders.
~
Since Liu Yu left, Lu Chengxiao’s mind had been partly occupied. He kept an eye on the movement outside the door, but unfortunately, Liu Yu hadn’t returned.
As usual, at noon, Liu Yanqing and his brothers accompanied Lu Chengxiao and his servant for lunch. Wei Shi and Liu Yu ate in the inner courtyard. After lunch, Lu Chengxiao was supposed to return to the county. He ate absent-mindedly, and it wasn’t until he finished his meal and moved to the flower hall that he finally saw Liu Yu, who came to serve tea.
“Miss Liu,” he couldn’t help but take a few steps forward when he saw Liu Yu holding a tea tray, but then he felt it was presumptuous and stopped.
Liu Yu stopped in her tracks and glanced up at him, her questioning gaze fixed on his face, and it was difficult for anyone to look away.
Lu Chengxiao’s heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably. Just standing there with her made him feel ecstatic. He lowered his head, involuntarily moving closer to her, and whispered, “I’m about to leave. Could I have a few words alone with you?”
Liu Yu smiled lightly, her slightly curved eyes making Lu Chengxiao feel like he was seeing a new moon descending with the most beautiful stars from the sky, right before his eyes.
He stared at her foolishly.
Liu Yu smiled gently and looked towards the entrance of the flower hall, where her eldest brother, Liu Yanan, was watching them. She then turned back to Lu Chengxiao and said, “Sure, wait for me in the corridor over there for a moment. I’ll take the tea inside first.”
With that, she smiled gracefully and headed towards the flower hall with the tea tray.
Liu Yanan smiled and returned to the flower hall. He glanced at his little sister, who calmly served tea to his elder brother, second brother, and him. Finally, she placed a cup of tea next to the table where Lu Chengxiao had sat in the morning.
Liu Yanan burst into laughter, and Liu Yanping kicked his shoe to stop him from laughing.
Liu Yu was now close to her brothers and wasn’t afraid of teasing. She pretended not to notice and said to Liu Yanqing, “Eldest brother, I’ve prepared a gift for Miss Lu and asked him to come with me to the backyard to get it.”
Liu Yanqing smiled with a raised chin and said, “Go ahead.”
~
After leaving the front yard flower hall, Lu Chengxiao was already waiting. Liu Yu led him to the inner courtyard, where she asked him to wait for a moment before returning the tea tray to the kitchen. Then she led Lu Chengxiao to the flower hall in the inner courtyard.
Wei Shi was feeding the chickens and ducks in the yard, leaving only Liu Yu and Lu Chengxiao in the inner courtyard.
Lu Chengxiao finally found the opportunity to be alone with her. This time, he wasn’t as restrained. As they walked, he kept looking at Liu Yu, his eyes filled with smiles.
Being stared at by him all the way, Liu Yu stopped in the flower hall and said, “Alright, if you keep looking at me like this, I’ll think I’ve sprouted flowers on my face.”
With a smile, she continued, “Didn’t you say you had something to tell me?”
Lu Chengxiao didn’t mention anything he wanted to say. Instead, he responded to Liu Yu’s teasing, “There are no flowers in the world that can match even a fraction of Miss’s grace and beauty.”
Liu Yu raised an eyebrow, “I didn’t realize you were such glib-tongued before.”
They exchanged a glance and burst into laughter together.
Lu Chengxiao then took out a delicate embroidered box from his sleeve and handed it to Liu Yu. “This is a gift for you. I’m not very good at choosing, so take a look. Do you like it?”
Liu Yu was stunned. “You brought me a gift?”
Lu Chengxiao’s smile remained undiminished as he slightly lifted the embroidered box in his hand, indicating for her to take a look.
With her fair and slender fingertips, she picked up the red embroidered box from his palm. As Liu Yu approached, Lu Chengxiao felt joy and palpitations, but when she took the box from him, her delicate hands moved away, and his heartbeat gradually slowed down. Then came a feeling of anticipation, waiting for her to open the gift.
Liu Yu did exactly as he expected, glancing at Lu Chengxiao before lowering her gaze to open the embroidered box.
On the bright red lining lay a pair of jade bead earrings, with light blue gold hooks, exceptionally beautiful.
“Do you like them?” he asked, eagerly watching her expression.
Liu Yu couldn’t help but touch her earlobes. Like many girls, she had her ears pierced when she was young, led by Wang Shi. But she had only worn a simple earring in each ear to prevent the piercings from closing up. Lu Chengxiao had actually noticed.
Raising her eyes to meet his expectant gaze, Liu Yu smiled, her smile radiant and tender. “I love them. They’re beautiful.”
Thinking of the pair of cloth shoes Lu Chengxiao had made for her by tearing his own sleeve, Liu Yu couldn’t help but add, “You always manage to give gifts that touch people’s hearts, don’t you?”
This was the best compliment, and Lu Chengxiao’s face also lit up with a smile. “Among women, only for you.”
Sweet words cost nothing, but Liu Yu couldn’t deny that it felt wonderful to be cared for. “Thank you, I really like them.”
Just those two words of “like” melted into Lu Chengxiao’s heart.
Having given the gift, Lu Chengxiao was reluctant to leave. Looking at Liu Yu, he tried to think of another topic.
Liu Yu chuckled lightly. “I also have something for you to take back. Wait here.”
“You have something for me too?” Lu Chengxiao’s heart skipped a beat, unable to believe what he was hearing. The curve of his lips couldn’t be contained.
Liu Yu smiled and replied, then put on the earrings Lu Chengxiao had given her, turned, and walked towards the western wing.
After a while, she came out holding a package wrapped in fine cloth.
Neatly tied with a strip of cloth, Lu Chengxiao looked at the package, his mind turning over countless guesses. Could it be clothes for him?
The joy in his heart bubbled up like bubbles, but then he felt something wasn’t right. She didn’t know his measurements, did she?
Feeling flustered again, he wondered, what could it be?
Liu Yu glanced at his expression out of the corner of her eye, biting her lip to suppress a smile, deliberately placing the package on a table in the flower hall and slowly unwrapping it.
Lu Chengxiao’s heart followed her fingertips as they moved, his gaze fixed tightly on her, wishing he could uncover the answer with just a look.
A touch of pale yellow…
He froze. This didn’t look like something he would wear.
Seeing his dumbfounded look, Liu Yu couldn’t help but stifle a laugh, turning her face away to hide it, and said in a serious tone, “I made a set of clothes for Sister Shuang’er, whom I liked when I visited your home last time. Originally, I was going to have my eldest brother deliver it with a gift tomorrow, but since you’re here, it’s perfect. Why don’t you take it back to her?”
Lu Chengxiao’s heart sank, and his shoulders drooped slightly.
Liu Yu didn’t pause, unfolding the package completely. “It’s Dragon Boat Festival, so I made some sachets…”
Lu Chengxiao came back to life, his gaze shifting over. Lotus flowers, chrysanthemums, plum blossoms, paired lotuses, monkeys climbing poles, c*ckfighting rabbits?
He was confused. Which one was for him? Could it be the monkey climbing the pole?
That seemed more suitable for a child.
The floral patterns didn’t seem right either. Could it be the paired lotuses?
Liu Yu had already enumerated them one by one. “The four floral patterns are for Auntie, your two sisters-in-law, and Shuang’er. Let them choose their favorite pattern. The monkey climbing the pole and the c*ckfighting rabbits are for your two nephews. Let the children choose for themselves.”
With every word Liu Yu spoke, Lu Chengxiao felt another disappointment.
None of them were for him.
At this moment, he couldn’t help but think of the sachet Liu Yu had made for him before. What had he said then?
Young ladies should behave with dignity.
Perhaps because of that, she had stopped making sachets for him.
Lu Chengxiao regretted it deeply, but still forced a smile. “Thank you on behalf of my mother and them. They will love them.”
They were indeed exquisite, and they were made by Liu Yu.
Lu Chengxiao’s heart felt sour.
Unable to bear it any longer, Liu Yu covered her mouth with her hand, and when she put her hand down and turned to look at Lu Chengxiao, her eyes were full of smiles.
A single glance, worth a thousand pearls.
Lu Chengxiao’s heart started pounding again.
“Is there nothing you want to ask me?” she smiled.
“Yes, there is something I want to ask.” He bit his lip and tentatively said, “Are there no sachets for me?”
Unable to contain herself any longer, Liu Yu lowered her head and chuckled, her shoulders shaking with laughter.
Seeing her laugh, Lu Chengxiao’s heart raced even faster, completely enchanted. Then, like magic, Liu Yu held up a delicate sachet in front of him.
It was the same as the one she had made for Lu Chengxiao before, shaped like a bamboo leaf, except this one was smaller, a sachet instead of a purse.
Liu Yu looked at him with a smile. “Young Master, will you accept it this time?”
In an instant, joy bloomed in Lu Chengxiao’s heart. Looking at the sachet and her smiling face, he felt an overwhelming desire.
“Yes!” he said, smiling at her. He wanted the sachet, and he wanted her too.
Sansukini: Another long chapter but it’s really sweet so I won’t cut it.
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They are so cute!!!!
Thank you for this chapter!