HCB Chapter 221 First Meeting with Madam Li
Chapter 221 First Meeting with Madam Li
Madam Li didn't understand these things, but he saw them clearly. This was why he respected Shen Wanning so much as a woman.
"Even if her rank is the same as yours, she is just a woman without real power, and may not even be able to meet the emperor. Why is your master so polite to her?" Madam Li was still puzzled.
"It's just a woman's opinion. Even if she can't see the emperor, it doesn't matter. But the emperor is thinking about her in his heart! Besides, don't forget, Qinghe County and Daqing Village are under my jurisdiction. If she can do more things that benefit the country and the people, I will be the one to submit a memorial to the emperor! When the emperor sees that the memorials I submit are all good news, won't these achievements naturally be attributed to me?" Li Bowen explained a little irritably.
Madam Li finally realized what was going on and nodded, saying, "Master, what you said makes sense. I am a frog in a well and lack knowledge. I will definitely get along well with the Lady of Jingu County and will go to the Shen Mansion tomorrow."
"Well, you must build a good relationship with her and don't offend her. I had already fallen out with Huang Wei over the last Lu Ming Banquet, and now we are just maintaining a superficial relationship. I heard that Jingu County Lady is Lin Jieyuan's fiancée, and we must win them both over to our camp." Li Bowen said again.
"Yes, sir, I've remembered it. I'll go to the warehouse tomorrow to pick out some valuables and send them to the Shen Mansion." Madam Li replied.
"Well, it doesn't have to be too expensive. At least I'm still a grade higher than her. Don't let people mistakenly think that I'm trying to curry favor with her and lower my status."
"Yes, I remember it."
"Oh, and there's a flower viewing party in March. Remember to post a message for her then."
"Yes, I will definitely send a letter to the Lord of Jingu County in advance."
However, Shen Wanning was unaware of everything they were talking about. She was in a small room at the courier station, sleeping soundly with the air conditioner on.
Since Fuzhou had not bought a carriage yet, when Chen the Hunter returned to the county town, he went to the city gate to take a carriage back and left his carriage here.
After asking around, only Beichen knew how to drive a carriage, so early in the morning, Shen Wanning asked Beichen to drive her to the shop.
She wanted to take a look at the shop first, and then discuss the interior decoration of the shop with netizens.
Just as he went out, he missed Mrs. Li's sedan chair.
Madam Li asked her maid to knock on the door, and it was Beiji who opened it.
"Excuse me, who are you looking for?" Beiji poked his head out and looked outside.
The maid replied, "Our lady is the wife of the prefect, Lord Li, and she has come to visit the Lord of Jingu County."
"What a coincidence! Our county lord has just gone out and is not at home." Bei Ji replied.
"Then do you know when the county lady will come back?" the maid asked again.
Beiji shook his head. "I don't know. The county lady didn't tell me before she left. Our county lady always does things spontaneously. If she's out for a long time, she'll eat out. If she comes back, her family can always prepare meals for her."
"In that case, we won't bother you any longer." After saying that, the maid retreated and explained the matter to Madam Li.
Mrs. Li had no choice but to go back, but before leaving, she asked her maid to deliver a visiting card to Shen Wanning.
Shen Wanning was observing the shop. The shop was about 20 square meters, and the counter alone took up 2 square meters.
There are two rooms in the back hall. Shen Wanning plans to use one as a warehouse and the other as a residence for the shopkeeper.
In addition, the shop also has a second floor, which is the same size as the first floor, except that it does not have a back hall.
After soliciting suggestions from netizens, Shen Wanning decided to sell soap, shampoo, and conditioner on the first floor, and essential oils and loose powder on the second floor.
She originally planned to make lip balm, but when she thought about how many shops were already selling it and the price was not high, she gave up.
She plans to make some small grids on two of the walls to display the products, and make a large drawer on the other wall to put samples in it for everyone to try.
On the second floor, only one wall needed to be filled with small compartments for storing essential oils and loose powders. On the other wall, a bronze mirror and a dressing table were placed for them to look in the mirror when trying out the loose powders.
After making up his mind, he asked around and finally found some craftsmen. After agreeing on a price, he asked them to start decorating the shop after the Lantern Festival.
When she returned home, Bei Ji came and told her that Mrs. Li had come to visit and had sent her a visiting card.
Shen Wanning guessed Mrs. Li's purpose at once, but she was about to open a shop in Fuzhou, so it was not a bad thing to interact with these noble ladies.
So she replied to Mrs. Li's message, welcoming her to visit.
According to the rules, such a visiting card should be sent several days in advance. Perhaps Madam Li was used to living in Fuzhou, so she didn't care much about the rules of the capital. If she didn't care, Shen Wanning would care even less.
On the second day, Shen Wanning waited at home for Mrs. Li's arrival.
At the end of the morning, Mrs. Li came to visit with gifts.
Shen Wanning stood at the entrance of the main courtyard to greet them and took Madam Li to the hall.
"I'm sorry for coming here. I hope I haven't disturbed the county lady." Mrs. Li, who was about fifty years old, walked towards Shen Wanning with a smile.
Shen Wanning smiled formally, "Madam Li's presence is a great honor to our humble home. How can it be a bother?"
The two walked into the hall, Shen Wanning sat down at the top, and Madam Li sat at the bottom.
"I have always admired the county lady very much. As a woman, she saved the people from danger. She is truly a role model for us women. The day before yesterday, I heard from my master that the county lady was frightened in Fuzhou. I couldn't sleep at night after hearing that, so I came here specially to express my condolences today." As she spoke, Madam Li asked the maids to bring up the gifts and put them on the table.
"It's just a small gift, given to the county lord to calm him down. I hope you won't mind it." Mrs. Li said again.
"This is a trivial matter. Wan Ning didn't take it to heart. It's a shame that Madam Lao is worried about it."
Seeing that Shen Wanning did not refuse these gifts, Mrs. Li felt relieved.
"The doorman said yesterday that the county lady went to see the shop. Is the county lady going to do business in Fuzhou? I wonder what kind of business the county lady plans to do?" Mrs. Li continued chatting.
Shen Wanning smiled and said, "I just bought a small shop and plan to start a cosmetics business. The shop hasn't opened yet, and it will probably take at least a month to open."
The osmanthus essential oil she had previously brewed would take a month to mature, so she wasn't in a hurry. She also planned to make more essential oil after returning to Daqing Village.
"The county lady is young and beautiful, and it is the best time for her to play with these things. When the county lady's shop opens, I will definitely go to join in the fun." Mrs. Li said with a smile.
"We are honored that Madam Li has visited our shop. " Shen Wanning always maintains a good image in front of outsiders.