The Princess Who Married The Crown Prince(GL) - Chapter 35

Su Qiuqiu and Mo Shulan’s shop was doing remarkably well. Every two days, the shopkeeper would come to report the accounts and general operations. Dedicated staff handled the production of goods, and Su Qiuqiu no longer worried about it. Occasionally, she would offer a few fresh ideas to maintain the store’s profitability—that was more than enough.

On this particular outing, as they passed by the shop, Su Qiuqiu deliberately pointed it out to Lu Fangting.

“Sister, look—so many people in line… Each day, we only sell a limited number of items, so mornings are especially crowded. See? The line stretches all the way to the back street. And when something new comes out, even more people flock here. After spring arrived, we gathered many fresh flowers and developed a wide variety of floral-scented toners, moisturizers, soaps, and lip glosses in different shades… Now, the entire city is scrambling to get them. Some savvy folks even try to buy in bulk and resell them outside the capital. So we’ve had to limit supplies. Demand far exceeds what we can supply—we’re in dire need of expansion. Sister Mo said that even the ladies in the palace have started asking her about our products. At first, we only made a little over a thousand taels a month. But now, we can make over a hundred taels in a single day! In a year, our profits surpass a prince’s stipend. I’ve been discussing with Sister Mo the idea of opening several more branches…” Su Qiuqiu gestured toward the long queue as she explained to Lu Fangting.

“Qiuqiu, you’re more capable than most men,” Lu Fangting praised her without the slightest reservation.

“I told you—I’ll give you the best life I can. Working hard to earn money is only natural,” Su Qiuqiu replied, blushing as she lifted her chin with pride.

“Why are you so good to me?” Lu Fangting looked at her. Though still young in age, Su Qiuqiu spoke with the tone of an adult. Her earnest expression stirred something in Lu Fangting’s heart—but also made her question the reality of it. Could such genuine affection truly exist? Even bl00d relatives often turned on one another with suspicion and schemes…

“Because I like you, of course,” Su Qiuqiu said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She pounced into Lu Fangting’s arms and tilted her head up for a kiss.

Lu Fangting didn’t yet understand it completely, but that didn’t stop her from enjoying Su Qiuqiu’s kiss. Her lips were soft and warm, carrying a bewitching charm that made Lu Fangting feel entranced.

They paid no more attention to the outside world and became absorbed in each other. But then, a sudden commotion broke the moment—the carriage came to a forced stop.

“Young Master, there’s a quarrel ahead blocking the road,” came the voice of the coachman, Uncle Fu, from outside.

Su Qiuqiu pulled back the curtain slightly and peered out. The noise was coming from the line outside her shop.

“We’ve all lined up properly—why are you cutting in line?” A middle-aged woman shouted angrily.

“I’m from the Third Prince’s residence! And who are you to stand in my way, you shrew?” Another woman, also middle-aged, responded with arrogant disdain.

“The Third Prince’s residence? What a fine representation of the prince you are. I’m from the household of the Imperial Censor Zhang Jian. I should ask you who you think you are!” The first woman, upon hearing the claim, wasn’t intimidated in the slightest. Instead, she became even more emboldened.

“Uncle Fu, let’s take a detour,” Su Qiuqiu said calmly. She glanced at the scene but had no desire to mediate.

She recognized the so-called servant of the Third Prince’s household—it was the stewardess that Su Ruofeng brought as part of her dowry. Like her mistress, she was quite overbearing.

If they wanted to quarrel, let them. They were only making fools of themselves. Su Qiuqiu had no interest in getting involved.

“You know those people?” Lu Fangting asked, noting Su Qiuqiu’s expression.

“They’re Su Ruofeng’s people. Just because she’s from the Third Prince’s household doesn’t mean she gets special treatment in my queue. Let her argue if she wants—our business won’t suffer. Sister Mo once considered letting Su Ruofeng buy in, and it gave me quite a scare. I was afraid she’d really agree. At the time, she looked down on this sort of business. But just a few days ago, she tried to get involved again. I ignored her. The lady from the Prime Minister’s household, whom my mother recommended, is far more formidable. No one with sense dares to offend her.” Su Qiuqiu explained.

“Then it’s best not to pay it any mind. That prime minister’s lady is famously sharp,” Lu Fangting agreed, saying no more. She knew Su Ruofeng must be having a hard time in her own home. Desperate to please the Third Prince, she’d stoop to lining up for these products. But even if she managed to get her hands on them—even if she dolled herself up like a fairy—she’d never win his favor again. After all, how could any man be fond of a woman who had once made him… impotent?

As for the Marquis’s estate, the Marchioness wouldn’t trouble Su Qiuqiu anymore either. May things continue peacefully from here on. If all went well, perhaps that matter could succeed in one fell swoop…

Lu Fangting’s thoughts drifted as their carriage arrived at the Tianbao Pavilion.

These days, Su Qiuqiu was primarily focused on her collaboration with Tianbao Pavilion. That was where the real profits lay. The pavilion had even set up a special “laboratory” to test the ideas Su Qiuqiu proposed. She visited every few days to check their progress. It was, after all, a joint venture.

“County Mistress, please take a look—do you know which of these is the coal you spoke of? We’ve sent out quite a few people, digging through mountains and caves, and brought back these black minerals…” One of the managers at the back presented various samples for her to inspect.

“These two types are the right ones. Excellent work—how quickly you found them. These can be used like charcoal but they last longer. If we can form them into briquettes and make coal stoves, they’ll be much more convenient than regular braziers,” Su Qiuqiu explained.

“We humbly seek your guidance, County Mistress,” the steward said, bowing respectfully with clasped hands.

“This all depends on how you plan to split the profits with me. I’ve been working exclusively with you lately,” Su Qiuqiu said with a sly smile.

Standing off to the side, Lu Fangting watched her with amused eyes, a soft warmth creeping into her gaze. Though Su Qiuqiu still wore her veil, her eyes sparkled with shrewd cunning.

Tianbao Pavilion was, after all, a business of the Lu family. No matter how much profit they shared with Su Qiuqiu, Lu Fangting didn’t mind. But still, it couldn’t be too much—business was business. If the cut was overly generous, Su Qiuqiu might start getting suspicious.

“By the way, did anyone manage to find that kind of crystal-clear gem I mentioned last time?” Su Qiuqiu asked, referring to diamonds.

“The steward replied, ‘There are no reports yet, but I’ll ensure that our people search more thoroughly.’”

“I see. It’s probably very rare… What about the ginseng? If it’s hard to find a thousand-year-old root, then something over a hundred years will do—the older the better. I don’t care how much it costs; I’ll buy it,” Su Qiuqiu said earnestly. Lu Fangting’s “illness” required pairing with quality ginseng for treatment—the older the ginseng, the more effective and expensive it would be.

“The oldest one we found is nine hundred years old. The owner is asking for eight thousand taels of gold. It wasn’t easy to locate—apparently it’s a family heirloom they’ve kept for generations,” the steward explained.

“Eight thousand taels of gold… that’s over eighty thousand taels of silver. Hmm…” Su Qiuqiu paused, then asked the steward, “You’re in big business—can I borrow some and have it deducted from my share of the profits?”

She didn’t really understand the pricing in this era, but in her past life, even a hundred-year-old ginseng could go for millions. Never mind a nine-hundred-year-old one.

“County Princess, if you truly wish to buy the ginseng, Tianbao Pavilion will, of course, purchase it for you first,” the steward said.

“Of course I’m buying it. But I’ll need someone to authenticate it—just in case it’s a fake,” Su Qiuqiu replied.

“Tianbao Pavilion has its own professional appraisers. We won’t be fooled, and we’ll never deceive the County Princess either,” the steward assured her.

“Then arrange a time for me to take a look. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but we’re talking about something someone has to consume—it’s better to be cautious.” Su Qiuqiu decisively finalized the hefty purchase.

“Qiuqiu, you don’t have to spend this kind of money…” Lu Fangting murmured. She had just watched Su Qiuqiu haggle for every coin during their business negotiations, yet here she was, about to spend such a massive sum without blinking. Not even a flicker of hesitation. How could Lu Fangting not be moved by that?

“This is exactly what I should spend money on. Don’t worry—eighty thousand taels of silver is nothing. I’ll earn it back,” Su Qiuqiu said calmly.

“What if you spend it all and it still doesn’t help?” Lu Fangting asked softly.

“How would we know unless we try? The best imperial physicians have already given their verdict. Until we find someone better, we can only go with the current treatment… Don’t worry—I’m very good at making money,” Su Qiuqiu said with quiet confidence.

Lu Fangting said nothing more, simply watching her.

“Wait for me, just a little longer…” Su Qiuqiu said sweetly, unable to kiss Lu Fangting in front of others, so she settled for holding her hand and whispering softly.

After a while, the two of them left the pavilion and got back into the carriage—naturally pressed close, kissing as they went.

The carriage rolled gently along, filled with tender affection.

“What’s that sound?” After one kiss, Su Qiuqiu was playing with Lu Fangting’s hair, grinning foolishly, when she heard the sound of music from outside. Curious, she pulled aside a corner of the curtain to peek out.

“What’s going on over there, Fu Bo? Why are there so many flower-decked carriages and pretty ladies?” Su Qiuqiu asked, eyes wide with interest. The street was festive—numerous open carriages adorned with flowers were passing by, each carrying a gorgeously dressed woman. Some played the qin, some the flute. Su Qiuqiu was fascinated—when had the women of Great Chu become so open?

“It’s the annual Courtesan Pageant, hosted by the capital’s biggest brothel—Spring Grace Pavilion. What a disgraceful spectacle…” Fu Bo muttered in a low voice, clearly disapproving.

“There’s even a contest like that?!” Su Qiuqiu wasn’t the least bit scandalized. Her eyes lit up as she grabbed Lu Fangting’s hand and urged her to look too.

“Come see! So many beautiful ladies…” she said excitedly.

Lu Fangting glanced outside, then back at Su Qiuqiu. The girl’s eyes sparkled with glee as she pointed at the carriage wall—just like she had during the poetry banquet. Thinking back even further to the palace banquet, Lu Fangting realized Su Qiuqiu had worn the same thrilled expression then too.

At first, she hadn’t understood, but now, knowing Su Qiuqiu liked women, the pattern became clearer.

Not every woman out there was equally stunning, yet whenever a particularly beautiful one appeared, Su Qiuqiu’s excitement visibly intensified—her eyes shone even brighter.

Lu Fangting just had to follow the direction of Su Qiuqiu’s gaze to know exactly what kind of beauty she was admiring. Watching her now, Lu Fangting’s own expression subtly shifted.

“Wow… I didn’t think Great Chu had women like that!” Su Qiuqiu exclaimed, completely oblivious to Lu Fangting’s change in expression. She was staring at a particularly voluptuous woman dressed in Tang-style robes, her ample bosom squeezed into a tight dress, bold and flirtatious as she smiled and tossed coquettish glances at the crowd.

“You like her?” Lu Fangting asked quietly.

“Of course! So many beautiful women…” Su Qiuqiu replied offhandedly.