Chapter 148: The Emperor’s Birthday

Chapter 148: The Emperor's Birthday

The trees were lush, and the summer heat was intense. Before they knew it, it was already mid-May.

Qiu's Six Staples in the capital had finally opened its doors. On opening day, the Azure Phoenix Lord arrived with a grand procession to offer congratulations, instantly making the shop the talk of the town.

Within days, word spread across the city that Qiu's Six Staples, famous for its oyster sauce and cooling oil, had opened a store in the West Market.

For a while, the shop was packed with customers. Limited-edition items flew off the shelves as soon as they arrived, and even the regular stock sold out repeatedly.

Beyond the capital’s huge consumer base, merchants from all over flocked to buy goods for resale elsewhere.

Fortunately, Qiu Huanian had turned the entire estate outside the city into a production center; otherwise, they couldn’t have kept up with demand.

In the sweltering heat, cooling oil for repelling mosquitoes and insects flew off the shelves. Thanks to the endorsement by Taiping Marquis Kang Zhong, nearly every well-off household in the capital owned a small jar of cooling oil.

The cooling oil workshop outside the city had temporarily expanded its operations severalfold. If not for the capital’s efficient supply chain, the raw materials for cooling oil would have skyrocketed in price.

After moving to the capital, raw material prices rose, so Qiu Huanian adjusted the prices of his goods within a reasonable range.

Snacks went up by 50%, oyster sauce to two taels per bottle, floral essence and pure dew to three taels per bottle, and cooling oil to two qian per small jar.

These days, Qiu's Six Staples’ daily revenue was nearly a hundred taels of silver, with over sixty taels in profit after costs. If they kept up this pace, they could earn nearly two thousand taels in net profit a month.

Guan Liu, who had only managed a fabric shop before, had never seen such a thriving business. When he showed the accounts to Qiu Huanian, he was beaming from ear to ear.

Qiu Huanian kept his promise and appointed Guan Liu as manager of Qiu's Six Staples in the capital.

Guan Liu knew the West Market well, had extensive business experience, was charming and resourceful, and his contract was with Qiu Huanian, making him an ideal choice.

Of course, Qiu Huanian didn’t naively trust Guan Liu. He knew human nature was fallible, and a robust, fair system was essential for long-term success.

Qiu Huanian set up a modern-style management system, assigning tasks to employees to oversee and balance each other, with performance reviews to keep them motivated.

The accounts of Qiu's Six Staples in the capital were submitted every ten days. With limited time, Qiu Huanian asked Yuan Jia of the Jade Bamboo Courtyard to audit the accounts, while he reviewed them monthly.

This streamlined setup allowed the shop to run efficiently with minimal effort.

One day, as Qiu Huanian relaxed in the inner courtyard, watching Jiu Jiu tally the servants’ wages, Jin San rushed in to report a visitor from the palace.

The palace visitor was an elegant maid in her thirties, trailed by eunuchs and maids bearing gifts.

"This humble servant is Cai Lian, the chief maid of Noble Consort Kang. The Emperor's birthday is approaching, and Her Highness is in charge of the noble ladies' banquet that day. She has sent me to deliver some useful items to the Township Lord."

Cai Lian spoke with a smile, her chin slightly raised, exuding a sense of pride and satisfaction.

Her mistress, Noble Consort Kang, was now the undisputed top figure in the palace. Even for the noble ladies' banquet on the Emperor's birthday, the Yuanhua Emperor didn't entrust it to Consort Wen or Consort Ying, who had borne princes, but instead assigned it to Noble Consort Kang.

Moreover, Noble Consort Kang had the authority to manage the six palaces and resided in the Empress's Kunning Palace. Typically, only the Empress's father and brothers could be granted the title of Marquis, but Noble Consort Kang's brother, Kang Zhong, had risen from a commoner to the rank of Marquis.

Though Noble Consort Kang didn't hold the title of Empress, she already wielded the power of one.

Qiu Huanian seemed oblivious to Cai Lian's arrogance and, following protocol, thanked Noble Consort Kang along with Jiu Jiu.

Cai Lian read out the list of rewards from Noble Consort Kang, feeling somewhat dissatisfied.

Her Highness had given too much and too generously. Even if it was to thank Lady Qishu for preparing the cooling oil that cured the Marquis's dizziness, it shouldn't have been this lavish.

As His Majesty ages, the likelihood of the Noble Consort bearing her own son is dwindling. She will inevitably need to align herself with a prince for her future.

Cai Lian originally served in Prince Pingxian’s household. When Prince Pingxian sent Noble Consort Kang into the palace, Cai Lian followed along. Her loyalty has always remained with Prince Pingxian.

Cai Lian believed Noble Consort Kang owed her rise to Prince Pingxian and thus should be closer to him. Since the prince favors the Second Prince, it would make sense for the Noble Consort to align with him.

Yet, the Noble Consort went out of her way to lavish gifts on Du Yunse, the Crown Prince’s Number One Scholar’s husband. What’s going on here?

Once Cai Lian finished announcing the gifts, Qiu Huanian took the list and told Wu Da to store the gifts in the warehouse.

Xing Mi, quick on the uptake, fetched a Suzhou embroidery pouch containing a few exquisitely crafted golden peanuts, worth more than ten taels of silver.

Qiu Huanian glanced at the pouch and smiled at Cai Lian, "Thank you for making the trip. This small token is merely a gesture of our gratitude. Please take it for some tea."

Since moving to the capital, with Du Yunse now in the officialdom, the family’s social obligations have grown, often necessitating tips.

Qiu Huanian prepared a range of gifts in advance, so they could be directly used according to specific situations.

The Suzhou embroidery pouch with golden peanuts was the highest level, set aside for palace or princely household attendants. Qiu Huanian had specifically inquired, and the amount, over ten taels of silver, struck the right balance.

Cai Lian took the pouch from Xing Mi and left promptly, having delivered the items.

After Cai Lian left, Jiu Jiu and Qiu Huanian returned to the inner courtyard. Jiu Jiu ventured, "Brother Hua, I think Miss Cai Lian seemed a little displeased."

Qiu Huanian lounged on his plush recliner and asked Xing Mi to bring the ice basin a bit closer.

"It’s normal. Noble Consort Kang is the most prominent figure in the Yu Dynasty, and she is her chief maid. Over the years, she’s likely been treated with reverence wherever she goes, probably receiving so many gifts she’s grown accustomed to them."

"Here, she only got a modest tip and no flattery, so she must be unhappy."

Jiu Jiu was somewhat worried, "Should we have given more just now?"

Qiu Huanian leisurely asked, "How much does Jiu Jiu think would be appropriate?"

Jiu Jiu thought for a long time before speaking, "...I don’t know."

Qiu Huanian laughed, "I don’t know either. Pleasing palace attendants is a bottomless pit; no matter how much you give, they might still be dissatisfied. It’s better to just follow the ordinary standard. As long as we’re polite, I can’t control what she thinks."

Qiu Huanian is truly not afraid of a chief maid of a favored consort. He’s a titled Township Lord, favored by the Crown Prince, and close to Azure Phoenix Lord.

Cai Lian is also aware of this, which is why she only felt a bit unhappy in her heart and didn’t dare to say anything openly.

"Moreover, the chief maid’s attitude doesn’t necessarily fully represent Noble Consort Kang’s intentions. Instead of fretting over the chief maid, we should focus on appreciating the Noble Consort’s gifts."

"The gift list includes many pieces of jewelry, fabrics, and secret palace-made beauty medicines and cosmetics. Jiu Jiu, pick whatever you like directly."

Jiu Jiu was tempted but hesitated, "These are Noble Consort’s gifts for Brother Hua."

Qiu Huanian smiled, "When have you ever seen me wear makeup? Now that I have a little one in my belly, I need them even less."

Jiu Jiu’s eyes lit up, and she happily agreed.

"I’ll pick some fabrics and make more clothes for Brother Hua and the unborn little nephew."

"Especially Brother Hua’s clothes. I heard from Uncle Mumian that in a few months, the size will change every day."

Although there is a dedicated sewing room at home, Jiu Jiu still enjoys doing some needlework herself.

It’s not that the sewing room’s craftsmanship is poor, but she enjoys the process of designing clothes and cutting and sewing them herself.

In addition to making clothes for herself, Jiu Jiu often made clothes for Qiu Huanian, Du Yunse, and Chun Sheng. Every stylish design that caught Jiu Jiu's eye could be disassembled and recombined into new and more attractive designs, tailored to fit the wearer.

Qiu Huanian admired Jiu Jiu's keen fashion sense and had almost stopped ordering clothes from outside. Instead, he had Jiu Jiu design and select the fabrics, and then had the household's sewing room make them.

"If you like doing it, go for it, but keep it as a hobby and don’t overwork yourself," Qiu Huanian said, stretching lazily. "When you pick out the items later, pick out some palace-made cosmetics for Yuan Jia as well. You can take it with you when you go to class this afternoon."

After relocating to the capital, the children’s education remained a priority. Qiu Huanian had originally wanted to hire a private tutor to teach Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng at home, but he hadn’t found the right person.

Later, after Jiu Jiu reminded him, he realized that the ideal tutor was right under his nose.

Yuan Jia had previously been the tutor for Ru Tang’s family and had extensive teaching experience.

Chun Sheng planned to focus on martial arts and didn’t intend to take the imperial examination, so he didn't need a teacher who was well-versed in the classics and could write eight-legged essays. Studying basic literature and math with Yuan Jia alongside Jiu Jiu was sufficient.

Now, Chun Sheng and Jiu Jiu had free mornings, and in the afternoons, they would go to Yuzhu Courtyard to study with Yuan Jia for two hours.

Qiu Huanian privately said to Yuan Jia, who was "juggling multiple roles," "I originally wanted to give you some peace and quiet, but now you have more and more responsibilities. I’m starting to feel guilty."

Yuan Jia had to revise books, handle the shop accounts, and spend half a day as a tutor, living a hectic life.

"I don't mind being busy; what I fear is not having a place where I'm needed or nothing to do," Yuan Jia said with a frank smile. "Moreover, the Township Lord compensates me generously for every job. I’d even welcome more work."

Qiu Huanian would keep using capable people, but he was never stingy when it came to paying them, something Liao Cang, who was far away at the Du family village school, also deeply understood.

"I'll hire a martial arts master for Chun Sheng soon. Chun Sheng isn’t academically inclined, so my expectation for him in that area is just to stay literate."

Qiu Huanian kindly asked, "But Yuan Ruo is so intelligent. If he wants to take the imperial examination in the future, he shouldn't be delayed. Would you like me to help locate a good private school in the capital?"

Yuan Jia’s face tightened briefly, and she shook her head, saying, "Ruor can just study with me. There's no need to go to an outside private school."

Although Qiu Huanian didn't understand, he respected Yuan Jia's wishes as Yuan Ruo's elder sister and didn't press further.

...

A few days after Noble Consort Kang's gifts arrived, the Yuanhua Emperor's birthday, the Longevity Festival, commenced.

The Longevity Festival was the emperor's birthday, and all Yu Dynasty government offices shut down for three days.

All royal family members, nobles, officials of the fifth rank and above in the capital, special government office officials, as well as titled ladies and ranked noblewomen were required to attend the palace banquet.

Qiu Huanian was a Township Lord, and Du Yunse was an official in the Hanlin Academy. Both were required to attend the palace banquet, though Qiu Huanian would be in the front court, while Du Yunse would be in the inner palace.

Before dawn, Qiu Huanian blearily opened his eyes, stretched, and managed to get out of bed. After washing up, he had Xing Mi come in to help him change into his Township Lord's ceremonial attire.

While putting on his court robes, Du Yunse anxiously reminded him, "Brother Hua, you're pregnant. Be cautious in the palace and stay close to the Azure Phoenix Lord."

Though the Azure Phoenix Lord was eccentric, his high status and alliance with Qiu Huanian would help avoid many troubles in the palace.

"Don't worry, nothing will happen. I remember everything you said."

To make sure Qiu Huanian’s visit went smoothly, Du Yunse had learned a lot about the inner palace's situation and explained it all to Qiu Huanian.

If Qiu Huanian hadn't been too early in his pregnancy to make it convincing, Du Yunse would have even tried to use the pregnancy as a reason to request that Qiu Huanian not attend the palace banquet.

After they finished getting ready, they had a light meal to fill their stomachs. The coachman brought the family carriage to the front gate, and Du Yunse left first.

Qiu Huanian waited a short while, and then the Azure Phoenix Lord's carriage arrived.

"Zi Sui, you’re looking stunning today," the Azure Phoenix Lord said, sitting in the carriage and playing with a golden whip.

He was also wearing the ceremonial robes of Lord Azure Phoenix today, a bright red garment embroidered with a vivid qilin and phoenix, adding an inviolable majesty to his striking beauty.

"Lord Azure Phoenix, I’m only wearing ceremonial robes," Qiu Huanian said somewhat helplessly.

Lord Azure Phoenix raised an eyebrow, "Got it—"

"They say that clothes make the man, but I think it’s the man who makes the clothes. Otherwise, how is it that you wear the same ceremonial attire so beautifully, while some people just come off as annoying?"

Qiu Huanian smiled, not daring to ask which noble lady had displeased Lord Azure Phoenix.

Lord Azure Phoenix had the confidence to criticize others, so it was better for him to keep a low profile and develop steadily.

The lavish carriage sped down the wide street, with all other vehicles giving way. In less than a quarter of an hour, the carriage arrived at the East Gate of Chang’an, beyond which lay the Imperial Street.

Lord Azure Phoenix’s carriage had special permission to travel on the Imperial Street, but he ordered the driver to stop.

Qiu Huanian was puzzled, "Lord Azure Phoenix, what’s the matter?"

Lord Azure Phoenix smiled, "Have you forgotten, Qiu Huanian? I told you I’d show you something fun today."

"Hmm?"

Lord Azure Phoenix, dressed in his splendid ceremonial robes, flipped the whip in his hand and ordered the carriage to block off the East Gate of Chang’an.

"I’m going to snatch a royal consort just for kicks."