Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 358 - 356

Chapter 358: 356

Returning to Marquis Shengping’s Mansion, Zhao Yong gave the investigation dossier about Huayuengyuemao to Yang Liu.

Once Xiao’er had changed and freshened up, Yang Liu presented the investigative dossier about Huayuengyuemao to her.

"That was quick!" Xiao’er accepted it and opened the wooden box, which contained not only a bunch of papers but a variety of Huayuengyuemao’s products as well.

"Many famous shops in the Imperial Capital have their investigated records on file. They can be readily accessed whenever needed!" Yang Liu explained.

Xiao’er nodded after hearing these words.

Yang Liu quietly retreated, allowing Xiao’er to review the materials in peace.

Huayuengyuemao is an enterprise of General Dingyuan’s Mansion. General Dingyuan is a fifth-rank general who is stationed in the west along with General Li.

The rouge and cosmetics produced by Huayuengyuemao are of excellent quality and are sold in all major provinces and counties across the country.

Not only are they sold in Minze Country, but they are also sold to other countries at extremely high profits.

Since the products are just cosmetics and not important essential items like food, seeds, etcetera, which are even lacking in our country—there’s no reason to sell these abroad—the Imperial Court has not stopped this trade and, in fact, greatly supports it.

After all, earning additional silver from other countries is beneficial for our own, isn’t it?

The news investigated and returned by Zhao Yong also revealed that another batch of rouge and cosmetics would be sold to Xiyue Country the day after tomorrow, just over three months after a large shipment had been sold.

Given the intense sandstorms and dry climate in Xiyue Country, it’s not surprising that such beneficial products are in high demand.

Perhaps she could try earning foreign silver as well.

Xiao’er picked up a bottle of face cream, dabbed a little onto the back of her hand and sniffed it. It was very moisturizing and had a subtle elegant fragrance; no wonder it sold so well.

Xiao’er looked over the cosmetics, lipstick, and rouge one by one, and they were all of good quality.

Indeed, since ancient times, only quality products could journey across the globe.

The products from Huayuengyuemao not only excelled in quality but their packaging was also exquisite, particularly the illustrations on the labels were quite intriguing.

Good packaging could elevate the class of a product.

Seems like there are talented artists working for Huayuengyuemao.

Xiao’er looked at the label illustrations on each product’s packaging. She found that each one seemed to be part of a puzzling picture.

Upon careful inspection, the label illustrations appeared incomplete.

"Yang Liu." Xiao’er called out.

"What can I assist you with, miss?" Yang Liu quickly entered the room.

"Do you notice anything unusual about the labels here?" Xiao’er handed her a box of face cream.

"Do you mean that the design on the label is incomplete, miss?" Yang Liu pointed at the label.

"Yes, why is that?"

"Huayuengyuemao has a unique promotional strategy. Each batch of their products is packaged with different labels. The labels on each product are cropped from one big illustration. If a customer successfully completes the full picture by collecting all the label bits, Huayuengyuemao gifts them one set of their products, which is worth over one hundred silver tails. Many customers buy multiple boxes of cosmetics with the purpose of completing the picture." Yang Liu explained in detail.

People are often motivated by the prospect of a profit; many would spend extra silver to earn a gift, especially when said gift is worth over one hundred silver tails.

Xiao’er gave her a nod while gently running her fingers over these labels. They were indeed pieces of a puzzle. Huayuengyuemao seemed to have many talents. Xiao’er wondered whether she could win them over to her side.

Xiao’er went through the entire investigation dossier without discovering anything out of the ordinary, so she put it aside.

Early the next morning, Fu Ranhui reported to Marquis Shengping’s Mansion for work, accompanied by Gu Qiqi and Ruan Weizhen.

Gu Qiqi is the teacher for literature, and Ruan Weizhen is the teacher for pharmacology.

Tonight is windy, making a stay in the garden delightful. Xiao’er leads them to the pavilion, then orders someone to bring out the teaching plans she made for them to reference.

Xiao’er’s teaching plans are simple, lively, and interesting.

Xiao’er made a teaching plan for pharmacology. It’s captivating as she uses a modern herbal medicine song.

Hollow herbs can treat wind disorders, leaves and branches act against inflammation... suppressing one’s emotions can harm the internals.

Xiao’er also drew the commonly-used herbs to help students recognize them.

"We are merely an Enlightenment Academy, and the knowledge we provide is relatively basic. My goal is to teach these children how to distinguish some commonly-used herbs so they can make a living by gathering herbs from the mountain. In the process, we might be able to discover some gifted children and continue their training. If the youth are strong, the country is strong. But without a nation, there is no home!" Xiao’er’s final sentence was a reminder for them.

Everyone has their personal interests, but we must not forget about the greater good.

Upon hearing this, all three of them felt a shock in their hearts.

As the news about Zhixin Academy recruiting teachers spread, the news that Shangguan Xuanhao would be the teacher of medicine and pharmacology for boys also spread like wildfire.

The second prince personally serving as a teacher astounded all the noble families. But they quickly understood the implications.

Many of the sons and daughters of noble families were vying to become teachers in an attempt to discover talented children.

The persistent prosperity of a family requires talented people for support.

Now that such a platform exists, allowing them to legitimately nurture talents and bestow kindness upon them, why wouldn’t they be happy!

Talents are important to both families and countries!

Shangguan Xuanhao claps his hand while walking over, "Well said! If the youth are strong, the country is strong, but without a country, there is no home. Your girl is so magnanimous, it even makes me feel guilty."

The three ladies quickly stand up to pay their respects as they see the second prince.

"Yet you run around all day, always flirting and never stay in the Imperial Capital to help with the state affairs!" Xiao’er spoke discontentedly to Shangguan Xuanhao, who had disappeared for months and dumped everything on Shangguan Xuanyi.

Nothing good ever comes out of his visit.

"When have I ever flirted around? I was exploring medical truths to contribute to the prosperity of our nation and people!" Flirting? This is too much of an insult to his noble character!

"Girl, is this how you treat your guests? There’s not even a fruit platter or some pastries on this table! Where are Yang Liu and Yang Mei? Quickly bring some food and fruits for me, no, for the ladies!" Shangguan Xuanhao, having just returned to the Imperial Capital and quickly checking in with his parents to let them know he was alright, was starving and headed straight here.

"Go away, go eat at the palace if you’re hungry. We don’t have time to entertain you!"

"Girl, how unfair! I treat you so well, even brought a gift back from my trip." As Shangguan Xuanhao talked, he picked up the teaching plan on the stone table and started reading.

Xiao’er reached out her hand trying to snatch it back, but Shangguan Xuanhao dodged it.

"Thank you for this teaching plan you made, just in time as I haven’t got mine ready yet. I will make sure to put in a good word for you in front of the sixth prince."

"No need, give it back!" I knew nothing good would come out of this!

"I have not visited auntie in a long time, and I miss her. I’ll go visit her first." Shangguan Xuanhao would not return it. Leaving these words behind, he went to find Mrs. Liu for food.

I wonder if Mrs. Liu will choke to death from him calling her an old lady.

Xiao’er, watching him flee like hitting the road, wished she could take off her shoes and throw them at him.

"Let’s continue!" Xiao’er adjusted her mood and spoke.

Fu Ranhui stared at the disappearing figure in a daze and snapped back to reality when Xiao’er spoke.

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