Quick Transmigration: Why did you provoke him? He's love-struck!

Chapter 149 Canglan Ferry (19)

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

Fairview Court.

Yan Jinhe frowned: "How much do you think Jiang Li and Second Aunt made from their business?"

“Sixteen thousand taels,” Mingyu said. “Last night, my aunt went to the Bamboo Garden to settle accounts with Miss Jiang. I heard them talking to each other outside the door.”

Yan Jinhe's expression changed.

Mingyu continued, "This 16,000 taels is the money I've already received. My aunt said she's received quite a few pre-orders, and there will be a large sum of money coming in soon..."

Yan Jinhe frowned even more deeply: "What kind of beauty cream can sell for twenty gold coins a box, and yet so many people are scrambling to buy it?"

She prompted Mingyu, "Could you get the recipe for that beauty cream? Bring it over so I can take a look."

Mingyu said with difficulty, "Miss Jiang makes all the beauty creams herself and doesn't let anyone else interfere. I have no way of touching these things."

Yan Jinhe understood.

It's perfectly normal for Jiang Li to keep such a lucrative business to herself and to be wary of outsiders.

As the two were talking, Yinxin came in to report that Madam Feng had arrived.

Yan Jinhe immediately told Mingyu to leave through the back door.

Before long, Madam Feng entered, followed by four maids, each carrying or holding something in their hands.

"Second Aunt," Yan Jinhe stood up to greet her, "What brings you here today?"

Madam Feng smiled and said, "I just finished my work and came to see you. I recently started a small business with Miss Jiang and have some extra money. I remember all the kindness and care you have shown me. These gifts are a small token of my appreciation. Please see if you like them."

The maid opened the box, and Yan Jinhe immediately recognized it as fabric and gold jewelry produced by the most famous cloth workshops and gold shops in the capital.

Although it wasn't the most expensive option, given the Duke's family's usual spending habits, it was still a level of luxury they could only afford to purchase during the Lunar New Year.

Yan Jinhe wondered to herself how much benefit Feng Shi had received from Jiang Li that someone who was usually so stingy would be willing to give her such a generous gift.

"Auntie, you're so kind. I really appreciate it."

Since Mingyu could only provide limited information, Yan Jinhe wanted to find out the inside story from Madam Feng. She smiled and pulled her to sit down, had a maid serve tea, and then began to subtly try to get information out of her.

Having lived in the inner quarters for so many years, how could Madam Feng not understand the hidden meaning in Yan Jinhe's words? She kept Jiang Li's instructions in mind, saying only what she could say and not uttering a single word about what Jiang Li forbade her to say.

Yan Jinhe tried to get information out of Feng Shi for a long time, but Feng Shi pretended to be stupid, so she had no choice but to give up.

After seeing off Madam Feng, Yan Jinhe made up her mind and changed her clothes to see her mother-in-law, Madam Xu.

As she entered the Xu family courtyard, she immediately noticed a pile of items on the table, including the latest fabrics and jewelry, as well as tonics.

Xu was sitting in front of her dressing table, applying makeup in front of the mirror, her face beaming with undisguised joy.

"Mother," Yan Jinhe greeted them and stepped forward, asking, "Who sent all these things?"

Upon hearing this question, Xu's face showed a hint of unease, but she was not good at lying, so she could only awkwardly say, "Jiang Li sent it, saying that she made money in business and wanted to buy some gifts to show her respect to me."

After she finished speaking, she immediately tried to cover up her mistake by saying, "She not only gave it to me, but also to the old lady and the third and fourth wives. Everyone accepted it. If I didn't accept it, it wouldn't be right."

Although Yan Jinhe was not surprised, her heart sank slightly.

Is Jiang Li planning to use money to win over the hearts of everyone in the Duke's mansion?

It must be said that although this trick is common, it is very effective.

The Duke's mansion is severely depleted, and it is already difficult enough to maintain a semblance of dignity. Everyone is cutting back on food and clothing.

At this time, Jiang Li spent a lot of money to send food, drinks and gifts. It is said that if you take someone's money, you will be obliged to do so. Even if she is a concubine, everyone will have to give her a smile when they see her in the future.

The defection of Feng Yuxiang is a prime example.

Although she thought this in her heart, Yan Jinhe said aloud, "It is a good thing for the Duke's mansion that Sister Jiang has this intention. Mother, please accept it with peace of mind."

Seeing that she wasn't angry, Madam Xu breathed a sigh of relief: "It's good that you think that way."

Yan Jinhe glanced at the beauty cream in her hand, as if she had just noticed it, and asked, "I heard from my second aunt that Sister Jiang is in the beauty cream business. I suppose this is the beauty cream."

Madam Xu immediately replied, "Yes, she sent over two boxes. And you know what? They're really effective. I used them for three days, and the scars from the pimples I had years ago are completely gone! No wonder a box can sell for twenty taels of gold—would you like to try them?"

Yan Jinhe took the beauty cream and examined it carefully. Not only was it delicate and moisturizing, but it also had a faint herbal fragrance.

She returned the beauty cream to Madam Xu, pondered for a moment, and said, "Mother, this beauty cream is a huge business. If it's done well, the Duke's Mansion will definitely benefit immensely."

Madam Xu didn't catch the hidden meaning in her words and nodded, saying, "Yes, someone from the palace came this morning, saying that a noble lady wanted to buy this beauty cream, but Jiang's supply is all sold out. We can only have it sent to the palace in a few days. Even the empresses in the palace are using it. If word gets out, it will bring great honor to our Duke's Mansion."

Looking at Xu Shi's beaming face, Yan Jinhe felt a pang of discomfort.

She maintained a polite smile: "Sister Jiang is very skilled, and her beauty cream is in high demand. But if she wants to expand her business, she can't do it all by herself. After all, she's not from the capital and doesn't know many people. Plus, she's pregnant now and shouldn't overwork herself."

"Why not send some maids and servants to the Bamboo Garden to help make the beauty cream? Once production is up, I can help expand the sales channels. We can not only do business with nobles in the capital, but also sell it to distant places. In this way, the beauty cream business can truly grow and benefit the entire Duke's mansion."

Once Jiang Li obtains the recipe for the beauty cream and establishes a sales network, she will have no way to keep it a secret.

The money from selling the beauty cream can only go into the public treasury, and in the end, it will be at her disposal as the head of the household.

Ms. Xu was deeply moved by what she heard.

When she married into the Pei family, the Duke's mansion was at its peak, enjoying the finest food and supplies.

After the old master passed away, Pei Yuanhong inherited the title, but he did not achieve anything significant. The other descendants of the family were also disappointing, living off the family's wealth until it was depleted, and the Duke's mansion gradually declined.

If we can make money from the beauty cream and restore the Duke's mansion to its former glory, benefiting future generations...

She gets excited just thinking about it.

Xu said, "You're right. We have to seize this opportunity to expand this lucrative business."

Seeing that she had taken the bait, Yan Jinhe finally looked troubled, hesitatingly saying, "But..."

"what happened?"

“But Mother, as you know, I had a falling out with Sister Jiang, and she’s probably still upset about it. So, it’s up to you to send the maids and servants to help out at the Bamboo Garden,” Yan Jinhe said. “You’re an elder, so she won’t disobey you, but I’m not so sure.”