Chapter 135 is mainly because I'm good at it.
Chapter 135 is mainly because I'm good at it.
Jiang Zhuo then realized that Consort Su was trying to intimidate him.
She's so arrogant...
Does Your Highness know?
Jiang Zhuo quietly went to the side, not following closely.
After setting off the firecrackers, Yinshuang lowered a long and wide red banner from the third floor, which read "Grand Opening".
It attracted the attention of passersby.
Satisfied, Su Mowan removed her head and walked towards the counter.
The first floor is for jewelry, the second floor is for ready-made clothing, and the third floor is for calligraphy and paintings.
As for why she chose to place the calligraphy and paintings on the third floor, Su Mowan had her own reasons. Firstly, the third floor has better lighting, and secondly, it has a spacious balcony, which is convenient for painting.
"Yinshuang, hang the painting up. Choose the most conspicuous spot."
As Su Mowan spoke, she handed the painting in her hand to Yinshuang.
Although Yinshuang already knew who the figures in the painting were, she still unfolded the painting out of curiosity.
"Minister Su?!"
Jiang Zhuo was stunned at first glance.
Is it really okay to paint a picture of Minister Su like this and hang it in such a conspicuous place?
Although Consort Su was the younger sister of Vice Minister Su, Vice Minister Su was still an official of the court. Wouldn't it damage his image to hang such a seductive portrait in the painting pavilion for people to see?
Qinghe once again revealed a lovesick expression.
"Consort Su, Minister Su is so handsome!"
"She's alright looking!"
Su Mowan said, both modestly and unmodestly, "It's mainly because I'm good at it."
"..."
Yinshuang silently hung up the portrait.
Su Mowan then turned her gaze to Jiang Zhuo, a calculating smile on her face: "Young Master Jiang, would you be interested in joining the painting?"
"No."
Jiang Zhuo refused without even thinking.
Entering the painting? Are you kidding me? If the Snow Shadow Guards found out, what would become of his face?
Seeing his decisive refusal, Su Mowan gave a slick smile: "Everything can be discussed. If Young Master Jiang feels he's at a disadvantage, how about I pay you?"
"I don't lack money."
Jiang Zhuo said, leaving no room for discussion.
Su Mowan shook her head in disappointment and sighed, "Young Master Jiang, you've missed a chance to become famous overnight. What a pity!"
"...Thank you for your kind words, Consort Su. I am far inferior to Young Master Su."
Jiang Zhuo, who rarely speaks more than five words, actually uttered such a long sentence under provocation, which made Su Mowan laugh.
"Young Master Jiang is being too modest. You are clearly a handsome and talented young man. If you agree, you will have a place in this painting pavilion sooner or later!"
"..."
Jiang Zhuo had never dealt with women before, especially his own prince's woman. He was at a loss for words and could only nervously fidget with his fingers.
Seeing that Jiang Zhuo was so amused by Su Mowan that he couldn't speak, Qinghe kindly explained, "Young Master Jiang, don't worry, Consort Su's painting skills are superb. Even the Prince has been painted by Consort Su!"
These words greatly surprised Jiang Zhuo.
How could such a serious prince agree to have someone paint a picture for him?
Incredible...
He looked at Su Mobai's portrait. As for Consort Su's painting skills, they were indeed beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Just then, the waiter downstairs came up and said that the two managers downstairs had arrived. Su Mowan glanced at Jiang Zhuo, then at Qinghe, and gave him a cryptic smile.
“Young Master Jiang, you can stay here. Qinghe, serve Young Master Jiang tea. Yinshuang, you come down with me.”
Jiang Zhuo was completely unaware of this ulterior motive. Qinghe was secretly delighted, and a hint of shyness flashed in her big, watery eyes, but she still nodded happily.
Yinshuang glanced at Qinghe's appearance and smiled.
Once they were on the third floor, Yinshuang, for the first time, asked her, "Consort Su, is there some other hidden meaning behind your arrangement?"
Su Mowan knew exactly what the question meant.
She immediately took the folding fan from her waist, opened it with a 'whoosh', and covered half of her face, saying, "I can see that Qinghe is in love, let's create some opportunities for her."
Yinshuang hesitated for a moment, her brows furrowing slightly.
"But……"
"I know what you're going to say."
Su Mowan glanced at Yinshuang and gave her a knowing smile: "Therefore, we should let Qinghe and Jiang Zhuo spend more time alone together."
"..."
Yinshuang took it.
Consort Su is becoming more and more cunning.
Feng Yue seemed to have feelings for Qing He, and Qing He's expressions seemed more lively when she was with Feng Yue, but unfortunately, neither of them was oblivious.
Now that Jiang Zhuo has appeared, Feng Yue is in for a rough time. Although Yin Shuang doesn't quite agree with Consort Su's approach, it's undoubtedly a drastic measure.
It all depends on fate for the two of them.
After worrying about Qinghe, Yinshuang seemed to have thought of something, and her eyes dimmed slightly.
Su Mowan walked ahead, fanning herself with a fan, but it was as if she had eyes in the back of her head; she knew as soon as Yinshuang's mood changed.
"Yinshuang, this is not something you should be worrying about. There's no use in thinking about it too much unless you can accept Chaoyang taking a concubine. If you can't, then wait for his attitude. Thinking too much now is useless."
Yinshuang behind her gave a faint "hmm".
That being said, Su Mowan felt that in an era where having multiple wives and concubines was the norm, it was hard to say whether Chaoyang's feelings for Yinshuang could overcome the inertia of this era.
Upon reaching the second floor, Liu, the manager of the clothing shop, was organizing account books behind the counter. Seeing her come down, he immediately walked around the counter to her.
"Consort Su, try on this dress..."
"It's okay, I'll come every day from now on, and I'll bring a couple more girls to help."
In this way, Manager Liu didn't have to worry about anything; he only needed to collect the money and keep accounts behind the counter.
Manager Liu breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, he thought of something else: "Consort Su, the original shop has been sold. Should the ten thousand taels of silver notes be added to the account book, or should I give them to you now?"
"Just put it in the account, and we can calculate it all at the end of the month."
As Su Mowan spoke, she strolled around the hanging garments and finally nodded in satisfaction.
She instructed Manager Liu: "By the way, arrange for all the embroiderers to come upstairs. It will be more convenient that way. We've specially reserved a large room on the third floor."
Previously, the embroiderers all took on jobs at the clothing workshop, and the original space of the clothing workshop was too small, so Su Mowan had never seen the hired embroiderers.
Manager Liu nodded in agreement.
Just as Su Mowan was about to say something, she heard a commotion downstairs.
"How dare you stop me? I'm here to see the paintings!"
As soon as Su Mowan heard the voice, she knew who it was. She immediately gave Yinshuang a wink, but before Yinshuang could go downstairs, another familiar voice came from upstairs.
“Young Master Gu, they clearly don’t welcome someone as ambiguous as you here. Go back and dress up nicely before you go out. Maybe then I can swallow my pride and put in a good word for you. As for the way you look now… tsk tsk, I can’t even bear to look at you.”
"Shangguan Qing, you—"
PNB