Opening an antique shop and getting rich through all the worlds

Chapter 96

Editor: Princess

The Private Room in the Shop

The Duke’s wife smiled with gentle warmth and grace.

“When His Majesty received the items, he was in excellent spirits. He praised the Western Region goods, saying they were really exceptional, and even rewarded the Duke with several precious treasures. We have to thank your young master for finding those Western Region warming clothes and down jackets.”

Initially, many noble families in the capital had mocked the Liu family, believing that once they went to Yunzhou, they would likely lose even their noble titles. Nobody had expected them to turn misfortune into fortune by discovering connections with Western Region merchants.

His Majesty didn’t want to elevate the Liu family directly, so instead of having the Liu family present the items to the palace themselves, he gave this favor to Duke Zheng, as doing otherwise might have backfired.

Naturally, the Duke’s household would remember their kindness. Otherwise, the Duke’s wife would not have made this personal visit.

“Madam, the snow cream and goose egg powder you asked about earlier have arrived. We specially set aside several boxes for your household, along with some newly arrived rouge. Would you like to examine them together?”

“That sounds wonderful. The young ladies in my household have been constantly asking for Western Region cosmetics.”

Hearing this, Madam Liu smiled and instructed someone to bring in the items she had prepared that morning.

Meanwhile, downstairs, the shopkeeper’s wife personally escorted Zhao Wanyi into another private room.

The first thing Zhao Wanyi said after sitting down was, “The usual arrangement, bring me all the finest items in your shop. I also want to buy those clothing displays.”

Knowing this was a wealthy and generous customer, the shopkeeper’s wife eagerly brought over all the merchandise.

Zhao Wanyi examined the newly arrived cosmetics and the down jackets priced at one hundred taels each, then waved her hand and bought everything.

Had there not been buying restrictions, she would have bought the entire shop.

The fragrance of the newly arrived cosmetics surpassed anything she had bought before. It had a delicate floral scent that achieved perfect balance, neither too vulgar with excess nor too bland with restraint.

The colors and powder quality each had their own merits.

“Miss Zhao, our master specifically instructed us to reserve several extra boxes of snow cream for you. Would you like them?”

“Yes! Of course!” Zhao Wanyi’s maid understood immediately and produced another bank note.

“Please convey my gratitude to your master.”

Zhao Wanyi wore the down jacket underneath, and when she went outside, she immediately had someone remove the cloak she had just put on.

She felt no cold whatsoever. These down jackets were truly excellent!

**

Within just one day, both shops had arranged for an additional accountant, yet the abacus calculations never ceased.

Shop Number 2 especially couldn’t keep up with the records. They simply couldn’t finish!

As soon as customers in front finished paying and left, new ones entered immediately. Before the scattered silver coins and copper cash could be counted, the next customers were already urging them to hurry.

While cold winds howled outside, the shopkeeper personally joined in collecting payments inside, yet still sweated profusely from the overwhelming business.

The shopkeeper grabbed a nimble assistant and said urgently, “Quick, go to Shop Number 1 and see if anyone can come help! We can’t manage this!”

Had the guards maintaining order outside not been strong and sturdy men from various households, the customers might have trampled the shop flat.

By afternoon, the shop’s inventory was nearly depleted.

Newly arriving customers were advised to return tomorrow, as the shop would close after serving the current batch.

Recent arrivals protested, “Seriously? Closing this early? Doesn’t curfew not begin until after the hour of Hai?”

During winter, shops on this street typically remained open until after the hour of Xu, which was still more than two hours away.

‘There’s a Shop’ refused to earn money that was available. They had no ambition whatsoever!

“Today’s inventory is nearly sold out. New goods will not arrive until tomorrow. Even if you queue now, you might not be able to buy anything. We apologize.” The assistant explained with a smile.

The final batch of customers that day left the shop with satisfaction, carrying their newly bought clothes.

The shopkeeper couple immediately pulled over two chairs and exhaled deeply, taking bites of the flatbread that had been delivered at noon but remained unfinished.

“Good heavens, counting silver and keeping records has nearly made my hands smoke!” The accountant also said loudly.

“Hurry and count the silver. The old lady and young master entrusted us with managing this shop, we can’t make mistakes on the first day.” The shopkeeper’s wife said, kicking the leg of his stool.

“Let me catch my breath.” The shopkeeper waved his hand. “I suspect tomorrow will bring just as many customers.”

Such reasonably priced clothing would attract people from around the capital once word spread.

The shop that had been fully stocked that morning now stood empty.

Only a few display down jackets remained. The most expensive warming clothes in Shop Number 2 cost thirty taels per set, and they had brought only ten sets, thinking they would be difficult to sell, yet all had sold out.

Naturally, customers most frequently asked about the five-tael warming clothes.

At the same price point, the warming clothes appeared more substantial, and since they came as complete sets, people considered them more economical, suitable for less affluent families.

Some customers even pooled their money to buy one set, then negotiated how to divide the jacket and pants.

“Did we set aside our own portions?” The shopkeeper’s wife asked.

This question immediately energized all the assistants in the room.

“Rest assured, I reserved the quantities everyone requested earlier.” The shopkeeper said with a smile. “The young master said everyone working in the shop can receive one set, and if you want to buy two or three additional sets, there are internal discounts.”

Hearing this, everyone instantly regained their energy.

Four people, two accountants plus the shopkeeper couple, worked together on the accounts while the remaining assistants efficiently cleaned the shop.

“Today we sold over two thousand three hundred taels worth of goods!”

Compared to Shop Number 1, this amount was modest. Shop Number 1 had earned five thousand taels in just the morning, with probably another two or three thousand in the afternoon.

However, Shop Number 2 sold inexpensive items, earning money five taels and twenty taels at a time. To collect this much money demonstrated how many customers had visited.

Every customer who entered the shop with money left with purchases. None left empty-handed!

Looking at all this money, copper strings, scattered silver, and bank notes, the shopkeeper dared not carry it out alone. With darkness falling, he feared robbery, so only with two guards and Liu Yunyan’s escort did he dare to carry the silver to the money house.

“With me here, you can relax!” Liu Yunyan assured him.

“Indeed.” The shopkeeper looked at the red-tasseled spear in Liu Yunyan’s hand with complete confidence. On the day Second Miss returned to the capital, she had beaten the Marquis’s heir.

Now no one dared to approach the Liu household with marriage proposals.

“Shopkeeper.” The assistant staying overnight asked, “When will tomorrow’s goods arrive? The customers might cause trouble.”

“Everything is arranged. The goods will definitely arrive before opening.” The shopkeeper said without elaborating.

Both the old lady and young master had told him that not a single word about the source of goods could be mentioned to outsiders.

When they left the shop, the sky had grown quite dark, and lit lanterns swayed in the cold wind.

The view was excellent, and from the pleasure house above the two shops, Prince Cheng, dressed in fine robes, held a fan.

“They can obtain so many Western Region goods, yet you people have not even found a single Western Region merchant?” He questioned.

His subordinate broke into a cold sweat. “This subordinate…”

“My elder brother is really capable.” Prince Cheng smiled carelessly. “They sold so many goods today, and they say new goods will arrive tomorrow. Go investigate from where these goods are being transported.”

“Yes.” The black-clothed man acknowledged and withdrew.

Outside, the spear-carrying woman gradually walked away.

With only Second Uncle still able to take the battlefield in the Liu family, their only daughter, Liu Yunyan, had returned to the capital essentially as a hostage.

If something happened to her here, nobody knew whether the Liu family would continue supporting his elder brother.