Chapter 253: Jixiang Embroidery Workshop Opens for Business

Jin Mama thought of the saying that the wine's fragrance is not afraid of deep alleys, and knew what to do; good goods sell even in the far corners.

Seeing that she understood, Qiao Mai said no more.

The master and disciple had people carry the boxes to the shop, then began to set it up; because the items were so valuable, they summoned three elderly women from home to watch the shop at night.

They didn't have to do anything else, just sleep in the shop; Jin Mama didn't shortchange them, each received wages.

The elderly women were delighted; they earned a wage from the Qiao Family and another here, two wages were indeed a lot.

May 26th, Jixiang Embroidery Workshop opened for business.

They had been planning this for a while, so many people already knew; originally everyone thought it was a pity the old embroidery workshop had been sold, but when someone took it over and kept it as an embroidery workshop, they couldn't help but look forward to it.

Lu Sanniang, peacefully carrying a child at home, heard that after the shop was bought it remained an embroidery workshop, so she went over to take a look.

She didn't expect to find Jin Mama and Ling'er inside.

"What is this?"

Mayor Qian accompanied Lu Sanniang into the shop and bought two Palace Fans and a screen, as a show of support for Ling'er.

Originally she didn't want it to be so troublesome; Jin Mama only needed to send Yuehong back to seek Qiao Mai's approval.

Some women from ten miles around also began to come for work, but this time it wasn't so easy to get; Jin Mama had high standards and refused to allow any of the old patterns to be used.

Each time they came to collect goods, they had to settle the previous payment.

Jin Mama glared at her, "Is that enough?"

The ones released were all new patterns, for them to take back and use.

She left holding a Palace Fan, leading the others away; other merchants also entered the shop, buying one or two items here and there.

Moreover, the deposit was higher; they even gave fabric, and if the standards weren't met, the deposit would be deducted.

"You two have really made this shop great."

Yet some women, though outwardly well‑dressed, were actually quite greedy; when they saw good goods they wanted to claim them as their own, always slipping items into their own bosoms when no one was looking.

"Yes, my mother said it was a pity your shop closed; many families around point to this as a way to make money. I'm already eight, so let me and Jin Mama try to manage it."

In the blink of an eye, a month passed, and the shop's business kept improving.

"Just let Jin Mama handle it; they're not outsiders. If you want to invite them, do it at Ji; if you don't want to, when they come to the shop to buy, just give them a discount."

Jin Mama's embroidery skills were also quite excellent; otherwise she wouldn't dare teach Ling'er, so she announced that anyone who wanted to learn could receive a few pointers from her when she wasn't busy.

Ling'er's embroidery lessons were conducted right in the shop.

It's not that they are reluctant to spend money; the items are just too good and exquisite—how much can a merchant in a small town afford?

The rainy season was approaching, yet it still couldn't stop the women and missives coming to the embroidery workshop to buy goods.

From the next day onward, strangers kept coming into the shop, from who knows where, but certainly not from Tianshui Town.

"It's better than earning not even a single Wen."

One day in July, a carriage stopped at the entrance of the embroidery workshop.

The two of them, as soon as a customer arrived, followed behind them; it seemed like an introduction but was actually supervision.

Yuehong hurried back to report, and Jin Mama felt reassured; she then booked ten banquet tables at Jingtai Restaurant, settled the received gifts, and invited them to have lunch there.

At that moment, Jin Mama glanced at the auspicious hour arriving and said, "Yuehong, Yuexia, set off the fireworks."

Only the scattered villagers couldn't get onto the market and make big money.

"Yes, Master."

The Main Family gave such fine goods, making the embroidery workshop famous; she wasn't merely fulfilling the Main Family's wishes.

Although Jin Mama's requirements were strict, the prices she offered were very high, making all the idle housewives eager.

"Just know that."

"My mother has been so kind to me."

"My mother designs for us; everywhere is bright and shining, and with these embroidery shops it looks even more eye‑pleasing."

"Aunt Lu, you're here, please sit."

Yuehong and Yuexia hurriedly brought a chair for her to sit, "Did your mother buy this for you?"

The first day of opening, they sold a good amount of silver; Ling'er counted the silver, grinning.

Other shops, upon hearing that it was opened by Qiao Niang's daughter, hurriedly prepared gifts and sent them over.

There were also some merchants, well‑versed and experienced; a shop like this was rare in the capital, especially the items inside, each a masterpiece—if bought and sold in the capital, they would surely profit.

Jin Mama was teaching Ling'er calligraphy when she looked up and saw the carriage; her eyes narrowed slightly.

She was as beautiful as a celestial maiden; with a lift of her hand or a step, she exuded the refined upbringing of a genteel lady.

In an instant, the women around Tianshui Town all sprang to life.

At that moment, Mayor Qian, still uneasy, called Lu Sanniang; hearing that the shop had been bought by Qiao Mai, he hurriedly had someone prepare a gift and deliver it to the shop.

Fortunately the weather wasn't cold, and a shade canopy was set up at the shop's entrance; some women brought their work to the doorway to do, and if they couldn't, they asked her, and Jin Mama freely shared all she knew.

Jin Mama thought that just Yuehong and Yuexia wouldn't be enough, so she planned to, when not busy, visit Yahang to look for two more little servant girls to train.

Thus she bought a handkerchief here, a jeweled ornament there; anyway she had no idle hands, and to save face with Qiao Niang and Master Yuan, she had to purchase some.

She envied Jin Mama; the woman behind her, of similar age, chose not to marry and found such a good Main Family to take her in—what a blessing.

"You should know, we sell everything at friendship prices, basically not for profit; your mother's purchase price must have been high, and we can't tell if we're selling at a loss."

Sure enough, from the carriage first stepped down an elderly woman, then two servant girls, and finally a lady in splendid robes.

"Hmm…"

She did embroidery work with these women, feeling time pass quickly, always with a sense of not having enough.

A carriage like this, with such a driver, though unguarded, she knew the passengers were not to be trifled with—either rich or poor.

When alighting, to avoid dirtying her embroidered shoes, the servant girls laid a mat on the ground.

After a few firecrackers went off, people gradually began to come in to look; because everything was a masterpiece, Yuehong and Yuexia kept worrying.

She is even more far‑sighted than Lu Sanniang, knowing that running an Xiu Zhuang business requires supporting people; it can't work without them.

Ling'er, every few days, goes to Qiao Mai to act cute and ask her to help restock; the first time she didn't give them the cost price, treating it as support, and the second time she decisively handed the cost‑price list to Nü'er.

"Master, every household in Town, once they hear that our shop has opened, all have sent gifts,"

Lu Sanniang watches the shop brimming with Exquisite items, feels a little envious; actually she could have done the same before, but her thin skin made her too shy to speak to Qiao Mai.

Jin Mama's prices are neither high nor low, all acceptable to Wang Jiaru's Acquaintance, and Lu Sanniang instantly realizes she's offered a substantial discount.

"Your mother is really generous."

Consequently, the Embroidery Goods and clothing in the shop are being bought away at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Later, when we get more stock from mother, we must inquire about the cost price; we can't ride on mother's great reputation,"

Xiu Zhuang smoothly gets on the right track, entirely thanks to Ling'er and Jin Mama running it, and Qiao Mai hasn't lifted a finger.

Hence, there aren't many who can take the work; Jin Mama doesn't indulge them, the craft must improve, and no one will stay put waiting for you.

Lu Sanniang hurriedly walks inside, her unborn child unable to endure the loud noise.

Ling'er looks up and sees it too; Jin Mama lets her continue practicing calligraphy, she rises, uses a Handkerchief to brush away the dust that isn't there, and then greets at the doorway with a smiling face.

"Miss, please come inside; you look unfamiliar, you're probably not from around here, right?"

"We're from Fucheng; we heard the great name of Jixiang Embroidery Workshop and came over,"

The lady in splendid clothes enters the shop, slowly looks around inside, watches her expression, and likes all these items.

(End of Chapter)