Chapter 180: Chapter 179: Cosmetics Sharing Conference
There exists such a beautiful woman in the world!
He Wenyu was dumbfounded. This woman had both the cool detachment like the moon and an innocent, lively charm, as if she had sprung from his heart, fitting his every desire.
"She seems like the light clouds obscuring the moon, or the gently drifting snow in the wind. From afar, she appears as radiant as the morning sun; upon closer look, she shines as bright as a lotus emerging from the clear wave..." He Wenyu murmured to himself, "So there truly is a Luoshen in this world; Cao Zijian did not deceive me."
Lin Wanwan noticed a dazed gaze staring at her from deep within the peach grove. She turned her head casually and saw a young dandy with slick hair and smooth cheeks, then withdrew her gaze, too lazy to look any longer.
Turning the path, a pavilion with gauze curtains came into view, filled with cheerful laughter and conversation emanating from within.
He Wenyu watched Lin Wanwan’s departing figure and softly asked his servant, "Is the place ahead where the ladies of the Xiao Family are?"
The servant replied, "Yes, young master."
He Wenyu then said, "Quickly, go and find out if this lady is the one having a matchmaking meeting with my cousin today."
The servant bowed slightly: "Yes, right away."
I hope not... but if she is, I shall have to forgo family ties, for I cannot concede such a divine beauty!
He Wenyu was consumed with infatuation, and if not for the remaining bit of reason reminding him, he would have chased after her to the pavilion.
As they drew closer, the Xiao Family’s maidservants guarding outside the pavilion first spotted Lin Wanwan, saluted her with a bow, lifted the curtain, and announced inside: "Second Mistress, Third Mistress, Fourth Mistress, Lady Wanwan has arrived."
"Oh, Cousin has come as well?" Xiao Liwei exclaimed joyfully upon hearing this and quickly stood up, stepping outside the pavilion to greet Lin Wanwan.
"Cousin, you found some free time? Come quickly, sit beside me and have some tea, we’re all juniors here, no need to be formal." Xiao Ronghua beckoned to Lin Wanwan.
Lin Wanwan glanced around inside the pavilion, where several mats and cushions were laid out, a brazier warming the space, seemingly with incense burning, the air fragrant and clear. Inside sat five young girls, three from the Xiao family, and two whom Lin Wanwan had met once at a Lu Family banquet in the county government’s backyard but didn’t remember well.
The gauze curtains hanging at the side of the pavilion fluttered with the breeze, occasionally carrying away the warmth from the brazier inside.
"What elegant company you girls have." Lin Wanwan walked over to Xiao Ronghua’s side.
Xiao Shulian introduced: "Cousin Wanwan, this is Miss He Liu, and this is Miss He Ba. It’s rare to have such fine weather today, so we’re sitting here enjoying some tea and the scenery."
"Greetings to both young ladies, I am Lin Wanwan, a little older than you two."
"Lady Wanwan, you’re too polite."
Lin Wanwan greeted them each with courtesy, then took her seat.
Lin Wanwan noticed Xiao Shulian’s position and understood she was likely showcasing her tea-brewing skills to her younger sisters-in-law, so she immediately praised her: "Did younger cousin Shulian brew this tea herself? I must have a cup then, I hear you excel in this art."
"Cousin Wanwan, you flatter me."
Xiao Shulian gracefully poured her a cup of tea and passed it over with elegance, every move refined yet clearly tense.
Ha, how amusing. Was ancient matchmaking a test for the sisters-in-law to evaluate the sister-in-law’s skills?
Xiao Liwei turned to Lin Wanwan and said, "Cousin Wanwan, have you finished your medical studies with Immortal Sun?"
Lin Wanwan nodded: "There is always more to learn, but I have no problems brewing herbal medicine now."
"Oh, is Immortal Sun also at the temple today?"
"Indeed."
The group eagerly asked a few more questions about Immortal Sun, learning he had saved someone with an acute illness that day, all listening with admiration, like hearing a captivating tale.
After two cups of tea, the girls broached a new topic. Miss He Liu, looking at Lin Wanwan, softly asked, "Lady Wanwan, I heard you make cosmetics?"
"I know a little bit."
Xiao Liwei laughed and said, "Cousin Wanwan, upon meeting today, these girls just kept staring at my face. I thought I had nothing special today except that powder you gave me. So I mentioned that, I hope you’re not upset with me?"
Lin Wanwan shook her head: "No, it’s nothing to be hidden."
"Lady Wanwan, I have an impertinent request, but I don’t know how to say it." Miss He Liu blushed slightly and spoke softly.
"Just speak, Miss Liu." Lin Wanwan already understood in her heart, no woman could resist such effective cosmetics, especially a young girl in her prime seeking marriage!
She intended to market this powder to aristocratic ladies, and today the Xiao sisters inadvertently promoted it, the best brand ambassadors are indeed noble ladies!
As expected, Miss He Liu spoke up: "I would like to ask Lady Wanwan to make a bottle for me and my sister, if it’s convenient?"
Lin Wanwan smiled and said, "I wondered what it was, it’s a minor matter. I was planning to open a cosmetic shop to sell my little creations; joy shared is joy multiplied. If you both like them, feel free to send someone to contact me in the future."
Prestigious families, like merchants, own all sorts of shops, but managing these is only a sideline for them, and they can’t be classified as merchants. Those who engage in business without scholarly titles or heritage do belong to the merchant class. Merchants have assets but no social status, with strict restrictions on their lifestyle.
A perfect play of double standards, the rules were set by the gentry, and it’s they who decide how they are applied.
Miss He Liu and Miss He Ba exchanged a glance upon hearing Lin Wanwan’s words, a hint of joy flashing in their eyes, and said, "Then we shall trouble Lady Wanwan."
"You’re welcome. Such a jar of powder requires many ingredients, like honey, ginseng, and deep-sea pearl powder. It not only covers facial blemishes but also enhances beauty, lasting an entire day without fading. It’s quite effective, a secret formula I found in ancient texts, further refined by me, absolutely suitable for ladies." Lin Wanwan said half-jokingly, laying the groundwork for future high pricing.
The foundation powder she bought wasn’t cheap even in the modern world, a luxury product from Japan, reselling it to the Great Tang’s nobility naturally called for a price befitting their status!
Any luxury product never targets the poor, such an unwavering principle!
From then on, the conversation shifted from high-brow tea tasting and poetry appreciation to a cosmetics sharing session.
With Lin Wanwan having the aura of a hermit’s disciple, and with the endorsement from Old Sun, her words on beauty and skincare were naturally regarded as sage advice by the young ladies.
Especially since Lin Wanwan’s own skin was flawless and radiant, further enhancing her persuasive power, she was a living advertisement, leaving the young girls listening with eyes sparkling with admiration.