“A small matter, hardly worth mentioning. Since you call me elder sister-in-law, we are family. It is only right for family to watch out for each other and offer mutual support.”
Feng Jin’s good impression of Ling Wan soared. This girl was indeed good, grateful, upright, and intelligent.
“Elder sister-in-law is right, family supports each other.”
Ling Wan responded. When her elder sister-in-law first married into the Ling family, there had been quite a stir. She first treated their eldest brother, dealt with everyone from the second branch, and seized the power of household management.
She had wanted to pay her respects to her elder sister-in-law earlier, but her mother had stopped her, worried that her elder sister-in-law would be difficult to get along with and that she might cause trouble.
From the matter of Chun Lan receiving her monthly allowance, she knew her elder sister-in-law was kind-hearted and easy to get along with. Yesterday, she had also rescued them and helped her get justice. She had made up her mind to be close to her elder sister-in-law.
“Young Madam, everything is ready, we can leave.”
Cai Qing reported to Feng Jin after preparing the items.
“Elder sister-in-law, are you going out?” Ling Wan asked tentatively. The Ling family had a rule that women had to obtain permission from the head of the household to go out.
Even though her elder sister-in-law was now in charge of the entire household, she still had to formally ask her eldest brother before leaving.
“Yes, you should come along too. Staying cooped up at home all day will make you sick. It’s good to get some fresh air and relax your mood.”
“Ah! This…”
Ling Wan hesitated. If she went out without permission, and someone reported it to their grandfather, her mother would also be punished.
Suppressing the urge to go out, she said, “I won’t go. Elder sister-in-law, you…”
“You’ll be fine staying in the manor. Don’t worry, if grandfather asks, just say you went shopping with me. I’ll handle Bai Yiniang, and there won’t be any trouble.”
Feng Jin gave her word and pulled Ling Wan towards the carriage.
“Elder sister-in-law…” Ling Wan, full of worry, got into the “thief’s carriage.”
The carriage stopped on East Street, and the three of them alighted.
Cai Qing instructed the coachman to tie up the horses and wait there.
“Young Madam, I heard that Linglong Pavilion has a new type of rouge. After applying it, your face will be like a blooming peach blossom, and it has a faint floral scent. Would you like to buy a box?”
Feng Jin was not interested in rouge and powder at all, but upon hearing Cai Qing’s description, she inexplicably agreed, “Let’s go and take a look.”
Linglong Pavilion, as expected of the largest rouge and powder shop in the capital, was crowded with people, all eager for the latest rouge.
“So many people, what kind of rouge can attract such a crowd?”
Ling Wan was surprised. She had gone out only a handful of times, and her makeup and rouge were always procured by servants and delivered to her, so she knew nothing about rouge.
“Cai Qing, go buy a box of rouge.”
“Yes, Young Madam.”
Cai Qing pushed and jostled, her head bloody, before managing to grab a box of rouge. Her hairpin had fallen off at some point.
It was a hairpin she had just bought, and she had only worn it for two days before losing it.
“When we return to the manor, you can pick out a hairpin for yourself, so don’t be upset.”
Feng Jin spoke to comfort her, examining the rouge box in her hand. The box was quite exquisite, with gold powder tracing the edges. The box alone must be worth a considerable amount of silver, no wonder this small box of rouge could sell for ten taels of silver.
She wanted to see what was inside.
Opening the rouge box, a strong floral fragrance wafted out. The scent was pleasant, and the powder was fine.
As she brought it to her nose, Feng Jin’s expression changed drastically.
This was not rouge or powder at all; it was clearly a highly toxic heavy metal.
If one applied these things to their face every day, they would eventually suffer from heavy metal poisoning.
Feng Jin, terrified, quickly threw the item onto the ground. She did not want to die young.
“That box costs ten taels of silver, Young Madam, why did you just throw it away?”
Cai Qing said with heartache. This box was three months of her salary. Even if she didn’t want it, she could have given it to her; why waste it?
“Don’t touch it. It contains a significant amount of heavy metal. If you come into contact with it for a long time, or if you accidentally ingest it, you will eventually suffer from heavy metal poisoning. Over time, even an immortal couldn’t save you.”
Feng Jin explained the severity of the situation. Cai Qing was so frightened that she almost jumped up. This was too terrifying.
The rouge and powder they usually used were all highly toxic.
“Then, Young Madam, have you used these things too?”
Feng Jin shook her head, “Everything I use is developed by myself. It’s all natural and harmless, and it’s even added with ingredients like ginseng and snow lotus for skin nourishment…”
Listening to Feng Jin’s explanation, Ling Wan and Cai Qing both showed envious expressions.
“If you like them, I can make some for you.”
After all, these things didn’t cost much to make. If she made a little more when she was creating them, it would be enough.
“Really? Thank you, elder sister-in-law.”
“Thank you, Young Madam.”
Feng Jin couldn’t help but shake her head and sigh. Indeed, in that era, women had no resistance to skincare products.
However, this did give her an idea for a business opportunity.
After browsing around, Feng Jin remembered that she still had important business to attend to.
“Young Madam, the shop ahead is the one.”
Cai Qing pointed to the shop in front, not knowing why the Young Madam wanted her to inquire about the shop.
Feng Jin glanced at the location. It was indeed suitable, with high foot traffic and convenient transportation, making it a good place for business.
“Boss, this is my madam.”
“Greetings, madam. If you fancy my shop, your taste is definitely superior. If it weren’t for my mother’s illness and my urgent need to return home to care for her, I would absolutely not be selling this shop.”
The boss was a middle-aged man with dark skin and a spirited appearance. He seemed to be a straightforward person.
Feng Jin looked around and was quite pleased. “Boss, let’s be direct in business and give me a fair price. If it’s suitable, we’ll settle it today.”
“Madam is straightforward. My price is six hundred taels of silver.”
Six hundred taels of silver. That much, Ling Wan showed a hint of surprise.
Feng Jin calculated in her mind and paused before saying, “Five hundred and eighty taels. Let’s go for a lucky number. What do you think, boss?”
The boss looked troubled and hesitated. He had approached other buyers, and many had offered prices higher than Feng Jin, but they didn’t have the ready cash.
“Madam, I am in a hurry to transfer the property and return to my hometown. This amount…”
“All cash.” Feng Jin lacked nothing more than silver right now. An entire treasury was filled with silver ingots. If she didn’t spend it, she worried it might attract thieves.
The simplest and quickest way was to acquire property, which could also generate income.
“Alright, I’ll get you the deed right away.”
This boss was also a decisive person. Seeing that Feng Jin was paying in cash, he immediately finalized the deal, signing and transferring the deed in one go.
Feng Jin looked at the deed with satisfaction. The next step was to prepare for the opening.
“Young Madam, you bought this shop, what are you planning to do with it?”
“Of course, I’m buying a shop to open a business. I’ve already prepared to open a pharmacy.”
“Elder sister-in-law, you’re opening a pharmacy?”