Chapter 253: The Opening of the Lucky Embroidery Manor
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Nanny Jin thought of the saying, “Good wine needs no bush,” and knew what to do. High-quality items can be sold even in remote corners.
Seeing that she had understood, Qiao Mai didn’t say more.
The teacher and apprentice brought the boxes into the shop and began setting up. Since the items were valuable, they had three maids from home stay overnight at the shop to keep an eye on them.
They didn’t have to do much; they simply slept in the shop. Nanny Jin was fair to them, and they received wages for their service.
The maids were pleased; they earned a wage at the Qiao residence and now here as well. It added up to a decent sum.
On May 26th, Lucky Embroidery Manor officially opened.
They had been planning for this, and many people in the area had heard about it. They believed it was a shame that the previous embroidery shop was sold, but to their surprise, someone took over and opened another one, which raised their expectations.
Lu Sanniang focused on taking care of herself during her pregnancy, but upon hearing that the shop had been bought and reopened, she went to take a look.
To her surprise, she found Nanny Jin and Ling’er inside.
“What are you doing here?”
“Aunt Lu, you’ve come. Please, take a seat.”
Yue Hong and Yue Xia quickly brought chairs for her. “Did your mother buy this for you?”
“Yes, my mother thought it was a pity the shop was closed. Many people in the neighborhood were depending on it. Since I’ve come of age at eight, she allowed me and Nanny Jin to try running it.”
“Your mother is generous.”
“My mother is great to me.”
Lu Sanniang looked at the shop filled with high-quality goods and felt a bit envious. She could have done this in the past, but her shyness held her back from asking Qiao Mai.
“You two have set up the shop nicely.”
“My mother helped us design it. It’s well-lit everywhere, and these embroidered items make the shop even more appealing.”
“Yeah.”
At that moment, Nanny Jin saw it was time for the firecrackers. “Yue Hong, Yue Xia, set off the firecrackers.’
Madam Lu quickly went inside; the noise from the firecrackers was not good for her baby.
After a series of firecrackers, people started coming in. Yue Hong and Yue Xia were concerned.
Some women appeared well-dressed but had nimble hands. When they saw something they liked, they wanted to claim it as their own. They took the opportunity when no one was looking to slip the items into their bosom.
They acted like they were introducing the items to the customers, but they were keeping a close watch.
Nanny Jin felt that Yue Hong and Yue Xia alone wouldn’t be enough. When they had some free time, she planned to visit a nearby pawnshop and hire a couple of maids to help them.
She was more farsighted than Lu Sanniang and knew that to run an embroidery shop, they needed assistance.
The local villagers, however, couldn’t provide much financial support.
The mistress gave them such great items to help the embroidery shop gain fame, and she didn’t want to disappoint Qiao Mai.
At that moment, Mayor Qian was worried about Lu Sanniang, so he sent a gift to the shop upon hearing that Qiao Mai had purchased it.
Other shop owners followed suit.
Nanny Jin didn’t want the trouble and asked Yue Hong to go back and seek Qiao Mai’s guidance.
“Mistress, every household in town sent gifts after they heard that the shop belongs to our family.”
“Just let Nanny Jin handle it. They are all familiar people. If she wants to hold a banquet at Jingtai Restaurant, go ahead. If not, give them a discount.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
Upon hearing this, Yue Hong quickly ran back to inform Nanny Jin. Nanny Jin then made reservations for ten tables at Jingtai Restaurant and settled the gifts. She invited them to have lunch at the restaurant.
Mayor Qian accompanied Lu Sanniang and bought two palace fans and a screen from the shop to support Ling’er.
The prices set by Nanny Jin were reasonable, and Lu Sanniang realized she had received a good deal.
She was pretty envious of Nanny Jin; she was about the same age and chose not to marry. Yet, she found such a good family to take her in. She was fortunate.
She left with the items. Other shop owners also entered the shop, buying one or two things each.
It’s not that they were unwilling to spend money; the goods were just too exquisite for a small town’s businesses to afford.
People bought handkerchiefs and ornaments, ensuring they didn’t leave empty-handed. They wanted to show respect for Madam Qiao and Lord Yuan.
On the first day of the shop’s opening, they made quite a lot of silver. Ling’er counted the money with a smug smile. Nanny glared at her. “Is this enough for you?”
“It’s better than earning nothing.”
“You should know we’re selling everything at a friendly price. We’re not making much profit. I’m sure your mother’s purchase prices are not low. We’re not sure if we’re even breaking even.”
“When I get more supplies from Mother, I’ll inquire about the purchase prices.
We shouldn’t ride on her coattails too much.”
“It’s good that you understand.”
From the second day, there was a continuous influx of unfamiliar people into the shop.
Some were locals, while others were experienced merchants. Such shops were rare in the capital, and the products inside were exquisite. It was a sure way to make money if they bought these items and sold them in the capital.
As a result, the embroidery pieces and clothing in the shop were visibly disappearing as they were purchased.
Ling’er would visit Qiao Mai every few days to ask for more supplies. The first time, Qiao Mai didn’t charge them purchase prices, considering it as support. The second time, she provided them with the purchase prices.
Each time Ling’er came to get supplies, she had to settle the previous bill.
Some women from nearby villages also started coming to receive orders. However, Nanny Jin raised her standards and didn’t allow them to use the old patterns.
They had to trace the new ones she provided.
She also increased the deposit and required the use of provided fabric. If the work didn’t meet the requirements, the deposit would be deducted.
Hence, not many could meet the standards. Nanny Jin was strict, demanding that their skills improve. No one could afford to wait for them.
Nanny Jin’s demands were strict, but the prices she offered were high, making many idle women eager to participate.
As a result, women from all over the town became active.
Nanny Jin’s needlework skills were excellent, seeing that she was Ling’er’s teacher. She was willing to teach those interested during her free time.
It was fortunate that the weather was still warm. They set up a shade in front of the shop. Some women would bring their work to the shop and ask for
Nanny Jin’s guidance.
Ling’er’s needlework classes were also conducted at the shop.
She worked alongside the women, feeling that time passed quickly.
The shop was flourishing. Qiao Mai didn’t have to get directly involved because Nanny Jin and Ling’er managed it all on their own.
In a month, business was thriving.
Even the rainy season didn’t deter the ladies and young women from neighboring towns from coming to Lucky Embroidery Manor.
One day in July, a carriage stopped in front of the shop.
Nanny Jin was teaching Ling’er how to write when she saw the carriage. She squinted her eyes.
The carriage and the coachman were of high quality, and although there were no bodyguards, Nanny Jin knew not to mess with the people inside. They were either wealthy or noble.
As expected, an old maid got off the carriage first, followed by two maids, and finally, a well-dressed young lady.
The young lady was beautiful. Every gesture of hers exuded the refinement of a lady from a prominent family.
When she stepped off the carriage, her maids placed cushions on the ground to ensure her embroidered shoes didn’t get dirty.
Ling’er also noticed. Nanny Jin instructed her to continue practicing writing as she welcomed the guests at the door.
“Miss, please come in. You seem like you’re not from around here, are you?”
“We’re from the capital. We heard of Lucky Embroidery Manor’s reputation and came to see for ourselves.
The young lady entered the shop and started browsing. Her expression showed that she liked the items very much..
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