The workshop had already started to rush with production, and Zhao Jiaqi had also set up the shop herself, designing and supervising the construction personally, creating a perfect shop at the forefront of fashion!
Of course, it was an ancient version of a cutting-edge establishment!
Large, rhombus-shaped mirrors, taller than an adult, lined an entire wall. Such a grand undertaking was unprecedented in the inner city, or even in Yun Country!
Bronze mirrors themselves were not expensive, but a single, unbroken piece was a different matter. The process for such large mirrors was intricate, and any slight flaw would necessitate starting anew!
Whether it was the materials, labor, or time, it presented a colossal challenge. Most people would not make such demands!
After all, the cost was considerable!
When the rhombus-shaped mirrors were installed and the ceiling was adorned with crystal balls made of colored glaze, with a night-shining pearl placed on top, it made the interior even more radiant. Especially at night, the various colored lights emanating from the glaze dazzled many eyes!
Before the shop even opened, it had already caused a sensation throughout the inner city. People flocked past the entrance, eager to catch a glimpse!
Before long, whispers and speculations began to circulate in the inner city, suggesting that the Princess Consort intended to open a brothel here!
Upon hearing this news, men rejoiced, while women fretted!
When Zhao Jiaqi heard this, she smiled and instructed people to spread further rumors: "This establishment is exclusively for women's enjoyment. Men are not permitted entry, unless they are employees here!"
Upon hearing this, Su Ya chuckled, "Madam, you are truly wicked! This will surely make those men's minds wander. Will they be able to sleep soundly beside their wives tonight? If they indulge in pleasure elsewhere, the grass on their heads will grow lush and vibrant, blinding everyone!"
Women's enjoyment?
There was nothing wrong with that. Trying on those little garments was a form of enjoyment, called enjoyment!
As for the clause that men were not permitted entry, wasn't that similar to a brothel!
Of course, their shop did employ men, but they were confined to the backyard. When the Princess Consort gave the order, how would those men dare to venture into the front courtyard!
These ambiguous statements truly led men to misinterpret things!
As time passed, the workshop produced new styles of clothing, which were displayed on wooden mannequins, accentuating perfect figures and evoking envy from the shop maids!
They repeatedly asked the shopkeeper how much these dresses, along with the little bodices and briefs, cost. Upon learning that one dress was equivalent to their year's wages, and that a single set of undergarments would cost three months' salary, they felt a pang of distress!
Bai Lu saw the young girls sighing with regret and generously declared, "If you manage to persuade customers with your silver tongues, and if our shop's business thrives, I will gift each of you a new outfit for the New Year, along with a set of these undergarments. However, the prerequisite is that you must do a splendid job of charming our customers!"
The more clothes sold, the more profit was made, and the workshop certainly did not lack for these garments.
Upon hearing that they would receive them for free, the young girls became even more enthusiastic and dedicated: "Sister Bai, you can rest assured. I will polish my words to be as sweet as honey and sell more goods!"
"Yes, sell a lot of goods!"
With good products, there was no fear of them not selling!
The day before the grand opening, Bai Lu personally delivered samples to several households in the inner city, most of whom were distinguished noblewomen and young ladies from the foremost families, those with influence.
Naturally, the Prefect's wife and daughter, and the Governor's wife and daughter also received samples!
Merchants had their circles of friends, and officials had theirs. Bai Lu was covering all bases!
In the afternoon, Bai Lu accompanied Zhao Jiaqi to the largest brothel in the inner city!
When the doorman announced that the Princess Consort had arrived, the madam jumped up from her chair in fright!
Her face turned ashen, and she muttered to herself, "Why has the Princess Consort come? I pay my taxes on time and in full every month. Why is the Princess Consort here!"
Seeing the madam lost in thought, the servant anxiously said, "Mama, the Princess Consort is waiting downstairs. If she grows impatient, then..."
Upon hearing this, the madam realized the urgency and quickly waved to the servant, "Go downstairs, go downstairs! You are swift, tell the Princess Consort I am coming down immediately!"
The servant quickly complied and ran off. Before he had taken two steps, he heard the madam call out, "Serve good tea and pastries, plenty of variety, don't be stingy!"
The servant heard and, without stopping, hurried downstairs, his movements quick and graceful, a seamless execution!
Her first visit to a brothel felt quite novel!
However, the gaudy silks draped around the banister struck her as somewhat ostentatious!
Bai Lu felt a little apprehensive, standing by Zhao Jiaqi's side, and whispered, "Madam, this is a place for men to seek pleasure. Aren't you afraid of the Prince getting... ahem, jealous when we return?"
She had intended to ask if the Princess Consort would be reprimanded by the Prince, but the words twisted on her tongue at the last moment!
Zhao Jiaqi looked at her with a smile, "I only brought you with me. If he finds out, it will be you who informed him!"
Her face turned pale with fright, and she quickly waved her hands, "Madam, your servant is not that sort of person. Besides, your servant is not foolish. If I tell the Prince, he might not dare to hit you, but he might take it out on me!"
All she wanted now was to keep the Madam's visit here a secret and decided to seal her lips.
She would never dare to rush forward and speak!
The madam descended the stairs, her words tumbling out, her steps so hurried she nearly took two steps at a time, her hair even askew from her haste!
"The Princess Consort has arrived. This old servant did not know. I beg the Princess Consort's forgiveness!"
Lifting her skirt, she knelt before the Princess Consort, her head bowed. It was then that Zhao Jiaqi noticed that in this biting cold weather, the madam was sweating profusely!
Zhao Jiaqi's eyes flickered slightly, and she understood her fear!
"Rise and answer me!"
The madam heard no anger in the Princess Consort's voice and felt a slight sense of relief. However, she dared not be negligent and rose, standing respectfully to the side!
She had risen and stood with perfect decorum, her head bowed slightly, allowing Zhao Jiaqi to see only her forehead. As for her facial expression, she could not discern it at all!
Alas...
"Are you afraid? Has something illegal been done in this brothel?"
The madam immediately looked up and replied crisply and decisively, "Absolutely not. This old servant would not dare. May the Princess Consort see clearly!"
"If not, then why are you always looking down? Do you expect me to speak to your forehead?"
Hearing this, the madam felt a flood of grievance but dared not voice it!
Princess Consort, the most powerful woman in the inner city, indeed in all of Yun Country, how could she, a woman of the red-light district, dare to look up and behold the Princess Consort's countenance? This was an invitation for scolding!
However, after the Princess Consort's words, she understood; she was being told to look up!
She raised her head, but her eyes remained fixed on the ground. She would have liked to stare at her toes, but her large belly prevented her from seeing her feet!