The five needlewomen were busy. Zhao Jiaqi planned to open a embroidery workshop and hired some skilled embroiderers. Payment was based on piecework: good quality meant better prices, while average work received average pay. More work meant more earnings.
As for the five imperial embroiderers, they were specifically for creating bespoke pieces for wealthy families. With this prestige, the workshop was sure to be popular. Zhao Jiaqi herself would serve as the designer, creating novel styles with vibrant color combinations, simply adapting modern aesthetics.
After half a month of hard work, the shops were finally ready, but they lacked names.
“Wife, are you going to name the restaurant and the embroidery workshop?” Fan Zehao asked softly, holding her waist and looking at the newly renovated restaurant.
Naming?
Zhao Jiaqi was terrible at this. She looked helplessly at her husband, “Why don’t you name them!”
Fan Zehao was also stumped. He turned and looked at the onlookers, noticing most were ordinary folk. Inspiration struck him, and he declared, “Zhuangyuan Tower!”
It was eye-catching. With such a name, any scholar or student would want to visit and dine there.
Zhao Jiaqi chuckled, amused by his creativity. She replied, “How about ‘Number One Under Heaven Tower’ then!”
Fan Zehao found this name even grander. Nodding, he said seriously, “That’s a good name too. Let’s go with it!”
Leng Xiyuan, watching their back-and-forth, shook his head. “Both names are good. How about we come up with a third one? That way, we’ll have three different names for the three restaurants, saving us the trouble of choosing.”
Murong Sheng agreed. It was indeed easier to add another than to choose one. He nodded in agreement, “You two come up with another one!”
Feeling pressured, Zhao Jiaqi wracked her brain. There were civil and martial Zhuangyuan (top scholars in imperial examinations). Usually, when people mentioned Zhuangyuan, they primarily thought of the civil one.
Since Zhuangyuan Tower was already chosen, why not have a General Tower?
“General Tower! It corresponds to Zhuangyuan Tower. What do you think!” Zhao Jiaqi turned to ask the people behind her.
Everyone nodded in agreement. They instinctively agreed with whatever she said, knowing full well how fiercely the Prince protected his wife, making any opposition futile.
Besides, the names had different connotations, were interesting, and were good names.
And so, Zhuangyuan Tower, General Tower, and Number One Under Heaven Tower were dramatically decided. As for the embroidery workshop, Zhao Jiaqi decided not to rack her brain further.
She simply invited the Imperial Noble Consort to bestow a name. To her surprise, not only did she grant a name, but also a personally inscribed plaque.
Yao Jingyun wielded her brush and ink, immediately writing ‘Jin Xiu Qian Cheng’ (Splendid Future) in four characters.
“Jin Xiu Qian Cheng! The calligraphy is beautiful, and the name is even better. Thank you, Imperial Noble Consort, for bestowing the name!” Zhao Jiaqi said happily, looking at the characters on the table.
She put down her brush and smiled at Zhao Jiaqi, “I also wish you and your husband a splendid future, a bright and prosperous path!”
Good heavens, a double entendre! The plaque’s meaning was profound. Not only did Zhao Jiaqi like it, but Fan Zehao was also moved.
Immediately, Fan Zehao handed the calligraphy to Xiao Ce to have it made into a plaque.
At the end of September, the restaurant opened. The Prince invited many high-ranking officials and nobles, including the heads and their wives from the four great families.
Ji Shiyi had heard long ago that Fan Zehao had brought three imperial chefs from the palace. Today, he would finally witness their culinary skills.
His normally stiff face twitched slightly when he saw Fan Zehao, and he forced a smile, speaking insincerely, “Congratulations, Your Highness, on your grand opening. I wish you abundant wealth and daily riches!”
Fan Zehao, who could see his veiled displeasure, smiled even more broadly, “Then I’ll take your good wishes and strive to achieve daily riches!”
Ji Shiyi was speechless. This man truly knew nothing of humility, brazenly accepting the wish without fear of exaggeration.
Li Ben, standing beside him, squeezed Ji Shiyi’s shoulder a few times. Among the four of them, Li Ben understood his bitterness the most.
The Ji family managed the restaurant business. Now, the Prince’s manor opening three restaurants meant that soon, branches would spread to other prefectures. Wouldn’t a portion of their market be taken away? Anyone would find that unbearable.
Li Ben, who managed embroidery workshops, was also worried. The Prince’s Jin Xiu Qian Cheng embroidery workshop would open soon, causing him a great deal of distress.
“Let’s go in first. The Imperial Noble Consort is in the back,” Li Ben whispered in his ear.
Ji Shiyi and Li Ben entered an empty private room and sent their subordinates to wait for Meng Yang and Liu Runming, the other family heads.
Inside, Ji Shiyi lamented to Li Ben, “I think our families’ good times might be coming to an end!”
Li Ben nodded, his face full of gloom. “What is Fan Zehao’s intention? Isn’t being a Prince enough for him? Why does he have to get involved in all this?”
“Could it be that we haven’t shown him enough respect, and he’s subtly targeting us?”
“Does he look like someone who would accept our money?” Li Ben retorted, narrowing his eyes and scoffing, “If he were truly short on funds, he would have made it obvious by now. Now, he’s quietly brought so many people from the capital. Do you believe he’s not targeting us four?”
Ji Shiyi pondered Li Ben’s words and found them reasonable. He shook his head, “No, I don’t.”
As they were analyzing Fan Zehao, the door opened from the outside. Meng Yang and Liu Runming also arrived, and the four of them gathered together to analyze the Prince’s intentions.
On such a joyous occasion as the grand opening, no one dared to offend the Prince.
Many people attended, even those who didn’t know them came to join the festivities, hoping to gain favor with the Prince. The gifts weren’t overly expensive but were presentable. The event proceeded smoothly.
The next day, Yao Jingyun, to Pingtian’s reluctance, boarded a ship back to the capital. Pingtian stood at the dock, watching the ship sail away before Zhao Jiaqi pulled her back to the manor.
“Cry if you want to. If you miss your mother terribly, you can visit her in the capital after the baby is born!” Zhao Jiaqi said gently, patting Pingtian’s back as she lay on her lap. They could visit once a year and stay for a few months.
However, the wish to see her every day might not be fulfilled.
Pingtian sat up and shook her head. “I’m fine. I just feel like time flies by so fast. Your mother has been here for a month, and it’s time for her to return!”
Otherwise, who knew what might happen in the inner palace. If she lost the Emperor’s favor, her mother’s life would be even more difficult!
The Imperial Noble Consort left, and Fang Jingchen arrived. It must be said, the Prince’s manor had been quite lively this month.
Not only were old acquaintances meeting, but even Li Ben from the Li family came to join the excitement.
He truly couldn’t sit still any longer. After much thought, he decided to have his wife subtly inquire with the Princess Consort about the Prince’s true intentions!