The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 283: Rouge and Powder

Therefore, the slogan "The same meat mooncakes that Magistrate Yao loves to eat" was written on the board.

Tong Huaqiong decided to place it in the most prominent spot at Taohua Dessert when the store opens.

"Mom, you’re amazing! You even thought of this trick." Gu Dashu sincerely gave her a thumbs up.

"What’s the big deal? Even if the emperor comes to eat my pastries, I’d dare to advertise them as Emperor-loved pastries." Tong Huaqiong said.

Just like in later generations, there are dishes named after Emperor Qianlong and Empress Dowager Cixi. Whether Qianlong or Cixi ever ate them is not important; what’s important is using their names as a gimmick.

Soon it was evening.

Tong Huaqiong, having spent an entire day on the carriage and rushing to inspect the shop, was already quite tired.

Gu Dashu had already booked an inn for Tong Huaqiong and others. Seeing his mother looking weary, he advised Tong Huaqiong to return to the inn first.

Originally, He Chao wanted to invite Tong Huaqiong to dinner, but seeing she was fatigued, he postponed the meal to the next day.

The inn was diagonally across from Taohua Dessert, just a few steps away.

The capital city was indeed lively.

Even at night, the hustle and bustle did not diminish.

Especially with the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the streets were lit up like a dazzling spectacle.

As night fell, each shop hung out lanterns, and the entire street was immersed in bright lights.

Tong Huaqiong stood at the inn’s entrance and looked back to see her shop with a row of red lanterns making Taohua Dessert particularly clear.

The opening day was just in two days.

She had finally opened a shop in the capital city.

Tong Huaqiong felt a surge of pride for herself.

"Mom, what are you looking at?" Gu Taohua asked.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Looking at the four characters of Taohua Dessert. Taohua, do you see, don’t those four characters look especially nice?"

Gu Taohua looked over, feeling a bit excited.

"They’re beautiful, really beautiful."

Taohua Dessert was the pastry shop named after her.

Starting the day after tomorrow, her name would go from Qinghe Bay to Yan Guan Town, from Yan Guan Town to the capital city.

From then on, people throughout the Ning City area would know not only her mother but also her name.

Tong Huaqiong was too tired to move after arriving at the inn, so she had Gu Dashu order food to be brought to the room.

Gu Taohua, along with her two sister-in-laws and two nieces and nephews, were not tired at all.

Liu Yueer, who loved excitement, couldn’t resist wanting to eat snacks and shop for jewelry when she saw the lights outside.

Yaozu and Man Er were even more eager to watch acrobatic performances and eat delicacies.

Seeing Tong Huaqiong staying at the inn, everyone felt awkward about going out.

Tong Huaqiong waved her hand and said, "I’ll go back to the inn first, Dashu, take your wife and your sister-in-law out for a good stroll."

Liu Yueer’s eyes lit up as she reached for the silver in her pocket; she wanted to buy jewelry.

Chen Sufen said, "You all go, I’ll stay at the inn with mom."

Liu Yueer almost rolled her eyes at Chen Sufen.

The sister-in-law was really a killjoy, showing her filial piety, wasn’t she?

Tong Huaqiong was sometimes annoyed by Chen Sufen’s excessive filial piety and raised her voice saying, "No need for you to accompany, go out when you’re told to."

Only then did Chen Sufen relax and follow her younger brother-in-law, his wife, and Gu Taohua outside.

"Second Uncle, I want to see acrobats."

"Dad, I want to see fire breathing."

Man Er and Yaozu excitedly chirped.

"Alright, I’ll take you to see the acrobats." Gu Dashu said.

Liu Yueer had a different opinion, saying to Gu Dashu, "Dashu, take me and sister-in-law to the Rouge Shop and silk shop. You can watch acrobats anytime."

Gu Dashu picked up Yaozu and said to Liu Yueer, "Those women’s things, I don’t understand. Let Taohua accompany you."

Liu Yueer’s face turned sour instantly.

Unaware, Gu Dashu carried Yaozu in one hand and held Man Er with the other, heading out the door.

Tong Huaqiong knew the second daughter-in-law was upset, but she didn’t interfere with the couple’s conflict.

Once everyone left, Tong Huaqiong had dinner, asked the inn for hot water, washed up, and quickly went to bed.

No idea when Gu Dashu and Gu Taohua returned; Tong Huaqiong slept through the night, awakened by the hawking sounds outside.

The ever-dutiful daughter-in-law, Chen Sufen, brought hot water for Tong Huaqiong to wash her face as usual.

Liu Yueer then brought a fragrant soap with flowers and herbs to Tong Huaqiong’s room, serving her to wash up.

"Mom, guess which store this soap is from?" Liu Yueer asked mysteriously.

"Could it be Lu Zhaozhao’s store?" Tong Huaqiong replied.

"Your guess is spot on." Liu Yueer exclaimed in admiration.

It wasn’t hard to guess.

Tong Huaqiong knew from Tong Dajiao’s memories that the Lu Family had a cosmetics business; after Lu Zhaozhao married Gu Jingzhe, all the cosmetic supplies of the Gu family’s women were provided by Lu Zhaozhao’s shop.

But in the past life, Lu Zhaozhao didn’t personally manage the shop.

Tong Huaqiong speculated that Lu Zhaozhao probably obtained the trial management rights to this shop.

If she were Mr. Lu, she certainly wouldn’t initially entrust Lu Zhaozhao with tea or porcelain business, which involved dealings with men, choosing instead a business involving women for Lu Zhaozhao to manage.

That could only be the cosmetics business.

Tong Huaqiong asked, "Did you meet Lu Zhaozhao last night?"

Chen Sufen said, "We did. We entered the shop; she was busy helping a few girls try rouge. She was thrilled to see us."

Liu Yueer said, "She gave each of us a set of cosmetics and soap. You know, the Lu Family shop’s powder is excellent, it doesn’t feel cakey on the face. The soap is good too; it smells better than the ones from town."

While the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were chatting, they heard a delicate laugh from outside.

Tong Huaqiong immediately knew that Lu Zhaozhao had arrived.

Upon hearing the door knock, Liu Yueer opened it, and sure enough, Lu Zhaozhao was standing outside.

"Aunt Tong." A figure in green clothing flashed in.

"Zhaozhao, why come so early?" Tong Huaqiong asked with a smile.

Lu Zhaozhao comfortably sat on Tong Huaqiong’s bed, saying, "Aunt Tong, you wouldn’t believe it. Last time when I returned home and told Grandpa I wanted to manage a shop, he refused. I argued with him and brought up the bet with Taohua to get my brother to help convince Grandpa. Grandpa agreed to give me a Rouge Shop. Grandpa and brother think I’m just competing with Taohua, not caring how I manage the shop. But I’m not letting it go; I intend to make my Rouge Shop the best in Ning City. So I come to the shop early every day and stay up late to tabulate accounts."

As she spoke, Lu Zhaozhao showed Tong Huaqiong her dark circles.

Tong Huaqiong patted Lu Zhaozhao’s head, thinking this young girl had truly started her journey into business.

From her radiant spirit, one could see her endeavors weren’t just a hobby, but involved significant effort and dedication.

Tong Huaqiong and Mrs. Han’s encouragement had prompted Lu Zhaozhao to take the first step, while her grandfather and brother treated her business efforts as a child’s play, ironically encouraging her further.

All these factors sparked her competitive spirit and gave her a goal.

With Lu Zhaozhao like this, Tong Huaqiong believed she would manage the shop very well.

Thinking this, Tong Huaqiong even wanted to personally visit Lu Zhaozhao’s shop.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Zhaozhao, with your dedication, you will certainly make the Rouge Shop the best in Ning City."

Lu Zhaozhao said, "Just watch, I’ll give Grandpa and brother a shock so they never underestimate me again. Once I manage the Rouge Shop successfully, I want to be involved in the family’s porcelain business and silk business. I also want to join Grandpa in expanding from Ning City to Su and Hang and Shengjing to do international business."

As Lu Zhaozhao spoke, she brimmed with confidence.

Tong Huaqiong smiled and said, "With such ambition, you can achieve anything."

Lu Zhaozhao smiled, she really liked Aunt Tong.

Aunt Tong always encouraged and believed in her.