Harem Daily Life

Because they were all the emperor's property, the charges for making winter clothes for the military camps of the Great Zhou were relatively low. It was purely a volume-based business and the profit made was not much.

Tao Yanyan didn't care how much profit the military camp orders could bring. She mainly made money from other clothing.

Looking at the seven patterns selected by Manager Sun, Tao Yanyan said, "October is almost here when these clothes are made. This color is too plain for October. It would be better to change it to a festive and warm color. As for the material, you are an expert and you have the final say. In addition, these styles should be made thicker, and it would be better to add some furry elements to the collar and cuffs to make them look better."

As she spoke, she drew a few simple strokes with her pen and the whole style was improved, instantly looking much better.

Manager Sun exclaimed: "Your Excellency has a good eye. If we change it like this, our clothes will be sold out in the capital!"

Tao Yanyan smiled and pointed at a piece of clothing and said, "Let's make another pair of children's clothing for this set, from three to ten years old. If the size is not suitable, you can collect a deposit and customize it. Then keep one for the eldest princess and the second princess. I believe the girls from the rich families in the capital will like it too."

Manager Sun took note of it immediately. As long as Concubine Tao said that such a change would make the book sell well, she would believe it without a doubt.

"By the way, how are the shops in the city?" Tao Yanyan asked Manager Li.

Manager Li said with a smile, "Today I was thinking of inviting you to stop by and take a look. We bought a large shop with two floors according to your requirements. It is located at a corner with a dense flow of people. There is a special yard next to it that can park more than ten carriages. It is a good location and a large shop, so the price is a bit higher, but it is still within our budget. We hired someone to repaint and partition it, and also made male and female guest areas according to your ideas. The VIP area is upstairs, and the furniture placed there is all good quality."

Tao Yanyan nodded: "These investments will all generate returns in the future. As long as the clothes are of good style, new design, excellent workmanship and fair price, we will not be afraid of not being able to recover the cost. If we don't want to do it, then forget it. If we want to do it, it's best to do it in the capital. The clothing business is very profitable. With the guarantee of the court's orders to maintain the daily expenses of the workshop, all other goods are profitable."

Steward Li nodded. He always felt that he was full of energy now. Following Concubine Tao, he really had something to look forward to every day.

At noon, the group had lunch at the Imperial Farm. Since the workshop was built, more and more people have been working at the Imperial Farm. In the past, there was only planting, but now there are people not only farming and breeding, but also working in various workshops. Yu Jinsheng asked the general manager Li for permission to set up two places as temporary dining halls and hired several cooks to cook two meals for these people. As long as the people in the Imperial Farm paid a little money, they could have two meals in the dining hall, which was more labor-saving and cost-effective than cooking at home. Therefore, at noon, everyone came to the dining hall to eat.

Yu Jinsheng arranged a table specifically for entertaining distinguished guests. Tao Yanyan went to take a look at the meals, which included one meat dish and two vegetable dishes, as well as rice and steamed buns, which looked pretty good.

"Manager Yu, your idea is very good, but let's add some meat dishes to the meals. We are all doing physical labor, how can we not eat enough? Only when everyone is well fed can we work for His Majesty with peace of mind. It shouldn't cost much money. The pigs, chickens and ducks we raise are ready-made, and the vegetables are grown in our own fields. The cost is already very low." Tao Yanyan suggested while eating.

Yu Jinsheng naturally agreed happily. With the order from the noble man, it would be much easier for him to carry it out.

Manager Li didn't say anything. He just asked Yu Jinsheng to keep all the accounts and keep a close eye on the people under him to make sure they didn't embezzle any money. Otherwise, he would be very embarrassed if he found out.

Yu Jinsheng quickly agreed. Of course he would keep a close eye on it. This was a good life that was hard to come by. We couldn't let the greed of some people ruin it!

Yu Jinsheng had been listening to Tao Yanyan and Manager Li talking, and had not eaten much of the meal. When Tao Xiang saw this, she left a bowl of food for him and quietly put it aside. Tao Yanyan saw this with his sharp eyes, and glared at Tao Xiang, making her blush.

Tao Yanyan raised his eyebrows. Oh, is there something wrong with the girl?

Tao Yanyan couldn't control his curiosity. He finished his meal in no time and took the opportunity of the lunch break to call Tao Xiang over for questioning in private.

"It's just you and me here. Tell me, when did it happen?" Tao Yanyan asked Dali to wait outside while he calmly asked Tao Xiang inside the house.

"What, what's the matter? Nothing." Tao Xiang's ears turned red, and her cheeks and neck were also red. She looked very shy.

"You don't want to tell me, right? If you don't, I will transfer you somewhere else and won't let you stay with him." Tao Yanyan said mischievously.

Tao Xiang stamped her feet and said, "Oh, my noble man!"

Helpless, Tao Xiang had to say: "I just think he is responsible and honest, and he hasn't married yet, so... I have a little bit of a good impression of him. But, but I haven't asked him about this matter, it's impossible to ask."

Tao Yanyan narrowed his eyes: "Tao Xiang, he is already in his thirties this year, much older than you, do you really think it's okay?"

There is a nine-year age difference between him and He Linzhang, and he both thinks he is too old. Tao Xiang and Yu Jinsheng are almost fourteen years apart in age, so they can both be fathers.

Tao Xiang blushed: "When you are old, you will be more caring."

Tao Yanyan poured cold water on him, saying, "But he's over thirty and still hasn't married. Aren't you afraid that he...is not good enough?"

Tao Xiang's face turned even redder. "The village doctor at Huangzhuang checked him out. He is... in good health."

Tao Yanyan choked: "You haven't already decided on him, have you? Then have you figured out his character? Is he a domestic abuser? Does he have any bad habits? How much money is saved at home? Can you support his wife and children?"

Tao Xiang was speechless after being asked by her. Finally, she said tremblingly: "If, if the queen feels it is not good, then I, then I don't want to think about it. I am fine alone."

Seeing her suddenly sad, Tao Yanyan put away his thoughts of teasing her and said in a gentle voice: "Okay, okay, I'm not stopping you from getting married. I'll be relieved if you can find a good home. Otherwise, you'll be alone outside without relatives and friends, and your good sister Xianglan will be worried too. I asked a few more questions just to make you think clearly whether you must marry him. In this world, a woman's marriage is like a second reincarnation. If she can't marry well, she might as well be beautiful alone."

Tao Xiang nodded and looked at Tao Yanyan gratefully.

"How about this, you find a respected elder to test his mind. If he is also interested in you and is willing to marry you for the rest of his life and treat you well, then let him hire a matchmaker to ask your stepmother for marriage. When you get married, I will prepare a dowry for you and ask Xianglan and the others to see you off."

Tao Xiang immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Tao Yanyan: "Thank you, Madam. You have given me a new life. I will definitely manage this workshop well and save you the trouble."