Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

After the twelfth lunar month, Shen Chuning and Shen Jingwan no longer had to go to the palace, and they would go back to school after the first lunar month.

On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, the shop owners of each shop brought their account books into the Shen Mansion.

In previous years, they only had to report to Madam Shen Er at the Shen family's second branch. However, since Shen Chuning and Shen Jingwan each managed a shop this year, the shopkeepers of Wanbaoxuan and Huarongge were taken to Songhetang by Madam Shen Er, amidst the envious gazes of the crowd.

It’s no wonder that others are envious. In previous years, the profits of various shops have been basically stable, with fluctuations within a small range.

However, the two young ladies of the Shen family have been in charge of the shop for less than a year this year, and the profits of Wanbaoxuan have increased by 80%, and the profits of Huarong Pavilion have tripled.

In Songhe Hall, Madam Shen beamed with joy. "You two have worked hard this year. You will go to the palace to study, and you still have to devote your energy to the shops during your rest time. The shopkeepers of the two shops will come to check the accounts soon. If there are no problems with the accounts and the one with the highest profits will be rewarded with three more shops next year. You can choose whichever you want."

Shen Jingwan asked, "Grandma, how do you calculate the profit you mentioned? Wanbaoxuan sells gold and silver jewelry, and its volume is large and its profits are huge. My Huarong Pavilion, with its small profits but quick turnover, naturally can't compare to that."

Madam Shen explained: "Of course it is compared with the profits of each previous year."

When Shen Jingwan heard what Old Madam Shen said, she was overjoyed. "Sister, Wanbaoxuan didn't deliberately falsify the accounts to conceal their profits. They are just waiting for a big splash today."

Shen Chuning said calmly: "Wanbaoxuan naturally dares not to forge it, it depends on whether Huarong Pavilion has forged it."

"Hua Rong Pavilion's rouge and powder are in short supply every day. This is something that everyone in the capital can see. There is no need to falsify the accounts."

Shen Chuning said thoughtfully, "There's nothing wrong with the accounts, but what about the raw materials for making rouge and powder?"

"The raw materials are more expensive than before, but the selling price has also increased. Now the price of rouge and powder in Huarong Pavilion has increased five times than before, which is already the highest in the capital." Shen Jingwan said.

Looking at the two people arguing below, Old Lady Shen suppressed her smile and said, "Xiaojiu, you are sometimes too strong-willed. Wan'er is indeed better than you in this regard. According to the figures reported by the two shopkeepers earlier, Huarong Pavilion's revenue is better than Wanbaoxuan's."

Shen Jingwan covered her mouth and laughed, "Sister, can't you afford to lose?"

After saying that, he looked at the seated Madam Shen and said, "Grandmother, you said that the one with the highest profit would be rewarded with three more shops. If Wan'er wins, can she choose Wanbaoxuan?"

Madam Shen glanced at Shen Chuning and saw that she didn't look angry. She said, "Of course you can. Wanbaoxuan is also the Shen family's shop. If you manage it well, it will be like the shops now. Half of all profits will be handed over to the public, and the other half you can keep for yourself."

Shen Jingwan bowed to Shen Chuning and said, "Sister, I won't be polite then."

Shen Chuning glanced at her and said, "Nothing has come to a final conclusion yet, why are you so anxious?"

At this moment, Mrs. Shen came in with Xu Fu, the manager of Wanbaoxuan, and Zhang Feng, the manager of Huarong Pavilion.

"Mother, the accounts have been checked. The accounts of Wanbaoxuan are clear and there are no problems. However, on the account of Huarong Pavilion, there is an item in the raw materials that does not specify what it is." Mrs. Shen said.

"Bring the account book here for me to see. Manager Zhang, tell me why you didn't mark it in clear. I remember that this kind of situation didn't exist in Huarong Pavilion in previous years." Old Madam Shen frowned and took the account book and flipped through it. "The price of this item is not low. Did you steal the money from the account?"

Shopkeeper Zhang wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "Madam, Miss Wan always takes this money from the account and then sends the materials to the store. I also asked her and she said she could buy them for me, but Miss Wan said she didn't need it and didn't tell me what it was, so that item has been left blank."

"Wan'er, is what Manager Zhang said true?" Old Madam Shen looked at Shen Jingwan.

Shen Jingwan walked up to Old Madam Shen, took her arm and said coquettishly, "Grandma, this is Wan'er's exclusive secret recipe. It's not that Wan'er doesn't trust the people at Huarong Pavilion, but money is attractive. You've seen the profits Huarong Pavilion has made over the past six months. If Wan'er reveals it and someone else learns it, it will be a loss for our Shen family. We must keep the core technology in our own hands to feel at ease."

Madam Shen nodded. "Wan'er's words make sense. Are there any other problems with the accounts of the Second Master's family and Huarong Pavilion?"

"No, I remember everything else very clearly. The general ledger and the daily accounts can all be reconciled."

"So, between Wanbaoxuan and Huarongge, which shop makes more money?"

Madam Shen flipped through the ledger in her hand. "Wanbaoxuan's income this year is 213,000 taels, and Huarong Pavilion's income this year is 97,000 taels, but..."

"Just what?" asked Mrs. Shen.

Madam Shen Er glanced at Shen Chuning, and when she saw Shen Chuning nod at her inaudibly, she spoke, "Last year, Wanbaoxuan had a revenue of 116,000 taels, while Huarong Pavilion's revenue was only 18,000 taels. So if you calculate it carefully, Huarong Pavilion's revenue is better than Wanbaoxuan's."

After hearing what Second Madam Shen said, Shen Jingwan said happily, "Grandma, Wan'er said before that as long as you hand over the rouge shop to me, I can definitely turn it into the pillar industry of the Shen family. Wan'er did it."

Madam Shen patted the back of Shen Jingwan's hand and said, "Yes, our Wan'er does what she says."

Mrs. Shen looked at Shen Chuning worriedly, and was relieved to see that Shen Chuning looked normal.

"Grandmother, since Wan'er has made Huarong Pavilion the pillar of the Shen Mansion, she can create more pillars. Without further ado, if Wanbaoxuan is in Wan'er's hands, the profit can reach at least 500,000 taels of silver." Shen Jingwan said, walking to Shen Chuning with her hands behind her back and extending her right hand. "Wanbaoxuan is really wasted in my hands. I think it's time for you to hand it over now."

Shen Chuning glanced at Shen Jingwan with disdain. "What a big tone! How did you make a profit of 500,000 taels? By cheating? Let me think about it. How could you cheat Wanbaoxuan in your hands? Did you mix silver or copper into the gold?"

Shen Chuning was told about Shen Jingwan's plan. She was a little panicked, but she didn't show it on her face. "I can understand that you are unwilling, but how can you slander Wan'er like this?"

"Slander? Do I need to remind you how your Huarong Pavilion makes its money?"

Shen Jingwan was confident that no one would discover her secret. "Wan'er naturally relies on the good effects of her exclusive secret recipe to make money in an honest and fair way."