Marrying the Crown Prince

In the new year, before the government had officially opened its doors, everyone was out visiting relatives and friends. Naturally, Zhou Zhou also brought gifts to visit Shen Ning and his companion.

The two of them still lived in the courtyard house in the alley, but unlike before, when Zhou Zhou went there, he found that they had put all their things into boxes.

Zhou Zhou frowned slightly. "Master, what is this?"

Shen Ning and the other man did not intend to hide it from her, so they told Zhou Zhou directly, "After the ice and snow melt in the spring and boats can pass, we plan to go south to the water towns and stay there for a while."

Hearing that they were leaving with no set return date, Zhou Zhou was somewhat unhappy, her voice muffled, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Madam Shen chuckled gently and affectionately tapped Zhou Zhou's forehead. "I didn't know how to bring it up with you, and besides, it's not too late to know now."

After all, there are still two months before the ship can open.

"The trip to the water town was a sudden idea, not something we deliberately kept from you." Ning also coaxed the child, "You're all grown up now, and you've already learned everything we could teach you, so the two of us decided not to keep showing up in front of you, so as not to annoy you."

"What did Master say?" Zhou Zhou muttered in dissatisfaction. "Did someone gossip in front of you? I'll tear their mouth apart!"

Hearing Zhou Zhou's words, the two adults felt both relieved and helpless. Ning Shi even reached out and pinched Zhou Zhou's cheek, gently scolding him with affection, "Don't talk nonsense."

Seeing that they were determined to leave, Zhou Zhou didn't say anything more, only asking one thing: "Tell me before you leave, I will come to see Master off, and also, write to me often."

"I know, you little devil." Ning agreed.

With that matter put aside for now, Shen Ning and the other asked Zhou Zhou about her future plans. "You won't need to go to the palace to study this year anymore, do you have any plans for that?"

"I want to open a shop and learn how to run one." Zhou Zhou didn't intend to hide this from the two of them.

What are you planning to buy?

Zhou Zhou had also thought about this question for a long time.

There are two paths to opening a shop: one is to take the approachable route and sell daily necessities, such as department stores or general stores; the other is to take the high-end route and earn money from noble families.

The first path is the livelihood of ordinary people, which Zhou Zhou does not want to compete with, so the second path is left.

The second path is both easy and difficult, because it's a high-end route, so it must be distinctive and memorable to attract people.

For example, when it comes to entertainment, like listening to storytelling or music, everyone thinks of Julai Lou; when it comes to getting jewelry made or buying face ornaments, everyone assumes it's Baozhen Pavilion; when buying clothes, it's Qiansi Lou; and when buying snacks, it's Baiweiyuan…

Therefore, it is important to create a distinctive brand.

But how do we build it?

A few days ago, Zhou Zhou was reading a travelogue and learned that the winters in the northern regions are dry and cold, which can easily cause people's skin to crack. Fortunately, there are doctors in the countryside who make ointments with mutton fat as the main ingredient and medicine as an auxiliary ingredient, which can treat the chapped hands and feet.

This medicine was available in the palace, but in limited quantities. Only a few favored concubines and princesses had it. Consort Mei received several boxes every year, and she gave one to Zhou Zhou. Because it was only available in winter and was packaged in a box engraved with plum blossoms, it was called Plum Blossom Ointment.

"Rouge and face powder, these things," Zhou Zhou replied, and then recounted the information he had just found about plum blossom ointment.

“We have traveled to the Northern Regions and indeed this product exists there,” Shen replied. “However, they call it sheep flower ointment.”

"But the recipe for this kind of medicine must be a secret recipe passed down from generation to generation. Making it yourself is not as simple as just talking about it," Ning Shi said, pouring cold water on the idea.

This is also something that troubles Zhou Zhou: "If only I could spend money to buy a son."

It was rare to see her wail, so Shen Ning and the other person covered their mouths and chuckled.

Besides visiting Shen Ning and Du Fu, they also visited the Gao family mansion and the Du family residence, since one was their biological mother's home and the other was their stepmother's home.

Knowing that Zhou Zhou was coming, Gao Yunxi, as before, ran to the second gate early to wait, of course, holding the hand of a five-year-old girl, who was An Shi's youngest daughter.

Fortunately, Gao Yunxi has an older brother, otherwise the pressure of childbirth for the An family would be immense.

When the girls met, they all held hands affectionately and walked together, leaving behind the five-year-old girl with short legs, Gao Xiran.

Zhou Cheng'an reluctantly carried the doll and followed behind them.

Seeing the children having so much fun, Mrs. An and Mrs. Du exchanged a smile.

Madam An said, "The children haven't seen each other for so long, yet they're not estranged at all; they truly have a bond of affection for each other."

"Absolutely! They seem closer than siblings." Du replied carelessly.

Mrs. An fell silent; that was not what she meant.

Gao Yunxi whispered to Zhou Zhou, "Have you prepared the clothes and jewelry for the Peach Blossom Banquet?"

“It’s ready,” Zhou Zhou replied.

It wasn't that she valued the Peach Blossom Banquet so much, but rather that Old Madam Zhou was nervous and asked Zhang to make new clothes and jewelry for the female guests attending the banquet. Of course, Zhou Zhou also received additional subsidies from the Old Madam.

Seeing the old lady like this, Zhang gave Zhou Heng an extra set of clothes as a subsidy; and Du, seeing Zhang's actions, also took out money to make an extra set for Zhou Zhou and Zhou Yue.

Therefore, there are three eligible girls in the Yongjing Marquis's household.

Of course, ordinary families can only send one girl to participate in this peach blossom banquet, but the families of Zhou Zhou, Wang Qingwu and the others who are studying together can send any girl of suitable age who is willing to participate.

This is the first honor they have brought to their family after seven years of accompanying their children to school.

So Zhou Zhou owns three sets, to which he commented: "It seems everyone is quite wealthy."

“My mother also made me two new sets of clothes and had two sets of jewelry made at Baozhen Pavilion.” Gao Yunxi excitedly shared with her, “You have no idea, the fabric used is Suzhou embroidery from Jiangnan, which is said to be very rare.”

It seems that the An family is also quite nervous about this peach blossom banquet.

To be precise, apart from Emperor Chenze, who is a father with a daughter and is not nervous, all the other fathers and mothers who attended the Peach Blossom Banquet and had daughters or sons of marriageable age were nervous.

After all, who their daughter marries and who their son marries will depend on this.

The visit to the Gao family was the same as always: paying respects to Old Master Gao and Old Madam Gao, having lunch together as a family, chatting about everyday things, and then, when it was almost time, Madam Du took the children and left.

The day after arriving at the Gao residence, Madam Du took the children to the Du residence.

The Du family was not from the capital, so not many people lived in the Du residence in Kyoto. Only the fifth brother and sister-in-law stayed to celebrate the New Year because they had to handle various matters at the shops in Kyoto.

As for Old Master Du and Old Madam Du, they are all in Jiangnan. Although the north is where their Du family originated, the environment there is harsh. In recent years, their Du family has begun to conquer Jiangnan, preparing to get a share of the pie in this rich land.