The Story of a Spoiled Daughter Raising a Husband

"What? Didn't I tell you? On the surface, you're very nice to me, but that's all just on the surface!" Zhang Jia said, standing up excitedly.

"You have no idea, when no one is around, she bosses me around like I'm her maid."

Zhang Jia then recounted many of the things Li Ningxue had done, his words filled with dislike for her.

Tong Qian listened without saying a word.

This twelve-year-old girl is the most innocent of all; she remembers clearly who is good to her and who is not.

"Do you know what's most infuriating?" Zhang Jia said, then suddenly stopped and glanced at Tong Qian.

Tong Qian shook her head in agreement.

“What’s most infuriating is that when I told my father and the others about this, they all said I was being ridiculous. Women like that are truly terrifying,” Zhang Jia said, shaking her head as she sat down.

After listening to what she said, Tong Qian could tell that Li Ningxue was indeed a scheming woman. Zhang Jia was only twelve years old, so it was normal that he couldn't win against her.

"Then why do you like me?" Tong Qian couldn't understand either. Even if she didn't like Li Ningxue, someone from a scholarly family like her shouldn't like a businessman so much.

Zhang Jia curled his lip and rolled his eyes at Tong Qian, "You are sincere to people. Although it was the first time I met you, I could tell at a glance that you are definitely a good person, unlike two-faced people like Li Ningxue."

This was the first time Tong Qian had heard someone say that about her, and she didn't know how to react, so she could only smile and remain silent.

“Actually, what’s so good about being a scholar? It’s better to go into business like you; at least you can make some money. Those literati who become officials just do hypocritical things every day; they’re really annoying.” As Zhang Jia spoke, he suddenly thought of his father.

In fact, her father was originally an official, but later, due to a dispute with someone, he was secretly poisoned, causing him to lose his official position. So he could only work as a teacher, teaching all day long.

"Go into business like me?" Tong Qian chuckled lightly, but said nothing more.

Many people aspire to be officials, but are forced to engage in business out of necessity.

Their line of work isn't easy.

After talking with Zhang Jia for a long time, Tong Qian finally left the academy.

That evening, Tong Qian didn't mention going to the academy that day. She simply told Ji Xiuping to study hard with the teacher, and that she would take care of everything else.

The next morning, Tong Qian went to Yuzhai Pavilion early. Because it was set up in a hurry, the people had not been fully trained yet, and there were many things that were not done well enough.

"Miss Tong Qian." The people called out to her as soon as they saw her.

Tong Qian smiled and had Yun'er gather everyone together.

It's still early; some people are setting up their goods, while others are experimenting on their own faces.

"When it comes to dressing up, the most important thing is to make it appropriate. Your skin is so sallow, and you're still putting rouge on your face. Hurry up and wipe it off. Put on some face powder first," Tong Qian said immediately after glancing at a woman who was practicing.

Everyone genuinely admired Tong Qian, and so they quickly gathered together.

Tong Qian didn't say much, only that they could earn money for each item sold. They earned one tael of silver per month, and if they wanted more, they would have to sell more items themselves.

There were no salespeople in this era, so everyone found this approach novel.

"Yesterday, because it was the first day of business, we were too busy to record how much each of you sold. So, we made a total of three hundred taels yesterday. I'll take out fifty taels, and you can split it equally, five taels each. How about that?"

Tong Qian was very generous to these people, showing no stinginess whatsoever.

If you want these people to work for you, you have to give them a taste of sweetness first.

Those people never expected to receive five taels of silver on the first day. They knew that they only earned one tael of silver a month, so this was equivalent to five months' worth of silver.

"I never mistreat anyone, but Jade Pavilion never supports idlers. If your monthly sales don't meet the standard, then I'm sorry, I'll have to let you go."

Suddenly, Tong Qian became serious, her sharp eyes sweeping over everyone.

These people have received temporary training, but there hasn't been time to formulate regulations yet.

Without rules and regulations, even if the Jade Pavilion has the finest items, it will all be in vain.

"Of course, the more you sell, the more money you can make. I've written down how much profit you can make on each item in a notebook, which is with Yun'er. You can go to her later to get it and take a look."

Upon hearing this, Yun'er quickly took out a notebook from her sleeve. "This is where I record how much silver these things cost and how much cash you can get."

"Also, in Jade Pavilion, you must have absolute courtesy to everyone. Even if they hit you or scold you, you must greet them with a smile. If you can't do that, then you can leave." As Tong Qian spoke, she suddenly stood in front of a woman, looked at her sharply, and then suddenly slapped her.

The woman was stunned by the sudden slap and looked at Tong Qian with complete helplessness.

"What should you do?" Tong Qian raised an eyebrow at the woman.

Although her cheek still hurt, the woman suddenly understood what Tong Qian meant, and quickly put on a smile.

"Very good." Tong Qian smiled and then said to Yun'er, "Give her one tael of silver, and also, give her the best face cream to apply."

“Yu Zhai Pavilion has never been a place for reason. If you want to make money, you have to endure a lot of things and swallow your pride. Of course, if anyone bullies you, remember this. We may be good-tempered, but if we have a grudge, we'll go out and settle it.”

After Tong Qian finished speaking, she took out fifty taels of silver from the bag and distributed five taels to each person.

A cosmetics shop is not like a teahouse; sometimes women can be unreasonable, and in these situations, it's important to be patient.

She wanted her shop to be the best in the capital, so she wouldn't mistreat anyone in terms of benefits, but they also had to endure the punishments.

However, this hardship is nothing compared to being someone else's maid. At most, she'll just have to endure the guests' disdain. But if anyone dares to hit her, they'll have to see if she'll allow it.

Once the rules were established, everyone went about their own business.

Yun'er now truly wants to worship Tong Qian.