The Prince's Beloved Little Wife

Ouyang Han was always a man of his word. The very morning after he made his promise, as the sunlight began to stream into the courtyard, a lithe woman with a cold and agile face quietly approached Chen Mengyao. This woman was none other than the female bodyguard Ouyang Han had assigned to protect Chen Mengyao.

The woman was tall and slender, her steps light yet steady and powerful. She wore a black bodysuit that perfectly accentuated her curvaceous figure. A dark red belt hung at her waist, from which a delicate and sharp short sword was suspended.

As she approached Chen Mengyao, she bowed slightly and said softly, "My name is Qingying, and I am skilled in light-body techniques. I have been ordered by my master to protect you, Miss. In addition to light-body techniques, I am also proficient in close combat. Whether it is a one-on-one duel or a melee against multiple opponents, I can defeat my enemies in an instant with my agility and unique skills. Every move I make may seem simple, but it actually contains the skillful techniques honed over many years of hard work."

I am also quite skilled in using concealed weapons. This exquisite short sword can be used not only for close-quarters assassination but also as a projectile. I can precisely control the trajectory of the short sword, delivering a fatal blow when the enemy is completely unprepared. Moreover, I am adept at using objects in the surrounding environment to create concealed weapons, such as leaves and pebbles, which can all become deadly weapons in my hands.

Furthermore, I have studied a unique mental cultivation technique that can temporarily enhance my speed and strength. However, this technique consumes a great deal of internal energy and will not be used lightly unless absolutely necessary. But once used, even against an opponent several times stronger than myself, I will have the strength to fight and retreat unscathed, and I will certainly be able to protect Miss's safety. "I am skilled in this." Her voice was clear and melodious, yet it carried an undeniable firmness and authority.

Chen Mengyao was overjoyed. This female bodyguard was incredibly capable and perfectly suited to protect her. She happily said, "Excellent! As long as you are loyal to me, I will certainly not mistreat you." She then dismissed her. Next, she hugged Ouyang Han tightly and said, "Yichen, you're so good to me." Ouyang Han stroked her hair and said, "Silly girl, you are my fiancée. If I don't treat you well, who else should I treat well?" "Ding! Congratulations, Master, for completing the task of opening a new store and gaining 2000 points!" Xiaobai's voice rang in her mind.

So she pulled Ouyang Han into the space and found that there were indeed 2000 more points on the exchange page. Adding the points she got last night and the remaining 9900 points, she now had points, and Chen Mengyao was very happy. She remembered the recipes she promised to give to Prince Duan yesterday, so she downloaded the recipes for the dishes she made yesterday and the recipes for other dishes from the previous day. She converted them all to traditional Chinese characters, typed them out, and filled over twenty pages. She stapled them together, put them in a file folder, and then took Ouyang Han out. Afterwards, the two lingered for a while before going out to check on the situation at Yu Yan Fang.

Through word of mouth among the people who came to Yu Yan Fang yesterday, Yu Yan Fang's products became known throughout the capital overnight. Young ladies from wealthy families came with their maids to buy them. When Chen Mengyao and her group arrived at the store, they were greeted by a bustling scene of crowds.

Seeing that Mu Xue and all the employees were handling things with ease, she felt relieved. So she went into the warehouse and took out a large batch of goods from her spatial storage to replenish the inventory, and then went back. She still had to wait for Prince Duan to come and discuss business.

When they returned to the Prince's residence, they saw Prince Duan, Ouyang Yu, just alighting from his carriage. They greeted him and went inside, followed by several servants carrying large boxes. After everyone was inside and seated, Ouyang Han instructed the servants to make tea for Prince Duan. Once seated, Prince Duan ordered the servants to place the items on the ground and opened the boxes. Each box was filled with many things, many of which Chen Mengyao had never seen before. She found them very novel and immediately asked Prince Duan for information.

Prince Duan introduced them to her one by one. Ouyang Yu first pointed to a box that emitted a strange fragrance and said, "This box contains a thousand-year-old snow lotus, which grows on the peaks of extremely cold lands and is very difficult to harvest. This snow lotus can not only cure all poisons, but if a woman takes a small amount, it can also nourish her skin, beautify her complexion, and preserve her youth." Chen Mengyao's eyes lit up, and she curiously leaned closer to take a look. Looking into another box, there were several strangely shaped herbs.

Ouyang Yu smiled and said, "This is Lingxu Grass, which grows where spiritual energy gathers. For common ailments, simply boil it into a soup and drink it, and the illness will be cured." Then, Ouyang Yu walked to the third box, gently opened it, and inside lay an object that looked like a stone but had a warm, lustrous sheen. "This is Shisuizhi. Don't let its unassuming appearance fool you; it is actually nurtured by absorbing the essence of the earth. If a person with a weak body obtains it, grinds it into powder and takes it, and within a few days, they will regain their vitality and strengthen their body."

Then, he pointed to a box filled with blue crystal clusters. "These are Blue Star Crystal Flowers, which only grow on reefs near deep-sea whirlpools. These crystal flowers dissolve upon contact with water; bathing in this water will make your skin smooth and delicate, and can also improve your constitution." Ouyang Yu then went to a larger box and slowly opened it. Inside were some petals shimmering with golden light. He said, "These are Golden Sun Petals, which grow near the scorching craters of volcanoes, absorbing the power of ultimate Yang. If made into sachets and worn, they can ward off evil spirits and impurities. Women who smell their fragrance will also have a rosy complexion and radiant appearance."

As everyone marveled, he walked to another box. He took out a glass bottle containing a flowing silver liquid. "This is Moon Silver Dew, collected under the ancient laurel tree on the night of the full moon. It has miraculous healing effects on external injuries like scars. If applied to the face, it can eliminate fine wrinkles and tighten the skin." Ouyang Yu picked up the glass bottle and shook it; the Moon Silver Dew shimmered with a captivating silver light. "This Moon Silver Dew is extremely rare; the amount collected each time is very small. I spent a great deal of effort to collect just this one bottle."

As he spoke, he walked to another box, which emitted a faint chill. Opening it, he found an ice-blue flower inside, surrounded by wisps of cold air. "This is the Ice-Condensing Flower, which grows deep within ice caves in extremely cold places. It can regulate the body's balance of hot and cold; women can use it internally or externally. External application can make the skin whiter and more radiant, like an ice fairy."

In addition to those precious medicinal herbs, Ouyang Yu also brought a box containing common medicinal herbs such as angelica, white peony root, atractylodes macrocephala, angelica dahurica, bletilla striata, poria cocos, peach kernel, safflower, motherwort, and pearl powder.

Chen Mengyao was stunned, her heart filled with joy. If these precious medicinal herbs were used in the production of Yu Yan Fang's products, they would surely create even more miraculous and effective goods. However, some medicinal herbs were simply too precious to be used in Yu Yan Fang. Ice Condensation Flower could be used, other common medicinal herbs could be used, and those that were too precious would be better off being auctioned off in an auction house, where they could fetch higher prices.

Then, Ouyang Yu picked up a stone-like object. "This is meteorite iron, from a meteorite from outer space. It's incredibly hard and an excellent material for forging weapons. It's extremely rare and worth a fortune." Ouyang Han couldn't help but lean closer to examine it.

Ouyang Yu then took out a palm-sized box and slowly opened it. Inside was a small, exquisite wooden carving of a phoenix poised for flight. Every feather was meticulously carved, as if a gust of wind could lift it into the air. "This is made from a thousand-year-old tree. This wood survived a lightning strike but did not die; instead, it contains the power of lightning. Placing this carving indoors not only serves as an ornament but also wards off evil spirits and protects the home."

He then pulled a bracelet from his sleeve. The beads were round and translucent, emitting a soft glow. "This is a bracelet made of moonstone beads, which are formed from the essence of moonlight. Women who wear it can nourish their blood and make their complexion more radiant. Moreover, when walking at night, the beads will emit a faint light."

After gently setting down the Moonbeam Bead bracelet, Ouyang Yu carefully untied a brocade handkerchief. Beneath it lay an embroidered scroll. The fabric was adorned with a profusion of flowers and fluttering butterflies, the needlework so exquisite it was breathtaking. "This is a masterpiece of Suzhou embroidery, crafted by a renowned artist from Jiangnan, taking three years to complete. The silk threads are specially made, dyed with a mixture of rare flower and herb juices, resulting in vibrant colors that will never fade. Wherever it is placed, it will be a beautiful sight to behold." Everyone gathered around, marveling at its beauty.

Then, Ouyang Yu took a long, narrow box from the guard behind him. Opening the box, he found an exquisite folding fan inside. The fan ribs were made of a special bamboo that emitted a faint fragrance; this bamboo, called Xiangyun bamboo, only grows atop misty, mountain peaks. The fan surface was made of a silk as thin as a cicada's wing, painted with a landscape scene. The brushstrokes were lively and elegant, as if created by a celestial being. The signature revealed it to be an authentic work by a renowned artist whose painting had long been lost.

Finally, there was a box filled with all sorts of handcrafted art pieces: exquisite wood carvings, with lifelike figures and animals seemingly leaping off the wood; delicate embroidery, where silk threads wove vibrant patterns on satin, inspiring admiration for the artisan's skill; and magnificent ceramics, with bright glazes and unique shapes, showcasing superb craftsmanship. Most eye-catching of all was a glazed pagoda, its crystal-clear surface radiating a mesmerizing light, like a rare treasure.

Chen Mengyao knew that these handcrafted artworks were of immeasurable value, both in terms of their artistic and practical significance. With the help of these treasures, Wanbaoxuanfang was sure to shine brightly.

Chen Mengyao was overjoyed. "Your Highness, the things you brought are truly rare and precious. This collaboration will certainly not disappoint you. If you have any other good things in the future, feel free to bring them to me. I guarantee I can help you sell them for a good price. By the way, Your Highness, why don't we cooperate to open an auction house? It's a waste to sell all those exquisite items in the general store. And those precious medicinal herbs like Lingxu Grass, Stone Marrow Fungus, Golden Sun Petals, Blue Star Crystal Flower, Moon Silver Dew, and Thousand-Year Snow Lotus should also be auctioned off. It's too wasteful to use them in Yuyan Workshop for beauty products. I will also put some rare items up for auction, once every two weeks. The general store can just sell those exquisite wood carvings, embroidered ceramics, and other art pieces. I have plenty of things that can be sold in the general store, so I don't need your precious items. As for those precious items like meteorite iron, put them up for auction. I guarantee they will fetch astronomical prices."

Ouyang Yu laughed heartily, "Third Sister-in-law's idea is truly brilliant! How could I not have thought of that? Having been in business for so many years, I have indeed been able to find quite a few precious items. I will provide the shop and the management staff, and as for the goods, you and I will each contribute some, and we'll split the profits 50/50. As for the decoration, I'll have Third Sister-in-law design it; I think your Jade Beauty Shop has a nice interior. I trust Third Sister-in-law. With this partnership, I'm sure I'll make a fortune."

Next, they discussed the auction house in detail. Chen Mengyao requested a very large shop, ideally a multi-story restaurant with private rooms for VIPs and a ground floor for ordinary merchants and martial arts figures. Strict screening of those entering the auction house was required to prevent unscrupulous individuals from infiltrating; invitations were preferred. Security guards were also needed to maintain order and prevent theft or robbery of valuable items. Guards were to escort successful bidders safely out of the auction house; their safety afterward would be their responsibility. The decoration would be discussed after Ouyang Yu had found a suitable location. Ouyang Yu admired his future sister-in-law even more. Although a woman, she was incredibly shrewd in business, no less capable than him, a seasoned businessman, and perhaps even more insightful, with some ideas he hadn't even considered.

As they talked, it became lunchtime, so they invited Ouyang Yu to stay for lunch, which he accepted. After lunch, they continued their discussion about the department store and the auction house.