The Prince's Beloved Little Wife

Chapter 59 Preparing to Open a Restaurant

When Chen Mengyao and Ouyang Han returned to the bustling city, they parted ways. Chen Mengyao walked lightly towards her quiet and secluded courtyard. Stepping through the gate, she moved swiftly like a bird returning to its nest, quickly crossing the courtyard and entering her cozy room. Once inside, she gently closed the door, shutting out the outside world, and then focused on the tasks at hand.

She entered the space again with practiced ease, her eyes scanning every corner eagerly, trying to find more opportunities to start a business. Soon, her gaze was drawn to a dazzling array of items—various exquisite crystal necklaces, dazzling earrings, and uniquely designed bracelets were neatly displayed there, along with some silver jewelry that emitted a soft silver luster.

Gazing at these beautiful ornaments, a thought suddenly struck her: why not simply open a shop specializing in jewelry? This way, she could make full use of the available space and satisfy people's pursuit of beauty. With this in mind, she decided to first inquire whether her other brothers possessed even more stunning jewelry or knew any skilled craftsmen adept at creating exquisite pieces. If so, they could collaborate to make this jewelry shop even more outstanding.

Chen Mengyao walked to the computer in the space and sat down. This computer was connected to a vast database, allowing her to search for all sorts of knowledge. She skillfully opened the search engine and entered the keywords "decoration materials and styles of ancient jewelry stores." Instantly, a wealth of information appeared before her eyes.

She browsed carefully, noting the elegant wooden carved doors and windows perfect for creating a classic atmosphere, and the warm-toned jade floor tiles, both beautiful and sophisticated. Silk brocade ornaments could be hung on the walls to add a touch of luxury. For lighting, vintage glass lamps would be a good choice.

As she browsed, she selected the most satisfactory design and clicked the download button. As the progress bar moved forward, the printer started working, slowly producing design drawings and written documents.

After all the printing was finished, Chen Mengyao held a thick stack of documents, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She could almost see that exquisite and unique jewelry store standing in the bustling city center, with customers coming and going in an endless stream, admiring the beautiful jewelry.

Meanwhile, Ouyang Han turned and walked towards the majestic and solemn Prince's mansion. With steady, powerful steps, he traversed numerous corridors and courtyards, finally arriving at his study, where he handled official business. The study was filled with the faint scent of ink, and various official documents and files were neatly arranged on the desk. Ouyang sat solemnly at the desk, carefully reviewing the documents and beginning to deal with the complex and numerous official duties.

After the Crown Prince and his entourage returned from Chen Mengyao's courtyard, they immediately dispatched their capable subordinates to join forces with the men of Prince Duan and Prince Wen's sons-in-law to acquire properties in Xihua Street that did not belong to them.

The Crown Prince's trusted confidant was the steward, Li Fu, a man of exceptional efficiency. He led a group of servants to a silk shop. Li Fu, beaming, explained their purpose to the shopkeeper, presenting him with a pre-prepared contract and a detailed list of generous compensation. The shopkeeper, initially hesitant due to the shop's long history, immediately agreed after seeing the compensation amount—enough to open several more shops of similar size—and the transfer agreement for another shop in a prime location.

Meanwhile, Prince Duan's men set their sights on a teahouse. The newcomer placed a heavy silver bag on the table, the sound attracting the teahouse owner's attention. The man calmly explained the transaction, even promising to help transfer his list of regular customers. The teahouse owner was immediately tempted and agreed to the deal on the spot.

King Wen's men then began acquiring a pharmacy. They brought not only a large amount of gold and silver treasures, but also a collection of health-preserving formulas written by the imperial physicians. The pharmacy owner knew that the powerful forces behind this were not to be trifled with, and given the attractive terms, he agreed to sell.

The prince consort's men were not to be outdone, and quickly acquired several small eateries. In less than half a day, the acquisition of Xihua Street was successfully completed. Looking at the empty but potentially lucrative street, everyone's lips curled into a confident smile.

The Crown Princess was overjoyed to learn that the Crown Prince had successfully acquired a suitable shop to open a hot pot restaurant. She personally went to the shop, and looking at the spacious and bright storefront, she could already picture a bustling and lively scene. She summoned craftsmen to meticulously sketch out the layout of the shop, aiming to create a unique hot pot dining environment.

Prince Duan was also very interested in the noodle shop. He stood in the center of the shop, imagining the scene of customers enjoying the delicious noodles. He instructed his servants to decorate it according to the style of a traditional noodle shop, and to use the sturdiest and most durable wood for the tables and chairs.

King Wen held the blueprints for the dessert shop and meticulously designed the placement of the display shelves. He hoped that each dessert would be displayed like a work of art, and that the shop would become a paradise for dessert lovers in the city.

The prince consort pondered over the barbecue stalls, considering how to set up an open-air area so that customers could comfortably enjoy their skewers on summer evenings. A few days later, construction began on the various stalls, and Xihua Street was bustling with activity. The locals watched and speculated with curiosity, while the four protagonists eagerly awaited the opening of their shops, as if they could already see a prosperous future for their businesses.

After printing out the jewelry store information, Chen Mengyao went to the Prince's Mansion to find Ouyang Han. She wanted to check on the shop situation on Xihua Street and see which shop to choose as the location for her milk tea shop. When the butler saw Chen Mengyao enter, he quickly led her to the Prince's study. Ouyang Han had just finished his official duties. Upon seeing her, he immediately asked her purpose for coming. Chen Mengyao explained her purpose, and Ouyang Han promptly took her there.

Upon arrival, Chen Mengyao noticed several shops were already under renovation. She assumed they must belong to the Prince and his group; they were incredibly fast. She examined each shop individually, recognizing each one by its interior design. After inspecting the shops under renovation, she went to choose a location to open her milk tea shop.

Chen Mengyao strolled down the street, her gaze drawn to a closed shop. The shop used to be a food stall, but she already had a bold plan in mind—to transform it into a modern-style milk tea shop.

She walked into the shop, carefully observing every corner. The spacious area caught her eye, and she imagined creating a raised platform there as a stage for making milk tea. She planned to use fashionable materials and designs to make this platform the focal point of the shop.

In her plan, the kitchen will be an efficient and tidy place. She will use advanced equipment to ensure a smooth and hygienic milk tea making process. At the same time, she will design reasonable storage space to store various ingredients and utensils.

Chen Mengyao passionately sketched out her vision on the paper, eager to turn this dream into reality. She knew it would be a challenge, but she was confident she could succeed.

She remembered that among the people Ouyang Han had given her was a culinary expert named Zhao Feng, so she asked Ouyang Han to send a message to Zhao Feng, inviting him to come over and take charge of the milk tea shop's renovation and recruitment. Soon, Ouyang Han contacted Zhao Feng through special channels.

Before long, Zhao Feng arrived in a hurry. He bowed respectfully to Chen Mengyao and Ouyang Han, his eyes revealing his competence.

"Master Zhao, the decoration of this milk tea shop is entirely in your hands." Chen Mengyao handed the blueprints to Zhao Feng. They were detailed, showing a layout similar to a modern milk tea shop, with a raised platform, neatly arranged tables and chairs, and even a place to put up posters.

Zhao Feng carefully examined the blueprints, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his confidence. "Your Highness, rest assured, I will do my utmost. But regarding this matter of recruiting talent, are there any special requirements?"

"You need to find some quick and efficient people with decent looks. Especially the guy who makes the milk tea, he must be clever and quick-witted, able to learn the techniques of making milk tea quickly, and also honest and reliable, so that the recipe won't be leaked. You'd better look for him in Longyuan Pavilion," Chen Mengyao explained patiently.

Zhao Feng noted everything down. "I understand. However, I have never heard of this milk tea before. I would appreciate it if Your Highness could enlighten me."

Chen Mengyao smiled and briefly explained the ingredients and general preparation method for milk tea. Zhao Feng listened and suddenly understood, saying confidently, "Your Highness, rest assured, I will start preparing right away and will certainly not disappoint you." After saying that, he turned and walked towards the shop to begin preparing for the renovation and staff recruitment.

After making the arrangements, she and Ouyang Han slowly walked back together. Chen Mengyao and Ouyang Han walked side by side on the way back to the Prince's Mansion. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on them, casting two long shadows.

Chen Mengyao turned to look at Ouyang Han and said softly, "After Fifth Brother and Second Sister come back, let's gather everyone together in the courtyard to discuss opening a jewelry store."

Ouyang Han listened quietly as Chen Mengyao excitedly recounted her plans to open a new jewelry store, a pang of heartache rising in his heart. He knew how much effort and sweat she had poured into completing her tasks and earning points.

He saw the light shining in her eyes—a light of unwavering dedication and pursuit of her dreams. He understood her resolve and knew that her efforts were not only for herself, but also for their future.

However, he couldn't help but worry that she might be overworking herself. He felt sorry for her busy schedule every day and worried that she might neglect her own body and health. He wanted to persuade her to slow down and rest more, but he knew she wouldn't give up easily.

While he felt sorry for her, he was also proud of her. Her perseverance and hard work showed him her strength and courage. He believed she would succeed and achieve her goals.

Ouyang Han silently decided that he would stand by her side to support and help her. He would do everything in his power to make her path to her dreams smoother. He would give her a warm hug when she was tired and face difficulties with her.

Their future is full of challenges, but Ouyang Han believes that as long as they work together, they will surely be able to create a bright future for themselves.

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