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In the Chu Residence.

Fan Yuru and Rong Shiyu came together to find Chu Qingyan.

“Qingyan.”

Chu Qingyan was doing makeup for a maid in the residence. Even without her master around, she didn’t slack off and practiced makeup on others every day to maintain her skills.

She turned to see the two and smiled, “Please have a seat, sisters. Let me finish her makeup, and then we can talk.”

Fan Yuru smiled, “Sure, take your time.”

Soon, Chu Qingyan finished the maid’s makeup and handed her a mirror, “Xiaochan, take a look.”

Xiaochan looked at herself in the mirror, joy lighting up her face, “The blemishes on my face are all covered, I look brighter and prettier. Miss Qingyan, you’re really skilled.”

“You already have a good foundation; a little makeup makes you look very pretty.”

Xiaochan, looking at herself in the mirror, said thoughtfully, “Miss Qingyan, do you do makeup for others outside as well?”

Chu Qingyan, while packing up her tools, replied, “Yes, but I charge for it.”

Xiaochan thought for a moment, “Miss Qingyan, my sister is getting married the day after tomorrow. Could you do her makeup?”

“Sure. 1 love putting makeup on the bride. Give me the address, and 1’11 help your sister put it on the day after tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Miss Qingyan.”

“You’re welcome.”

As Xiaochan spoke, Chu Qingyan wrote the address on a piece of paper and placed it in the box. “When the time comes, I will definitely make your sister look like a fairy.”

Xiaochan stood up, smiling and bowing, “Thank you, Miss Qingyan.”

“It’s nothing.” Chu Qingyan finished packing her tools and approached Fan Yuru and Rong Shiyu, “Why have you two come together?”

Fan Yuru got straight to the point, “We came to discuss the freckle-removing cream with you.”

The Fan family wasn’t very skilled in managing businesses. Currently, the family’s businesses were managed by Fan Yuni (the Empress). Considering her sister was busy with palace affairs, business matters, and taking care of the little crown prince, Fan Yuru thought about learning business herself, planning to take over the business in the future to lighten the Empress’s burden.

Chu Qingyan shook her head, puzzled, “I don’t quite understand what you mean, Sister Yuru.”

Fan Yuru explained, “I mean, how about selling the freckle-removing cream to us?”

Chu Qingyan’s eyes lit up, “You would buy my freckle-removing cream?”

It was also Fan Yuru’s first time talking about business deals, so she was a little excited. “Of course. Let me tell you, most women in the capital don’t lack money. Your freckle-removing cream is so effective, so you don’t have to worry about not having customers. Moreover, my family and Shiyu’s family have medicine shops that can provide you with medicinal herbs. It’s mutually beneficial. What do you think?”

Chu Qingyan was eager but hesitant, “I think it’s great, but I want to ask my fifth sister’s opinion first. The recipe is hers.”

Fan Yuru agreed, “That’s fine. Please let us know as soon as possible after you’ve asked her. How does that sound?”

“Okay.”

As soon as Chu Qingzhi returned, Chu Qingyan stopped her, smiling brightly, “Fifth sister, I have something to tell you.”

Chu Qingzhi looked down at Chu Qingyan, “What happened that you’re so happy?”

Chu Qingyan grabbed Chu Qingzhi’s hand, excitedly saying, “Just now, Sister Yuru and Sister Shiyu came, and they want to buy my freckle-removing cream.”

“What did you say?”

“I said I would ask for your opinion first.”

“I support you.”

Chu Qingyan excitedly hugged Chu Qingzhi, “Fifth sister, you are the best sister in the world.”

Chu Qingzhi laughed, “If your second, fourth, and sixth sisters hear this, they’ll surely be jealous.”

Chu Qingyan stuck out her tongue. “No, they won’t. They also think you are the best sister.”

Once Chu Qingyan’s excitement calmed down a bit, Chu Qingzhi took her to sit on a stone bench in the yard, “As always, remember to be persistent in whatever you do.”

Chu Qingyan nodded seriously, “Fifth sister, I won’t give up.”

“Let me tell you about some of the pitfalls to avoid in business. Keep these in mind…”

Chu Qingyan took out a notebook and started jotting down, “I’ve got it, fifth sister.”

The little butler came with an elegantly crafted invitation, “Fifth Miss, this is an invitation from the Cai family.”

He initially brought it to Chu Rong, but Chu Rong directed him to Chu Qingzhi.

After reading the invitation, Chu Qingzhi handed it back to the butler, “Tell the person who delivered the invitation that we have an important event at home and can’t accept the invitation for now. And, if the Zhang and Yang families also send invitations, respond the same way.”

“Yes, Fifth Miss.”

After the servant of the Cai family received the response, he immediately returned home to tell Cai Yuting.

Holding the invitation, Cai Yuting’s face gradually became expressionless.

In the Chu Residence.

A carriage arrived at the Chu family’s main gate. Yuan Qingqing and her younger brother got out.

Yuan Qingqing said, “Third brother, this is the place.”

Yuan Baozhang, thirteen years old and a scholar, was a pride of his family. The General of the Agile Cavalry cherished him and boasted about him to everyone.

Looking towards the gate, he said, “Second sister, isn’t it rude to visit unannounced? Might it displease them?”

Yuan Qingqing replied, “It’s fine. There are guards, right? Let them inform Qingzhi. If Qingzhi is busy, we’ll leave. But if she’s free and can give you some pointers, it would be extremely beneficial.”

The Poetry and Rites Competition was about to begin, and everyone was eager to outdo their rivals, especially the students from the two academies who were eager to defeat each other.

Yuan Baozhang had signed up for the calligraphy contest. Upon learning this, Yuan Qingqing specially brought him to seek advice from Chu Qingzhi.

Chu Qingzhi had showcased her calligraphy at a banquet hosted by Fan Yuru, which later became widely acclaimed in the capital. Her calligraphy work was now framed and hung in the study of Wang Lingxi, a renowned calligrapher in the capital, who admired it daily.

Wang Lingxi was the judge for calligraphy in the upcoming competition.

Yuan Qingqing approached a guard, “Is Miss Qingzhi home?”

The guard, arranged by Tang Jinghong for security purposes, as Qingzhi was indeed busy and many were seeking her, replied, “She’s inside, but Miss Qingzhi is very busy and might not have time to see you.”

Yuan Qingqing politely said, “Please inform her. If she’s too busy, we’ll leave right away.”

“Please wait a moment; I’ll pass the message.”

“Thank you.”

In the yard, the melodious sound of a guqin could be heard. Chu Qingzhi was teaching Chu Xuyao to play the guqin for tomorrow’s competition. It was a last-minute effort.

Tang Jinghong was also there, teaching Chu Xuyuan chess..