The Tofu Queen: A Modern Woman's Ancient Kingdom Journey

Qin Ziqin wasn't sure why he felt so flustered. Perhaps it was Jiang Huaiyu's frosty glare, or maybe it was the uncharacteristic shame that made him follow her into the house without a word of protest.

When she finally addressed him, he instinctively straightened his posture, his usually composed face turning slightly red. Realizing he might be overreacting, he forced himself to relax and sat down properly. "The steward I sent earlier—did she meet your expectations? She reported back and mentioned you'd given her instructions. While I initially told her to follow them without question, she insisted on showing me what you wrote. After reading it, I was... puzzled."

"Puzzled about what?" Jiang Huaiyu raised an eyebrow.

"The copper mirrors you wanted in the store," he said. "They seem to take up valuable space. I trust you have your reasons, but I'd like to hear them."

In the past, Qin Ziqin wouldn't have cared. A wave of his hand would have sufficed to delegate such matters. Yet now, he found himself genuinely curious about her rationale—an unfamiliar patience stirring within him.

"I'm working on new products and potential collaborations beyond bath powders," Jiang Huaiyu explained after a brief pause.

"And?"

"I want every woman in the capital to realize she's not plain—whether she's a beauty or not, she can look soft and radiant," Jiang Huaiyu replied, her tone calm and deliberate.

"Copper mirrors are part of that vision. I've instructed that each mirror be paired with a lamp so that when a woman looks into it, the warm light smooths away her flaws, revealing a luminous version of herself. Now, imagine if you were a woman, standing before such a mirror, seeing yourself so stunning. Wouldn't you be enchanted?"

Her sweet and persuasive words left Qin Ziqin nodding along before he caught himself. His face flushed as he hastily corrected, "I wouldn't know! I'm a man—I can't possibly understand how women think."

Jiang Huaiyu's calm gaze seemed to say, "Sure, keep telling yourself that."

Clearing his throat, Qin Ziqin added, "But now that I think about it, your idea makes sense."

Jiang Huaiyu resisted the urge to roll her eyes. If you want to save face, I'll let you.

"Business aimed at women should give them reasons to linger and return," she continued. "The copper mirrors and lamps are just part of the allure. Products like Li Xiangji's premium cosmetics or Qiuyueju's stylish clothing may draw in many women, but budgets have limits. If we're to outcompete them, our products must stand out, and every detail must be flawless."

"But isn't it risky? Won't other stores copy us?" Qin Ziqin frowned.

Jiang Huaiyu chuckled lightly. "So what if they do? Once our store gains a reputation for innovation, any imitations will only reinforce our brand's prestige. People will naturally say, 'Oh, they're copying the bath powder store.' Even if they don't, we can plant that narrative ourselves with a few well-placed whispers. It doesn't take much effort to shape public perception."

Her words clicked into place, and Qin Ziqin couldn't help but marvel at her strategic foresight. This wasn't just a small business venture; it was a foundation for something much larger.

Qin Ziqin sipped his tea, a faint smile tugging at his lips. This woman is extraordinary.

"Miss Jiang, I can only describe you with one phrase: limitless potential."

Jiang Huaiyu smiled faintly. "If I were truly limitless, I wouldn't have struggled to escape from Wangjia Village. By the way, I'll let you in on something—I'm currently working on a new product. If it proves effective, we can add it to our stores."

"Eighty-twenty split," she added without missing a beat.

Qin Ziqin nearly choked on his tea. He was used to her audacity by now, but she never ceased to surprise him. "That's... quite a disparity. Doesn't our partnership mean more to you than that?" he quipped, his handsome face teasingly playful.

Jiang Huaiyu was unimpressed. "This is a respectable business. If you're looking to sell yourself, the brothels in the western district would pay handsomely for your looks."

Qin Ziqin couldn't keep up the act. Laughing, he switched to a more serious tone. "Alright, eighty-twenty it is. But what's this new product supposed to do?"

She leaned back slightly, her gaze thoughtful. "Tell me, what defines a beautiful woman?"

Caught off guard, Qin Ziqin stiffened. For a moment, he regretted asking. Lately, he felt more like a confidant for women's issues than a partner in a business venture. Why was he subjecting himself to this?

After a pause, he muttered, "Good looks make a beauty."

"And what if she had a natural fragrance—a subtle, enchanting scent that seemed to emanate from her skin, not from perfume?"

Qin Ziqin's eyes widened. "If such a woman existed, she'd captivate every scholar and poet in the land. But natural fragrances are rare—surely you're not suggesting..."

Jiang Huaiyu nodded. "I can't promise permanent results, but my product will give a lasting, natural scent for several hours. It'll smell like it belongs to the wearer, not like artificial perfume."

"Miss Jiang, how do you come up with these ideas?" Qin Ziqin's admiration was genuine.

She smiled calmly. "In half a month, I'll have the first batch ready. I'll send it to your estate for testing."

"Half a month it is," Qin Ziqin said, rising to leave. "I'll come with a contract then."

Jiang Huaiyu nodded. "Agreed. Xiaocao, fetch a flask and fill it with wine from the jar in the kitchen. It's for Qin Gongzi."

Xiaocao scurried off obediently, while Qin Ziqin's face lit up with childlike delight. "This wine... it's excellent, isn't it? Since you insist, I'll take it off your hands."

Jiang Huaiyu arched a brow. "I don't drink, so I wouldn't know. But judging by your expression, it must be."

"By the way," she added as Xiaocao returned with the flask, "keep my involvement in these ventures private. It'll save us both trouble."

Qin Ziqin tilted his head. "Aren't you worried I'll take your formulas and run?"

Jiang Huaiyu's calm gaze met his. "You're welcome to try."

Her confidence sent a chill down his spine. He had no doubt that if he crossed her, the next day's headlines would feature her formulas distributed for free across the capital, leaving him with a worthless monopoly.

With a self-deprecating chuckle, he decided it was better not to test her limits. Taking the flask, he left the house with a playful smile but an unmistakable air of caution.

As he swaggered down the street, Qin Ziqin caught the attention of every woman he passed. His roguish charm and dashing looks turned heads wherever he went.

Meanwhile, at a nearby corner, two young women watched him intently.

"Are you sure this will work?" asked one, her luxurious butterfly-embroidered dress contrasting with her nervous expression.

"Trust me," the other girl replied, her tone soothing but laced with impatience. "Talented men like unique encounters. If you hesitate now, he'll walk right past, and you'll be nothing but a stranger to him."

Summoning her courage, the first girl stepped forward, carefully timing her movements. With a calculated stumble, she fell toward Qin Ziqin.

His sharp eyes caught the act instantly. He sidestepped smoothly, letting her fall harmlessly to the ground—but when he saw her familiar face, he sighed and extended a hand.

"Cousin," she murmured shyly, her cheeks flushed.

Qin Ziqin's icy gaze flickered to the wine flask she had accidentally knocked to the ground, its precious contents spilling onto the dirt.

His tone was as frosty as his eyes. "You'd better have an explanation for this."