AUBTN -Chapter 136 The Opening of Huaxiangrong

“Chief, according to my market research, the average annual spending of women in the capital on beauty and skincare is about fifty taels. For high-end consumers, it can reach as much as five hundred taels.”

Su Hewan pointed at the data as she spoke, her analysis clear and well-organized.

“Most competing products on the market currently contain harmful substances such as lead and mercury. Long-term use can ruin the skin. Our products, however, focus on being purely natural and based on traditional Chinese herbs, giving us an irreplaceable competitive advantage.”

“As long as the first batch of products goes into production, we estimate the first month’s revenue could reach three thousand taels. The initial investment can be recovered in half a year, and profits could double within a year.”

She raised her head, her gaze bright as she looked directly at Shen Jue.

“This money won’t just fill your private treasury—it could even become a source of funding for the Eastern Depot’s future investigations. You wouldn’t need to draw from the national treasury to support all those agents under your command.”

As Shen Jue listened to her speak with such confidence, the smile at the corner of his lips deepened.

This little girl—she claimed to be discussing business with him, yet every word was clearly thinking of his interests.

The Eastern Depot did indeed burn through money. Raising informants, buying intelligence—every expense was like pouring gold and silver into a bottomless pit.

“Wanwan.”

Shen Jue set down his teacup and leaned forward slightly. The usually sinister eyes now brimmed with tenderness.

“I have three estates in the outskirts of the capital, and there are still a few chests of luminous pearls in my treasury that the late emperor once rewarded me with. If you’re short on money, just take them.”

He reached out, intending to take Su Hewan’s hand.

But Su Hewan withdrew her hand, her expression serious.

“Shen Jue, I don’t want your money.”

“What I want is a career of my own.”

In her heart, she silently added:

【Although you have money and power, in this era where imperial authority rules everything, who knows what might happen tomorrow? What if one day you fall from power… or… or change your heart? I need capital to rely on myself. A woman should still be financially independent—when you have money in your hands, your heart stays calm.】

Shen Jue’s hand froze in midair.

Fall from power? Change his heart?

A trace of helplessness crossed his eyes. Just what kind of dramatic persecution scenarios was this girl imagining in her little head all day?

But he understood the unease hidden in her heart.

“Alright.”

Shen Jue withdrew his hand, lightly rubbing the white jade thumb ring on his finger as he returned to his usual calculating demeanor.

“Since it’s business, then we’ll follow business rules.”

At lunchtime, the four of them gathered in the flower hall.

Exquisite dishes were laid out on the table, but no one touched their chopsticks.

A faint smell of gunpowder seemed to hang in the air.

“Since both of you are interested in investing, let’s talk about the issue of share distribution.”

Su Hewan spoke like a professional negotiator, holding a draft agreement in her hand.

Yu Qing sat beside her with her back straight, acting as moral support.

Shen Jue and Lu Yan exchanged a glance.

Two powerful figures who could command the winds and clouds in the imperial court were now being firmly controlled by two young women at their own dining table.

“In this business, Wanwan and I provide the technology, the ideas, and the management.”

Yu Qing spoke first.

“We’ll take 51% of the shares and hold absolute controlling interest! The remaining 49%—whoever invests more money gets the larger portion!”

Lu Yan snorted and glanced at Shen Jue.

“This idea was Yu Qing’s. I’ll invest one hundred thousand taels. I want that 49%.”

He was wealthy and straightforward, instantly pushing the price to the top.

Shen Jue chuckled softly, his feminine voice tinged with a hint of ridicule.

“Commander Lu certainly has quite the appetite. If this business didn’t have the Eastern Depot’s protection, I’m afraid it would be harassed by local ruffians every other day. I won’t just provide money—I’ll provide manpower. From now on, this shop will be under the Eastern Depot’s protection.”

He turned to look at Su Hewan and raised an eyebrow.

“I’ll invest one hundred and fifty thousand taels, plus the Eastern Depot’s protection. But I want seventy percent of the shares.”

“Seventy percent? In your dreams!”

Lu Yan slammed his palm on the table.

“This was Yu Qing’s idea. Why should you take the biggest share? I’ll invest two hundred thousand taels! I want eighty percent!”

“Two hundred and fifty thousand taels,” Shen Jue replied without even lifting his eyelids.

“Lord Lu, with the little salary the Imperial Guards earn, can you really afford to be this extravagant? Don’t tell me you’re even throwing in your future wife’s savings.”

“None of your business,” Lu Yan sneered.

Su Hewan and Yu Qing stared at the two men in stunned silence.

How had their angel investment suddenly turned into a competitive auction?

And the focus had completely gone off track!

“Stop!”

Yu Qing finally couldn’t hold it in any longer and shouted.

Then she leaned close to Su Hewan and whispered, “These two are like elementary school kids! They’re actually arguing over who gets to give more money! That ridiculous competitive spirit… But… three hundred thousand taels! Wanwan, maybe we should just accept it?”

Su Hewan quickly grabbed Yu Qing—who was practically drooling—and tapped the table calmly.

“Gentlemen, please calm down.”

She looked at the two men who usually held immense power in court, yet at this moment were behaving like three-year-olds.

“Since both of you are so sincere, how about this?”

Su Hewan swiftly made a few changes to the agreement.

“Supervisor Shen and Lord Lu will each invest one hundred thousand taels and hold 20% of the shares each. The remaining 60% will belong to Yu Qing and me.”

“No.”

Shen Jue and Lu Yan spoke at the same time.

“Why?” Su Hewan asked, confused.

Shen Jue glanced at Lu Yan and curled his lips in disdain. “I don’t want to be on equal footing with this blockhead.”

Lu Yan snorted coldly. “Hmph. I’m not exactly eager to work with a eu— I mean, Supervisor Shen either.”

The situation fell into another stalemate.

Yu Qing rolled her eyes dramatically and grabbed a chicken leg from the table, taking a big bite.

Unbelievable…

In the end, under the firm suppression of the two ladies, the four-party agreement was finally signed.

Though Shen Jue and Lu Yan still disliked each other, for the sake of their respective future wives, they could only pinch their noses and accept it.

Looking at the contract stamped with four bright red fingerprints, Su Hewan and Yu Qing exchanged a smile.

Vermilion Bird Street—where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold.

Today, this normally refined and prestigious district was suddenly thrown into a frenzy by the deafening sound of gongs and drums.

A brand-new shop called Hua Xiang Rong had unexpectedly unveiled its signboard in the most prominent location of the capital.

The plaque was carved from purple sandalwood, with large gilded characters that flowed like dragons and phoenixes in flight.

Rumor had it that the calligraphy was done by a famous master of the current dynasty—though no one knew that Shen Jue had casually written it himself, and Su Hewan had simply taken the rubbing from it.

Outside the shop, there were none of the usual dazzling displays of merchandise.

Instead, a half-person-tall stage had been set up, surrounded by pale pink gauze that swayed gently in the breeze, giving off an air of mystery and luxury.

“Don’t miss it if you’re passing by! Today is Hua Xiang Rong’s grand opening celebration! No need to buy anything—come in, take a look, have some free tea, and enjoy a free trial!”

Standing on the stage, Yu Qing held a homemade tin loudspeaker. The way she shouted made it seem as if she wasn’t on a street in the capital at all, but hosting a Double Eleven livestream sale.

A large crowd had already gathered below to watch the excitement.

Among them were quite a few well-dressed noble ladies who had stopped to observe.

However, mindful of their status, most remained inside their sedan chairs or wore veiled hats, whispering quietly among themselves.

“Has this shop owner gone mad? The rent on Vermilion Bird Street is as expensive as flowing water, and they’re actually giving people free tea?”

“They call it an ‘experience-based purchase.’ I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

Listening to the murmurs around her, Su Hewan—standing by the window of a private room on the second floor—curved her lips into a calm, confident smile.

Behind her, Shen Jue lounged lazily in a grand armchair.