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Strolling and shopping are common hobbies among women, a timeless tradition that Su Zhi also embraced, evident by the growing pile of goods in the cart.
Essential provisions like grains and cooking spices were a must. Su Zhi considered that once they returned and started building their house, they would need to hire help. In rural areas, besides paying wages, it was customary to provide meals for hired help. Failure to do so would require higher wages. Ultimately, after completing the construction, a celebratory feast would be necessary, the scale of which would depend on the circumstances.
Preferring to be overprepared than under, Su Zhi bought extra supplies: a bag each of rice, flour, and cornmeal, along with a large jar of oil, salt, and soy sauce.
She learned that she needed to bring her own containers for these purchases, having acquired new bags and jars. Initially planning to buy vinegar, Su Zhi was surprised when asked what vinegar was, a moment that left her both astonished and amused, realizing she had discovered another potential income stream for the future.
Eating and dressing go hand in hand; once you’ve eaten, you need clothes.
Su Zhi decided to first buy some cloth to make cotton clothes for Shen Zi’an and herself, along with making bedcovers to place atop their bedding. Once the house was completed, she would plan for additional fabric needs accordingly.
In the end, she purchased twenty catties of cotton and bedding materials, all in plain colors. She thought that once the house was finished, they would need to cover the beddings, so she decided to prepare in advance. Su Zhi also bought fabric to make clothes, opting for blue for the cotton clothes. She purchased deep blue and light blue outerwear for Shen Zi’an. Since she already had a floral fabric piece purchased by Shen Zi’an, she decided not to buy more for herself. Despite Shen Zi’an insisting, she suggested waiting until the house was completed, which he eventually agreed to.
After completing their shopping for food and clothing, they had spent less than three taels of silver in total.
Su Zhi thought if she didn’t have the eight hundred taels of silver, spending these three taels would have been a significant loss for her. For farmers who work the land, three taels of silver could be considered a substantial amount. While many farmers prioritize growing crops for sustenance, there are few who would spare this much rice and flour. If anyone who pinched pennies saw Su Zhi buying so much today, they would surely label her as extravagant.
Su Zhi had made up her mind; now that she had separated from her family and had a doting husband, she felt comfortable spending money. However, no matter how much money she had, the thought of her grand plan for their family made her feel it wasn’t enough. She realized she needed to work harder to earn more!
“Zi’an, we’ve bought almost everything. Let’s go find the Embroidery Shop,” Su Zhi said to Shen Zi’an, carrying her purse containing embroidered handkerchiefs, curious about how much she could earn from them.
The Colorful Embroidery Shop was the largest in town, offering exquisite fabrics like satin and silk, along with embroidered garments displaying intricate designs. Just standing at the entrance, the vibrant colors and diverse products gave off a feeling of spring in full bloom, enticing anyone to step inside.
“Wife, I’ll stay outside to watch the cart and goods. You go in alone,” Shen Zi’an suggested. After the recent negotiation with Manager Li over the ginseng price, he had complete confidence in Su Zhi’s intelligence and courage.
Su Zhi nodded, took out the small bundle from her bamboo basket, and entered the gates of the Embroidery Shop. As she examined the embroidered products, she felt confident in the quality of her own handiwork.
Inside the store, two women were present: one clearly a shop assistant, and the other appearing to be in charge.
“Are you interested in these purses, miss? Not sure which one you prefer? Our embroidered products here are among the best in the vicinity; carrying one would surely enhance your status,” the woman in charge approached Su Zhi with a smile upon noticing her interest in the purses.
Having observed the young couple earlier, she couldn’t help but feel they resembled characters from theatrical dramas, despite their simple attire. Seeing Shen Zi’an’s gentle gaze towards Su Zhi made her somewhat envious, realizing that what women truly desired was a good man.
Su Zhi placed the purse down and replied with a smile, “Are you the shopkeeper? I’m not here to make a purchase but to showcase my skills to you. I’m hoping to impress you and earn some extra silver to spend.”
“Ah, I’m the shopkeeper of this Colorful Embroidery Shop, also the owner here. My surname is Su. Since you have goods to show, please present them. If they meet my standards, I’ll purchase them,” the shopkeeper responded.
“Hello, Manager Su. My maiden name is Zhao, and my married name is Shen. These are handwoven handkerchiefs and embroidered purses that I made myself. Please take a look,” Su Zhi said, opening the small bundle to reveal five handkerchiefs and one purse.
Manager Su’s eyes lit up as she examined the items, picking up a handkerchief and a purse, clearly impressed by the intricate designs.
The handkerchiefs featured innovative patterns, while the embroidery on the purse was exquisitely detailed, with exceptionally appealing motifs.
Su Zhi could tell by Manager Su’s expression that she had caught her interest and might earn some spending money.
“Zhao, your handkerchiefs are beautifully crafted. What are the names of these designs?” Manager Su inquired.
“These handkerchiefs are named ‘Wealth and Prosperity’ and ‘Love Birds.’ As for the knots, we have ‘Auspicious Knot,’ ‘Phoenix Knot,’ and ‘Promotion Knot,'” Su Zhi replied.
Su Zhi’s mind shifted as she spontaneously came up with several auspicious and pleasant names. Adding a beautiful name to something ordinary could completely change its significance. This was akin to the difference between a simple cabbage and tofu soup and a soup named “Pearl Jade Soup.”
Manager Su’s eyes gleamed upon hearing the names Su Zhi had chosen. She praised, “Wonderful names! Just based on these names, taking these back will surely bring good fortune. You are truly talented. The embroidery on this purse is exceptional, it looks so real.”
The purse was a bright green color, made from fabric scraps Shen Zi’an had requested from the fabric store, all of which were silk. Su Zhi skillfully pieced them together, creating a complete purse and embroidering a pink lotus flower on it, looking remarkably genuine.
“I’ll purchase these items from you. Just let me know how many you have, and I’ll buy them all. Let’s discuss the pricing. Handkerchiefs are categorized into different grades based on complexity and style. Simpler designs are cheaper, while intricate and newer designs are pricier. The most expensive handkerchief I buy here costs five taels each. Take a look at these,” Manager Su pointed to some exquisite handkerchiefs for Su Zhi to inspect. Indeed, they were delicately crafted with intricate stitching. Su Zhi nodded, finding the pricing similar to what she had seen in her past life.
“Now, I’m curious how much you intend to offer for my handkerchiefs. These are the latest designs, and with such auspicious names, they are sure to sell well,” Su Zhi inquired.
“How about seven taels for each of your handkerchiefs? What do you think?” Manager Su proposed.
Su Zhi smiled and replied, “Ten taels for each handkerchief, Manager Su. These handkerchiefs aren’t a secret, their value lies in their novelty. If in the future, clever individuals learn to craft these handkerchiefs, then you can consider reducing the price. Don’t worry about my asking price; rarity commands value, and you can surely make a good profit when reselling them.”
Manager Su paused for a moment, realizing the wisdom in Su Zhi’s words.
“Well, if I ever decide to reduce the price, I hope you won’t hold it against me,” Manager Su stated.
“Don’t worry, Manager Su. It was my proposal, and as a business person, it’s only natural to aim for the best deal when acquiring goods. That’s just how business works,” Su Zhi reassured, emphasizing that she was only looking to make some extra money with these handkerchiefs, not aiming to strike it rich. Besides, even if someone learned the technique, she had plenty of other designs in mind.
In the end, Su Zhi decided not to sell the handkerchiefs. With upcoming busy days ahead, she wouldn’t have time to craft more. Selling them now risked someone learning the technique and benefiting from her hard work. At least she would wait until she made a substantial profit before considering lowering the price. Manager Su understood her decision.
“With your sharp mind, you’re destined for success in business,” Manager Su complimented Su Zhi before they concluded their interaction.
“Everyone just wants a little more wealth for a better life,” Su Zhi modestly replied.
As Su Zhi was about to inquire about the price of the purse, she suddenly heard wailing cries from behind.
“Oh my goodness! What a terrible ordeal! These darn scoundrels!”
Before Su Zhi could grasp the situation, she felt someone grab her arm, causing her to wince in pain. She was then forcefully turned around to face a gaunt-looking woman who was glaring at her.
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