Qin Yao originally just wanted to hold a brief meeting to set the production tasks for the second batch of Lady’s Boxes.

Unexpectedly, everyone enthusiastically discussed and even had unexpected gains. The more they talked, the more excited they became, skipping lunch altogether until the afternoon when everyone was parched and exhausted, reluctantly dispersing.

Now, Qin Yao has decided that the second batch will consist of 100 mother-of-pearl Lady’s Boxes, while simultaneously producing 50 Spring Edition Lady’s Boxes and 50 Mixed Color Lady’s Boxes as a hook for after the New Year.

Add small illustrated booklets to the new batch of Lady’s Boxes to deepen the impression Kyoto’s noblewomen have of them.

If everything goes smoothly, these operations will allow the high-end products of the Lady’s Box series to establish a foothold in the Capital City.

But compared to this, Qin Yao is still more concerned about the payment for the first batch.

Silver is not easy to transport, so after Qiu Yan deducted her portion of the profits, the remaining nine thousand taels were sent as silver notes by a trusted associate, directly to Qin Yao.

The person sent was also an old acquaintance of Qin Yao.

"I didn’t expect the Boss to send the second shopkeeper over." Qin Yao remarked with surprise as she invited Jiang Wen inside.

Jiang Wen smiled enviously, "This is nine thousand taels in silver notes; the Boss wouldn’t be comfortable giving them to someone else."

"We’ve been working together for some time, but I’ve never come over to see how these Lady’s Boxes are made. This time it’s a great opportunity."

The two sat in the living room, Mrs. Li brought tea and freshly made egg cakes, which looked plain but the sweet aroma brightened Jiang Wen’s eyes.

"What is this?" He asked, pointing at the dish of golden soft egg cakes.

Qin Yao explained, "Cake, a snack made haphazardly, but tastes quite good. Give it a try."

"Then I won’t be polite."

Jiang Wen was truly unapologetic, finding it easier to use the plate with Mrs. Li’s special silver spoon to scoop a piece and taste it.

The first sensation was the fragrance and softness, not the puffiness of wheat but a cloud-like cotton texture that melted instantly. Jiang Wen had never experienced such a texture and was pleasantly surprised.

Upon deeper savoring, the taste was far from just good; it was celestial!

Having eaten half the plate, Jiang Wen stopped to avoid choking, taking shallow sips of tea to ease it, narrowly avoiding embarrassment in front of Qin Yao.

"How is it?" Qin Yao asked with a subtle smile, appearing innocent as though not noticing any faux pas.

Jiang Wen restrainedly nodded and swallowed another spoonful before saying, "It’s not bad."

Having eaten, delivered the silver notes, it was time to talk business.

Qin Yao saw Jiang Wen revitalized and took him on a tour of the stationery factory, as well as various spots around the village, and shared her plan to open a Lady’s Box specialty store in the Capital City.

"Spe-ci-al-ty store?" Jiang Wen enunciated carefully, wary of mispronouncing a term he hadn’t heard before.

Liu Family Village feels remote, yet there are many novel phrases he hadn’t heard.

Things like Chief Designer, Research Team, Cafeteria, Working Meal seemed at first like local dialect.

Unexpectedly, the factory workers claimed these were coined by Manager Qin.

Looks like Manager Qin likes using unfamiliar terms; unknown where she learned them.

Qin Yao smiled subtly, "Yes, Specialty Store, a shop solely selling Lady’s Boxes, providing high-end service from reception to after-sales for anyone buying them."

"Certainly, the money for starting the shop is our responsibility, but being unfamiliar with the terrain, unlike your trading company’s deep roots, we’ll need much help to open the shop."

Jiang Wen was momentarily confused, seeing Qin Yao with such foresight, he felt compelled to remind her.

"Manager Qin, no one opens a store to sell just one thing, you know?"

Qin Yao nodded, "I know, which is why we’ve created two new products you just saw, and you’re quite satisfied with them, aren’t you?"

Jiang Wen was startled, merely changing colors counts as new?

He found it quite absurd but quickly realized, collaborating with her had always been a bit absurd, continuing in this vein might not matter.

"Opening a store in the Capital City is no easy task, are you really prepared?" Jiang Wen gravely questioned.

Qin Yao nodded with determination.

Jiang Wen scrutinized her for a while, "If the store opens, the Lady’s Boxes won’t be associated with Fulong Trading Company anymore, now the Capital City’s noblewomen only recognize ours, no others."

Qin Yao laughed lightly, "That’s why I said we’ll open the store, but have your trading company handle operations. We have no experience in serving customers and wouldn’t dare operate it ourselves."

"Giving it away for free?" Jiang Wen grew more suspicious, knowing that pies never fall from the sky.

Qin Yao shrugged, "If I propose opening a specialty store, would your trading company adopt the idea?"

"A popular Capital City storefront’s annual rent reaches three thousand taels, excluding decoration and other expenses. Overall, a minimum of five thousand taels annually is required to maintain it." Jiang Wen outlined the expenses for her.

This was slightly exaggerated, yet not far off.

Qin Yao’s smile widened, she winked at him, reminding him that she now held nine thousand taels in silver notes.

Moreover, the money they earned wasn’t just for themselves, there was the Princess behind the scenes.

Jiang Wen felt a weight in his heart, "I’ll report to the Boss."

Qin Yao felt satisfied, gently asking him, "Manager, when do you plan to return?"

"Early tomorrow." He dared not stay longer in Liu Family Village.

Qin Yao exclaimed, sending him off with Liu Fei the next day, saying: "I’ll have Liu Fei accompany you to the Capital tomorrow; he’s never traveled out of the county. Please guide him there."

Jiang Wen was wide-eyed, his Boss hadn’t agreed yet! It’s not acceptable to impose someone!

Qin Yao didn’t look at him, gave the horse a flick with the whip, and a "hup" command, sending it galloping off with a fuming Jiang Wen into Kaiyang County.

With no spare rooms at home, and feeling uncomfortable asking Jiang Wen to squeeze in, she directly arranged for him to stay at Manager Fan’s inn for a night, with good food served at her expense.

Having seen Jiang Wen off, Qin Yao hurried back home to calculate the accounts.

Nine thousand taels in silver notes lacked the tactile thrill of several boxes of silver, feeling insubstantial and unexciting.

After deducting costs, workers’ bonuses, and dividends for the villagers, seven thousand five hundred taels remained.

taels—three tenths—whether or not the Princess desires the endorsement fee, Qin Yao planned to voluntarily submit.

The remaining 5250 taels were Qin Yao’s personal profits.

Perhaps with all current needs met, this over five thousand taels couldn’t stir her internal emotions.

But, for Liu Fei, clutching those full seven thousand taels in silver notes as he prepared to follow Jiang Wen to Prefecture, then to the Capital City, and finally to the Princess Mansion for an offering, the trust from his third sister-in-law felt like a weight he couldn’t bear!

But it was the Capital City, after all, and young men bursting with ambition inevitably felt restless with excitement.

Thus, under the watchful eyes of his entire family, Liu Fei carrying a fortune, tasked with opening a store by his third sister-in-law, and full of personal exploration expectations, nervously embarked on his journey to the Capital.