Chapter 27: Business

When darkness fell, the autumn rain finally returned.

Having stuffed herself with tea and melon seeds, Qiu Yu spoke incessantly, "Miss, the teahouses outside are truly bustling! There are people from morning till night. Fortunately, I went early and secured a seat; otherwise, my feet would have broken from standing all day."

Tang Zhao tapped the table. "Get to the point."

Hehe, Qiu Yu gave a pleasing smile. "Song Sheng and I went to several of the most famous teahouses in Luoyang, and each one specializes in a different type of storybook."

"The master of Qingxiang Pavilion focuses on tales of talented scholars and beautiful ladies; the master of Mingyin Workshop does supernatural mysteries; and the master of Hongsheng Hall does tales of martial arts heroes. Mixed in with these are popular themes like passing the imperial examinations, reunited lovers, family reunions, and romantic affairs. Every single one is packed to the brim."

Tang Zhao summarized, "In other words, regardless of the subject matter, as long as it is melodramatic, it will be sought after."

Qiu Yu reminded her, "Except for matters regarding the Imperial Court."

Tang Zhao now had a clear idea. She closed her eyes, letting the TV dramas and novels she had watched in her previous life flash through her mind. In an instant, she determined her first novel.

"Chun Feng, prepare the brush and ink. I will dictate, and you will write."

Chun Feng laid out the Four Treasures of the Study on the desk, while Qiu Yu stood to the side grinding the ink.

"One thousand seven hundred years ago, at the foot of Mount Qingcheng, there lived a white snake named Bai Suzhen..."

That was right. She had chosen a story that was a staple of summer and winter holiday reruns, one familiar to anyone born in the eighties—*The Legend of the White Snake*.

Strange occurrences, talented scholars and beautiful ladies, repaying kindness with love, and happy endings—every element hit the sweet spots of the Luoyang people's hearts.

It was bound to be a bestseller!

"Bai Suzhen devoted herself to cultivation to seek immortality, but Guanyin Bodhisattva said her worldly ties were not yet severed and she could not become an immortal. Bai Suzhen immediately begged the Great Bodhisattva Guanyin to guide her through the mystery."

Chun Feng’s brush flew across the paper; she had almost finished by the time Tang Zhao finished speaking.

"What mystery did the Great Bodhisattva Guanyin reveal?" Qiu Yu, caught up in the excitement, asked impatiently.

Tang Zhao drank two full cups of tea before her throat felt comfortable. She shot her a sidelong glance and teased, "To know what happens next, please listen to the next installment."

"Miss!" Qiu Yu stamped her foot.

Chun Feng was also curious, but seeing the exhaustion in her mistress's eyes, she suppressed her curiosity. After she and Qiu Yu helped their mistress settle down for rest, they returned to their own rooms, rubbing their aching wrists.

With her mind preoccupied, Tang Zhao woke up early the next day. After washing up, she reread the storybook she had written yesterday to ensure there was nothing that contradicted the values of the Great Yu Dynasty. After breakfast, she headed to Qingmo Hall.

The Consort of the Heir, Lady Ming, was currently arranging the affairs of the Prince's Mansion. While waiting, Tang Zhao pondered how to recruit her into her venture.

"The County Mistress has kept me waiting," Lady Ming said upon hearing the announcement, immediately arriving at the main courtyard to receive guests.

"Calling me 'Sister-in-law' makes us feel distant," Tang Zhao said, attempting to build rapport. "Must I change my address to 'Consort of the Heir'?"

"Then I wouldn't be used to it," Lady Ming’s smile deepened. "It is my fault."

"Has something brought you to my place, sister-in-law?"

"To be honest, I do have something I wish to discuss with you."

Tang Zhao said, "As you know, I am penniless. I don't know when the County Mistress's annual salary will be paid, and living off the monthly allowance from the mansion is ultimately tight."

Nanny Ming, standing behind the Consort, had a flash of displeasure in her eyes.

Coming to the Consort to complain about being poor—she was likely here to borrow money.

"So, I want to start a business to make some money. But as you know, the shops I owned have all been donated to the Imperial Court, so I have come to seek your help."

Nanny Ming's displeasure was almost overflowing.

What thick skin this County Mistress had, actually asking the Consort for shops!

Even Lady Ming thought so. As she was mentally scanning through her dowry shops to see which might be suitable, she heard Tang Zhao continue, "I have written a storybook, and I wanted to ask if you could help me see if it can be sold."

Surprised, Lady Ming took the thick stack of draft paper.

Tang Zhao coughed lightly. "It's just a draft. I was worried the writing might be poor and would waste paper."

Xuan paper was very expensive; she was afraid that if she ran out, that pauper Gu Ci wouldn't replenish it for her.

Nanny Ming breathed a sigh of relief, but a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes.

Someone raised on a farm—what kind of good story could she possibly write?

Chun Feng sensitively captured Nanny Ming's emotion and noted it in her heart.

Lady Ming skimmed through it quickly. She found the plot tight and engaging, the wording precise and moving. Even though it was only the first chapter, it was clearly an excellent story.

"You have written it exceptionally well," Lady Ming praised, gaining confidence in the profit plan. "Which teahouse do you intend to pitch it to?"

"I don't understand those things; I only want to write stories in peace," Tang Zhao explained. "I want to find a bookstore and sell the rights outright."

"I heard your maiden family owns several bookstores. I wonder if you would be willing to buy them?"

Lady Ming was tempted. Her family owned dozens of bookstores spread across the Jiangnan region. Jiangnan was a flourishing center of literature, and the sons and daughters of wealthy families loved storybooks and were willing to pay for them.

Nowadays, books were precious. Even the cheapest handwritten copies sold for three to five hundred wen. If a bookstore used woodblock printing, a single copy would sell for at least one tael of silver!

Lady Ming dared to assert that if the bookstore promoted it, they could sell at least a hundred copies!

And the more people bought it, the more popular it would become.

Suppressing her excitement, Lady Ming asked, "How do you plan to handle the buyout?"

"One chapter per book, sold for ten taels. I guarantee the quality will remain consistent," Tang Zhao had already planned this. "Once the rights are bought, I will never sell to a second person. After that, whether the book sells well or poorly has nothing to do with me."

Lady Ming also leaned toward this method. If they were to share profits based on the number of copies sold, it would be far too much trouble.

"This is no small matter; I cannot decide on my own," Lady Ming weighed the options for a moment. "I must consult my family before I can give you an answer."

"No problem. Just let me know once you have discussed it," Tang Zhao said, being very easygoing.

Lady Ming's smile became more sincere. After some more small talk, she personally saw her guest to the gate.

Only after Nanny Ming and the others had walked far away did she ask in a low voice, "Does the Consort truly intend to go into this business with the County Mistress?"

"She lacks silver, but do I not? Does the Prince's Mansion not?" Lady Ming sighed. "Don't forget, it is only because the Imperial Court provided funds for the Northwest Army this year that our mansion can breathe. Otherwise..." She shook her head.

"Over the years, my family has subsidized the mansion and the Northwest Army more times than I can count. Even with the Ming family's deep resources, how long can they support this?" Lady Ming watched the smoke drift from the incense burner. "If we do not find ways to increase our income, I fear we will not be able to sustain ourselves."

"Now that a great opportunity is before us, how can I let it pass?" Lady Ming stopped Nanny Ming's persuasion. "I will write a letter home. Ultimately, whether or not to pursue this business must be decided by my father and brothers."

Nanny Ming stopped arguing.

Lady Ming quickly wrote the letter, tied it together with the draft papers, and sent a messenger on a fast horse back to the Ming Estate in Jiangnan. Then, she returned to handling the affairs of the mansion.

"Miss, will the Consort agree to partner with us in this venture?" Chun Feng recounted Nanny Ming's behavior to Tang Zhao in detail, doubting if the business could even proceed.

Tang Zhao didn't care about the attitude of a servant like Nanny Ming.

"She will. In this world, no one turns their back on money."