Love without a future, poverty without hope. She and Susu were not so different. But now, she had to make plans for Susu and herself.
Going back would take too much time. From the capital to Youzhou, the round trip alone would take over a month. Coupled with the different flow of time in the two dimensions, it would take at least half a year or more to return.
She could only think of other ways to earn some silver.
She didn't ask for much, only enough for rent and living expenses. Most importantly, she needed to prepare for Susu's future. She didn't intend to ask Luo Yuan for money, even though the sum might only be the cost of a night's drinking for him at Fanlou.
Since ancient times, women's money has always been the easiest to earn. Yang Ruoning decided to try making and selling some DIY items. If she was lucky, she should be able to save enough money.
What to sell, she had been pondering this for days. After visiting many women in the pleasure quarters, she had come up with a few items.
One day, she excitedly took her creations to Susu.
Susu's room had been changed into an exquisite suite. After she recovered, she had surprisingly gained popularity. Not only was Susu herself charming and lovable, but after that incident, the story of Luo Yuan rescuing a beauty from a scoundrel had spread through every street and alley in the capital. Now, as a small star at Fanlou, everything from food to lodging had changed qualitatively.
Yang Ruoning laid out her items one by one in front of Susu.
Susu looked at the things on the table with surprise, clearly seeing them for the first time. She picked up a rose-shaped candle and asked, "What is this?"
"It's an aromatherapy candle," Yang Ruoning explained. "When it burns, it naturally emits a fragrance, provides light, and enhances the room's ambiance. What do you think? I can make them in different colors and shapes too."
"It's just a combination of aromatherapy and a candle."
"Ah... you could say that."
"And this?" she asked, pointing to another small wooden tube.
"This is lipstick, ah, no, it should be called lip rouge. I've shaped it into a round stick and put it in this small wooden tube, so you can carry it with you and touch up your makeup anytime. What do you think? It's very convenient, isn't it?" Yang Ruoning picked up the lipstick, demonstrating as she explained.
She seemed very interested in the design of the lipstick.
"This one isn't bad," she commented.
"Okay," Yang Ruoning picked up the last item and put it in her hand, saying, "This is underwear."
"What is underwear?"
"It's what you call 'xieyi' (undergarments), but I've made some improvements."
Yang Ruoning held up the slightly crooked undergarment she had sewn and tried to explain to Susu how to wear it. Her own tailoring and sewing skills were apparently not very good, and she couldn't explain it clearly after a long time. So, she said, "Do you mind if I demonstrate it on myself right now?"
Then, under Susu's shocked gaze, Yang Ruoning revealed the undergarment she was wearing. Susu's mouth hung open in shock as she looked at Yang Ruoning. After a long moment, she asked somewhat doubtfully, "Is what Sister is wearing the same as this?"
"Yes, it's the same thing," Yang Ruoning said a little embarrassed. "It's just that this one was made by someone else, and this one I sewed myself."
Susu let out a giggle. "Sister really isn't skilled in needlework."
"Haha, yes," Yang Ruoning said as she put on her clothes.
Susu then said, "Sister has a great figure. This is probably one of the reasons General Luo fancies you."
Susu's sudden compliment made Yang Ruoning a little flustered. She sat down and said, "Well, perhaps it's one reason. But, we can make this undergarment in a few sizes, so every woman can wear it."
Yang Ruoning suddenly had an inspiration. She thought that if Luo Yuan acted as a model to promote the underwear, perhaps sales would be very good.
Yang Ruoning leaned closer to Susu and whispered, "If I said this is a style that Luo Yuan likes, what do you think?"
Susu was startled and hesitated, "This... Sister..."
Yang Ruoning added, "Just whisper it when you're promoting it privately among sisters. Luo Yuan would never know."
Afterward, Yang Ruoning and Susu discussed areas for product improvement. They finally agreed that Yang Ruoning would handle the aromatherapy candles and lip rouge, while Susu, who was skilled in needlework, would make the women's underwear. The profits would be split equally between them.
Thus, as the sun was about to set, after purchasing the necessary materials from the eastern market, Yang Ruoning headed towards Luo Mansion.
As Yang Ruoning entered the Wisteria Courtyard, she saw Luo Yuan still working diligently in his study. He had been unusually busy lately, either in his study or going out on business in the early morning and returning late at night, rarely having time to spend with her. Every day, he would quietly go to bed only after Yang Ruoning had already fallen asleep. Although he tried his best not to wake her, Yang Ruoning slept lightly and could always feel his slightest movement and smell the fresh outdoor air he brought with him. In a semi-conscious state, she would turn over and snuggle into his embrace, falling asleep again. He would always kiss the top of her head apologetically and whisper, "Give me a little more time, Ruoning, it will be over soon."
Perhaps because of this, he hadn't inquired about Yang Ruoning's new 'hobby'. He thought she was probably just bored every day and tinkering with unknown things in her room.
Soon, Yang Ruoning learned from Susu that the aromatherapy candles and lip rouge were very popular among the girls in the establishment. The first batch of goods was sold out within ten minutes. As for the women's underwear, perhaps because the style was too bold and novel, it needed more time to be accepted. Furthermore, without models wearing them, people didn't know how to put them on.
Therefore, Yang Ruoning searched the entire capital and finally found a professional painter of erotic art who was willing to help her draw some underwear advertisements. Only then did a few bold girls purchase them. Gradually, orders increased, until Susu alone could no longer handle the sheer volume of underwear orders. Susu simply gathered a few girls from the establishment who were skilled in needlework to help.
The unexpected success of the business allowed Yang Ruoning to quickly accumulate the silver she needed. The most unexpected gain was witnessing Susu's growing business acumen. Yang Ruoning felt that their products sold so well entirely due to Susu's natural business sense. Compared to Yang Ruoning, Susu was more like a qualified boss. Production, sales, and even accounting were now handled by her, making Yang Ruoning feel increasingly like her assistant.
She wanted to help Susu earn enough silver to buy her freedom, and then open a small shop. She hoped Susu could then be independent and happy.
She wished that the day of their parting could be slower, much slower.
However, the events that change everyone's destiny often occur at the most inconspicuous moments, when no one is paying attention.