The next day
Because Leng Ruo Li went to Jun Mohan’s estate last night to detoxify someone and encountered an assassination, many people were injured. Leng Ruo Li was busy bandaging the wounds of Jun Mohan’s guards all night, so she did not return to the General’s mansion.
She took Jun Mohan’s carriage back to the city early in the morning.
The streets and alleys of the capital were still bustling today, but rumors were flying everywhere.
"Did you know that the degenerate son of Duke Lin’s mansion was taught a lesson by His Highness Prince Leng yesterday? It was truly satisfying for us common folk to watch."
"Isn't that the truth? I saw it yesterday too. That bully Lin was spouting nonsense and talking big in the Jin Xiu Ge clothing store. Just by chance, His Highness Prince Leng overheard him, and he was so scared he wet himself. Disgusting. Alas, you didn't see that pathetic look on Lin the bully, tsk tsk tsk, it was so gratifying for us common folk."
"Yes, but that brother and sister in the clothing store were also miserable. They encountered that bully and were almost taken advantage of by that Lin the bully. It was a good thing that masked young lady dared to step in and save the siblings."
"Yes, yes, I saw it yesterday too. I was breaking out in a sweat for her. Fortunately, His Highness Prince Leng appeared, otherwise, that young lady would have been in trouble..."
Because Leng Ruo Li and Jun Mohan’s carriage looked simple and unadorned and did not have any markings, it did not attract attention on the road.
Soon, a low-key carriage rumbled smoothly to the entrance of the Jin Xiu Ge clothing store, the same one she bought yesterday.
As soon as the carriage stopped, Leng Ruo Li nimbly alighted. From behind her, Jun Mohan’s deep, husky voice came, "Be careful when you go out from now on. Duke Lin’s mansion will soon investigate you."
Upon hearing this, Leng Ruo Li, who had just jumped off the carriage, paused slightly before continuing to walk towards her clothing store.
She saw a sign hanging outside her shop from a distance, which read: Temporarily closed for three days. Leng Ruo Li silently praised Shi Zhenghe’s intelligence in her heart. As expected of a businessman, his mind was quite meticulous.
When Leng Ruo Li stepped into the entrance of the clothing store, she saw not only more than ten women inside but also her two young maids. To her surprise, Xing’er and Ling’er had also arrived.
Upon seeing Leng Ruo Li return, the two girls rushed to her, sniffing.
"Miss, you’re finally back. We were so scared yesterday," Xing’er and Ling’er said in unison.
Leng Ruo Li poked their delicate noses with her fingertips and smiled, saying, "You two little fools, I’ll be fine. Have you two fallen and injured yourselves yesterday?"
"Miss, Ling’er and I just took a couple of tumbles yesterday, and we’re fine."
"That’s good. If my two little darlings were injured, I would be heartbroken." Leng Ruo Li teased them.
Suddenly, a blush spread across the two young maids' faces.
"Miss, you’re too mischievous!"
"Haha—"
In her free time, Leng Ruo Li’s favorite pastime was teasing her two little maids.
At this moment, Shi Zhenghe walked over apologetically, interrupting the three of them.
"Um, Miss, I’ve found ten clothing artisans yesterday. Can you take a look at them?"
"Not bad, Zhenghe, your efficiency is quite fast."
After speaking, she looked at the ten clothing artisans. They were all middle-aged women, likely around forty years old. Their clothing was simple and clean, leaving a good first impression.
Then, Leng Ruo Li took out paper and a pen from her "sleeve."
"Come, come, everyone line up. I’ll register your information one by one. Tell me your names, ages, where you live, who is in your family, and what skills you have."
Immediately, the clothing artisans lined up according to Leng Ruo Li’s instructions.
"First person!"
"Miss, my name is Niu Cui, I am 38 years old, I live in Niutou Village. I have a mother-in-law over sixty at home, two sons, and one daughter. I know needlework and often make clothes for others."
"Good, second person!"
"Miss, my name is Niu Hua, I am Niu Cui’s younger sister. I am 35 years old. I have a husband and a pair of children at home. We make a living by making clothes for others."
"Good, third person!"
"Miss, my name is Nie Caidie, I am from Xia Hua Village. I have a sick husband and two daughters at home..."
"Good, third person!"
"..."
"Fourth!"
"..."
After Leng Ruo Li finished calling out the names, she noticed an extra young woman. She looked at Shi Zhenghe doubtfully. Shi Zhenghe quickly came over to explain.
"Miss, she is Mu Ziyi’s mother. She is 25 years old and from the same village as me. Her husband has passed away, and her son has an incurable illness. She urgently needs to earn money to treat her son and lives a difficult life, so I brought her to the store."
Leng Ruo Li looked at the worried and nervous woman and nodded.
"Then arrange a job for her. Does she also excel at needlework?"
"Miss, she doesn't know needlework." Shi Zhenghe said, scratching his head a little guiltily.
"Then what is she good at?"
At this moment, the young woman timidly interjected, "Miss, I, I am good at cooking."
"That's fine too. We have hired so many people here, and we are short of a cook. From now on, you will be responsible for cooking the three meals a day for the store. You will receive ten taels of silver a month, just like them."
The young woman thought she misheard and asked, "Miss, is this true? Ten taels of silver a month for me."
Leng Ruo Li looked at her and nodded, "Not just you, everyone is the same. If you perform well, I will give you a pay raise."
These women were overjoyed to hear Leng Ruo Li’s words and kept thanking her.
Afterwards, Leng Ruo Li took out two design drafts of ancient costumes that she had secretly printed out last night from her "sleeve."
She called Shi Zhenghe over, and they studied them together.
When Shi Zhenghe saw the two design drafts in Leng Ruo Li’s hands, he was utterly shocked.
"Miss, did you draw these? These two long dress designs are so beautiful. They are both unique and figure-flattering, simple yet elegant. If I make them, they will definitely sell very well."
"That's a given."
Leng Ruo Li thought to herself upon hearing Shi Zhenghe’s words: The person who designed these clothing drafts is the most famous top fashion designer in the 22nd century. She has gathered the wisdom of thousands of years of civilization in her mind. How could her clothing designs be ordinary?
Then, Leng Ruo Li thought of a problem.
"Zhenghe, to prevent my clothing from being imitated, we need to divide the work among the clothing artisans. Two people make the tops, two make the linings, two make the skirts... divided into five workstations, and they cannot work together."
"Miss, that’s easy. Our clothing store has six changing rooms, and the space inside is not small. Let them make clothes inside."
"Alright, you arrange this."
Shi Zhenghe nodded.
At this moment, Xing’er and Ling’er also found them.
"Miss, Ling’er and I also know some needlework, we can help you do some things," Xing’er said.
"Okay, you help me embroider some patterns on the clothes hanging on the wall."
After speaking, Leng Ruo Li took out another piece of paper from her "sleeve," which contained various cute cartoon patterns, including animals, people, and plants. They looked very adorable.
It made the two young maids incredibly amazed.
Soon, everyone excitedly immersed themselves in their work.