bookrandom 73 Extremely popular
73 Extremely popular
Here's the May Day update! Don't rush off to play after reading; remember to vote with your monthly pass first. Enjoy double monthly passes during the Qidian 515 Fan Festival, and check out other activities with red envelope giveaways too!
Chu Qingluo chose to open her shop on a day off.
The shop was now completely different from what it used to be, a brand new sight. A crimson carpet with subtle vine patterns covered the floor; exquisite fabrics were neatly arranged on shelves along the walls; fresh bouquets adorned the corners; and display racks on either side of the aisle held magnificent dresses newly made by Lingnan and Dongxu according to Chu Qingluo's designs. The two corners of the outer room had been converted into fitting rooms with curtains…
everything's ready.
Chu's mother specially hired a priest, who sang and danced in front of the shop for half a day... In Chu Qingluo's opinion, this was quite a physical task. Then, following the priest's instructions, the group burned incense and prayed to heaven and earth. Finally, Chu Qingluo personally peeled off the red cloth from the plaque, revealing the three large golden characters 'Mingyi Fang' (名衣坊). This name was chosen with the help of Gongsun Yu, who also personally wrote the characters and had them engraved and gilded.
Chu Qingluo tilted her head back, gazing at the three large characters with satisfaction. She could never tire of looking at Gongsun Yu's calligraphy…
Today, she even specially invited Peony and Luo Lifei to help her, asking them to change into clothes she designed and wander around the shop as a kind of living advertisement.
Girls, after all, are naturally drawn to pretty clothes. So Luo Lifei didn't refuse and showed up right on time. But she didn't stop talking, asking Chu Qingluo, "You asked me for help last time, and again this time. How are you going to thank me?"
Chu Qinglu smiled and said, "How about I give you the clothes you're wearing?"
Luo Lifei looked down at the dress she was wearing... Although she was good at making clothes, her ideas were nowhere near as novel as Chu Qingluo's, so she pouted and said, "Alright, deal."
Chu Qinglu laughed again. The little girl was quite fun.
When the shop opened, Chu's mother warmly invited some of her friends, including the twin sisters from the Hu family, to join in the fun. Some passersby also curiously went inside to visit, so the Mingyi Shop was packed with people inside and out, while Gongsun Yu helped manage things on the side.
Fortunately, Peony and Luo Lifei weren't shy at all. Whenever a woman showed interest in their clothes, they would enthusiastically display and share them. The only exception was when facing Hu Yun and Hu Duo; Peony's expression changed slightly, but otherwise, she behaved exceptionally well. And August, as the little parrot of the famous clothing store, wasn't to be outdone, constantly stepping forward to introduce the clothes to customers…
But the most eye-catching was Luo Lifei. She applied everything Chu Qingluo had taught her, and every smile, gesture, and movement exuded professionalism.
Seeing this scene, Chu Qingluo couldn't help but step forward and ask, "Luo Lifei, would you like to consider resigning from your official post and coming to help me?" Because Luo Lifei was really perfect for this job.
Luo Lifei rolled her eyes: "Tch, wouldn't it be a waste for me to be here with you?"
Chu Qinglu chuckled and said, "Double the monthly pay, think about it yourself."
Luo Lifei was about to continue complaining when a sunny-looking man with a flute at his waist appeared at the shop entrance, smiling broadly. He awkwardly said, "Qingluo, congratulations on the opening of your boutique."
"I'm fine! You've come!" Chu Qinglu was very happy to see him. She had forgotten to invite him, but fortunately Gongsun Yu remembered and personally went to Miaoyin Pavilion to invite him over.
Suddenly, a handsome young man appeared in the shop, attracting the attention of all the women. Even Luo Lifei was curious and inquired about his identity. Chu Qingluo pulled Wu Yang inside and generously introduced him to them, saying that he was the renowned Spirit Flute Voice of Yancheng, which made Wu Yang blush again.
The women were swooning over the young man when Chu Yilin suddenly appeared in the shop with Ji Qiran. Even more surprisingly, the Sixth Princess also arrived!
In an instant, the clothing store was filled with celebrities, female officials, princesses, princes, and beauties from all walks of life from Yancheng… The women who had just been attracted by Wu Yang now all turned their attention to Ji Qiran. It seems that the title of the most handsome man in Yancheng is not undeserved.
It's estimated that this shop won't even need to advertise anymore. Once word gets out about today's success, people will flock here... Chu Qingluo couldn't help but feel secretly pleased.
As soon as the Sixth Princess entered, she congratulated Chu Qingluo and presented her with a pair of pure gold scissors as a gift, engraved with the character "Chu". If the previous gift of the painting was merely a test of Chu Qingluo, then after learning that Chu Qingluo had spoken up for Yao Man in front of the Empress, the Sixth Princess genuinely wanted to win her over.
The arrival of the Sixth Princess was completely unexpected by Chu Qingluo. She glanced at Chu Yilin before bowing to the Sixth Princess and saying, "How could I trouble Princess Anyang to come in person?"
The Sixth Princess smiled faintly: "Lord Chu, you're being too polite."
"...This humble official dares not."
"Alright, I just heard that my good friend's sister opened a clothing shop, so I came to pick out a few items. Besides, I've seen your ingenuity before, so there's no need for such formalities, Lord Chu."
"Yes, Your Highness, please proceed."
After saying this, Chu Qingluo glanced at Ji Qiran behind the Sixth Princess. He kept a gloomy face, didn't say a word, and didn't even look at her.
Sigh, it seems he's holding a grudge. Plus, the Empress bestowed upon him a woman like Pan Yin… No doubt, his mood must be absolutely terrible! A strange emotion suddenly ignited in Chu Qingluo's heart, but reason told her that keeping her distance from Ji Qiran, this moving volcano, was the best choice. Therefore, whoever he ultimately ended up with was none of her concern.
Since her fall into the water and taking over the management of the flowers and plants, Peony had been able to exchange a few words with Ji Qiran. She walked over with a beaming smile and greeted them. Of course, Peony wasn't the only one overjoyed; the Hu sisters also flocked over like bees drawn to fragrant flowers.
Ji Qiran didn't even bother to glance at them, maintaining his stern face like a silent stone. Seeing this, Shaoyao wisely kept quiet and simply stood by.
Luo Lifei's complexion was even worse than Ji Qiran's, alternating between red and white. She first crossed her arms in front of her chest, glared fiercely at Chu Yilin, and then kept rolling her eyes.
Chu Qinglu noticed something amiss and secretly nudged Chu Yilin's arm, asking, "When did you offend Luo Lifei? Could it be when you helped the Eighth Princess snatch the first incense offering?"
"Uh..." Chu Yilin hesitated for a moment, after all, what he had done was not exactly honorable, so he downplayed the issue and said, "Luo Lifei, well... she has a bit of a temper."
Chu Qingluo was somewhat puzzled, but couldn't deny it. "Right?"
Chu Yilin gave another look of disgust: "Then aren't her male servants pitiful?"
Chu Qinglu shrugged: "I don't know, anyway, she hasn't come of age yet, so she doesn't have any male servants."
After a moment of silence, Chu Yilin suddenly shouted, "What?!"
"Tsk, why are you shouting so loudly all of a sudden?" What a fuss!
"..." The thought that he might have taken Luo Lifei's first kiss filled Chu Yilin with guilt, and he was a little overwhelmed with guilt!
Seeing that he didn't answer, Chu Qinglu shook her head and hurried off to greet Wuyang.
Wu Yang, who hadn't had time to prepare a gift, said somewhat apologetically, "Qing Luo, if you don't mind, I'd like to play a tune for Mingyifang to liven things up."
"Of course!" she exclaimed, more than she could have asked for.
Then, Wu Yang came to the center of the passageway. He cleared his throat, picked up the jade flute and put it to his lips. A melodious and light flute sound swirled in the air above the shop, turning and twisting, very pleasant to the ear. Even the passers-by outside the clothing store were attracted.
Instantly, the entire shop was packed with people; the scene was incredibly lively!
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