My sister became the empress, but I'm still growing vegetables and raising chickens

Chapter 335 Awkwardness Upon Meeting

Zhu Lao Er came to give Si Muyan a reply the next day.

"I've discussed it with the fourth brother, and if the young lady is willing, we agree to choose another location to make the down jackets. As for the person in charge, we still need to go back and discuss it with the village head."

Si Muyan said, "My first choice is still you, Brother Zhu. You are a reliable and honest person. I trust you the most to manage the down jacket factory."

"Thank you, Miss, but this is a matter concerning the village, so I still need to go back and discuss it."

Si Muyan nodded, handed him the completed plan, and also told him about the general operating mode.

"You can set up the weaving workshops in Songji Village according to my plan. Also, don't worry about sales channels. I will send invitations to major merchants in the capital in the next couple of days. Just have someone write to me later to inform me of your plans."

Zhu Lao Er was overjoyed: "Thank you very much, Miss."

Si Muyan added, "As for the down jacket factory, I also have some ideas. Although it is more practical in the north, the cost of making the clothes cannot be cheap. It is most suitable to locate it in an economically prosperous area."

She thought for a moment and said, "I remember when I was going to the capital, I passed through Yuncheng. It seemed that the city was very prosperous, with many people wearing silk and the streets bustling with activity."

Zhu Lao Er nodded: "Yuncheng has four seasons, and the winters are much colder than those in Lingnan. The local people should be willing to wear down jackets."

"The location is good, and if you go north along the Grand Canal from Lingnan City to the capital by waterway, you will reach Yuncheng."

The second sister, who had come to deliver something, said upon hearing this, "Yuncheng? Eldest sister, I remember Princess Roushu married into Yuncheng. She and her husband recently returned to the capital."

Si Muyan then remembered: "That's right, I received an invitation from Princess Roushu to play polo a couple of days ago."

The second sister said, "If eldest sister wants to learn about Yuncheng, why not invite Princess Roushu to a gathering? I remember when we were young, eldest sister and Princess Roushu had a good relationship."

Si Muyan acted immediately, sending an invitation to the Crane Prince's residence, saying that she wanted to invite Princess Roushu to watch the circus the next day.

After arranging these things, Si Muyan asked, "This time, He Song's family doesn't plan to go back. Do you still plan to keep the food stall in Songji Village open?"

Zhu Lao Er said, "Wang Saozi and the others are also happy to open a duck products shop and a food shop, but I wonder if the eldest young lady has any suggestions?"

“You’re not quick-witted enough. Let Brother Zhu speak to me.”

Zhu Lao Er quickly went to call Zhu Lao Si, and they sat down together at the lower end of the table.

Si Muyan took out the business plan for the restaurant and handed it to Zhu Laosi: "I have thought about it carefully. Songji Village has so many kinds of vegetables, and they are grown better than others. It would be a waste if we didn't use them. Why don't we invite Manager Yang to open a big restaurant together?"

Although Zhu Laosi had attended a few days of literacy classes, he still didn't recognize most of the characters. He couldn't understand the plan either, so he just nodded and listened.

"Following Manager Yang's model, running a restaurant is not difficult for him. If we want to stand out, we must focus on service."

Zhu Laosi asked, "Isn't the most important thing for a restaurant the taste and price of its dishes?"

Si Muyan said, "Now that we live in a prosperous and peaceful era, everyone has some spare money. With money comes other ideas. Eating, drinking, and having fun—eating comes first, and loving to eat is the most important thing."

But since you've opened a restaurant, how can you expect the food to be bad? No matter how delicious your food is, in this day and age, you can't stand out.

As for prices, there are options at all levels, high and low. Engaging in a price war would result in very low profits, which isn't worthwhile; it's better to maintain the same level as competitors.

Zhu Laosi looked bewildered: "Will this make me stand out?"

Si Muyan shook her head: "The market is such a big pie, how can one person swallow it all? As long as I can get a share, that's enough."

She explained the service details thoroughly before letting them go to rest.

……

Meanwhile, Princess Rou Shu organized a polo match and saw Zhao Ning. She noticed that Zhao Ning looked listless and was not as lively as usual.

Princess Roushu asked with concern, "Ningning, what's wrong with you?"

"Sister A-Yun, I...I didn't want to come out."

Princess Roushu smiled and said, "I know. I heard that Zizhou went to call you, but you refused to come, so I organized this gathering and invited everyone to come. You usually love lively gatherings, why don't you like them today?"

Zhao Ning felt a little wronged and stared blankly with her head down.

Just then, someone announced that His Highness Prince Ning was requesting an audience.

Princess Roushu smiled even more happily. This was at the request of the Eldest Princess, who asked her to invite Prince Ning so that Zhao Ning could meet with him and cultivate their relationship.

Zhao Ning was taken aback, her face darkening: "Why did you let him come?"

Princess Roushu said, "Your mother said that you can't be allowed to be willful. The date will be set within the year, and you will get married after spring."

In the past, Zhao Ning would have been extremely unwilling to get married. But today, she was expressionless.

Princess Roushu asked curiously, "Have you figured it out?"

"It doesn't matter who I marry, it's not a big deal."

When Prince Ning entered, he exchanged greetings but did not offer much further comment.

Princess Roushu asked him gently about his health: "Your Highness has been very busy these past few days and has worked very hard. You seem a little haggard. Although official duties are busy, you should also take other things into consideration, especially your health."

"Thank you, Princess." Prince Ning said calmly, "I have been quite busy lately revising the laws and regulations."

Princess Rou Shu nudged Zhao Ning, signaling her to speak, but Zhao Ning didn't want to, and forced a smile at Prince Ning.

Before her smile could fully form, her expression darkened.

It turned out that Feng Zizhou was coming from not far away.

He didn't come alone; Gui Yuan was with him. The two chatted and laughed as they walked this way.

Seeing this scene, Zhao Ning turned around angrily and said, "I have something to do, I'm leaving first."

Princess Roushu grabbed her arm: "Ningning, what are you doing?"

When Zhao Ning was angry, she didn't care about anything else, but Prince Ning stepped forward to stop her.

“The county princess should not be so reckless. The princess is pregnant and cannot withstand such pulling.”

Only then did Zhao Ning calm down, looking at Princess Rou Shu with a wronged expression: "Sister A-Yun..."

Prince Ning, being extremely observant, naturally noticed Zhao Ning's unusual behavior and asked, "Is there some kind of conflict between the County Princess and Young Master Feng?"

"Who...has a grudge against him..." Zhao Ning complained, her voice lowering slightly, "No, it's just...I had a quarrel with Gui Yuan and I don't want to see Gui Yuan."

However, Prince Ning seemed lost in thought and did not say anything more.

Zhao Ning refused to stay, and using the excuse of needing to relieve himself, hurriedly ran away.

Princess Roushu was quite embarrassed and quickly said, "Your Highness Prince Ning, please don't be offended. Ningning is just a child... She and Zizhou have been close friends since childhood, so..."