Greetings, Ninth Uncle

Ch. 41 - Making Money

Cheng Yujin asked Du Ruo to take out a bundle. She then freed up one corner of the table and showed a jacket to Liu Yi: "This is the short jacket I made using Yunyi Shop's brocade I saw that day. The cloud motif on the cyan fabric is very nice. In the past two days, I made this jacket with my servant girls. The result really looks good on the body. I remember that this brocade, in addition to cyan color and cloud motif, there are also magnolia, phoenix tails, and lotus motifs, with various colors ranging from red to white. When Steward Liu goes to Yunyi Shop today, please tell them to put together brocades of different colors and patterns, and put this jacket next to the fabrics. If a customer fancies the clothes but wants another color, they can choose from other fabrics. This paper is the design drawing of this jacket. I will bother Steward Liu to bring it to the shopkeeper. But be sure to remind him to keep the design confidential. If a customer likes it, they can leave a fabric to Yunyi Shop to make the clothes, but the detail of the design shouldn't be disclosed."

While listening to Cheng Yujin, Liu Yi kept nodding. After receiving the paper in Cheng Yujin's hand, he was even more surprised. Liu Yi unfolded the paper and took a glance, then secretly sighed. This Miss truly knew how to do business. The profit of selling raw materials was much worse than selling processed items. Like this, Cheng Yujin owed everything, from the fabric to the tailoring process to finished products. Customers saved time and effort, while the shop earned more.

Moreover, even if it looked similar at a glance, Cheng Yujin's design was much more intricate and beautiful. Judging from the eyes Liu Yi had honed when he worked among the pile of imperial concubines and court ladies, he could see that Cheng Yujin had made the sleeves and waist area smaller, so the clothes would be tight and curved, which was very charming.

However, Cheng Yujin only had limited time after all. Except for this jacket, she only managed to make one skirt. This skirt was made of muslin. The inner part was lined with white silk fabric, while the outer part was made of soft muslin. The two fabrics were lined together such that the end product looked so slender and elegant, floating like a fairy garment.

It was summer now. This kind of skirt surely would gather much attention.

After Cheng Yujin pointed out some crucial points to Liu Yi, she let Du Ruo took out all the clothes they brought and handed them to Liu Yi together with the design pattern. Liu Yi was experienced in walking through the inner palace, and his errands ability was top-notch. Cheng Yujin could let him handle things with ease. Her mood was very good now. She got up and took her servant girls out of the tea room.

When the sun rose high, Cheng Yujin left another batch of pastries for Cheng Yuanjing. After brushing up favorability points, she left with satisfaction.

After sending Cheng Yujin off, Xiao Liuzi went into the tea room. Liu Yi asked: "Has eldest Miss Cheng gone?"

"Yes. Eldest Miss went to pay respect to Ninth Master, and left after saying a greeting."

Liu Yi nodded: "Cheng family's two male masters haven't made any progress after so many years. They only know how to blame others and fate. Not even half as good as a little girl."

The clean-faced Xiao Liuzi tidied up the things on the table and asked: "Godfather, then these things..."

"She is filial to Ninth Master. These days, I see Ninth Master is in a much better mood. Since she accompanies Ninth Master and makes him happy, it's okay for me to run an errand for her. Anyway, she is just a little girl and cannot affect the overall situation."

Liu Yi didn't know that Cheng Yujin had known Cheng Yuanjing's real identity. He only thought that Cheng Yujin still regarded Cheng Yuanjing as Cheng family members, so she ran back and forth every day to show respect to the elder. The rest of Cheng family members stared at Cheng Yuanjing in hostility, fearing that he was eyeing their family's possessions. Among so many people, Cheng Yujin alone would enthusiastically show good intentions. With this contrast, Liu Yi's impression of Cheng Yujin was getting better and better.