Chapter 87 Grand Opening

Su Lilu opened the box, dipped her finger lightly into it, and took the delicate hand of a young lady beside her. She gently spread the cream across the back of the girl's hand and said softly, "Sister, have a look—does this one seem better than the previous one?" The young lady brought her hand to her nose, inhaled, and exclaimed with delight, "It is just as you said! When will this be available? I must buy some to try for myself." Su Lilu let another young lady sample it as well, answering their questions as she did so. "It will be ready on the day we open. There will be many other products for the face and body released at the same time. I hope you’ll support us and take home whatever pleases you." "Of course," the ladies replied in unison, breathing in the subtle fragrance on their hands. For something so agreeable, they would not begrudge the silver.

Su Baizhi, having learned that Su Lilu was hosting a small gathering in the residence today, made her way to Su Baihan’s courtyard. She found her sister nibbling on pastries and asked in surprise, "Why haven’t you gone to our eldest sister’s gathering?" "She didn't invite me, so why should I go? And why didn’t you attend?" Su Baihan replied with a frown. Since Su Lilu hadn’t invited her, she saw no reason to subject herself to humiliation. Su Baizhi, sounding aggrieved, said, "Eldest sister must not care for us. But I heard she’s invited those ladies to announce the opening of Xuexiu, and she’s even giving them lovely things to take home." Su Baizhi, eyes veiled with calculation as she sipped her tea, watched her sister; upon hearing this, Su Baihan asked anxiously, "Is that so? That wretched Su Lilu—she prepares gifts for outsiders but not her own sisters!" "Yes, I do think she’s gone too far. I wouldn’t mind, but with your looks, if you used Xuexiu’s products, you’d surely be even more beautiful." Su Baizhi deliberately touched on Su Baihan’s concern for her appearance.

Indeed, Su Baihan could not suppress her anger. "I must go see what marvel she’s making such a fuss about." In a fury, she hurried out and headed straight for the flower hall.

By the time Su Baihan arrived, Su Lilu had already finished applying products for the ladies. Someone suggested a stroll in the garden, so Su Lilu sent the maids to lead the way, saying she would tidy up and join them shortly. Several boxes were left on the table, their contents perfuming the room with a faint scent. Su Baihan, her eyes tinged with envy, saw the words "Xuexiu" on them and said, "Sister, what treasures are you hiding that you won’t even show me?" "Oh, it’s nothing important. What brings you here?" Su Lilu was about to close the boxes, but Su Baihan snatched one away. Su Lilu’s tone sharpened: "What are you doing? Give that back to me at once."

"Su Lilu, I am your sister, and you didn’t even tell me about these! I want you to give me a set. I won’t accept anything already used by others." Su Baihan set the box back on the table. Su Lilu, cherishing her creations, quickly gathered them up. Though these were just samples, they had cost her much effort—she would not let Su Baihan trifle with them. "If you want some, you may buy it. One set for a hundred taels of silver. If you’re willing, I’ll gladly hand it over." Su Lilu extended her hand. Seeing the price and thinking of her own savings, Su Baihan stormed off in a rage.

Satisfied that her sister had retreated, Su Lilu swiftly packed up the products and sent them back to her own quarters.

Su Baihan, still fuming, returned to her room and complained to Su Baizhi, "Sister, she did it on purpose! She said I’d have to pay a hundred taels if I wanted one." Su Baizhi comforted her in a gentle voice, "Don’t cry, it’s only a trifle—not worth your tears." Su Baihan, still sulking, said nothing more. After soothing her for a while, Su Baizhi took her leave.

"Jinling, bring me ten ingots of silver. We’re going to buy Xuexiu’s products from our sister." With Jinling carrying a pouch of money, Su Baizhi made her way to Su Lilu’s quarters—her arrival watched by everyone in the household. Listening to the whispers in the shadows, Su Baizhi’s lips curled faintly into a smile.

"Is the eldest young lady in?" she asked one of Su Lilu’s maids. The maid nodded and hurried inside to announce, "Miss, Second Young Lady requests an audience." "Why has she come?" Su Lilu looked up to see Su Baizhi smiling as she entered. "Elder sister, I’ve brought silver to buy your Xuexiu products." She had Jinling place a hundred taels on the table. Su Lilu, unsure of Su Baizhi’s motives, replied coolly, "If you want to buy, you’ll have to wait for the shop to open in a few days. I only have one set here, and it’s already been sampled—new ones are all at the shop. I have none to spare." Su Baizhi asked, disappointed, "Truly? I’d hoped to try it early." "Why would I lie? The one here was already used by the other ladies. Be patient and wait a few days." Her gaze fell on the bulging money pouch. "Take your silver back for now." "Very well, I’ll go then." Su Baizhi signaled Jinling to put away the money, no longer flaunting it as she had on her way in.

Su Lilu hurried off to join her guests in the garden, later accompanying the ladies in their amusements. Only when the last sedan chair departed did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.

On the fifth day of the month, the auspicious opening of Xuexiu arrived. Su Lilu rose early to dress and, after breakfast, was about to leave when the matriarch arrived with Su Baihan and Su Dongxuan. "Lilu, your sisters are grown now and should learn how to receive guests. Take them with you today so they can assist you." Su Lilu glanced at Su Dongxuan, seeing her eager anticipation, and nodded, "Very well, Grandmother. I’ll take my sisters now, lest we be late." The matriarch, her goal achieved, let them go readily, and Su Lilu gained two little shadows behind her.

The shop was already bustling when they arrived, with clerks ushering waves of customers inside. Su Lilu stood at the entrance to receive guests, with Su Baihan and Su Dongxuan at her side. Suddenly, someone called out loudly, "Prince Yi has arrived!"

At once, Su Lilu stepped forward to greet him, and everyone bowed, "Greetings, Your Highness." "No need for ceremony. Today I’ve come only to present a gift." Yun Yan Yi smiled gently as he placed his gift in Su Lilu’s hands. She turned to pass it to her maid, but Yun Yan Yi asked, "Will you not open it, Miss Su?" Caught off guard, Su Lilu glanced at him, then slowly opened the box. Inside was a whole case of South Sea pearls, drawing gasps of amazement from the crowd. "Heavens, what a lavish gift from Prince Yi!"

South Sea pearls were not rare, but such uniformly large ones were. Su Lilu accepted the gift with a serene smile. "Thank you, Prince Yi. Please, come inside and rest awhile."