Chapter 112 Extra 1: Journey to the Capital
Today is the opening day of the “Ze Run Jewelry” store.
The two characters “Ze Run” were given by Wen Zhiqing. When it comes to pearls, the most important thing is the luster and moisture, so that they look good when worn. The addition of the characters “Jewelry” by Jing Yi is clear and elegant, mainly for easy understanding.
At the entrance, there are ancient-style retractable banners, and along the way, servants of the Jing family are distributing flyers. The fresh promotional methods have attracted many people to stop and watch.
On the advertising banners and flyers is a large pearl shell, with extremely clever illustrations, as if you can see the luster of pearls. Moreover, there are both pictures and text, not afraid that ordinary people can’t understand.
The commoners enthusiastically watched the lively opening ceremony, extremely happy. The lion dance and acrobatics, which are usually only seen on holidays, can be seen for free today.
The shop even invited a famous comedian from the capital who adapted a piece of comedy specifically for the shop’s products.
“Great! That was wonderful!”
“The shop is amazing, actually able to invite Mr. Ma!”
“Come on, the performance is over! Let’s go and see the freshwater pearls that even Mr. Ma was impressed by!”
“I heard it’s a prescription learned by the boss from entering the dream realm!”
“Is it true?!”
“Who cares if it’s true or not, let’s go and see first!”
Jing Yi: Celebrity endorsements and crafting stories for the brand really make for an effective brand marketing strategy!
After everyone entered the store, reception staff immediately came forward to guide them.
“Hello, esteemed guests. May I ask if you would like to first see gold and silver jewelry or jade and gemstones? Gold and silver are on the first floor, and jade and gemstones are on the second floor. Would you like to take a look on your own, or may I introduce them to you?”
“Well, you go ahead and tell us.” The customers were all well-dressed, looking like they came from affluent families.
“Okay, please follow me.”
With that, the well-trained receptionist, neither humble nor overbearing, cheerfully and politely led the customers from the first floor to the second floor.
At the end, watching several customers who had no intention to buy and showed no difference in attitude, the receptionists remained enthusiastic and polite.
“Today is the auspicious day of the opening of our Ze Run Jewelry. We will have a ‘Joyful Surprises’ lottery event within the next three days, and anyone who makes a purchase can participate. We guarantee that everyone who participates will win a prize.”
At this moment, before the receptionist could finish, a loud voice came from the first floor: “I won! Oh my goodness! Honey, look, we won a pearl necklace! Your husband is amazing!”
Beside the counter on the first floor, there was a temporary table set up as a service station specifically for the three-day lottery event. A delicate young ger stood up, took the winning product and handed it to the customer.
“Congratulations to this distinguished guest! Your luck is truly prosperous. This is a pure silver pearl necklace, valued at eighteen taels – Pure Jade Heart, symbolizing love and protection. Congratulations to both of you!”
As the words of the service station attendant fell, the winning couple couldn’t help but look at each other. The ger blushed and leaned against his husband shyly, while the man scratched his head with a red face. However, the joy on their faces couldn’t be suppressed.
“We only bought an eight-tael silver bracelet. Can we really accept this?” the tall and sturdy man asked honestly.
“Of course, all the activities in our store are fair to everyone.” The young ger at the service station answered with a smile.
“Great!” After saying that, he picked up the prize, pulled his wife with him, and happily left the store, full of pride and joy!
Now, the onlookers around exploded. Those who had already bought something couldn’t help but request to participate in the lottery, and those who hadn’t bought anything couldn’t resist wanting to try their luck!
“Dear guests, please maintain order. We have plenty of prizes prepared, and everyone has a chance.”
The service station attendant was Xiaochen, who immediately maintained order and called Renyi and the others to stand by and help deter any unruly behavior.
Jing Feng, who was sitting in the accounting room on the first floor, also came over to help.
However, after a few years of experience at Ningxia Pavilion, this kind of chaos was nothing for Liu Xiaochen. The only difference was that the shop was a bit larger, and the customers were more distinguished. But now, his husband and brothers were all in the store, so he wasn’t afraid at all.
“Congratulations to this distinguished guest. You’ve drawn a discount coupon for 20% off. This is on top of the nine percent discount you just enjoyed for buying two items. Please take this prize voucher to the nearby accounting office to arrange the refund in cash.”
“Hello, congratulations! You’ve drawn a pure silver bracelet worth five taels of silver.”
“Congratulations, you’ve drawn a gift box of soap produced by the Huang family.”
…
Throughout the whole day, the store appeared exceptionally lively due to the lottery event. However, most of the customers were ordinary people, and although the number of customers was considerable, the total spending wasn’t high. The store gave away many prizes, making only a modest profit.
But the three brothers were not in a hurry, knowing that the first day was just for excitement and popularity. The second day would be the main event targeting high-ranking families.
“Brother Yi, let’s confirm for tomorrow. Elder Wen, and Brother Huang will be received by you. When the princess arrives, let Brother Chuxia handle it,” Dongjiang planned for the arrangements for the next day.
“Yes, you three take turns receiving with me. As for the princess’s side, bring Xiao Shu up too, let him learn something beside Xiaxia. If you guys don’t learn, when will we be able to hand over the management?” Jing Yi said.
“Okay.” The three brothers quickly agreed.
“As for the officials and dignitaries who come later, Xiaxia and I will go down directly to welcome the high-ranking ones, and you guys can bring up the ones with lower ranks,” Jing Yi continued instructing.
The highlight of tomorrow would be Princess Mingzhu, the most beloved half-sister of the current emperor. With the decline of the maternal family, when her mother was pregnant again at the age of four, she was unfortunately harmed by the wicked concubine, resulting in two deaths.
She was brought up in the queen’s palace since childhood and was now raised in the empress dowager’s palace. The empress dowager had only two sons and no daughters, so she cherished the princess dearly.
Princess Mingzhu was innocent and lively, especially towards those who remembered her kindness. She was also a staunch fan of her elder brother, the emperor. So, when they mentioned doing business for her brother, she agreed without hesitation.
Early the next morning, Chuxia got up and dressed.
Jing Yi lay on the bed, watching Chuxia carefully put on his undergarments, fasten his belt, and even straighten the belt buckle.
Originally, he should be putting on the outer garments in order, but today Chuxia brought an extra jade pendant and a Shu embroidery sachet around his waist with particular care.
The jade pendant was a gift from Jing Yi two years ago, bought from the largest jade shop in Qingzhou Prefecture. It was made of top-quality Hetian jade, with a transparent texture and a warm touch, a rare treasure. Chuxia would only take it out on significant occasions.
Watching this, Jing Yi couldn’t help but smile, and his long legs stepped down from the bed. In a few steps, he walked to Chuxia’s side, hugged his slender waist from behind, and embraced him.
“Baby, feeling nervous? After all, this business is also the princess’s brother’s business. She won’t make it difficult for you.” Jing Yi comforted Chuxia, not idle with his hands, gently patting Chuxia’s waist.
“After all, she is a member of the royal family, and I don’t understand many taboos. I’m afraid…” Chuxia raised his head and looked at Jing Yi in the copper mirror, eyebrows slightly furrowed. His hands also covered Jing Yi’s hands that were embracing his waist.
“We only talk about jewelry, not court matters. No need to be afraid. Moreover, I’m right next door. Everything has the husband to handle.” Jing Yi, skilled and daring, was not at all timid even if it were the princess or even the emperor who came.
“Well, okay, husband.” Hearing Jing Yi’s words, Chuxia felt a warm sensation in his heart and said softly.