Quick Wear: Reversing Life

Chapter 504: The eldest daughter-in-law of a wealthy family (26)

"Sandalwood is incredibly fragrant, so a fan in hand can fill the room with its fragrance. It can dispel heat and soothe the mind in the scorching summer heat, and in autumn, when stored in a basket, it can scent clothes and repel insects. Even after eight or ten years, the fragrance of flowers still lingers beneath the fan."

"The fan pendant is made of blood chalcedony, a tribute from the Western Regions. It is also icy and refreshing."

Princess Jiaci leaned forward to take a sniff and raised her eyebrows in surprise: "It really is the unique fragrance of a tree!"

Fu Huaiying smiled and said, "The peony is delicate, but if it is carved into a flower and placed on a fan and held in your hand, it will flourish forever."

In fact, this fan did not show the true exquisite craftsmanship of sandalwood fans, but it was enough to attract Zhao Hui and other noble ladies in the capital.

Zhao Hui really liked this fan.

She pinched the handle of the fan and praised it repeatedly: "What a clever and skillful craftsman!"

Fu Huaiying stepped forward and said, "This fan may look expensive, but it's actually very sturdy."

She took the fan from Zhao Hui's hand, opened and closed it with her fingertips, and the peonies on the fan came alive, like flying flowers dancing lightly on her fingertips.

All three of them were attracted by Fu Huaiying's action.

With just a gentle shake, all the peonies in the garden lost their color.

The posture was calm and elegant, and the unique fragrance of wood spread little by little with the movement of the hands.

"It's truly a fragrant fan that makes flowers bloom!" Princess Chang exclaimed in admiration, "Madam Hou's skill in 'spinning the fan' is truly admirable."

"Where did you buy this fan?" Princess Jiaci was very interested in this fan called "Sandalwood Fan" and her eyes were full of love for it.

Fu Huaiying handed the fan back to Zhao Hui. Zhao Hui took it and raised his chin: "Don't stand, sit down. Lanxiang, bring the tea."

"Thank you, Princess."

Fu Huaiying said, "The sandalwood fan was a skill taught to me by a fan maker from the south. I took it to my shop, Golden Fan Pavilion, and worked with the owner and craftsmen to develop it."

"If you two nobles like it, you can come to my shop and choose whatever you like."

Princess Chang understood the implication of Fu Huaiying's words. She curled her lips, picked up the teacup, skimmed off the foam, took a sip of tea, and then slowly said, "The Marquis' wife actually has to manage the shop herself. No wonder they say that the mistress of the Dingbei Marquisate will be the head of the family."

Zhao Hui naturally understood Fu Huaiying's intention, but she liked this fan and naturally didn't mind Fu Huaiying using her as a "publicity ambassador."

Princess Jiaci also smiled meaningfully. She adjusted the peony blossoms by her temples and sighed, "Scholars, farmers, merchants, and artisans are all members of the same class. Madam, why should you bother running a shop? It's a bit degrading and disrespectful."

"If Madam can't find a capable manager, I can recommend one or two for you."

Zhao Hui didn't say anything, but continued to admire the lifelike peony flowers on the fan.

Princess Chang sipped her tea with her head down without saying a word. It was obvious that she thought the same, but she was not as outspoken as Princess Jiaci.

Fu Huaiying smiled slightly and said, "When Guan Zhong proposed the concept of 'scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans', his original intention was simply to strengthen the division of labor and cooperation, so that all walks of life could advance together. He didn't intend to divide people into different classes."

"Scholars and officials stabilize the government, farmers bring good harvests, workers serve the people, and merchants drive financial transactions."

"If we divide people into different classes, won't everyone be vying to be a scholar-official? Then there will be no one left to run the East and West Market."

Businessmen drive economic development, and the economy drives technological development.

As the saying goes, it is better to loosen than to block. Even if you want to control businessmen to form a new ruling class competitor, it does not mean that you have to suppress them blindly.

"The Marquis' wife is truly well-read," said Princess Chang.

"I'm not a well-read person, I just have some of my own opinions, and I'm showing them off in front of all these distinguished people."

Only then did Zhao Hui slowly put down his fan and said in a loud voice, "Madam, you are still modest. It is rare for a woman to have such insights, even rarer than an ordinary man."

"Agriculture is the foundation of a country. If everyone were to engage in business for the sake of money, the world would be in chaos."

The angles of thinking will naturally be different depending on where you stand.

Fu Huaiying knew that from Zhao Hui's starting point, everything was based on the country and the people.

Nowadays, with the development of transportation roads and population, the success rate of getting rich through business is getting higher and higher. Very smart businessmen can accumulate a lot of wealth in a short period of time.

The merchant class has become a new force influencing society and politics, posing a serious threat to the literati and even the ruling class.

Compared to farmers who are more attached to the land and easier to manage and control, merchants are more mobile and pose a potential security risk.

For managers, businessmen are to be suppressed, controlled and guarded against. They are a group of people who cannot be controlled.

It is only natural to reduce their political status to the lowest level.

But the result of class struggle is that a good profession has been unable to recover for thousands of years and has become buried in the mud.

Since Fu Huaiying is prepared to use his foresight to accumulate wealth, he must pave a smooth road for the path he has chosen.

Originally, she had her eyes on the future Prime Minister Wang Qinghe, but now Zhao Hui is the most suitable candidate.

The eldest princess is the best sword to clear away obstacles.

However, it is not a wise move to discuss the important matters of the court in front of other people in the Princess's Mansion.

Therefore, Fu Huaiying smiled faintly: "The Princess is right, I am too superficial."

The two looked at each other, and there was a veil in each other's eyes.

At this time, a group of maids in palace dress came in one after another with trays and placed the plates on the small table.

"Dragon Boat Festival is approaching, and the kitchen has made some Yulu dumplings. Please enjoy them, my dear guests."

Bamboo leaves are spread at the bottom, and four evenly sized translucent dumplings are placed on top. They are filled with rose bean paste, steamed, and dotted with fine gold foil, making them look particularly small and exquisite.

Fu Huaiying tasted one and found it to be soft, sweet and tasty. One bite was just right and not greasy at all.

Princess Chang and Lady Jiaci each picked up one and put it in their mouths.

The thin sleeves of Princess Jiaci's dress slipped down her arms, revealing a pair of gold-inlaid white jade bracelets on her wrists.

Princess Chang noticed this with her sharp eyes, and after clearing her mouth with tea, she smiled and said, "The 'Treasure of Gold and Jade' on the County Lady's wrist is truly a rare item!"

Upon hearing this, Fu Huaiying looked up and saw the bracelet on County Lady Jiaci's wrist.

The white jade on top is warm and transparent, without a trace of impurities, and it contrasts with the golden gold, making the bracelet more luxurious and gorgeous.

Fu Huaiying remembered that Princess Jiaci was the daughter of Prince Changping.

Logically speaking, in addition to the crown prince's son who can be conferred the title of a prince, the prince's son can also be conferred the title of a prince if he is favored by the emperor.

The Prince of Changping was not a royal relative, but a favorite of the late emperor, who retired just last year.

Princess Jiaci was the only daughter of the Prince of Changping. Soon after her birth, he petitioned the Emperor for mercy and granted her the title of Princess. Even after her marriage, she continued to live in the Princess's Mansion in the capital.