bayedsolid Chapter 951 Kyoto Hakuro Beauty Shop Opens!
Chapter 951 Kyoto Hakuro Beauty Shop Opens!
Zhao Bingyu was speechless when asked the question.
Yes, if she loves the children of the Western Regions so much, why did she come back?
She herself couldn't answer this question with a straight face.
Bai Lu looked at Zhao Bingyu's embarrassed appearance without a trace of sympathy in her eyes.
She stepped forward and shielded her daughters behind her.
"Madam Zhao, you've probably forgotten."
"We had already severed ties back then."
"I remember it clearly. The written agreement we signed back then stated that we, mother and daughter, are now completely estranged and have no further connection with each other."
"You even said yourself that you would never set foot in Dawu again in this lifetime."
Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was piercing.
"So, why are you standing here now?"
"Now that you've severed ties with us, what right do you have to criticize me for how I raise my daughter? And what right do you have to talk to me about children from the Western Regions and children here?"
Bai Lu took a step forward, her imposing aura overwhelming.
"Madam Zhao, please leave my residence, leave Liangzhou, and leave Dawu now."
Her voice carried an undeniable command.
“Go back to your Western Regions and stay with your true children. You are not welcome here.”
"I......"
Zhao Bingyu panicked completely.
She didn't expect Bai Lu to be so ruthless, directly ordering her to leave.
If we're kicked out now, what if I really get sick?!
All her plans will fall apart completely.
The thought of his son Ruzhen's increasingly haggard face and the torment he endures day and night from illness...
No, she can't leave!
Zhao Bingyu's once proud head gradually bowed in the face of reality.
All her pride and scheming became utterly insignificant in the face of Bai Lu's absolute dominance and the threat to her son's life.
She was silent.
For a long time, so long that even the wind in the courtyard seemed to have stopped.
"......it is good."
She squeezed out the word through gritted teeth, her voice dry and hoarse.
She looked at Bai Lu with a complex expression, containing resentment and bitterness, but more than anything, a sense of helplessness at having to bow her head.
"Thirty percent of the trade routes are too many. I can't possibly give them to you."
Zhao Bingyu's tone remained firm.
“That is the foundation upon which I have established myself in the Western Regions. If I give you 30%, my foundation there will be shaken.”
She took a deep breath, as if she had made an extremely difficult decision.
"At most, I can only give you 10%."
Zhao Bingyu stared intently into Bai Lu's eyes.
"I'll give you a piece of the trade route in exchange for saving Ruzhen. That's my bottom line."
-
In Bai Lu's eyes, Zhao Bingyu's bottom line was worthless.
Upon hearing the figure of 10%, Bai Lu didn't even raise an eyebrow.
"not enough."
Bai Lu finally spoke, leaving no room for negotiation.
"I want 30%."
Not a single point can be missing.
Zhao Bingyu's pupils suddenly contracted.
She thought her concessions would offer some room for maneuver, but she didn't expect Bai Lu's attitude to be so firm, showing no sign of backing down.
"Don't deceive people too much!"
"Do you know what a 10% trade route means? That's three to four hundred thousand taels of silver in revenue every year! You still think that's not enough?"
She lost control of her emotions, and the blush that had just faded from her face returned.
"Giving you this one percent is already a crippling blow to my business! Thirty percent? You're trying to kill me!"
"That's your business, not mine."
Bai Lu's tone was calm to the point of being cruel.
All I know is that your son's life is now in my hands.
She gently raised her hand, extending three slender, fair fingers, and waved them in front of Zhao Bingyu.
"Take 30% of the trade route in exchange for his life. Will you do this deal or not?"
Zhao Bingyu's breathing became rapid.
She felt an unprecedented sense of humiliation and powerlessness.
She gritted her teeth, her gums almost bleeding.
"Twenty percent!"
"This is the limit of what I can offer! Any more, and I'd rather take Ruzhen back and find another way!"
This was already the limit she could bear. A 20% reduction in trade routes meant that her power in the Western Regions would be greatly weakened, and every step she took in the future would be extremely difficult.
Bai Lu listened quietly to her almost pleading ultimatum.
Then, she slowly retracted the three fingers one by one.
Seeing this action, a faint glimmer of hope ignited in Zhao Bingyu's heart.
She thought Bailu had finally been persuaded and was ready to accept the terms.
However, Bai Lu's next words completely shattered her sliver of hope.
"In that case."
"Then there's nothing more to discuss."
She turned away, no longer looking at Zhao Bingyu's bewildered face.
Bai Lu turned her head to the side and pointed with her chin towards the direction of the courtyard gate.
"see a visitor out."
Zhao Bingyu froze on the spot.
She couldn't believe her ears.
She thought Bailu would continue to haggle.
She never expected that Bai Lu wouldn't even bother to haggle over the price and would simply end the deal!
"You...you're just going to kick me out like this?"
Zhao Bingyu's voice was filled with disbelief.
"Don't you really care whether your brother lives or dies?"
She tried to use the word "brother" to sting Bailu and evoke even the slightest bit of familial affection in her.
Bai Lu paused for a moment.
She didn't turn around, leaving only a cold, distant silhouette.
"Madam Zhao, you've forgotten again."
"From the moment you chose to sever ties, we had no relationship anymore."
"What do I care whether your son and daughter live or die?"
After saying that, Bai Lu didn't linger and walked straight towards the inner courtyard.
The seven little moons immediately followed. When they passed by Zhao Bingyu, they didn't even glance at her, as if she were just an insignificant stranger.
"Madam Zhao, Mr. Bai, please."
Zhao Bingyu stood there blankly, her mind completely blank.
Bai Yansong watched Bai Lu's departing figure with an extremely complex expression.
He then looked at Zhao Bingyu, who was standing beside him, looking utterly dejected.
"Let's go."
Bai Yansong spoke in a hoarse voice.
"What are you still doing here? Are you just inviting humiliation?"
After saying that, he turned around first and walked heavily towards the gate of the mansion.
Zhao Bingyu swayed, ultimately succumbing to reality.
She took one last look at the figure that had disappeared behind the moon gate, her eyes filled with regret, resentment, and deep despair.
She knew that she had truly exhausted all avenues of desperation this time.
Bai Lu didn't look back at how Zhao Bingyu and Bai Yansong left.
For her, that so-called family reunion was a business deal with a clear price tag from the very beginning.
If the business deal falls through, it's natural to part ways.
She showed no emotional fluctuation and immediately put the matter out of her mind.
The vibrancy and bustle of Kyoto will not cease because of anyone's departure...
A few days later, a brand new shop quietly opened on Kyoto's busiest street.
The storefront of this shop is decorated in a very unique way.
Instead of using the vermilion and gilded colors commonly used in traditional shops, it was painted entirely in an elegant white.
The window frames and lintels are carved with exquisite scroll patterns, exuding an indescribable elegance in their simplicity.
The signboard bears five elegant and refined gold-plated characters: Bailu Beauty Shop.
On the opening day, the shop did not make any noise with gongs and drums, nor did it have any lion dances to celebrate; it simply opened its doors quietly.
Bai Lu wore a simple moon-white casual outfit today, her hair was loosely tied up, and she only used her own brand of foundation to apply a thin layer to her face, which made her skin look even whiter and her features even more exquisite.
Instead of standing at the door to attract customers like a typical shopkeeper, she leisurely sat in front of a specially made dressing table inside the shop, gently wiping a glass bottle.
Seven Little Moons had seen these things countless times with her mother, and had even participated in their making. She already knew their effects and uses by heart.
Their role is to broaden their horizons and gain experience.
Soon, a number of women and young ladies attracted by the novel sights inside the store gathered at the entrance.
A richly dressed lady, surrounded by servants, was the first to enter the shop, her eyes filled with scrutiny and curiosity.
"Madam, what kind of novelties do you sell here?"
Before Bailu could even speak, the most clever April had already stepped forward to greet her.
The sound is crisp and pleasant:
"Greetings, madam. Our shop sells treasures that will enhance your beauty."
As she spoke, she gestured with her small hand, pointing to a row of white porcelain shelves.
"Madam, please take a look. Ordinary lead powder is heavy and can damage the skin. We have a foundation here that is as light as gauze, which can make your skin look smooth and flawless, as if it were naturally so."
A young lady following behind the lady was attracted and curiously picked up a bottle.
The oldest and most composed of the women stepped forward and explained softly, "Miss, may I try it on the back of your hand?"
After obtaining consent, Yiyue skillfully poured out a drop of foundation and gently patted it onto the back of the young lady's hand with her clean fingertips.
A magical scene unfolded: the drop of lotion seemed to melt into the skin, instantly making the area smooth and delicate, blending perfectly with the surrounding skin tone, leaving no trace of makeup.
"Wow!" the young lady exclaimed in surprise.
At this moment, lively May picked up a plate of colorful little square boxes and presented it to the lady like a treasure.
"Madam, look at this. It's called eyeshadow! Apply it to the outer corner of your eye, and it will make your phoenix eyes even more captivating! My mother says that this earth tone is most suitable for your eye shape, making you look elegant and noble!"
Her little mouth chattered away, speaking eloquently and even using the novel term "earth tones," a term unheard of by noble ladies.
The elegant lady was taken aback by what she said, but then she was amused, and her scrutiny and wariness gradually dissipated.
She looked at the pretty, articulate little girl in front of her and found her both novel and interesting.
"Oh? This little girl knows quite a lot."
"Of course!" May proudly puffed out her little chest. "Mother taught us all of this!"
"My mother said that beauty is not about everyone looking the same, but about finding the kind that suits you best."
No sooner had she finished speaking than February, who had been watching quietly, walked up to the young lady with a small soft-bristled brush and an eyeshadow palette.
February was calm and her movements were exceptionally gentle. She asked softly, "Miss, may I draw your face for you? Just for a moment, I promise I'll make you even more beautiful than before."
The young lady was already amazed by the effects of the foundation, and when she saw this incredibly beautiful girl making a request, she couldn't refuse. Half out of curiosity and half out of indulgence, she nodded.
In February, she tiptoed and used a brush to apply a very small amount of pearlescent color to the inner corner of the young lady's eyes and under-eye area.
Her technique was gentle yet precise, taught to her personally by Bai Lu.
With just these two simple strokes, the young lady's eyes instantly seemed to be filled with light, becoming sparkling and radiant, adding three points of liveliness and charm compared to before.
"Oh my god! A mirror! Give me a mirror!" the young lady exclaimed excitedly, pulling at her maid.
When she saw her own bright, star-like eyes in the small bronze mirror handed to her by the maid, she was completely captivated.
"This...this eyeshadow! I want it! And that foundation from earlier too!"
The elegant lady standing to the side was also filled with shock as she looked at her daughter's instantly dazzling makeup.
The effect...!!!
Just then, the youngest, July, ran over carrying a delicate porcelain tube, looked up at the lady, and said, "Madam, you'll look even prettier with this lipstick on!"
"This color is called Imperial Red, and it perfectly matches your noble temperament!"
As she spoke, she pointed to her own lips, which were painted a bright red and luscious color, serving as the perfect example.
Seeing these seven unique young women, each with their own distinct personality, yet all equally eloquent and knowledgeable about the products, the surrounding ladies went absolutely wild!
They had never experienced a shopping experience like this before.
There's no incessant sales pitch, just a group of adorable fairies showing you just how beautiful you can become in the most direct way!
How much does this foundation cost?
"Little girl, bring me that earth tone you mentioned earlier!"
"I want that royal red too! No, I want the color on her lips!" a young lady shouted, pointing to the gentle mauve color on June's lips.
The Bailu Beauty Shop was instantly bustling with activity.
Seven little moons weaved through the crowd, yet remained perfectly orderly.
The eldest sister calmly received guests and introduced products in January.
In February and March, I was responsible for testing makeup for customers, and my technique was professional.
April and May are eloquent and quick-witted, responsible for enlivening the atmosphere and answering questions.
June and July are the youngest, and they are responsible for showcasing various lipstick colors.
Bai Lu remained elegantly seated behind her dressing table, watching everything with a smile.
Her daughters, no matter how young, were by no means delicate flowers raised in seclusion.
They are capable, intelligent, and able to stand on their own.
On the first day of opening, the first batch of goods prepared in the store was sold out in just two hours!
The ladies who managed to buy the items were overjoyed, while those who missed out were filled with regret.
They all took out deposits to reserve the next batch of goods.
The name of Bailu Beauty Shop swept through the entire Kyoto high society like a whirlwind in just one morning!
That evening, after the shop closed.
Bai Lu looked at the empty shelves and the overflowing cash box, a relieved smile spreading across her face.