Persuasion

Zhao Ruxi nodded. "I apologize to you for what happened at Gathered Treasures Studio. I really didn't have the time or energy for that. But if Gathered Treasures Studio needs anything, have Shopkeeper Wang tell me, and I'll definitely help if I can."

Xiao Ruotong smiled and said, "Okay."

Zhao Ruxi looked at her and earnestly suggested, "Sister Ruotong, why don't you draw the jewelry designs yourself?"

"Huh?" Xiao Ruotong was taken aback.

"You're skilled in calligraphy and painting, so you must have your own aesthetic sense and understanding when it comes to jewelry design. Why don't you try drawing some pieces yourself and see what your designs look like, and whether people like them? Jewelry designed by people like us is bound to be better than that of artisans, right?"

Seeing Xiao Ruotong's interested expression, she added, "Just look at that Juren Meng. He's just read some books and has some culture, but once he gets into jewelry design, he's better than the average craftsman. People like you and me, we just don't do it, but if we did, would we be even worse than them?"

Despite her gentle temperament, Xiao Ruotong is actually quite proud at heart. Zhao Ruxi's words immediately ignited her fighting spirit.

She slightly raised her chin. "That's right. I refuse to believe I'm inferior to them. I'll try it when we get back."

"Okay, then I'll wait and see," Zhao Ruxi said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Nanny Yun and Xiaoru, who had already packed their things, looked at Zhao Ruxi with eyes full of gratitude.

Although Miss has relinquished her relationship with the Duke of Ying, she is now alone, which inevitably brings loneliness and will require some time to adjust. Now, Miss Zhao can ignite Miss's fighting spirit, allowing her to focus her energy on painting and jewelry design. Coupled with practicing calligraphy and teaching at the academy, Miss's days will surely be busy and fulfilling, leaving her no time to think about other things.

Zhao Ruxi paused, then said to Xiao Ruotong, "But there's another reason I called you here. The Emperor bestowed upon me a shop, and I'd like to use it to open a jewelry store."

Xiao Ruotong paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "That's wonderful. I was just lamenting for you with Nanny Yun. You can draw such beautiful jewelry designs, and you're so capable. It would be great if you could open a jewelry store. If you don't know where to buy gemstones or jade, just ask Shopkeeper Wang. He's the one who arranges all of these things, he'll definitely know, and the prices he gets will certainly not be expensive."

Established families typically don't proactively announce their names to customers when running businesses. However, they will definitely reveal their names when purchasing goods, as this is a guarantee of credibility. The Prince of Zhennan's Residence is powerful and owns many properties. When merchants see them, they will offer lower prices and dare not engage in any dishonest practices.

"No need, no need, I can find the source myself, I wouldn't dare trouble Shopkeeper Wang," Zhao Ruxi waved her hand.

Rivals are common in the same industry. Although her jewelry store was in Beijing and Gathered Treasures Studio was in Beining, their customers still overlapped.

The jewelry pieces designed by Zhao Ruxi, once crafted by Gathered Treasures Studio, were all positioned as high-end pieces.

High-end customers are limited; there are only so many wealthy women in Beijing who are willing to buy expensive jewelry. Previously, they frequented Gathered Treasures Studio Gathered Treasures Studio because its jewelry was novel and reasonably priced. However, if they discover that newly opened jewelry shops in Beijing offer equally novel styles, and even constantly introduce new designs, while Gathered Treasures Studio can no longer offer such novel and beautiful pieces, then these wealthy women will naturally shift their focus, making Zhao Ruxi's jewelry shop their primary shopping destination.

This means that Zhao Ruxi stole business from Gathered Treasures Studio.

If she were to try and use the connections of the Prince of Zhennan's Residence to obtain raw materials, that would be going too far.

Regardless of whether Xiao Ruotong can design good jewelry or whether she will steal business from Gathered Treasures Studio, Zhao Ruxi doesn't want to do that.

As for getting Xiao Ruotong to invest in the jewelry store, she had considered it. After all, Xiao Ruotong had been very good to her. However, she didn't want to get involved with the Prince of Zhennan's Residence in business. Once the Feicui took off, she could provide some Feicui raw materials to Gathered Treasures Studio and let Gathered Treasures Studio get a share of the profits. As for investing, she decided against it.

Xiao Ruotong was forced by the Princess of Zhennan and Nanny Yun to learn about human relationships, but she was originally simple-minded, with her mind only on calligraphy and painting, and she still didn't think too much when faced with problems.

Hearing Zhao Ruxi's words, she nodded and said, "Okay."

Nanny Yun was speechless at her young mistress's behavior.

She smiled and said to Zhao Ruxi, "Miss Zhao, don't worry too much. To be frank, my young lady has a substantial dowry, enough to ensure she'll never have to worry about food or drink for the rest of her life. Opening this jewelry store is just a way to relax; making money isn't important. As you can see, Gathered Treasures Studio's prices are much more affordable than other jewelry stores, so business is never a problem. If you want to open a jewelry store, just go ahead and do it; don't worry about us. Just source your goods from us. With you joining us, maybe the gem merchants can even offer you lower prices."

Seeing the sincerity in Nanny Yun's words, Zhao Ruxi did not refuse and said to Xiao Ruotong, "Then thank you very much."

Xiao Ruotong waved her hand. "What's the big deal? You also opened a jewelry store, aren't we doing the same thing? We have even more to talk about!"

She stood up. "You still have to go back to the capital. It's getting late, you should hurry back. Otherwise, the city gates will be closed and you won't be able to get in."

Zhao Ruxi has now bought a house, so she can stay here if she really can't go back. However, she hasn't informed her family, and Lady Zhu and the others will worry, so she can't do that. She stood up, followed Xiao Ruotong out the door, waved goodbye, and returned to the capital.

The following afternoon, Shopkeeper Wang came to the painting academy, gave Zhao Ruxi an address, a handwritten letter, and a token. He also explained the prices of various jade and gemstones in detail before leaving.

The shops and workshops are almost ready, and the shopkeepers and employees are also in place. We have some supplies, and news about the Feicui should come soon. The only thing we're missing is craftsmen.

Fortunately, Xiao Lingyan sent her the addresses of some craftsmen the next day, and the five middlemen also introduced her to some craftsmen one after another.

Zhao Ruxi had someone inquire about the matter first, and then spent the next few days visiting each of these craftsmen.

"Broker Zheng, I'll be troubling you these next two days," Zhao Ruxi said with a smile to Broker Zheng, who was meeting her as promised in the city.

"No trouble at all, it is my great honor to be able to do things for Layperson Zhiwei." Broker Zheng's attitude was extremely respectful.

Last time, Zhao Ruxi invited the five middlemen, and they ended up buying many servants from Broker Tong in the east of the city, and houses and shops from Broker Wang Broker Yu in the south of the city, and Yu, a middleman in the west of the city, as well as some servants. Broker Li from Beining, also sold a house and some servants. Only he, a middleman from the north of the city, failed to make a big deal with this wealthy, generous, and righteous Layperson Zhiwei, except for a few servants, which made him very depressed.

But the houses and shops he owned were in bad locations, and people didn't want them; his servants were also illiterate and not clever, and they didn't perform well when it came to hiring. There was nothing he could do.

He was overjoyed that Layperson Zhiwei would actually help his business in this regard.