Women dressed as men: powerful officials

Chapter 171 Shu Embroidery

Qi Shengxin remained silent, or rather, he didn't know how to explain.

The words of the wish revealed the secret that he had kept in his heart for nearly ten years.

The Imperial Tutor's Mansion has no real power in the court and is not considered powerful, but in the eyes of students all over the world, the Imperial Tutor's Mansion is the leader of the clean stream.

He has no power, but he has fame.

But fame is not something you can gain just by working hard.

Shen Yichuan is the legitimate son of the Grand Tutor. He has been favored by the Emperor since he was a child and has lived a free and easy life. The Empress Dowager even issued an imperial decree personally saying that Shen Yichuan's marriage would be decided by her and no one else could interfere. Shen Yichuan could marry anyone he wanted.

He does not have to bow to power, nor does he have to marry a woman he does not love for the sake of profit.

Qi Shengxin initially envied Shen Yichuan, thinking that Shen Yichuan lived his own life, unlike him, who was the legitimate son of the Prime Minister.

But later, he realized that some gaps could not be made up. For example, the Shen family had served in the government for three dynasties and had a strong foundation, while his father, although the prime minister, did not have as much say in the court as the Shen family.

How can a prime minister who has only been in office for twenty years compare with the Grand Tutor's Office that has stood in the court for a hundred years?

When he was ten years old, Shen Yichuan became the youngest talent in the capital city for a poem he composed impromptu in front of the emperor. His talent was unmatched.

At the age of fifteen, Shen Yichuan took over the Poetry Pavilion.

The Poetry Pavilion is a place where scholars and literati gather, and it is also known as the highest place of talent.

If the Hanlin Academy is the place where talented people gather in the palace, then the Poetry Pavilion is outside the palace.

Since then, he could no longer catch up with Shen Yichuan.

As Xu Yuan said, he was comparing himself with Shen Yichuan in everything.

Talent, how to behave in society, and even making friends.

Since Shen Yichuan won the first prize in the poetry competition, he also participated in the poetry competition.

Shen Yichuan entered Wenhua Palace but did not take part in the national examination, and so did he.

Shen Yichuan had a good relationship with the third prince, so he deliberately got close to the prince.

But no matter what, in the capital, when people talk about the eldest son of aristocratic family, everyone will only think of Shen Yichuan, including his sister.

Day after day, envy turned into resentment and jealousy.

Everything Qi Shengxin did was just to prove that he was better than Shen Yichuan.

But what is more heartbreaking than not being able to win is that your opponent doesn't even take you seriously.

Shen Yichuan continued to act as Mr. Shen in a cool and elegant manner.

And he was staring at Shen Yichuan with every word and action, and had already lost himself.

Seeing Qi Shengxin silent, Xu Yuan smiled knowingly and said, "Master Qi, since I have declined the good intentions of the Prime Minister's Mansion, I will certainly not join the Grand Tutor's Mansion. However, I still want to advise Master Qi that instead of envying others, it is better to live your own life."

Qi Shengxin said obscurely: "Things in the world are often easier said than done."

"got windy."

Xu Yuan did not respond to Qi Shengxin's words, but stretched out his hand. After feeling the coldness, he looked back and said, "Master Qi, it's time to go back. I will remember the kindness of the Prime Minister's Mansion."

Qi Sheng Xinzhi had made up his mind and said no more, "The Prime Minister's Office will give you an explanation for what happened in Wenhua Palace yesterday."

"Thank you." Xu Yuan nodded.

After Qi Shengxin left, Xu Yuan closed the window. Wu Shiming came in from outside and saw Xu Yuan serving tea. He couldn't help but ask, "Xu Yuan, you seem to be very close to the Prime Minister's Mansion. It's good that way. In the capital, you have a backer behind you, so people will be afraid of you."

"You're wrong."

Xu Yuan handed Wu Shiming a cup of tea, and then slowly said: "I am of no use to the Prime Minister's Mansion. They help me just to save their own face."

"This..." Wu Shiming scratched his head and said, "I don't understand."

Xuyuan smiled and said, "Nothing."

After she finished speaking, she remembered what Qi Shengxin had said and fell silent.

By entering the academy and poetry pavilion, you can naturally take part in the national examination.

But she doesn't have that much time.

After entering the academy, one has to study for two more years before taking the national exam.

Therefore, Shige is the best choice.

But if she didn't enter Wenhua Palace, she wouldn't have the chance to get close to the people in Dali Temple...

Xu Yuan's eyes moved and suddenly looked at Wu Shiming.

After Wu Shiming finished his tea, he saw Xu Yuan staring at him. Wu Shiming was stunned for a moment, not quite understanding what was going on, so he asked, "What's wrong?"

"Can I ask you to do me a favor?"

"What is it?" Wu Shiming put down his teacup and patted his chest, saying, "As long as I can help you, I will definitely do my best."

"I want you to help me check if there are any ready-made clothing shops in the capital that sell Shu embroidery. If there are, I want a detailed list."

"Why are you checking this?"

After hearing the wish, Wu Shiming thought about it but couldn't figure out why.

"I have a friend who wants to do business in this area. If there aren't many Shu embroidery products in the capital, I think opening a shop would be good business. Or... he could go directly to Shu and learn how to do Shu embroidery, and then take over the entire business."

"That's it, let me think about it."

Speaking of doing business, Wu Shiming almost subconsciously began to think about the profits of this business.

How to make profits, how to establish connections with government agencies, how to handle both land and water transportation, and where to distribute the goods in the end, and whether there are any other additional benefits in this matter...

Xu Yuan looked at Wu Shiming's thoughtful expression, and his guess became more certain.

At this time, Wu Shiming should no longer be the boy who was beaten in the gambling house.

She was one step too late after all.

However, there are always more solutions than problems.

The road is still long, she can take it slow.

Wu Shiming didn't think for long before he spoke directly, "Xuyuan, I treat you as a friend, so I'll tell you directly. I've been in the capital for a few years and I know a few things. Shu embroidery uses cotton cloth as the embroidery cloth, and the embroidery thread is mostly silk thread. The overall presentation feels richer and more diverse. Many ladies in the palace like it, but the quality of Shu embroidery depends on the embroiderers. The embroiderers in the larger fabric shops in the capital are all very skilled, so they are not very competitive."

Wu Shiming said, seeing Xu Yuan was a little sad, guessing it was because of what he said before, he hesitated for a moment, and then said: "If your friend is doing Shu embroidery business, it is better to do Shu brocade business. However, this Shu brocade is considered a tribute. Most of the shops that can sell it in the capital have cooperated with Shu for a long time, and I am afraid they will not easily let others share a piece of the pie."

"That's it..."

Xu Yuan nodded thoughtfully. She looked at Wu Shiming and changed the subject: "I see you seem to know a lot about this. Why don't you cooperate with that person for me? You don't have to be looked down upon in the gambling house."

"I can't do it." Wu Shiming immediately shook his head. "Opening a shop requires not only money but also power, especially in the capital. Without the connections..."

Wu Shiming stopped talking abruptly. He glanced at Xu Yuan and changed his tone, "I'm not cut out for business. I can't even read. It would be bad if I let you lose money."

After Wu Shiming finished speaking, he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Xu Yuan looked normal.

I really can't stand hearing about business matters. It's too easy to expose one's own stuff.

As a waiter in a gambling house, I shouldn't know so many tricks.

"If I lose money, it's all mine. Just consider it as gaining some experience. You know, I need to study for a degree, so I can't own a shop. Just consider it as helping me, and I'll pay you."

Hearing this, Wu Shiming hesitated and said, "Then I'll give it a try."

Xu Yuan pushed another cup of tea over and said, "Thank you for your help, but I still want a list. Knowing yourself and your enemy will ensure victory in every battle."

"That's easy. I'll go find a few beggars and ask them about it." Wu Shiming finished speaking and suddenly asked, "Are you still asking about Shu embroidery?"

Xu Yuan paused as he tapped the teacup, then changed his tone and said, "Ask them all."