Chapter 69: The Imperial College
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
After looking at the styles, the girl felt that it was even more difficult to choose. “How many days will it take to customize the dress?”
Sang Wanlu waved at Chu Qingyue. “Qingyue, this lady asked how many days it will take to customize a dress.”
Chu Qingyue walked over, her palms sweating from nervousness. “It can be done in a day.”
“So fast.” The girl handed a piece of paper with a light purple dress to Chu Qingyue. “Sis, make me this dress.”
Chu Qingyue nodded happily. “Okay.”
Sang Wanlu took out a notebook and wrote down the girl’s name. Then, she took out a ruler to measure the girl’s size.
The girl cooperated with the measurement and asked, “Do I have to pay a deposit?”
Sang Wanlu said, “Yes, the deposit will be a hundred copper coins. There are four types of fabrics to choose from. They arc five hundred copper coins, six hundred copper coins, eight hundred copper coins, and one tael. Choose one.”
The girl hesitated for a moment. “I want the kind that costs six hundred copper coins.”
Sang Wanlu took note of the girl’s size and said, “Sure. The customization fee will be 30 copper coins, so it will be 630 copper coins in total.”
The girl could accept it, so she agreed. “Okay.”
The first deal was done just like that.
Another girl chose a dress that cost five hundred copper coins. The style was still very good, but the fabric was relatively inferior.
The second deal was done.
Chu Qingyue was extremely excited. She did not expect to sell two dresses so easily.
Chu Qingzhi walked over. “Second Sister, are you happy?”
Chu Qingyue nodded. “Very happy.”
Chu Qingzhi smiled at Chu Qingyue, then turned to Sang Wanlu and said, “Wanlu, let’s go take a look at the tailor’s room.”
Sang Wanlu said, “Follow me.”
There was a door to the right of the shop. Inside was a wide room with a large table and some smaller tables. On the large table were various fabrics, a few rulers, scissors, threads of various colors, a box of embroidery needles, and some tools.
Sang Wanlu said, “Qingyue, from now on, you’ll be in charge of tailoring. The other tailors will listen to you.”
Chu Qingyue was slightly stunned. “Can… can I do it?”
“Second Sister, believe in yourself.” Chu Qingzhi encouraged her. Then, she turned around and asked Sang Wanlu, “Have you hired the tailors?”
Sang Wanlu nodded. “Yes, I’ve recruited three. They’re all girls, no men.”
Chu Qingzhi smiled. “I knew you could handle everything well.”
Sang Wanlu smiled. “Qingzhi, does Qingyue want to receive the salary? Or does she want a share of the shop instead?”
Chu Qingzhi understood what Sang Wanlu meant. They both received 50% of the profits now. If Chu Qingyue joined in, the ratio would change. “Let’s give her a salary. This way, it’ll be simpler.”
“Okay.” Sang Wanlu thought for a moment and said, “Then Qingyue, I’ll pay you ten taels of silver a month.”
Chu Qingzhi smiled. “Boss Sang, you’re generous.”
Chu Qingyue clenched her fists excitedly. Ten taels was an astronomical figure to her, and this was only the salary of a month.
After discussing some matters in the shop, Chu Qingzhi planned to leave.
“Second Sister, stay in the shop and familiarize yourself with it. In the evening, go and find Eldest Brother and the others. Go home with them. Don’t go back alone. It’s not safe.”
Chu Qingyue understood what Chu Qingzhi meant. “Fifth Sister, I understand.”
Chu Qingzhi walked to the entrance of the shop and waved at them. “I’m leaving.”
They stood at the door and watched her leave.
When Chu Qingzhi walked to the street, she glanced at Wang Peifang, who was secretly looking at her in the shop. In the future, she would let Wang Peifang know what despair was!
Wang Peifang accidentally met Chu Qingzhi’s gaze and immediately felt a chill run down her spine. Then, anger surged in her heart.
A refined middle-aged man in a green robe and a goatee was standing at the entrance of the Imperial College in the capital with his hands behind his back.
He raised his head slightly and looked at the imposing plaque of the Imperial College. A smug smile appeared on his face.
This time, he would make his senior brother admit defeat!
This refined middle-aged man was the dean of Yunfei School!
Just as he was thinking this, a middle-aged man in an official uniform with a square face and a righteous aura walked out of the Imperial College.
He smiled and said with a hint of superiority, “Junior Brother, why are you free to come to my place?”
A meaningful look appeared in the dean’s eyes. “Of course I have something good to show you.”
“Then please, Junior Brother.”
“Senior Brother, please.”
The two of them walked into the Imperial College together, each with their own thoughts.
Yunfei School was the number one private school, and the Imperial College was the number one public school. Be it the teachers or the facilities of the school, they were all top-notch. It was the place that all the students in the world yearned to enter the most.
The two schools had always been competing openly and secretly. On the surface, they were sworn enemies, but in private, no one knew that the two of them were close brothers.
This time, the dean of Yunfei School, Mu Chongli, had specially come to the capital to look for his senior brother, Cao Changkun, with the intention to show off. The first thing he wanted to show off was the puzzle “circle” that ordinary people could not solve. The second was the two poems by Chu Xuyuan and Chu Xuyao.
Yunfei School tought hisotry, but it also taught poems, books, lyrics, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
However, the Imperial College mainly nurtured political talents for the imperial court. They were much inferior in terms of poetry, books, lyrics, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Hence, they were always mocked by the students of Yunfei School in this aspect.
Cao Changkun brought Mu Chongli to his office. It was spacious and bright, with beautiful potted plants. There were also famous calligraphy paintings and antique vases. It looked like the study of a high-ranking official.
Mu Chongli walked into the office and said sarcastically, “Senior Brother, are you a teacher or a merchant? Why is your office full of these vulgar things?”
Cao Changkun was not to be outdone. “Junior Brother, I understand that it’s difficult to see these good things in your poor village. I know you’re jealous. How about this? You can choose whatever you like to take back home.”
Mu Chongli said matter-of-factly, “Alright, since you’re so generous, I won’t stand on ceremony. When I leave, I’ll pack everything up. It just so happens that my school lacks funds. I’ll be able to sell these for a lot more money.”
Cao Zhangkun’s expression stiffened. “Junior Brother, you have always been lofty. Why do you want these vulgar things?”
Mu Chongli glanced at Cao Changkun. “It’s for free. Only a fool will refuse to take it.”
Cao Changkun was speechless.
Then wouldn’t he, the person who asked him to take it, be a bigger fool?!