The Tofu Queen: A Modern Woman's Ancient Kingdom Journey

The lively chatter of street vendors occasionally drifted into the private room. Jiang Huaiyu scribbled the recipe for bath powder on a piece of paper and slid it across the table to Qin Ziqin. Afterward, she sipped her tea, only to wrinkle her nose at the strange herbal taste.

Qin Ziqin picked up the paper, his eyes briefly lighting up in admiration at the elegant calligraphy. He hadn't expected Jiang Huaiyu to have such refined penmanship, which made him reevaluate her yet again. However, as he read through the recipe, carefully written in the slender strokes of Shoujin script, his expression shifted to one of surprise.

"Something wrong?" Jiang Huaiyu asked, setting down the offending tea.

Qin Ziqin shook his head, still staring at the paper. "I just didn't expect the recipe to actually include beans. Bath powder made of beans—how curious."

"Now that you have the recipe, I won't ask where you set up the workshop," Jiang Huaiyu said matter-of-factly. "But what's your plan for running the shops?"

Qin Ziqin blinked, caught off guard by her pragmatism. "I'll arrange for three shops in prime locations across the capital to sell the bath powder. You can send someone to meet with the shop accountants for periodic audits—it'll make bookkeeping easier for you."

Jiang Huaiyu nodded. "That works. But I have a suggestion."

At the mention of advice, Qin Ziqin's playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a businesslike attentiveness. "I'm listening."

"For the first three days after opening, post a sign in front of each shop advertising a deal: 'Buy two jars of bath powder, get one free.' Prepare extra stock beforehand, and I guarantee whatever you prepare will sell out."

Qin Ziqin frowned slightly, puzzling over her suggestion. "Giving things away? If we sell 200 jars, we'd effectively only be paid for 100."

Jiang Huaiyu gave him a sidelong glance, her expression tinged with mild disdain. "Are you playing the role of a dimwitted nobleman too convincingly?"

She continued, explaining patiently as though to a particularly slow pupil. "If a jar originally costs fifty wen, adjust the price to seventy wen for the promotion. The customers think they're getting a bargain, but the shop's profit margin barely shrinks. And they'll be thrilled, convinced they're the ones taking advantage of the deal."

Qin Ziqin stared at her, his astonishment palpable.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I just find it remarkable. You're such a refined woman, elegant in both appearance and handwriting, yet your business tactics are…" He trailed off, unable to bring himself to say the word underhanded.

Jiang Huaiyu suppressed a smirk. Modern marketing strategies had been second nature to her in her previous life. These "tricks" weren't revolutionary, but they were novel in this world.

Without further comment, she retrieved the recipe from the table and began jotting down variations. As she wrote, she explained her plan, "It's unwise to sell only one product. Here are three additional recipes. Start with the first one seven days after opening—make only 300 jars for the initial batch and limit sales to three shops. Once sold out, stop production for a while before introducing the other two variations."

Her pen moved smoothly as she added, "Later, create a premium gift set with four jars—one for each variety. Package it in an elegant wooden box, but keep production limited. Announce that these are limited-edition items to drive demand."

Jiang Huaiyu set the pen down, her tone as light and casual as if she were discussing the weather.

Qin Ziqin sat back in his chair, momentarily silent. Her strategies were both clever and ruthless. While he had experienced his fair share of battlefield cunning, this level of business acumen was a whole new kind of warfare.

The longer he considered her plans, the more he realized how much he underestimated her. His initial agreement to this partnership had been a way to repay her kindness and offer her stability in the capital. Now, he wondered if he had inadvertently secured a golden goose.

He glanced at her again. A very beautiful golden goose.

"I take it you've grasped the concept," Jiang Huaiyu said, lifting the now-sleeping Sugar Bun. "If so, I'll take my leave."

"I've got it," Qin Ziqin replied, his expression clearing as he recovered from his initial astonishment. "Allow me to escort you downstairs."

"Lucky for you, you're good-looking," Jiang Huaiyu quipped as she stood.

Qin Ziqin raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Why's that?"

"Otherwise, your earlier antics would've put me off my food for three days," she replied with a faint smile, her tone utterly deadpan.

Instead of taking offense, Qin Ziqin's eyes sparkled with amusement. "By your logic, the fact that you didn't lose your appetite must mean I'm quite the charming man."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Marquis," she said dryly.

Qin Ziqin couldn't help but laugh, flicking open his folding fan with a flourish. For once, he felt like he had the upper hand in their banter.

Elsewhere in the tavern, in a more opulent private room, the atmosphere was far less lighthearted.

"Father's decree shouldn't have been openly defied. Your actions only serve to amuse those who wish us harm," Princess He Linger said with a sigh.

General He Congjun, her younger brother, sat across from her, his expression stony. He was a man accustomed to the rigors of war, and his discontent with the emperor's priorities was no secret.

"Three months until winter at the border," he said coldly. "The Xirong are growing restless, and their raiders have begun attacking villages near Qiyue City. And yet, Father has recalled not just me but every other key general, including Qin Ziqin, who should be defending against the Beidi. Instead, he's obsessed with planning his birthday celebrations."

His voice carried both frustration and bitterness.

Princess He Linger's gaze softened. "The younger princesses are of marriageable age," she said, seemingly unrelated.

He Congjun stilled, the implication sinking in. The emperor wasn't merely celebrating his birthday; he was setting the stage for political alliances.

"So, this is about marriage politics," he said grimly.

She nodded. "The empire runs on alliances. Whether you or I approve, that's how the game is played."

He Congjun clenched his fists but said nothing more. He would fight his battles on the battlefield, not in the murky depths of court politics.

Meanwhile, as Jiang Huaiyu left the tavern, her path briefly crossed with He Congjun's. He caught a fleeting glimpse of her profile, and a flicker of recognition crossed his sharp features.

"What's wrong?" He Linger asked, noticing his pause.

"Nothing," he said after a moment, shaking his head. "Just thought I saw someone familiar."

If Jiang Huaiyu felt the weight of his gaze, she gave no sign, continuing down the street with Sugar Bun safely in her arms.