"The Jade Cream?" Aman set down her snack and picked up a formula, puzzled. "My lady, what is this Jade Cream?"
"It's for removing scars," Murong Yu replied.
"Is it similar to the Scar Healer sold in the shops?" Aman inquired.
"Yes, but its effects are far superior to those so-called Scar Healers out there." Murong Yu nodded and explained.
In her past life, Murong Yu had healed Ji Chengxuan's body full of scars with this very Jade Cream.
"Hibiscus rouge, peach blossom rouge, snow plum rouge, cherry rouge, osmanthus rouge..." Aman looked at the list of other secret formulas written down, bewildered. "My lady, why have you written down so many types of rouge? And ones I've never even heard of, at that."
A triumphant smile crossed the exquisite face of Murong Yu. She said, "Of course you haven't heard of them. These are rouges that I've developed myself."
Murong Yu had developed these formulas while she was idly serving as Ji Chengxuan's concubine. Ji Chengxuan had once scoffed at her for it, "Did I, the mighty Northern Lord, not have the resources to support you? Did you need to run a business yourself?"
Though Ji Chengxuan had said so, he never actually stopped her. He only warned Murong Yu not to let her business activities interfere with her duties towards him, or she would be forbidden to continue.
Once, Murong Yu had worked herself sick. Ji Chengxuan had become furiously enraged, accusing her of not taking care of herself, which was why they had no children.
Murong Yu didn't dare to talk back and allowed Ji Chengxuan to scold her. But in her heart, she grumbled; no matter how well she took care of herself, she wouldn't be able to conceive. If she dared voice even a hint of this, he would ensure she'd never accomplish anything, so she just put up with his reprimands.
When Murong Yu focused on her work, she would often exasperate Ji Chengxuan to the point of panting, glaring at her with bloodshot eyes.
"I want to open a rouge shop." Murong Yu announced.
Aman was surprised. She asked, "My lady, are you serious?"
Murong Yu had even selected the location; she was not joking at all. She said, "It will be on Westbloom Street. My rouge shop will become the most popular cosmetics store in the capital."
The cosmetics store run by Murong Rui and Huo Hongyu was located there, and Murong Yu was determined to bankrupt them both.
"My lady, opening a shop is quite complicated, and are you sure about the effectiveness of these rouges?" Aman hesitated.
"My formulas are flawless." Murong Yu asserted confidently.
In the future, Murong Yu's rouges would be popular among upper-class ladies for being luxurious yet gentle on the skin, unlike other products that could cause allergies. Her rouges, being especially mild, would undoubtedly be bestsellers.
At first, Murong Yu suspected that her thriving business was due to Ji Chengxuan pulling strings behind the scenes, forcing people to buy her rouge. But she later realized that she was succeeding on her own merit.
No one knew that the cosmetics store was Murong Yu's; they only knew someone powerful was backing it, deterring anyone from scheming against it. Despite being a small cosmetics shop, it made a fortune.
Once, while Murong Yu was checking her account, Ji Chengxuan happened to pass by. She had offered him a box of gold ingots, claiming it was a gift for him. She also hinted that she wasn't interested in attending to him that evening.
The result was being dragged back to the bedroom after dinner and worn out until midnight. Murong Yu was left completely spent, and the money was taken away. It was a total loss, both in person and money. She had no intention of revisiting such a past. Her current life would be different.
...
Since Murong Yu was going to open a shop, she naturally needed help. She didn't need to look far and decided to enlist her cousin Li Mu, who appeared to be a good-for-nothing in the eyes of others.