Crash—
Women flocked together, stepping into the shop.
Whether it was a mere figment of their imagination or not, they felt that this shop was even brighter than the outside world.
Seeing so many customers, especially women, Lin Shen's eyes sparkled. Rising from his wicker chair, he greeted them, "Welcome, ladies. What can I assist you with today?"
Among them was a handsome young man, catching the eye of several affluent ladies.
The Tang Dynasty was known for its openness, with women not hesitating to offer opinions to men.
Sun Shi, wearing a gentle smile, inquired, "That young man who just left, the Thousand Bull Guard, what did he purchase?"
A Thousand Bull Guard?
Lin Shen raised an eyebrow. The fact that someone from the Thousand Bull Guard visited his shop was quite intriguing.
While pondering, he didn't neglect his business. Seeing this group of women, his eyes lit up.
Not because he had any particular interest in these married women, but because they were women.
The lipstick business had arrived!
"It's a product from my humble shop," Lin Shen responded with a smile, picking up a lipstick from the table and showing it off to the women. "This thing is called lipstick."
With its delicate metallic casing and faint fragrance, its sparkling appearance instantly piqued the women's possessiveness.
Sun Shi walked over eagerly, her voice slightly heated as she asked, "Boss, what is this thing used for?"
Lin Shen smiled and explained, "This is a kind of rouge I developed, used to apply on the lips."
Sun Shi frowned slightly, murmuring softly, "So it's just a kind of lip rouge?"
"It's not the same as what you're thinking," Lin Shen shook his head, explaining, "The lipstick I offer doesn't contain cinnabar or animal fats like traditional rouge. It's safe and non-toxic. You could even eat it if you're willing."
Hearing Lin Shen's words, the women burst into giggles.
Lin Shen continued, "Moreover, my lipstick comes in various colors, not just one like regular rouge..."
"Crimson, plum blossom red, acacia red, jujube red..."
"And even some unconventional ones like pink, purple, cyan, or even black!"
"Whatever you need, we have it here!"
This string of vocabulary rolled off Lin Shen's tongue, sending the women's hearts racing.
Rouge was nothing new to these women.
Who didn't have several boxes of rouge at home?
But those were all uniform shades of bright red, made from cinnabar.
Using the same thing as everyone else didn't appeal to them.
However, this lipstick reignited their love for rouge with its multitude of colors!
"So, can we try it?" Sun Shi stared at the lipstick in Lin Shen's hand, unable to resist asking.
Lin Shen nodded, "Of course, please extend your hand."
Sun Shi obediently reached out her hand.
Plip—
Lin Shen gently twisted the lipstick, which protruded slightly, and lightly swiped it across Sun Shi's fair wrist, leaving behind a faint red mark.
It was different from the usual bright red; instead, it had a subtle, pinkish hue.
The women started chatting excitedly, "It's not the usual bright red!"
"This color is quite nice."
"Good stuff, it makes Sister Sun's skin look much fairer."
"I just wonder if there are really other colors."
"We'll know if we try it."
Another woman stepped forward, looking at Lin Shen, "Boss, can I try a lipstick in a different color?"
Lin Shen nodded, "Of course, what color would you like?"
The woman asked in confusion, "Are there really all those colors?"
Lin Shen smiled and said, "Yes, whatever color you want, we have it here."
After a moment of contemplation, the woman said softly, "A lipstick in lotus color, please?"
As soon as she said that, the women behind her burst into laughter.
"Sister Du is really imaginative..."
"Using such a color, will it make her look like a demon?"
"I doubt there's such a color. It's said to be extremely difficult to blend such a shade..."
Lin Shen shook his head and reached under the counter, actually extracting a lotus-colored lipstick from the system store. As he spoke softly, "Please, ladies, don't doubt the professionalism of my humble shop. If I say we have the scent you desire, then we surely do."
Saying that, he pulled out a lipstick from underneath, twisting it open to reveal a deep purple color.
This surprised even Lin Shen himself.
In the future, few people would use such unconventional lipstick colors. Did this Lady Du truly have such a wild heart?
Lady Du extended her hand, revealing her wrist.
Lin Shen lightly swiped it.
Leaving behind a deep purple imprint.
Lady Du's face trembled.
This was the purest lotus color, with no impurities.
She cradled her wrist, looking it over and over, unable to put it down.
Sun Shi looked at the two lipsticks on the table and asked softly, "Boss, for lipsticks like this, how much are they?"
The other women cast curious and eager glances.
They desperately wanted to know the price.
This unheard-of rouge had captivated them.
The naturally beautiful colors it produced were impossible with any other rouge on the market today.
If the price was right, they couldn't wait to own one.
Lin Shen wore an innocent smile, "For lipsticks like these, they're actually quite cheap. Originally priced at three hundred taels of silver, I'm currently running a promotion. They're now only one hundred taels of silver each."
"Which means, instead of three hundred taels of silver, you now only need to pay one hundred."
Hearing this price, many noble women hesitated.
One hundred taels of silver was almost half a month's salary for their husbands...
Even though the original price was three hundred taels, now it's only one hundred...
Just for this rouge...
As excited as they were, they couldn't bring themselves to take out that much money.
But for women like Sun Shi and Lady Du, who were truly top-notch nobility, this price wasn't expensive.
In fact!
Originally three hundred, now only one hundred, it felt like buying this lipstick would earn them two hundred taels of silver.
Sun Shi gritted her teeth, "I'll take one of this color."
Lin Shen nodded, "No problem, it's a fair one hundred taels of silver."
Sun Shi took a deep breath and said softly, "I'll take this lipstick for now. If you have time to visit the Marquis Lu's Mansion, you'll naturally get your money."
Marquis Lu?
Isn't that Cheng Yaojin?
This seemingly delicate and mature woman is actually the wife of Cheng Yaojin, one of the Five Tiger Generals?
It's truly hard to imagine.
But even with the title of Cheng Yaojin, Lin Shen still resolutely shook his head and refused, "Sorry, I run a small business. It's a matter of principle. Money and goods should be exchanged fairly. If you want to shop in my store, you must abide by my rules."
Sun Shi was somewhat surprised, "Do you know who Marquis Lu is? You still don't trust him?"
Lin Shen smiled and said, "
Of course I know. The governor of Lu Prefecture, Marquis Lu, Cheng Yaojin."
Sun Shi couldn't help but find it amusing, "And yet you still don't trust him?"
Lin Shen chuckled, "I know Mr. Cheng is a renowned figure, but his reputation doesn't outweigh my principles. If you want to shop in my store, you must follow my rules."
Sun Shi wasn't the first to encounter someone who didn't give Cheng Yaojin face.
But those before were either old friends like Qin Qiong or Yuchi Gong.
Or they were figures like Du Ruhui or Wei Zheng, with status and position not inferior to Cheng Yaojin's, and were known for their impartiality.
Apart from these, even Emperor Li Shimin had to give Cheng Yaojin some face.
Where did this young man get the courage to say such things?