Spoiled and mad critic of powerful ministers

"Not just wineries and inns."

"After that, we can gradually expand and build a 'Qionghua Manor' that integrates winemaking, wine tasting, accommodation, and tourism."

"From now on, we will not only sell wine, but also a lifestyle, a kind of luxury that can only be enjoyed at Qionghua Pavilion."

This concept is too advanced.

Shen Huaide and Manager Wang listened in a daze, but Shen Song and Cui Ya's eyes grew brighter and brighter as they listened.

"Sister, this idea is brilliant!" Shen Song stood up excitedly. "If it really gets built, we'll be the only ones like this in Wu County, no, in the entire Liangzhou Prefecture!"

Shen Qiongju turned around and looked at everyone: "Of course, taking big steps also carries great risks, and we still need to be down-to-earth in the early stages. This requires everyone to work together."

She looked at Cui Ya: "Manager Cui, from now on, you will be in charge of all reception and staff allocation in the front hall. You need to recruit people, train them, and establish the rules of our Qionghua Pavilion. I'm not afraid to spend money, but I want every employee who comes in to know the rules better than the servants in wealthy households."

"You did a good job training that kid who greeted customers at the door today. If he can stand on his own, send him to the branch in the prefectural city."

Cui Ya stood up and gave a solemn curtsy: "Don't worry, boss, I'll take care of this."

Shen Qiongju then looked at Suolan: "Suolan, your task is the most important. You are responsible for arranging new songs and incorporating our wine culture into the song and dance. I want everyone who drinks our wine to hear the story of how this wine won the favor of the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine."

"You're working too hard on your own. I'm planning to ask the storyteller from the south of the city to help you out. I'll also check with the Imperial Music Bureau to see if any retired dancers or musicians are willing to work at Qionghua Pavilion. Their wages are comparable to the Imperial Music Bureau's salary."

Solan smiled, her charm captivating: "No problem. I've dealt with them before, and I'm confident I can persuade them to come here. After all, who doesn't want to make money?"

Finally, Shen Qiongju looked at Shen Huaide and Shen Song.

"Uncle, Brother Song, the construction of the new distillery and the secrecy of the brewing techniques are of paramount importance. In particular, the recipe for the first distillation must not be leaked at all."

Shen Huaide's expression turned serious: "Qiongju, rest assured, this formula is my life. Anyone who tries to steal it will have to step over my dead body!"

"It's not that serious." Shen Qiongju smiled, easing the tension. "We now have the imperial gold medal and the young marquis's investment; there shouldn't be anyone who's too blind to reason with us."

She paused, then said cautiously, "But we ourselves must also be careful. As long as we don't act rashly, outsiders can't do anything to us."

"How many master brewers do we have these days who truly understand our brewing recipe and techniques? Do they even know their own worth?"

The meeting went on until late at night.

From expanding the number of staff to the salary system, from the layout of the new winery to the details of the restaurant's services, every aspect was scrutinized repeatedly.

By the time the meeting ended, the moon was already high in the sky.

Although everyone was exhausted, the excitement in their eyes was impossible to hide.

After seeing everyone off, Shen Qiongju stood at the entrance of the side hall, looking at the cold, bright moon in the night sky.

A cool breeze blew by, ruffling the stray hairs at her temples.

She couldn't help but sigh, this life is so fulfilling, completely different from the days she spent being kept and imprisoned in her previous life.

This is probably what Hengniang meant when she said, "It's a waste for a woman to stay in the inner quarters and waste her time. Once she gains control of her life, she will definitely have a whole new world."

At that time, she had no concept of the word "sovereignty" at all. Then Hengniang smiled and said to her, "Be your own master and take control of your own power."

Back then, she slept on the desolate manor and imagined countless times what it would be like if she gained her own "sovereignty".

This is probably the best outcome for her to have gained sovereignty.

I wonder how Hengniang is doing now. Before leaving, she asked Zhao Qiyan to take good care of her. I think with her abilities, she should be able to get out of this predicament soon.

"Miss."

Granny Liu came over with a cloak and draped it over her shoulders. "It's late, you should get some rest. We have to go to the Pei family tomorrow."

Shen Qiongju pulled her cloak tighter and pulled herself out of her thoughts.

"Yes, Mother-in-law, you should go back and rest too."

.

She turned and went back into the house, her steps firm.

The next morning, Shen Qiongju got up early and set off for the Pei family.

As the sky began to lighten, a line of horse-drawn carriages filled with red lacquered wooden boxes slowly came to a stop in front of the Pei family manor in Shenjia Village.

Before she could even knock, the side door creaked open.

Peeking out a small head, it was Pei Zhichun.

The little guy's eyes lit up, and he turned and ran inside, his childish voice echoing throughout the front yard.

"My sister-in-law is back! My sister-in-law is back!"

Immediately afterwards, hurried footsteps echoed in the courtyard.

Shen Qiongju stepped across the threshold with a smile, followed by Shen Song and his men carrying several heavy red wooden boxes.

Aunt Pei Junlan stood at the entrance of the main hall.

She was still wearing that dark blue cloth dress, her back straight, her hair neatly combed with only a wooden hairpin.

"Aunt." Shen Qiongju stepped forward quickly and gave a standard junior's greeting.

Pei Junlan's usually stern eyes softened considerably when they met Shen Qiongju's gaze.

"It's good to be back." Her voice was a little hoarse, and her gaze swept over Shen Qiongju. Seeing that her face was rosy, she breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief. "You must have had a long journey."

"It's no trouble at all." Shen Qiongju smiled as she stood up, turned around and called to the workers behind her, "Carry everything inside."

Inside the main hall, the family sat together.

Once the several boxes were opened, the room was filled with light.

It's not an exaggeration, but the neatly arranged silk fabrics, trendy foods from the capital, and the several wooden boxes on the top shelf in the box were simply too dazzling.

Shen Qiongju picked up one of the largest boxes, walked up to Pei Junlan, and presented it with both hands.

"Aunt, this is what your niece-in-law picked out for you at the Treasure Pavilion in the capital."

Pei Junlan paused for a moment, then hesitated before opening it.

A set of gold and kingfisher feather jewelry lay quietly in the box.

The deep blue hue and the lifelike peonies sculpted with gold thread.

A collective gasp filled the hall.

When the Pei family was raided and exiled, all the jewelry of the women was confiscated. Over the years, they had pawned their last remaining savings in order to make a living.

Now, all Pei Junlan wears in her hair is a polished wooden hairpin.

Pei Junlan's fingertips gently caressed the cool kingfisher feathers.

"This... is too precious. There's no occasion for wearing these things these days." Pei Junlan tried to refuse, but couldn't bear to let go of her hand.

"Aunt is the pillar of the Pei family, and only such an item is worthy of you," Shen Qiongju said softly. "Besides, Uncle will be taking the provincial examination next month. With his talent, he can easily bring back the top scholar for the Pei family. In the future, if Aunt dresses too plainly when welcoming guests, it will make people look down on the Pei family."

These words struck a chord with Pei Junlan.

She sighed and finally accepted it: "You're so kind."

Shen Qiongju took out another box and handed it to Liu, who was standing next to her.

"Second Aunt, this is for you."

Liu was Pei Zhiyan's mother. She never expected that she would have one too. After all, when her nephew was not around, she had often resented and ostracized this niece-in-law.