Empress in her second playthrough: Something's not right with this plot!

"I recently acquired a painting or calligraphy, but I'm unsure of its authenticity, so I would like to ask the Prime Minister to take a look."

Li Yunsheng stood up and looked at the brocade box.

"Whose work is this?"

Liu Quan, with his keen eye, stepped forward and, together with the maid, opened the scroll.

As the scroll slowly unfurled, Madam Cui began to explain.

"The Spring River Flower Moon Night of the Former Yan Ji and Yun".

"A beautiful painting!"

He didn't recognize the painting, but Li Yunsheng had some memories of it.

In addition, the original owner of this body also had some basic knowledge of appreciating calligraphy and painting.

After all, he had received quite a few famous paintings in the past.

Even if you're not particularly interested in calligraphy and painting, you'll come to understand it through exposure to ink and brush.

Moreover, as the number of calligraphy and paintings collected increased, it gave those who gave gifts a misconception—

Li Xiang is fond of calligraphy and painting, so we must cater to his tastes.

This vicious cycle forced him to go from disliking something to liking it.

"It is indeed an authentic work by Ji Heyun."

He didn't even need to look much; he knew with his eyes closed that Madam Cui wouldn't try to fool him with a fake painting.

This painting is worth at least several thousand taels of silver.

Madam Cui ordered her men to put the scroll away.

"Only if this painting is hung in the Prime Minister's house will it not be considered a lost art."

Li Yunsheng glanced at it out of the corner of his eye and saw a thick stack of silver notes in the brocade box containing the painting.

He waved his hand and said, "I cannot accept rewards without merit."

"The Prime Minister entrusted me with the matter of the long-sleeved robe. Such kindness cannot be repaid even a fraction of the favor with a single painting."

In just over two months, the wide-sleeved robe became a huge hit in the capital.

In the capital, wealthy families vied to buy these dresses.

The net profit of this one luxury goods shop in the capital alone reached tens of thousands of taels of silver, not counting shops in other prefectures and counties.

She also profited considerably from the royal palace's procurement of long-sleeved robes.

She felt uneasy about earning so much money.

Li Yunsheng nodded and did not refuse again.

"I already know the situation in the capital. What about the other prefectures and counties?"

When this was mentioned, Madam Cui's eyes lit up.

“In other prefectures and counties, I followed the example of the capital and found famous local courtesans for publicity.”

Coupled with the influence of the capital, the entire Great Chu is now united, and almost everyone knows about the wide-sleeved robe.

She never imagined that she could single-handedly create a trend throughout the entire Great Chu.

Making a fortune is secondary; what's more important is the sense of accomplishment.

Seeing Madam Cui's radiant appearance, Li Yunsheng secretly made his plans.

Since wide-sleeved robes have become popular in the Great Chu, it is likely that sending someone to the State of Wei to negotiate the cancellation of tariffs will proceed smoothly.

"How much has the price of gauze increased since it was first?"

Since the entire Chu state wore wide-sleeved robes made of gauze and silk, gauze and silk in the Wei state became a scarce commodity.

Although it's not yet at the point of being a rare commodity, the price will definitely go up.

Madam Cui extended two slender, jade-like fingers.

"Even after doubling in price, the supply of sarongs still cannot meet the demand."

It is said that the silk gauze of the State of Wei is almost sold out.

Therefore, the price of gauze continues to rise.

"So fast?"

Li Yunsheng was somewhat surprised. According to his calculations, it would take at least four or five months to achieve the current results.

Is the purchasing power of the Great Chu really that amazing?

As if remembering something, Madam Cui's cheeks flushed slightly.

"If it were just wide-sleeved robes, gauze wouldn't be in such short supply so quickly."

"What else?"

Li Yunsheng looked puzzled. He had only asked two questions, so why did Madam Cui's ears turn red?

Madam Cui's voice became much softer.

"Does Your Excellency still remember the design sketch of the cheongsam you left at the Shangpin Shop?"

"remember."

Li Yunsheng's reaction was not slow.

"You mean, cheongsams made of gauze are also popular?"

Madam Cui nodded gently: "Even more popular than the wide-sleeved robe."

Even with her wide-sleeved robe, she still needed to rely on courtesans and dancers to promote it.

But how did the cheongsam made of gauze become so popular?

After all, cheongsams are tight-fitting dresses, and gauze or silk fabrics are not suitable for wearing out.

So you can only wear it at night to add some fun to the room.

Therefore, she couldn't promote these dresses extensively; she only made one or two and displayed them in the store.

But somehow the news spread like wildfire, and in just a few days, it seemed that everyone in the capital knew about the pleasures of this gauze cheongsam.

During this period, court officials, wealthy young men, and handsome scholars crowded into the Shangpin Shop.

In all the years that Shangpin Shop has been open, there has never been a time when there were more men than women among its customers.

This time, she finally saw it for herself.

Most of these people didn't even glance at the wide-sleeved shirts; they were all there for the gauze cheongsams.

What's even more surprising is that in other states and counties, before she even promoted the wide-sleeved shirt, people already knew about the gauze cheongsam.

Li Yunsheng, standing to the side, also clicked his tongue in amazement.

He originally thought that the gauze cheongsam was a niche product and wouldn't have much influence.

I never expected this.

The lustful men propelled his entire plan forward.

"Madam Cui deserves much credit for the creation of the gauze cheongsam."

"I never expected it to be so popular."

Madam Cui said she hadn't expected it, but she had already anticipated it.

Thinking of the dozen or so torn gauze cheongsams in my own home, I can understand why those men buy a dozen or so at a time.

After all, some families had seven or eight concubines, not counting the dancing girls in the household.

I've heard that some people even have dancers dressed in gauze and silk perform in their mansions for their own amusement.

Having experienced the modern world, Li Yunsheng quickly understood the key point.

This gauze cheongsam is almost a one-time use item.

Like black stockings, it's a consumable item.

This has led to the current situation, which is both unexpected and yet perfectly logical.

Chapter 33 Assassination of the Empress

Wei State, Imperial Observatory.

The air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood as two people sat cross-legged, playing chess in an elegant little house.

The Prime Minister of Wei, Taishu Wei, held a black piece and stared intently at the chessboard, hesitating to make a move.

Opposite him stood a man in a white robe, none other than the Grand Historian Wenren Xu.

"The State of Chu has sent envoys to discuss the simultaneous cancellation of tariffs between the two countries. What do you think of this?"

Taishu Wei's mind was focused on the game of chess, so he didn't respond.

Wenren Xu continued speaking to himself.

"I'm just curious how Li Yunsheng discovered he was poisoned."

Hey.

Taishu Wei finally decided where to place his piece and then spoke.

“You said before that the poison would never be detected.”

On the other side, Wenren Xu had clearly already devised a countermeasure, so he made his moves extremely quickly.

“There was nothing unusual at first, but Li Yunsheng suddenly noticed it.”

Cough, cough—

He coughed twice and continued.

"He not only discovered the poisoning, but also went directly to Su Wanwan."