The post of the prefect's wife was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, causing a huge ripple inside the Splendid Pavilion. This is both an unprecedented opportunity and may conceal unknown risks.
However, before Shen Ruoxin could carefully plan how to deal with this crucial meeting, a cold undercurrent had quietly surged among the common people of the prefectural city.
It was Ah Xing who first noticed something was amiss.
That day, she went to a familiar rouge shop to buy some eyebrow makeup for Shen Ruoxin. The shop owner hesitated to speak, but in the end, she couldn't help but pull her in a low voice and said:
Miss Ah Xing, your second daughter... Have you been a bit too flamboyant recently? Outside... Some of the rumors outside are not very pleasant to hear.
A Xing's heart gave a jolt: "Madam, what do you mean by that?" What's not nice to spread?
The landlady looked left and right and lowered her voice, "What else could it be?" It is said that when it comes to a daughter's home, it is the right way to stay at home without leaving the main door.
Your second daughter, at a young age, is in the public eye. Every day, she hangs out with a group of men (referring to clerks, suppliers, etc.) and manages some kind of business... This... This is really inappropriate and unseemly!
On the other side, when Uncle Wang went to the grain and oil store to do some shopping, he also encountered a similar situation. A few women who had gathered to chat saw him. Although their voices were a little lower, the pointing glances and the faint words "merchant", "woman" and "unashamed" still made this mature and prudent man's face turn ashen with anger.
The news was soon summarized to Shen Ruoxin.
"Indecent?" "Inappropriate?" Shen Ruoxin's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, and a hint of coldness flashed in her cold eyes. She could guess where the wind was blowing from almost without much thought.
Although Zhang Defa and Zhao Babai are insidious, they are more adept at commercial suppression and power struggles. This means of personal attack targeting women's identities and exploiting secular prejudices is more like... The work of a woman in the back house.
Especially the two characters "indecent" carry a strong sense of sourness and a condescending judgment, much like the tone often used by her stepmother, Mrs. Liu.
Liu Shi had always been fed up with her getting involved in the Shen family's business. Now, seeing that the Jinxiu Pavilion was making progress under her management and even winning the favor of the governor's wife, she could no longer sit still.
Second Miss, this... What should be done about this? A Xing was so anxious that she was on the verge of tears. "The governor's wife is going to invite you to her residence tomorrow. If these words reach her ears..." Would you think that you...
"Do you think I'm frivolous and unworthy of her posts?" " Shen Ruoxin put down the teacup, her tone calm, but the coldness in her eyes grew even stronger.
Uncle Wang was also very worried: "Yes, Second Miss!" Human words are terrifying! When we do business, the most important thing is credibility and word-of-mouth. Such rumors that defame one's reputation are just too damaging! Especially... I'm here for your status as a woman!
Li Molan listened by the side, her brows furrowed. Although she was a courtesan and didn't pay much attention to these formalities, she knew that in this era, a woman's reputation was more important than anything else.
Once labeled as "indecent", not only will business be greatly affected, but even ordinary marriages will be greatly impacted.
Shen Ruoxin was silent for a moment, gently tapping the table with her fingers. She knew that Liu's choice to attack at this point in time was extremely malicious. This is not only to tarnize her personal reputation, but also to prevent her from using the power of the prefect's wife to enhance the social status of the Jinxiu Pavilion.
Once identified by the circle of officials and gentry as having "misconduct", the mid-to-high-end market that Jinxiu Pavilion has painstakingly accumulated could very well be destroyed in an instant.
Just go and confront Liu directly? It makes no sense. She would never admit it. Instead, she would turn around and say that she was disrespectful to her elders.
Send someone to suppress the rumors? If one can hold off one owner but not the other, it will only make one feel guilty.
"Why panic?" Shen Ruoxin raised her head and her sharp gaze swept over everyone, "If one is upright, there is no fear of a slanting shadow." The mouth is on someone else's body and we can't control it. But we can decide what to let them see and what to believe.
She stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the busy figures of the embroiderers in the yard. Their voices were calm and powerful:
If Liu wants to condemn me with the eight words "women in business are indecent", then I will show everyone with my solid "achievements" that women in business are not only not "indecent", but can also do better and be more responsible!
"Performance?" Wang Bo was puzzled. "But Second Miss, when it comes to business matters, those who gossip may not understand or care." What they care about are those illusory "systems" and "rules".
Who says performance is just cold numbers? Shen Ruoxin turned around, her eyes shining with wisdom. "The achievements of the Splendid Pavilion are not merely about how much silver it has earned, but also about how many people it has supported, what kind of craftsmanship it has passed down, and how much luster it has added to this prefectural city!"
She began to arrange methodically:
"First, Uncle Wang, go and sort out a detailed 'merit Book' right away."
"Merit Book?"
Yes. It should be clearly stated above that since the opening of our Jinxiu Pavilion, especially recently, how many embroiderers and workers have been hired in total, and how many of them are from poor families who need this job to support their families? How many families have been able to live a stable life by paying wages on time without any delay? We train apprentices and impart skills, enabling how many women to acquire a skill that allows them to support themselves? These are our most genuine "merits"!
"Second, Coach Li, Coach Wang," she looked at the two embroidery instructors, "Could you please organize the new styles and improved old techniques we have developed during this period, especially those exquisite designs that do not require gold and silver threads but rely entirely on needlework and color matching, into a book?" It is necessary to highlight its artistry and originality. This proves that we are not profit-driven merchants, but artisans who are dedicated to inheriting and promoting the Suzhou embroidery skills!
"Third, Ah Xing," she instructed her personal maidservant, "go and make a summary of the records of guests exchanging gifts since the implementation of our 'Splendid Points' system, as well as the list of distinguished guests who have reserved' Four Seasons Elegance '(omit the specific names and only write the identities, such as Mrs. Wu, Mrs. Li, etc.)." This indicates that we have not only won the market, but also the hearts of our guests, especially those with status and taste!
After finishing all these, and then? Uncle Wang pressed further.
"Then," Shen Ruoxin's lips curved into a confident arc, "display these 'merit books',' skill books', and 'Guest heart records' in the most prominent place of the shop in the clearest and most concise way!" There's no need to make a big fuss about it. Just leave it there so that all the customers who enter the store can see it. Let the facts speak for themselves!
She paused for a moment and added, "Meanwhile, we still need to continue doing our own things well." The shop should be kept cleaner and tidier, the clerks more polite and the embroidery more exquisite. The more someone tries to splash dirty water, the more we ourselves should stand upright and behave properly!
Everyone listened to Shen Ruoxin's arrangement, and the panic in their hearts was gradually replaced by a sense of certainty. These counterattack measures, which seem not to directly refute the rumors, are all aimed at the ground. With irrefutable facts, they have built up a positive, proactive and socially responsible image of the Jinxiu Pavilion and Shen Ruoxin herself.
This is a more advanced response: I don't argue with you about right and wrong. I just let you see the facts clearly.
After setting everything up, Shen Ruoxin turned her gaze to the gilded post.
"As for the invitation from the governor's wife tomorrow..." She took a deep breath. "Not only should we go, but we should also be better prepared!" This is not only a chance to appreciate the screen, but also the best opportunity for me to showcase the "achievements" of the Jinxiu Pavilion to the highest level of the prefectural city!
She began to prepare immediately. Not only should you bring along the unfinished but already stunning "Phoenix Through Peony" screen sample, but also carefully select several silk cushions that represent the highest standard of the Splendid Pavilion and carry auspicious meanings as gifts for your welcome.
More importantly, she had to carefully consider in her heart how to convey the business philosophy, social contributions of the Jinxiu Pavilion, as well as her own love and persistence for Suzhou embroidery skills, in a way that was neither humble nor arrogant during her conversation with the governor's wife.
What she wants the prefect's wife to see is not a female merchant who "shows off in public and behaves inappropriately", but a woman of intelligence, responsibility, passion and dedication to carrying forward the family's craftsmanship!
While Shen Ruoxin was fully preparing for the invitation from the prefect's wife, the quiet changes taking place in the Jinxiu Pavilion store also caught the attention of the customers.
The "merit book" that recorded the situation of the hired workers and the timely payment of wages made many ordinary people hold the Jinxiu Pavilion in high regard.
The "skills book" that showcases exquisite patterns and complex stitches makes the guests who appreciate it admire the craftsmanship of the Splendid Pavilion even more.
The "Customer Heart Record", which records the redemption of points and the reservations of distinguished guests, makes regular customers feel a sense of belonging and pride.
The rumors did not disappear immediately, but the voices of doubt seemed increasingly pale and powerless in the face of these concrete displays.
In my opinion, Miss Shen Er of the Splendid Pavilion, at such a young age, has managed to run such a big business and support so many people. It's not easy!
Exactly! Who is getting in the way that someone makes a living by their own ability? It's better than those gossipy women!
Look at what others embroider. How exquisite it is! This is a genuine artisan!
The balance of public opinion, in silence, began to slowly swing back in favor of the Splendid Pavilion.
At this moment, in the backyard of the Shen Mansion, Liu Shi listened to the maidservant's report on the "merit Book" and other news outside, and was so angry that she broke a teacup.
"Little bitch!" There are really many variations! She gritted her teeth and a trace of resentment flashed in her eyes. "Do you think this will clear your name?" I'd like to see if the governor's wife will still give you a nice look when she sees your merchant face!