Working with Blossoming Fragrance’s competitor, Heavenly Aroma

Jingyi opened the box, opening it to reveal beautifully made buns that were slight fragrant of sesame oil. "Gang-Hai, if you're hungry." Jingyi gave a bun to Gang-Hai who happily received the bun before devouring it in a few bites, "You know with your eagerness to eat anything that comes in your way, I could potentially poison you and you wouldn't even know." Jingyi smiled coyly, similar to her mother's foxy smile.

Gang-Hai's mouth dropped, shocked, "Are they?" He was desperately hungry but he was afraid Jingyi had actually put something in the buns. Gang-Hai was about to discontinue eating the delicious buns but Lan He shoves Gang-Hai's bun into his mouth, who gladly continued to eat. Gang-Hai didn't care at this point, or he wanted to do was to satisfy his unending hunger from helping Li Qiang all the time with his paperwork.

"No, If there were any, you would have dropped dead by now." Lan He's eye twitched with annoyance at Gang-Hai's negligent ways of taking care of himself, which would often mean that the group would have to take constant trips to food stalls, "Honestly, if you know you would be hungry at least pack some snacks with you."

Gang-Hai nonchalantly continued to eat the bun with gusto, "Jingyi, where did you get these buns?" Gang-Hai continue to take the buns from the box and eating them, "Can you tell me which shop you got it from?" Gang-Hai questioned as he would eat more of these buns in the future while he would work.

Jingyi started to get nervous about revealing the bun maker's identity who was Fangsu, but nevertheless, Jingyi revealed that the person who made it was Fangsu. Gang-Hai ceased eating the buns, but it was tempting to continue eating them, "Chen Fangsu?" Gang-Hai inquired nervously. Which Jingyi nodded confirming Gang-Hai question.

All of them were awkward about the situation with Fangsu, especially the boys who were the main culprits. Jingyi huffed annoyed at the boys, "For god sakes, just eat the buns!"

——-

Due to the invitation of the Empress Dowager, which was quite unexpected. Fangsu now had to quickly decide which type of gift to bring along with her in a few days. Aromatic dew? No, she already gifted that. Hand cream? She had also gifted that. Royals with their vast wealth were not lacking in anything so it was difficult to decide on a gift. Fangsu rummaged through the drawers to look at any of the items that she possessed; dried flowers, some old fabric, paintbrushes, medicine and dried lychee treats from the last summer.

Fangsu entered her grandpa's study looking through the drawers of dried tea leaves, that her grandpa is quite fond of drinking, Red Robe Oolong Tea, which is characterised by sweet aroma, a unique woodsy character and fruity muscatel tones. It has a robust taste, but generally no bitterness. But, Fangsu would have to ask permission to take some of his beloved tea leaves. The door of the study swung open with a great force, followed by heavy footsteps, "I can't believe the nerve of that cunning man," Fangsu's grandpa sat on his chair, releasing a long heavy breath of exhaustion.

Fangsu closed the drawer, grabbing a jug filled with water, pouring the contents into the plants that inhabited this study room, "May I ask you who angered you this time?" Fangsu poured the last of the few drops of water onto an Aloe Vera plant that was slightly weak in vitality. Releasing a bit of Qi, Fangsu gave the plant energy to continue to live. Though her ability to cultivate was null to a great extent, she still could utilise a small portion of Qi.

Fangsu's grandpa released a heavy long breath, "The tea house, Heavenly Aroma, opposite us has been beginning to suppress us by using the Ghost Songstress rumour to gain more customer," The drop in income flow has been stagnating or worst declining for Blossoming Fragrance, and this was especially unfavourable as the owner of Blossoming Fragrance, he still need to care about the employee's salaries.

Fangsu paused, "Ghost Songstress? But, that rumour came about because of my tipsy singing." The rumour of Ghost Songstress' identity was the hot topic of the capital. Many people, especially tea houses and entertainment houses wanted to employ the Ghost Songstress to bring about more customers.

Ghost Songstress equal to more popularity, thus customers come rushing to see Ghost Songstress. Customers are willing to pay money to see Ghost Songstress perform. More money means more income, more income means the ability to renovate and expand their business.

Fangsu was absolutely worried about her grandpa's business, "If it helps, I can rectify the rumours and I can perform for the Blossoming Fragrance." Fangsu suggested since she wanted to help repay her grandpa. But, her grandpa immediately scowled at the idea of Fangsu, his beloved granddaughter performing in front of people who would ogle at her and would perhaps request for her hand in marriage. Meaning that Fangsu would leave him. No! He didn't want his granddaughter to leave him for another 3-4 years.

"No! I will not allow you to perform!" Her grandpa resolve was incredible, in order to keep his granddaughter for himself. He would forsake the business just to spend his limited time with his granddaughter.

The doors of the study room burst open, hitting the walls, indenting them. "Master! Heaven Aroma's workers have been harassing Da Fu and Bao Ming to work for them!" Both Fangsu and her grandpa quickly descended down the stairs, but her grandpa made Fangsu wear a veil to conceal her identity. Once, they entered the main floor, multiple shouts could be heard from both employees from Heavenly Aroma and Blossoming Fragrance.

Da Fu and Bao Ming were valiantly protesting against the Heavenly Aroma staff from forcibly taking them. "Don't you dare touch me!" Bao Ming being a boisterous person began retaliating aggressively as she began fighting against the guards of Heavenly Aroma. Da Fu, on the other hand, was not formally trained in martial arts, unlike Bap Ming, so her ability to fight back was limited.

"Wen Cheng! Tell your workers to stop bothering mine." Grandpa's harsh voice bellowed loudly, catching the attention of both customer and workers alike.

"Elder Chen, I'm only just trying to convince your workers to come with me so that they don't have to suffer along with you," a mischievous smirk lined Wen Chen's face. Wen Heng did not have a simple personality, many disliked and admired Wen Heng especially since he was young and successful but also he would take over the successful businesses for his own pleasure. Blossoming Fragrance had always been his top target as it had a large customer base, excellent and loyal workers, the best location in terms of any business, loyal servers and in terms of power, it was enormous. Wen Cheng covered his face with a bamboo fan but that couldn't hide the fact that he was enjoying the fact that he would soon take over Blossoming Fragrance.

As he scanned the facilities of the tea houses, he notices a beautiful veiled young girl standing on top of the stairs wearing a grey hanfu embroidered with silver lotuses. Her beautiful but unique ash grey hair, something that no one from Eastern roots could inherit with an equally beautiful grey iris that reflected emotions that even himself couldn't read. Her face was that of a porcelain doll, stoic and unreadable.

"Elder Chen, since when did you have such a beautiful girl working for you?" Wen Heng was curious about the veiled girl, obviously intrigued by her appearance as he closed his fan in his palms. Step by step Wen Heng went to approach the veiled girl but Elder Chen blocked him from reaching the girl. "Elder Chen, all I want to do is introduce myself to the girl." Wen Heng smiled, slightly annoyed at the elder.

"Wen Heng, I suggest that you stay away from her." The elder stood protectively in front of Fangsu alongside the employees of the tea house shield her from his sight. This level protectiveness intrigued Wen Heng as he wanted to know the reasoning behind the overprotective nature of the young girl.

Fangsu dismissed the employees who were reluctant to obey, but they moved aside, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Young Master." Gracefully, Fangsu gave a slight bow, giving the young man some face.

"Young Miss, it's definitely a pleasure to meet you." Wen Cheng returned a bow directed towards Fangsu. He was slightly dumbfounded by the young girl's actions towards him but didn't mind the polite gestures even though she could potentially be an employee of the Blossoming Fragrance. Her composure was that of a celestial maiden, graceful and elegant but still firm.

"Someone, reserve a private room and provide some refreshments for the Young Master." Fangsu gently beckoned to the employees but the employees were quite adamant for refusing to serve their competitor. Da Fu being a person to able to read the intention of Fangsu, reserved a room and make the servant serve refreshments which included, Pu'er Tea and some desserts, "But, I would have to suggest, that Young Master would tell your guards to drop any intentions to harass the workers of this establishment." Fangsu stared at the guards from Heavenly Aroma and turned her attention to Wen Cheng, who flicked his hand, dismissing the guards who stood guard outside the tea house.

Fangsu lead Wen Cheng and her grandpa to the private room that had the best view of the capital, all of them seated themselves. Fangsu and her grandpa sat beside each other while Wen Cheng sat in front of the pair. Fangsu took the teapot from the servant and began pouring into their cup according to seniority, first her grandpa then Wen Cheng and lastly herself. Fangsu cup her face to blow the steaming tea in an effort to cool it until she took a sip, "Elder Chen, I quite like the attitude of this young girl." Wen Cheng smirked, taking a sip of the tea that was offered by Fangsu, "So, Young Miss, what would you like to discuss?" Propping his arm to rest his chin.

Fangsu raised her eyebrow in confusion, "Ah, I'm just here so that you two can discuss with each other about business." Taking a sip of her tea Fangsu nonchalantly answered.

Both Wen Cheng and Fangsu's grandpa were baffled by her response, "Fangsu, there is nothing to be discussed between the two of us." Her grandpa was stubborn as a mule, especially to discuss with the young businessman who enjoyed taking over businesses.

Fangsu places her cup down, staring at her grandpa, "You know that if you two worked together, " Fangsu picked up a dessert with a toothpick and plopped it into her mouth, "You can reap massive benefits from each other."

Wen Cheng was interested in the offer, "Would you elaborate on this idea?"

Fangsu turned her attention to Wen Cheng, "Young Master, I would have to ask you about what type of business have ownership of?"

Wen Cheng was shocked to have been directly given a question, "Many. From fabric, cosmetics, armoury, alchemy, herbal shops, banks, entertainment houses and tea houses."

Fangsu was impressed by the variety of business that this person has acquired despite being so young. "Young Master has a wide diversity of business, but do you have any business involving skincare."

Wen Cheng perked at the mention of skincare, "No, I do not," A skincare business would profit well from women especially noblewomen, "But, businesses that have tried to introduce skincare have all fail after the infamous Chen family disappeared."

Fangsu took another sip of the tea, "So what you are saying is that this industry is risky and you don't dare to work in unknown territory and lose any profits, is that right?" She had accurately guessed Wen Cheng's thought correctly. Her grandpa was shocked that Fangsu would have wanted to bring back the Chen family business that was discontinued.

"What do you suggest?" Wen Cheng knew they massive risk in dealing with skincare, but he was intrigued by the girl's unwavering confidence.

"What if the two businesses partner up?" Fangsu suggested quite ambiguously, "We can keep Heavenly Aroma as a tea house but convert Blossoming Fragrance as a skincare business, "

"Blossoming Fragrance coverts?" Wen Cheng raised his eyebrow at the mention of the conversion of the industry that Blossoming would work in.

"You know women are willing to spend money on anything that would help enhance beauty whilst their husband's or brother could wait for them in Heavenly Aroma, enjoying dessert, tea and alcohol."

"So? Heavenly Aroma would be a hotspot for people whilst the Blossoming would attract female customers which could benefit both businesses." Wen Cheng was impressed by the idea but there was one thing that prevents him from accepting the deal, "Who would create the products? People will only buy skincare formulated by the Chen family."

Fangsu's grandpa coughed, he felt left out, he was impressed by Fangsu's talent for business, "The both of us would be able to formulate the skincare."

Wen Cheng perked up at the possibility that they had contact with the Chen family, "Are you saying that you had contact with the infamous Chen family that disappeared for nearly two decades?"

Fangsu tilted her head, "My grandpa and I are from the Chen family."

Wen Cheng obviously flinched, "How can I be sure that you are from the Chen family?" Fangsu's grandpa sighed as he took out the emerald green jade with a Qilin engraved into the surface with a Chen character in the centre. Wen Cheng inspected the jade, and visibly trembled; not out of fear but out of excitement.

"Young man, I hope our businesses can collaborate with each other." Fangsu's grandpa waited for the young man to process the information.

Wen Cheng smirked, "Likewise."

Fangsu's grandpa summoned a servant to retrieve a pile of paper, a writing brush, an inkstone and a stamp. Both Fangsu's grandpa and Wen Cheng began to discuss terms, conditions, ownership, profits and shares. Fangsu's grandpa stamped his thumb into the red ink and imprinted it at the bottom left corner of the paper. When Wen Cheng was able to stamp his own thumbprint, Fangsu's grandpa pulled the business agreement away, "Young man, before we finalised the agreement, you must fulfil one condition." Fangsu's grandpa bore his eye directly into Wen Cheng's, "You must never reveal our identity under any circumstances." Grandpa's reinforced this condition as any information that would reveal about the return of the Chen family would have dire consequences that could affect Fangsu and himself. Wen Cheng firmly nodded and press his stained thumb on the business agreement next to Fangsu's grandpa fingerprint.

"Elder Chen, since your granddaughter suggested this idea." Wen Cheng turned his attention to Fangsu who was happily eating the desserts waiting for the both of them to finish, "Why don't we make her the owner of Blossoming Fragrance?" Wen Cheng saw potential in Fangsu's in business management. However, Fangsu's grandpa was contemplating whether to make Fangsu the owner of Blossoming Fragrance or allow her to continue living freely until she was ready.

Fangsu's grandpa turned to Fangsu to ask for her opinion to adopt the ownership of the business, "Fangsu, it's your choice whether you want to take ownership but you don't want to take if you don't want do." Suggesting that Fangsu has an opinion which in this society was very rare and almost unheard since women did not have many rights, especially they weren't allowed to express their own opinions.

Fangsu though about the idea carefully but thought of solutions, "If I were to take up ownership, could my grandpa help me manage the shop?" Both Wen Cheng and Fangsu's grandpa agreed. Finally, Fangsu was made the owner of Blossoming Fragrance which allows the burden of managing a business lessen for Fangsu's grandpa who was now of old age. Wen Cheng and Fangsu's grandpa were happy with the arrangements made and were happy to cooperate with each other now that they could benefit from each other.

"Lady Chen, now that we are cooperating with each other," Wen Cheng smiled while fanning himself as he stood at the entryway of the teahouse, "I hope we can get along with each other and I have to say I admire your talent for business." The guards from Heavenly Aroma stood behind them like statues, ready to take action when anyone were to happen to their boss.

"Young Master flatters me but I still have much to learn," Fangsu gave a slight bow to send Wen Cheng off. Even though Fangsu was well-versed in business knowledge, she had no real experience in running one especially one that was well-received by people in the capital.

"Then you must quickly learn otherwise you won't be able to overcome difficulties if any were to arise in the future," Wen Cheng genuinely smiled, which shocked the guards who only see their master as a demon and his demonic smile usually meant that someone would be killed on the spot if anyone were betrayed him. "It's getting late, I must leave now." Wen Cheng bowed to Fangsu so reciprocated the action with a bow of her own.

But before Wen Cheng could leave Fangsu called out to him, "I'm sorry to tell you, but the person that works for you and calls themselves the Ghost Songstress is a fraud." Fangsu bowed the last time before returning back into the building.