Daily Life Running an Ancient Rouge Shop

****Seeking advance readers for The First Noblewoman of Chang'an****

Blurb:

A rouge shop opened on Qianmen Street in the capital, though no one knew when.

Beautiful women gathered there, their fragrant sleeves fluttering.

"Main quest: Open a rouge shop and earn fifty thousand taels of silver!"

"Side quest 1: Hire an employee (daily chores, sweeping, cooking)."

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, on unlocking the achievement [A Fine Steed and a Beauty]!"

There wasn't a single noblewoman in the capital who hadn't heard of the Tan Rouge Shop. They said that once you tried the rouge sold there, no other face powder would ever satisfy you again. The proud princess didn't believe it and insisted on seeing the shop for herself. But after one look, she was swept away, like a drop of water merging into the sea.

Before, the princess said, "It's just a little rouge and face powder. Why are you all willing to throw away your dignity over it?"

Afterward, the princess said, "Damn it! I missed the new eyeshadow palette again. I'm a premium VIP customer!"

Reading tips:

1. This story does not discuss consumerism.

2. Updates are generally daily.

3. This story is also known as Beauty Collector.

4. All quoted poems are from ancient poets, and their sources will be noted in the author's comments.

Advance preview: The First Noblewoman of Chang'an. Please add it to your reading list!

Yan Miyue is the daughter of the Great Xia chancellor, raised in silks and surrounded by luxuries.

She has a father who dotes on her and a kind, handsome fiance.

But the emperor's intentions are unpredictable. In just three days, he issues twelve successive decrees, demoting her father until he is exiled three thousand miles away. Yan Miyue falls from her lofty position as a noblewoman and becomes a poor relative living under her uncle's roof.

Her uncle and aunt, coveting her property, say, "Jiaojiao, just settle in here. Make yourself at home."

Yan Miyue smiles gratefully. "You're right. Grandmother wanted to leave this house to me, after all."

Her jealous cousin says, "Sister, your clothes are beautiful. What a pity..."

Yan Miyue reclines lazily against a cushion. "With my beauty, even these clothes are lucky to have me wear them."

Her insincere fiance says, "I am not worthy of you, miss. Let us call off the engagement."

Yan Miyue scoffs. "That's true. You were reaching above your station."

After the engagement is broken, all the talented young men in Chang'an hesitate and weigh the pros and cons. Only Song Zhanjian is overjoyed, immediately petitioning the emperor to grant them a marriage.

From then on, they remain devoted to each other until their hair turns white.

*

In her previous life, Song Zhanjian married Yan Miyue by imperial decree, and he was deeply unwilling.

For three years of marriage, they treated each other with polite distance, cold-faced and cold-hearted.

Song Zhanjian thought there was nothing wrong with that, until she became bedridden and died in sorrow.

Only when grief pierced his heart and left him in unbearable pain did he finally face his feelings and realize he had long since fallen in love with her.

Given another chance, he will cherish her like a precious jewel.

Theme: Honest business and hard work bring prosperity!