The more Song Yiqing listened, the broader the smile on his face became.
By the time Bai Zheng finished speaking, he was all smiles.
"Brilliant! Miss Bai, this plan of yours is truly brilliant!"
If they followed Bai Zheng's method, there would be no need to worry about the business of these shops at all.
You know, at first, he was a bit worried.
After all, although Bai Zheng's products were excellent, no one in Yongding City knew about them. To open up the market in Yongding, they would have to spend some effort to popularize them to everyone first.
For example, the papermaking technique last time was introduced during the monthly auction at Jizhen Tower, when the place was bustling and the target customers were most concentrated.
However, not every shop to be opened in the future would have the same good fortune as the papermaking technique back then.
As a result, the biggest challenge was how to open up the market and let everyone know the merits of Bai Zheng's products.
But now, Bai Zheng had effortlessly solved this problem with just a few words.
Song Yiqing was overjoyed. Looking at Bai Zheng, his eyes were like those looking at the God of Wealth in the temple. The more he looked, the more he liked her.
"In that case, I'll go back and arrange for people to prepare right away. I won't let Miss Bai down then!"
Saying so, Song Yiqing bowed his hands and happily walked away.
Bai Zheng watched Song Yiqing's increasingly buoyant back, and the smile on her lips gradually spread.
All the things that needed to be prepared were ready. Next, she could finally rest at home in peace and be a bride-to-be.
May 16th was an auspicious day for all things.
On this day, before the sky had fully brightened and the rooster hadn't crowed yet, the whole Yongding City was already bustling.
The usually quiet Dingyuan Marquis Mansion's gates were wide open, presenting a scene of joy. Red lanterns and red silk were wrapped around, and a red carpet was laid from outside the door all the way to the main hall.
Although it wasn't the auspicious time for the groom to come and fetch the bride yet, the gongs and drums were playing merrily. Everyone in the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion had a happy look on their faces.
Even the common people on the whole street were infected by this joy and gathered at the mansion's gate, chattering away.
"Our marquis is finally getting married! If the late marquis is watching from above, he can finally rest in peace!"
"We're just looking forward to our new marchioness giving birth to more little heirs for the marquis mansion after she enters the mansion."
"Yes, yes. If the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion were to die out, what would happen to our Great Zhou? The Dingyuan Marquis Mansion mustn't have no descendants!"
The common people in the crowd were excitedly talking about these things without realizing that some interested people had overheard them, which angered someone and caused a mess of things to be smashed.
Bai Zheng was sleepy-eyed and was pulled up early.
Today, the relatives from her grandmother's family had also rushed over from Ningcheng. Bai Zheng's grandmother, aunt, and cousins, along with Mrs. Lin, all gathered in Bai Zheng's room, chattering as they helped her dress up.
Qing Shao and Zhu Ling could only stand on the outermost circle and couldn't even find a chance to help.
Bai Zheng had a helpless smile on her face. She raised her hands like a puppet and let Mrs. Lin and her aunt personally help her put on the wedding dress.
This was the wedding dress that Mrs. Lin had revised and selected again and again until yesterday before finally deciding on it.
The material was the most precious Phoenix Brocade from the betrothal gifts sent by the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion. It was rarer than the Hibiscus Brocade and Cloudy Satin that Zheng Yan had fought over back then.
Under the candlelight, the majestic and noble phoenix seemed to float with the light, looming among the delicate peonies. The gold-embroidered twin lotus flowers bloomed all the way from the hem of the skirt to the waist. Gathered by the lucky cloud-patterned belt, the delicate peonies were layered upon layer, matching the patterns embroidered on the outer robe's lapel. It was truly magnificent and grand.
Bai Zheng's delicate face was made even more beautiful and charming by the glittering Phoenix Brocade. Everyone was a bit dazed looking at her.
Several of her cousins were full of envy in their eyes and couldn't help but praise, "Cousin looks so good in this wedding dress!"
The design of this wedding dress was extremely grand, and every pattern on it was exquisite. If it were worn by another delicate young lady, she might be overshadowed by the dress.
But Bai Zheng was different. She had a natural calm and composed temperament that managed to suppress the grandeur of the dress.
As a result, everyone who saw her would feel that this dress was only barely worthy of Bai Zheng.
Mrs. Lin and her grandmother were full of relief. They patted Bai Zheng, who was in a daze in front of the mirror, and said with a smile, "Alright, alright. Time is running out. Hurry up and put on your makeup."
Saying so, they pulled Bai Zheng to sit in front of the bronze mirror. Several sisters-in-law started to argue while arranging Bai Zheng's hair into the most popular hairstyle of the time.
Although Bai Zheng was a bit helpless, she obediently sat in front of the mirror and let them do as they pleased. By the time the elders who had different opinions finally decided on the final hairstyle, the sky outside was already starting to turn white.
The delicate headdresses and jewelry also sent by the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion were spread out, filling up the table beside them.
"These headdresses are too heavy. Let's put them on for Zheng'er just before she leaves the house." Grandmother felt the most sorry for Bai Zheng. Just looking at those glittering things, she knew they were very heavy. Wearing them on the head would surely tire Bai Zheng out.
Bai Zheng nodded repeatedly and said with a silly smile, "Grandmother loves Zheng'er the most!"
"You're a girl about to get married, yet still so afraid of suffering." Although Mrs. Lin scolded her like this, she opened the small makeup box in her hand. Ignoring those headdresses, she started to put makeup on Bai Zheng.
Bai Zheng looked down at the lead powder, rouge, eyebrow powder, and lip balm, and her head started to ache.
The makeup tools in this era were not as complete as those in modern times. The powder used for foundation was usually lead powder, which could make the whole face look smooth and fair. Then, with a bright red lip balm, it would look hideous.
Moreover, lead powder was not a good thing. Applying too much of it might cause poisoning.
Bai Zheng quickly stopped Mrs. Lin's hand that was about to put makeup on her and said, "Mother, let me do my own makeup today, okay?"
"Nonsense! You've always been served by Zhu Ling to dress up. When have you ever known how to do your own makeup? If it were on other days, I'd let you be. But today, it's not okay. If you make yourself look a mess, you'll scare the marquis!" Mrs. Lin immediately scolded.
"Mother, Zheng'er has already learned how to do her own makeup. My skills are no worse than Zhu Ling's. I know how important today is. I'm not a naughty person." Bai Zheng pleaded, holding Mrs. Lin's hand. "Mother, when have I ever lied to you? Just let me try!"
Mrs. Lin was at a loss for words because of Bai Zheng's words. Then she thought that indeed, Bai Zheng had changed a lot. She was no longer the naive little girl she used to be. Sometimes, even Bai Yinan would follow her instructions.
Thinking of this, Mrs. Lin had no choice but to agree. "Then you have to be careful. It's not fully bright yet, and the light in the room is not good. I'm afraid you can't see clearly in the bronze mirror. You may still have to let mother fix it for you later."
Bai Zheng's eyes curved into a smile. She patted her chest and said, "Mother, don't worry. Zhu Ling!"