"Thank you, sister!"
The bowl for Li Jingyun was the grape crispy mountain dessert. It was sickly sweet. At the very bottom was a layer of ice, covered with crispy pastry that rose like a mountain, thus getting the name "crispy mountain". It was dotted with a few grapes. From afar, one could smell the sweet fragrance of milk mixed with the fresh sweetness of grapes, whetting one's appetite.
"Hongxuan, is it true that you made a bet with Cui Tian of the Cui family?" Princess Gaoyang asked this question so gingerly.
The key was that this bet was too big!
It involved the reputations of the royal family and all the great aristocratic families!
"Sister?"
Li Jingyun was enjoying her dessert. Seeing her sister looking tense, she was a bit dazed.
Could the topic change so quickly? Weren't they just talking about how they had a mutual understanding and wanted to eat the crispy mountain dessert?
Why were they suddenly talking about the bet just now?
Father had asked, eldest brother had asked, and now, within less than an hour, even Sister Gaoyang had come to ask?
"Hongxuan, this matter is of great significance. I'm afraid it has already spread all over the city by now. How confident are you?" Princess Gaoyang asked.
Li Jingyun swallowed the grape in her mouth, then stretched out her short, fair and tender little hands and said crisply, "Ten!"
"It's such a serious time, and you still have the mood to tease me?" Princess Gaoyang couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.
She really didn't expect Li Jingyun to say such a thing.
Not to mention Li Jingyun, a five - year - old child who didn't know much about anything, even the prime minister of the current dynasty would be at a loss.
How could one just say they could accomplish it?
"I'm not teasing you! I can definitely do it!" Li Jingyun pouted unhappily as she saw Sister Gaoyang laughing uncontrollably.
"Yes, our Hongxuan is smart and capable. What can't she do?" As Li Shimin spoke, he glanced at Princess Gaoyang. Princess Gaoyang immediately stopped laughing and thought to herself, Father, it's not good to spoil the child like this!
"Hongxuan, I still have a business deal to discuss with you."
Princess Gaoyang was very good at reading the situation and quickly changed the topic.
"Business? What kind of business?"
"It's the business of making ice with saltpeter. I want to rent a shop in Chang'an City to specifically sell all kinds of iced drinks, crispy mountain desserts, cheese, and yogurt. I won't use your method for free. I'll give you 70% of the profit. How about it?" Princess Gaoyang showed a gesture of seven.
70% of the profit!
When she said it, she felt her heart ache.
She chose to come to Li Jingyun now to discuss this matter in front of Father and Mother, so that they could be witnesses.
If there were any disputes in the future, it would be easier to handle, as it was something that His Majesty and Her Majesty had agreed to.
Li Jingyun was also thinking that she had the intention of opening a shop, but she had been too busy recently. She hadn't even made the cement yet, and there was also the matter of printing books.
She thought it would have to be postponed, but unexpectedly, Sister Gaoyang had taken a fancy to this business.
70% of the profit!
Wasn't this equivalent to just lying at home doing nothing and having money fall from the sky?
"Gaoyang, have you chosen a location for the shop and found the right people? When do you plan to open it?" Li Chengqian fired off a series of questions like a machine gun.
"Just now, I took a fancy to a shop in Fengle Square. The location is excellent. It's a three - story building, elegantly and quietly decorated. I've also found the right people: eight waiters, ten chefs to make drinks and crispy mountain desserts, one head shopkeeper, and three servants specifically in charge of making ice with saltpeter. As for when to open, it depends on whether Hongxuan agrees." Princess Gaoyang clearly came prepared and answered methodically and smoothly.
Li Jingyun looked at her sister with admiration on her face. She wanted to be like her sister, knowing everything and being able to do everything well.
But what would her brother - in - law do in the future with such a sister?
She even imagined her brother - in - law kneeling at her sister's feet, meekly listening to her scolding, and couldn't help laughing.
It was so funny. With Sister Gaoyang's personality, how could the second son of the Fang family be a match for her?
"Why are you looking at me and giggling again, Hongxuan? What's your decision?" Princess Gaoyang then asked.
"Of course it's great! But I have two conditions!" Li Jingyun stretched out two fingers and waved them in front of Princess Gaoyang.
"Let's hear them."
Princess Gaoyang's heart skipped a beat again.
This child was young, but seemed quite shrewd.
"First, the method of making ice with saltpeter was developed by Sister Mingda and me. I'll give one - tenth of my 70% share to Sister Mingda. Second, on the opening day, I want to be the first to eat the crispy mountain dessert in your shop!"
Li Jingyun counted on her two fingers one by one as she said this.
Princess Gaoyang's heart relaxed. This wasn't too bad. It was just that Li Jingyun would give one - tenth of her share to Li Mingda, not eyeing the remaining 30% of her own share.
As for being the first to eat the crispy mountain dessert, that was hardly a condition.
"Sure. Not only that, on the opening day, I'll have someone draw your portrait and put it outside so that everyone who eats ice will know who they should thank for the affordable ice." Princess Gaoyang said with a smile, teasing her younger sister.
Li Mingda was very surprised. She didn't expect that she would also get a share of the money.
Her younger sister was so good to her. She had to be good to her younger sister too.
But how?
She didn't know for the time being.
"Gaoyang, you've done a great job. You told me before that you wanted to open a new shop to add to your dowry. I thought it would be a cloth shop or something.没想到啊, you're so creative and opened a shop selling iced crispy mountain desserts. Have you come up with a name for this shop?" Empress Zhangsun asked with a gentle smile.
"This is all Hongxuan's credit. Without Hongxuan's method of making ice with saltpeter, there wouldn't be this shop of mine today. Let Hongxuan come up with a name." Princess Gaoyang shifted the topic back to Li Jingyun.
Her younger sister was the apple of Father and Mother's eye. It was essential to have a good relationship with her.
She understood the principle of loving the dog for its master.
"Let's call it the Ice Pavilion! It's a place that sells ice!"
Li Jingyun was worried that Sister Gaoyang wouldn't understand her train of thought, so she gave a little explanation.
This concise and to - the - point name quickly won everyone's approval. Even Li Shimin was very satisfied and said that he would write a plaque for the Ice Pavilion to hang up.
The emperor's calligraphy on the plaque, regardless of how well it was written, was of great significance!
In the future, they could use this name to promote the Ice Pavilion, and people would look at it with more respect.
Princess Gaoyang achieved all her goals today and was overjoyed. "Since this matter is settled, and it just so happens that eldest brother is choosing a princess consort, we might as well make some drinks and crispy mountain desserts of different flavors for the candidates to choose from, one serving for each. It'll also help them cool off."
"That's a good idea. Go and prepare. Postpone the beauty pageant by two quarters this afternoon." Empress Zhangsun gave an order with a kind and gentle smile.
"Yes."
Several palace servants responded and left.
Li Jingyun stared at the empty bowl, as if she could already see it filled with silver coins. Blinking her eyes, the silver coins turned into gold!
This impact was no less than having money fall from the sky!
After Princess Gaoyang left, she immediately started to make preparations. The food was removed. Li Mingda was so sleepy that she fell asleep and was sent back to Taihe Hall.