Great Song

Although it is to buy perfume for the queen mother, it is inconvenient to say so at the moment.The two palace maids changed into ordinary clothes and got out of the car, only to see a smiling woman in green dress greet them.

"What do you two distinguished guests want to buy? Please come inside quickly."

She looks kind, her tone is warm, and she is pleasing to the eye just by looking at her.The elder palace man said: "I heard that your store sells perfume, may I have a look?"

"There are a lot of people in the lobby, the two nobles please come upstairs with your concubine." You just want to buy perfume, aren't you nobles?Liu Erniang didn't say anything, and led the people up to the second floor.

When I was in the lobby, I didn't feel that it was no different from other houses except that there were girls entertaining guests.But when they reached the second floor, the two palace servants immediately felt the difference.On the whole floor, there are seven or eight Accords, each of which is not inferior to the main store, and there are doors.Go in and close the door, so that no one else can even see what you bought.

After the two were seated, someone immediately served tea soup.The two palace officials can be said to be well-informed, just by looking at the color of the tea, they can tell that it is Jiancha, and the brewing is not bad.Although it can't be the pre-rain tea, but this kind of courtesy is already rare.

Seeing the two of them seated, Mrs. Liu stood aside and said with a smile: "My concubine's surname is Liu, and she is the second in the family. She is the manager of the small shop. This shop is newly opened. If there is anything wrong, please ask the nobleman Haihan. Dare I ask?" What do you two want to see today?"

No matter what this woman says or does, she makes people feel comfortable.Although nodding from the bottom of his heart, the palace staff still remained calm: "How many fragrances do you have in your perfume? Could you please take a look at it, Mrs. Liu?"

Mrs. Liu immediately smiled and said, "That's easy to say. The shop now has eight types of incense, of which five are single incense and three are combination incense."

Following her words, the young lady serving at the side has already cleverly fetched two wooden boxes and put them on the case.Mrs. Liu opened the larger one first: "Single fragrances are all floral fragrances, while combined fragrances are newly formulated prescriptions, each with its own elegance. You two may wish to take a look first."

In that box, there was a dazzling array of beautiful things, all of which were glazed bottles, and the rare bottles were clear and bright in color, and even the lids were all gold, I don't know if it was gilt or gold-plated.Just by looking at it, it is three points more gorgeous than the rose water from Dashi.

"It's really novel." Even if I went to the palace and saw countless rare treasures, it would be difficult to pick out the flaws in this bottle.The palace man casually picked up a pan-gold bottle and asked, "What kind of incense is this?"

"It's sweet-scented osmanthus." Mrs. Liu explained, "Orange is orange blossom, blue is jasmine, scarlet is plum blossom, and white is gardenia. The five kinds are all very fragrant, and I won't go there for three days."

"Then what about the two bottles?" The palace staff had smelled these individually scented perfumes before, so they didn't care, but pointed to the remaining two bottles.The shape of these two bottles is different from other bottles, they are rounder and transparent, showing the color of the water in them.One pan-green, one pan-gold, just looks quite attractive.

"These two are the perfect fragrance." Er Niang Liu immediately took a bottle, pulled out the stopper, dipped some perfume in the small glass tube in the box, and said with a smile, "You two can rub it on your wrists, Smell it."

Although they came here by order, who wouldn't be curious to see such novelty things?The two palace maids stretched out their wrists, Second Lady Ren Liu dripped the greenish perfume, rubbed it lightly, and put it on her nose.

After just a sniff, the two raised their eyebrows at the same time: "This fragrance is rare."

Some vegetation is not fragrant and sweet, but pure and lofty, like orchids blooming at night.But the smell is by no means an orchid fragrance. You can smell several kinds of spices, but they are properly blended, none of them are obtrusive, and they blend together so naturally.

"But there is chicken tongue fragrance?" Another Sun Gongren whispered, "This taste seems to be suitable for men."

Regarding the question about the fragrance, Mrs. Liu would not answer, she just smiled and said: "This perfume is called 'Jing Yuan', and it has the effect of calming the mind and calming the mind."

Peace of mind!The palace people's eyes lit up, isn't this suitable for the Queen Mother?She immediately asked, "How much does this bottle cost?"

"A bottle of 'Jingyuan' costs 15 yuan." Mrs. Liu picked up another bottle of pan-gold, "This 'Nine Returns' costs 19 yuan. The smell is dignified and luxurious, and it is most suitable for meeting guests and friends." .”

The golden ones are indeed more expensive, the two palace servants looked at each other, but they were not surprised.A bottle of rose water costs [-] to [-] yuan, let alone this kind of incense?

Looking at the glass bottle in the eye box, Sun Gongren suddenly exclaimed, "Didn't you say eight kinds of perfumes, why are there only seven bottles?"

Five kinds of single fragrances, plus two kinds of combined fragrances, wouldn't one be missing a bottle?

Second Lady Liu smiled slightly, and took another wooden box on the table: "The eighth type is not sold separately."

As she spoke, she opened the box, and a dazzling brilliance was displayed in front of the two of them.I saw that in the ebony box lay five kinds of utensils, big and small, some with long necks, some oval, some square and straight, with different postures, but they were all made of colored glaze.What's more, it's not monochrome colored glaze, it's all on the translucent bottles, with pale pink flowers carved out, regardless of what's inside, these five bottles alone can be used as tributes to the royal family!

"This... this is too extravagant..." The people in the palace were a little crazy, looking at the bottle in the box, even the hearts of the ancient wells were rippling.

Mrs. Liu said with a smile: "This box contains all the new products in our store. There are five kinds of perfume, soap, toilet water, toothpaste and fragrant soap, all of which are in the same flavor. Fragrances that are unique to me. My store only has a hundred sets, if they are sold out, we will have to wait for the next season.”

"It's divided into seasons? Could it be that there will be new products in summer?" Sun Gongren also heard the name, and his eyes lit up.

"If the colors of the clothes are different in the four seasons, how can the fragrance be the same?" Second Lady Liu smiled subtly with a hook on her lips.

"It's a different scent." The palace people also accepted this Han's shop. If such a novel thing is offered to the palace, there may be many rewards, but the shopkeeper has no such intention.Also, if it is offered, it will be exclusive to the royal family, how can it be made into a hundred copies and sold?

Sun Gongren asked curiously, "What is the price of this box?"

Although I know the price of the perfume, I am afraid that such a set of things will not be cheap.

"42 yuan." Mrs. Liu quoted the price.

Sun Gongren almost hissed softly. 42 yuan, which is more expensive than the other two kinds of Hexiang combined!How many people in the entire Tokyo city can buy this box?But if she said it wasn't worth it, she really couldn't say it out loud, no matter the workmanship or the fragrance, they were all top-notch works, worthy of such a high price.

"The asking price for this box is indeed not expensive." Seeing the expressions of the two, Er Niang Liu stretched out her hand with a smile, and gently twisted the lid of the box, "Two noblemen, please take a look at this mechanism. Is it worth the price?"

All four eyes fell on the center of the lid, and an unusual brilliance appeared in front of them.The palace man leaned forward in a loss of composure, and leaned in front of the box.In the middle of the box, there was an extremely familiar face, but it was different from the blurred ones seen in the past, but it was finely detailed, and even the fine lines at the corners of the eyes could be seen clearly.

"Hey, what kind of mirror is this?" Seeing such a clear mirror at first glance, the palace staff almost lost their composure.How had she never seen such a clear mirror?Where did it come from?If it is made bigger, thousands of pieces of gold can be exchanged!

"This thing is called a 'silver mirror', and it is the mirror of light." Mrs. Liu puffed her chest out proudly, "This store does not sell it outside, and only comes in a box with seasonal fragrances as a gift. And this mirror can last three years. The moon never fades, if you take care of it and use it, keep it away from heat and water, and use it for a year, it must be done.”

So worth it!For a mere 42 yuan, you can get a box full of new incense and a "silver mirror".Fortunately, they came early, if Jingzhong Haogui knew about it, how could it be their turn?

The palace staff made a decisive decision: "Take one box... No, quickly take three boxes of 'Spring Return'!"

Three boxes?Second Lady Liu's eyebrows slightly moved, but the smile on her face did not change at all. Immediately, she asked the girl next to her to choose three brand new "Spring Returns" and wrap them up for the distinguished guests.

Regardless of the busyness over there, Mrs. Liu took a few things from the box, and explained to the two of them in detail: "This flower dew must be used up within a month. It is most suitable for making powder, and it can also be applied to the face in the morning and evening. It can make the skin smooth and clean. The toothpaste can be used for one and a half months. Do not swallow it when brushing your teeth. If you keep it in your mouth for a while, it will produce a fragrance. If it is not enough, there are other toilet water and toothpaste with different effects.”

After listening to her detailed explanation, he took another piece of paper with the usage printed on it, and let the two of them watch it.The palace people are even more satisfied with the woman's thoughtfulness.How can you be sloppy with what is dedicated to the Queen Mother?Naturally, you have to carefully find out the pros and cons before you can make a contribution.

"By the way, if you're pregnant, it's better to use less of this perfume than not to use it." As if she suddenly remembered something, Er Niang Liu hesitated for a while, and finally said.

The complexion of the palace man changed immediately: "Is there something wrong with this thing?"

Mrs. Liu shook her head calmly: "What's wrong? It's just that the fetus is born naturally, and the fragrance transformed by these rare treasures is easy to hurt the soul. It's not just perfume, but other fragrances and incense are the best. Also stopped. There are still useful powders, and you can’t use lead and mercury. These two things belong to yin, and women’s yin energy is inherently strong. If you use too much, it will make the balance of yin and yang, and it will inevitably damage the fetal qi..."

The palace man stood up abruptly and said sharply, "Is this really true?!"

Startled by her appearance, Er Niang Liu was flustered, but she still kept her voice steady: "If it's a lie, what good is it for the shop? If you are pregnant, you should use natural things. The less contamination with foreign objects, the more you can protect the baby in your womb.”

The people in the palace felt dizzy for a while, and the people in the Sun Palace hurriedly supported her: "Sister, go back and report..."

Before she finished speaking, she stopped vigilantly.When she mentioned it, the palace man also quickly nodded: "Go back immediately!"

After finishing speaking, she glanced at Second Lady Liu, who had a slightly stiff face, and forced a smile: "Don't worry, Second Lady, we have something to do, so let's go first. This 'Spring Return' still needs three copies, and the rest of the store Perfume, toilet water, etc., also take one each, and I will order someone to settle the money..."

After a pause, she added: "If what you say is not bad, there will be a reward."

After finishing speaking, she didn't stay any longer, and walked out of the perfume shop together with Sun Gongren.

After sending people to the car, Second Lady Liu quietly let out a sigh of relief.The accident just now made her back wet.If A Lang hadn't said that nobles must mention this when buying perfume, she would not dare to say anything nonsense.It's just that people from this palace can be the same as other nobles?Could she be wrong...

You must report to Alang as soon as possible!

■

The car that came out of the palace rushed back to Neiye at high speed.The two palace servants got out of the car, but they didn't dare to go directly to see the Queen Mother, but first found Mrs. Yan.

"Will the powder made with strong fragrance or lead and mercury harm the fetus?" Madam Yan broke out in a cold sweat when she heard the news, "I really heard this from the Han family's perfume shop?"

"It's absolutely true! How dare I lie to you?" The palace man was also sweating, and said in a low voice, "I have to report this matter to Empress Ming..."

No wonder they were so panic-stricken. It must be known that the young emperor who had just ascended the throne was extremely unhappy with his heirs.No matter which concubine gave birth to a child, they couldn't raise it safely, and even the heir born to the queen died young.If this matter is really related to spices and lead powder, can the Tian family give birth to a healthy baby if it is changed?

But the matter is too big, and they dare not report it without authorization.If the shopkeeper of the perfume shop talked nonsense, wouldn't she be harming herself?

Mrs. Yan was silent for a moment, then suddenly said: "Send people to Shangqing Palace, Jingling Palace, Taiyi Palace and other temples, and ask their masters whether lead and mercury belong to yin and yang?"

Back then, Zhenzong advocated Taoism, and there were countless Taoist palaces in Tokyo.Among them are the Inner Alchemy Talisman Sect and the Golden Alchemy Sect. These Taoists should know Yin Yang and alchemy best.Just ask them, and you will know whether the theory of "yin and yang imbalance" is true.

Upon hearing the news, the palace staff immediately arranged for the servants to go to inquire.Madam Yan walked around the courtyard anxiously.Although she didn't have much contact with Han Miao, she knew that he was steady and tactful. If she wasn't fully sure, how could she let the shopkeeper of the new shop talk so nonsense?But if the words are true, the situation in the palace may change drastically.Even she, the emperor's wet nurse and a close minister of the empress dowager, did not dare to guess what the situation would be...

After waiting anxiously for half an hour, the servants who went to inquire came back one after another, and brought back the news they had inquired.

"Some people say that lead and mercury belong to yin, some say that lead is yang and mercury is yin, and some people say that mercury is yang and lead is yin?" Hearing everyone's feedback, Mrs. Yan almost laughed angrily.How can two kinds of things be suddenly yin and yang?Even this is not clear, how did they make alchemy back then?Oh, by the way, the pills refined by these Taoists back then did kill many princes and princes.It seems that the yin and yang of these two things are hard to say, but the poison must be there!

"Follow me to report to Empress Ming!" Madam Yan ordered without hesitation.

The two palace servants did not dare to disobey orders, and followed Madam Yan into the main hall of Baoci Palace.At this moment, Empress Dowager Gao had just finished her meal, and her expression was better than before. When she saw someone coming, she said, "But did you bring the perfume?"

Mrs. Yan shook her head, and said seriously: "Your Majesty, the two palace servants heard something in the perfume shop, and they must report it."

Her expression was too serious, Empress Dowager Gao frowned and looked at the two palace maids.Both Wang and Sun are old people beside Empress Dowager Gao, they knelt down together at the moment, and recounted in detail what they heard in the perfume shop, word for word.

After the two of them finished speaking, Empress Dowager Gao's expression also changed a little. When she looked at Mrs. Yan, she suddenly said, "Did you check it out?"

"Exactly. My concubine sent people to the Daguan Palace in Beijing to ask whether lead and mercury belong to yin and yang. As a result, some people said that 'mercury is the essence of the moon, and it is a thing of the sun', and some people said that 'mercury comes from cinnabar, and it is a real dragon. It is transformed by the essence of the sun', and some people say that 'all metals are poisoned by fire'. The same is true for lead, there are those who call it yang, and there are those who call it yin, but no one can make an elixir of 'yin and yang adjustment'." Yan Yan The more Madam talked, the calmer she became. Even when Zhenzong was promoting Taoism, there were very few people who dared to offer alchemy. It is true that there were too many things about eating dead people in Tang Dynasty.If this "lead and mercury" really has miraculous effects, why did the inner alchemy rise and the outer alchemy decline?

However, such shocking incidents did not change the face of Empress Dowager Gao who was sitting at the top.After listening carefully, she sighed softly: "I see."

When she was living in the palace, she was thrifty and her expenses were not extravagant. How could she burn so much incense and use expensive makeup?Is it because of this that she was able to safely give birth to so many children, none of whom died young?

Now that the heirs in the palace are dying, if we can change the spices and powder used by the concubines, can we add a few more sons?

"Ask the empress to come, and come with me to see the Empress Dowager." Finally, Empress Dowager Gao stood up and ordered.

The three most honorable persons in the palace are going to discuss matters together.In Baoci Palace, the palace servants and servants were all trembling.Soon, the three palaces gathered together and talked privately behind closed doors. They didn't leave until they held the lamps.When leaving, Empress Xiang's eyes were slightly red, obviously she had cried, while Empress Dowager Gao no longer had the lonely and dejected appearance before.

That's right, the former emperor has collapsed, so what she can rely on now is her son?With this thought in mind, the pain of losing a husband will naturally fade away.

Sitting on the couch, drinking a cup of tea soup, Empress Dowager Gao sighed, and suddenly said: "It's lucky that Yu Niang is here."

When she gave birth to her eldest son, it was Yan Yuniang who helped nurse and take care of her, so that Xu'er grew up healthily.Now that she is the Empress Dowager, it was she who mentioned perfume again, which led to this anecdote.This woman is really her lucky star.

Mrs. Yan smiled slightly: "The empress and the official family are blessed. First you get a minister of the country like Han Xianggong, and then you get a loyal man like Han Langjun. It must be God's blessing."

These words brought a smile to Empress Dowager Gao's lips: "Can you get the perfume? Let me have a look..."

■

"People from the palace have ordered three sets of 'Spring Return'?" Hearing what Mrs. Liu said, Han Miao smiled.This buyer will definitely not be Mrs. Yan. I am afraid that she will directly obey the Empress Dowager Gao?Unexpectedly, Mrs. Yan took such good care of him, and recommended the perfume to the Queen Mother just after the new store opened.If the palace also starts to use Han family perfume, are you afraid that there will be no customers?

"But my concubine talked about incense and lead and mercury, won't it make the nobleman angry?" Mrs. Liu is still a little anxious. What if a good perfume shop gets into trouble because of her carelessness?

"Lead and mercury are poisonous, and perfume is harmful to the fetus. If you don't speak out about these things, will you lose your reputation?" Han Miao didn't care.

"Even though reputation is important, you can't compete with wealth..."

Second Lady Liu wanted to say something, but Han Miao raised his eyebrows: "Who says I'm going to fight for my fortune?"

"Ah?" Second Lady Liu was startled, not knowing what to say.You said that you can’t use perfume when you’re pregnant, so how can it not affect sales and make others doubt?

"Today's perfume can't be used during pregnancy, so what if we develop something that can be used in the future?" Han Miao asked with a slight smile.

"This... this..." Second Lady Liu opened her eyes wide.How can it be so? !

"If you can turn one business into two, why not do it?" Han Miao laughed.

He never intends to spend money for the sake of reputation. There are two kinds of customers and two kinds of needs. Wouldn't it be better to separate them?

Mrs. Liu was at a loss for words.In this perfume shop, there are many things that Han Miao personally ordered, such as the suits at that day's price, such as the elegant seats on the second floor.It's just that what she thought was still too shallow...

A smile reappeared on her face, and Mrs. Liu gave a respectful salute: "Ah Lang is a great talent, I feel ashamed."

The author has something to say: Mrs. Liu: Ah Lang, do you want money or reputation?

Han Miao: I want both. (Smile)

The season's limited fragrance type also gives a luxurious gift, is it expensive for only 14 sets? [dog head]

Song Shenzong's biggest problem may be that he died early, and he couldn't support his son.The successor Zhezong was also short-lived, which led to his No.11 son ascending the throne. This person's name is Zhao Ji, and his temple name is Huizong.