"Then why didn't your father find you a family with official connections in the prefecture? Someone who has one foot in the door of an official's household, your status would rise by more than just one level. You'd still be an official's wife, which is much better than marrying into a rich merchant family!"
Zhao Jiaqi spoke plainly. In the hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants were at the very bottom. Compared to officials, they were several rungs lower.
However, merchants did have more money than officials.
Wang Hui nodded and seriously replied to her question, "I've thought about it, but my father said there's nothing wrong with being a merchant. Nowadays, any official is willing to associate with merchants. This is what they call the collusion between officials and merchants!"
She paused and continued, "Any problem that a merchant can't solve can be settled by spending some money and finding an official. This means that money can make the devil grind. Without money, you can't move an inch. So, I still decided to marry a merchant. This way, at least my food and clothing are guaranteed!"
Zhao Jiaqi lowered her eyes and sighed. Even a young girl understood these human relationships and worldly affairs, which showed that in this world, who didn't understand?
Perhaps, only babies babbling could not understand.
"Didn't you ever think that your father has only you as his daughter, and that the family's assets will all be yours in the future?" Zhao Jiaqi scanned the decorations in the room and said with a smile, "I can see that your family is quite well-off!"
Wang Hui also swept her eyes around the room and gave a bitter smile, but soon her brand new smile covered it up. "My father doesn't just have me as a child. My concubine is also pregnant and is due to give birth in the next few days!"
"But, I heard my father say that the concubine is most likely carrying a boy. After he's born, he'll be brought back and raised under my mother's name!"
There was a concubine living in this courtyard, and Zhao Jiaqi was a bit surprised. She had been here for some time but had never seen her!
"Your concubine must have a good temperament, I've never seen her!"
Wang Hui let out a soft huff, her face filled with disdain. "She doesn't live here. My father arranged for her to stay in town. My father is so narrow-minded, he's afraid my mother will harm the child. I say it's unnecessary. My mother only recites Buddhist scriptures and prays; how could she harm such a young child!"
Zhao Jiaqi raised an eyebrow, not commenting on her words. Not everyone who recites Buddhist scriptures and prays is a good person. However, since she was a concubine, it was understandable to suspect the main wife of taking action against her.
"Judging by what you said, your father will hand over the family business to your brother in the future. However, this is a bit unfair to you!"
When it came to the family business, Wang Hui immediately sat up straight. "Not at all! I'll ask my father for a business to manage. Besides, I am the eldest daughter of the family. He's just a little brat who hasn't even grown all his teeth. What business can he do!"
In Zhao Jiaqi's eyes, she felt the same, but these words could not be spoken.
"What kind of businesses does your family have? Tell me, perhaps I can help you. After all, my family also has many industries. Jewelry is one of them, and we also have countless inns, restaurants, fabric shops, and tea houses, with many branches opened!"
Hearing about her family's many industries, Wang Hui's eyes widened. But as soon as she thought of her own inferior family background, her spirit immediately sagged.
Yet, she didn't want to be looked down upon. "My family has a gold mine that can extract a lot of gold every day. We also have a shop that specializes in selling rouge and powder. The business is very profitable, with daily earnings of gold. My father won't give me the gold mine, but the rouge and powder shop is still feasible!"
A grown man selling rouge and powder? Many people would find it hard to believe if this were said aloud. In her impression, men did not pursue makeup, nor did she see any men opening such shops.
Zhao Jiaqi frowned. "Your father opens such a shop, who would buy from it? After all, everyone is a woman!"
"That's not true. My father's rouge and powder shop is extremely profitable. Not to mention the wealthy and influential families in the town, even people from the county and prefecture come here by reputation!"
"The amount sold in one day is more than double that of the entire town!"
This statement filled Zhao Jiaqi with surprise, and she quickly asked, "If you say that, then this shop must have a treasure that keeps the town, with very good effects, otherwise, how could it be so popular!"
Wang Hui smiled proudly, tilting her chin. "Of course. Just a small amount like that sells for one tael. When people from the prefecture come to buy things, they buy them in whole strings, each string costing over a thousand taels, or even more. They buy things without batting an eye. So, tell me, does this thing make money or not!"
Zhao Jiaqi looked at the small amount of stuff she gestured with her hand, about the size of her little fingernail. Perhaps she was exaggerating a bit, but it was enough to make Zhao Jiaqi extremely surprised.
"What exactly is this thing that is so valuable and sells so well? Tell me, we're such good friends. If it's really as you say, then I'll definitely get some from you and try it out. If it makes money, we can split it!"
If there was money to be made, why would Wang Hui be unhappy? She immediately told her what she knew!
"I told you earlier, that black thing that you light up and it emits a fragrance!" Wang Hui glanced outside the window, where it was still drizzling. She leaned closer to Zhao Jiaqi's side and whispered, "But you can't smell it for too long. It's fine for women, but for men... it's like taking an aphrodisiac."
Aphrodisiac?
Could this thing be so magical? This left Zhao Jiaqi speechless!
This young girl dared to say anything! But it also made her even more curious about this thing!
"Is it really that effective? To be honest, I know many ladies in the inner city who don't get their husbands' affection, but they are afraid to buy aphrodisiacs from pharmacies for fear of losing face. If this is as good as you say, then I'll get some to take back and share with my sisters."
"What's so difficult about that? I'll get some for you later, I guarantee your sisters will love it!"
Love it? Then this thing must be that good!
"Then I'll eagerly await!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Fan Zehao pushed open the door and heard his wife say this. He smiled and asked, "Eagerly await what?"
Zhao Jiaqi smiled. "I heard about a spice that smells very good. I'm asking Hui'er to get some for me to try and see how effective it is!"
"So that's how it is!" Fan Zehao glanced at Wang Hui, who was standing respectfully to the side, and then turned his gaze back. He said, "It's getting late, you should go back and rest."
With the order to leave given, Wang Hui felt embarrassed to stay any longer. She got up, gave a slight curtsy to Zhao Jiaqi, and left.
Seeing her like this, the couple couldn't help but frown.
Creak, the sound of the door opening, followed closely by the sound of it closing. After the person left, Fan Zehao asked her, "Did you teach her that curtsy?"
Zhao Jiaqi shook her head, she wouldn't take the blame for this. "It wasn't me. She must have seen it somewhere."