Chapter 11: The Birth of Beauty
Lin Zhenting’s rouge business was not particularly thriving. Zhao Kai had looked into it and found it was mostly a matter of adding numerous fragrances, launching a wave of publicity, and touting it as the same rouge used by the palace ladies, thus attracting throngs of young girls.
He understood this marketing tactic.
“Husband, why are you buying so much rouge?”
Lin Fei’er saw her husband fiddling with the rouge and asked curiously.
Zhao Kai didn’t explain much. He simply pulled her into his arms, seating her on his lap.
With soft, delicate jade nestled against him, Zhao Kai couldn’t help but nuzzle her neck. “Fei’er, what kind of rouge scents do you like?”
She had heard of Lin Zhenting’s rouge business and worried Zhao Kai might feel uneasy about it. She hurriedly said, “I don’t wear much rouge, usually.”
Fei’er was naturally beautiful; even without rouge, she could captivate all who beheld her.
He caught a faint, alluring fragrance and was moved. “Fei’er, I want to design a new rouge and powder, but I don’t understand these things women like. If it were up to you, what styles would you prefer?”
“I like fresh, natural ones, Husband. Everyone has different preferences, but women often love things with intricate designs. Why don’t I help you draw some patterns?”
Patterns? Yes, that’s perfect for packaging.
Zhao Kai pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Then I’ll trouble you, my wife.”
“It’s no trouble at all.”
To be able to help her husband, Lin Fei’er was overjoyed.
She took up her slender, jade-like hand, and with a few strokes, several branches of winter plum blossoms sprang vividly to life on the paper.
Zhao Kai’s eyes reflected the red plum blossoms, but even more so, Fei’er’s gentle beauty.
He unconsciously leaned closer; the graceful gentleman and his refined lady were more alluring than the plum blossoms themselves. Zhao Kai gazed at her rosy lips, wanting to move in slowly—
“Fei’er.”
Zhao Yan’er hurriedly spoke, breaking the intimate atmosphere between the two.
She had observed the scene earlier, and for reasons she could not name, felt deeply uncomfortable seeing them alone together.
She unobtrusively moved between them, pretending to look at the plum blossoms on the paper, and praised, “What a beautiful painting.”
Zhao Kai was already displeased—every time something good happened, Zhao Yan’er would interrupt. Surely it was intentional.
“Sister, you flatter me. I was just helping my husband draw a few pictures.”
“I’m quite skilled at painting myself.”
Zhao Yan’er quickly sought Zhao Kai’s attention, her bright eyes gazing at him with deep affection. “Brother Zhao, whatever style you want, I can paint it for you.”
A flicker of annoyance passed through Lin Fei’er’s heart. Why was Yan’er so enthusiastic in front of her husband?
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Zhao Kai had regained his composure. Matters between men and women could wait; what mattered now was dealing with Lin Zhenting.
“Then I’ll trouble Miss Zhao as well.”
“It’s no trouble at all.”
Thus, with the two women’s designs, Zhao Kai utilized many patterns.
Women adorn themselves for those they love; in modern times, the cosmetics industry was booming, all the more so in ancient times.
Traditional powders were not waterproof and troublesome to use; once lipsticks and compact powders appeared, surely profits would soar.
Before Zhao Kai’s beauty product empire, no one else’s rouge could compare.
Lin Zhenting saw Zhao Kai imitating his previous methods and mocked him inwardly.
He thought Zhao Kai was so capable, yet here he was imitating others.
His secret formula came directly from the palace—how could Zhao Kai match him? How could he rival the palace ladies?
But he could, in fact.
Zhao Kai launched his own cosmetics in the Zhao family’s shop. Beautifully decorated compacts and lipsticks attracted crowds.
“What are these? I’ve never seen them before.”
“Exactly,” Zhao Kai explained to passing young ladies. “These are my brand-new rouge products. Would you like to try them?”
“Are they safe to use?”
“Not only safe, but exceptional. Someone, please apply makeup for the young lady.”
Zhao Kai acted swiftly, not waiting for her reply, and had a maid do her makeup.
With the maid’s skillful touch, the previously ordinary girl was instantly transformed, radiant and stunning.
The crowd exclaimed in wonder, secretly marveling as if it were sorcery.
“Miss, are you satisfied with your look?”
“Satisfied? I’m absolutely delighted! I want this set of cosmetics!”
With the first buyer, others followed, and soon, Zhao Kai’s products sold out completely.
Lin Zhenting arrived upon hearing the commotion, seeing Zhao Kai surrounded by admiration, and was furious.
“How dare you buy their products? Have you forgotten how Zhao family’s rouge once ruined people’s faces?”
He shouted at the crowd, and the rush to pay instantly ceased.
A troublemaker had arrived. Zhao Kai straightened, “On what grounds do you claim our Zhao family’s rouge causes disfigurement?”
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“I have proof. Bring her up.”
Having suffered losses under Zhao Kai’s hand, Lin Zhenting had learned his lesson.
Zhao Kai saw him bringing people and thought Lin Zhenting was finally showing some improvement—though all he did was deliver himself into Zhao Kai’s hands.
“This is Miss Zhou, the victim of your Zhao family’s rouge shop. Such a beautiful woman—after using your rouge, her face broke out in pimples. Look…”
Lin Zhenting pushed her to the center; Miss Zhou cooperated, launching into a dramatic display of wailing, claiming her looks were ruined and life was not worth living.
Wasn’t it obvious she was a plant?
Zhao Kai wasn’t about to indulge her. He examined her face left and right, and said, “Miss Zhou, your pimples are most likely a result of adolescence.”
“Adolescence? I got worse after using your rouge!”
“Worse pimples? That means you already had them before?”
Miss Zhou hesitated.
Zhao Kai steadied her nerves and said solemnly, “Miss Zhou, if you trust me, give me the time it takes to burn a stick of incense. I guarantee no one will see any trace of pimples on your face.”
“Really?”
“Don’t believe him.” Lin Zhenting was quick to interject.
“Sir Lin, are you stopping me because your rouge can’t cover Miss Zhou’s pimples, and you’re jealous, so you’re obstructing me?”
Lin Zhenting gritted his teeth—Zhao Kai was really taking himself seriously.
“Fine, let’s see what you can do.”
Dealing with fools like Lin Zhenting, the provocation tactic never failed.
Zhao Kai invited Miss Zhou into a private room; the crowd craned their necks to watch, while Lin Zhenting gloated. If Zhao family’s reputation was ruined today, Zhao Kai would never hold his head up again.
He wanted Zhao Kai to bask in glory, only to fall hard.
The time of one incense stick passed quickly. Seeing Zhao Kai hadn’t come out yet, Lin Zhenting shouted, “Well? If you can’t do it, come out and admit defeat. I’ll give you some face—just apologize.”
“Why so impatient?” Zhao Kai appeared, followed by a graceful young lady.
“Miss Zhou’s makeup has long been finished. Such a beauty—how could her radiance not blind you without a set of exquisite garments?”
Miss Zhou stepped forward. Zhao Kai gently lifted her veil, and the crowd held their breath…