Chapter 484
Chapter 484
The group sat inside the Kuai residence’s main hall. As Kuai Liang did not want to put himself in a higher position and Liu Mang did not want to raise suspicion, Liu Mang ended up in the main seat. This is followed by the Kuai brothers and then Jia Xu.
“Your Highness. Are you unable to meet Lady Cai?” Kuai Yue came not only to discuss about the Kuai Ran’s marriage but also to discuss about Liu Mang’s problem.
“That’s right.” Liu Mang nodded. They had already wasted three days. Liu Mang would have no way out if he was still unable to see Lady Cai in the next two days,
“Have Your Highness given them my letter?” Kuai Yue asked.
“We did. We gave both your letters but they replied that Lady Cai was not in and to come back in a few days time.”
“Someone is hindering us!” Kuai Yue immediately came to this conclusion. With the Kuai brothers’ introductory letters, even Liu Biao would have to meet him. Besides that, the Cai Family and the Kuai Family have good relationship. They had to give some face as well.
“Could it be Cai Mao?” Kuai Liang looked at his brother as he asked. Cai Mao was one of the few people that Lady Cai obeyed and Cai Mao had left the residence with an ashen face the other day due to the fact that the Kuai Family joined Yangzhou. Kuai Liang looked at his brother because Kuai Yue was more familiar with Cai Mao.
Kuai Yue shook his head. “It is not Brother Degui!” When Cai Mao left that day, Kuai Yue had chased after him to give an explanation. Although Cai Mao would not forgive them, their relationship was only to the extent of not providing help. Cai Mao would not actively obstruct them yet.
Although Cai Mao was unhappy with Liu Mang, he was afraid of the Pang Family. Liu Mang was at most a migratory dragon that would eventually leave. The same could not be said for the Pang Family and the Lumen Academy.
“Who else could it be?” Everyone frowned. After a while, they all came to the same conclusion. Liu Mang’s current opponent, Pang Tong. The question was how Pang Tong managed to get Lady Cai to ignore the Kuai Family.
“There is no need to think so much. We will find out tomorrow.” Liu Mang waved his hand.
“Your Highness have found a way?” Kuai Yue asked.
“Of course.” Liu Mang replied confidently but did not divulge his methods.
“Your Highness. Do not hesitate to ask if you have any requests.” Kuai Yue could only give his support. As the whole of Jingzhou already believed that the Kuai Family was connected to Yangzhou by marriage, he was unable to remain neutral. Even Liu Biao had heard about this and questioned Kuai Yue. Kuai Yue did not speak well of Liu Mang and although Liu Biao valued his words, one person is not enough. Kuai Yue wanted to wait until Liu Mang was completely ready.
“Thank you, Master Yidu.” Liu Mang nodded. Kuai Yue had already did enough for him.
*****
The next day, after preparing all their necessities, Liu Mang and Jia Xu went to Jingshan by carriage. They even ate their breakfast inside the carriage.
“Milord. Is it really alright to go in this appearance?” Jia Xu looked at Liu Mang with an awkward position.
“Are you unwilling to wear this?” Liu Mang asked back. He had taken out three suits. One for him, one for Jia Xu, and one for Jia Xu’s subordinate.
“It is not that I am unwilling but this is…” Jia Xu replied as he looked at his clothes. This was not Han clothing. They also wore a circular hat instead of the common hats worn by the Han.
“Don’t protest so much if you want your pills! Didn’t you pretend to be someone else’s son last time? Why are you feeling awkward now?” Liu Mang’s clothes were truly uncommon and resembled western or Arabian clothings.
“I will wear it! I will wear it!” Jia Xu would do anything for those blue pills.
“Don’t forget the beard!” Liu Mang also gave them fake beards to wear. After they were done, they all looked like foreign merchants.
“So what do we do now?”
“We are going to sell this.” Liu Mang replied as he took out a few bottled goods.
Meanwhile, a Lady Cai got out of bed and reassured herself. “Just one more day.” Her residence at Jingshan was not big but there were plenty of things in it. More importantly, the environment of this location allowed her to relax.
Despite coming all the way here to relax, she felt even more stressed out. This is because of Pang Tong, who turned her holiday into another scheming round. As a result, she did not like staying there anymore and could not wait to leave.
Lady Cai went to the dressing table and looked at her appearance in the mirror. Although she just woke up, she still had her natural beauty. She caressed her face that no one could appreciate. Which woman did not want their prince in shining armor? Unfortunately, she was politically wedded at a young age to a man older than her father.
Even though this man was the Lord of Jingzhou, it doesn’t change the fact that he was old. In the end, she was the only person who could appreciate her own beauty. She then dressed up and admired herself in the mirror again. This time, she noticed the wrinkles on her skin. It was as though the wrinkle was mocking her for getting old.
She then tried cover up the wrinkles with cosmetic powders but it was ineffective. This made her feel frustrated which resulted in more skin problems. Her face was dry and withered.
“Argh!” Lady Cai screamed in frustration as she sweep the table with her hands, causing all the cosmetic products to fall onto the floor.
“Milady! What’s the matter?” The female servants heard the commotion and came over.
Lady Cai calmed herself down and replied, “There is no need to come in, the powder simply fell to the floor.”
After a long time, Lady Cai finally finished grooming herself and entered the hall. Pang Tong Pang Shiyuan was already waiting there.
“Good morning, Milady.” Pang Tong greeted. He greeted her every morning.
Lady Cai nodded back and sat opposite him. Not long after that, a servant brought her breakfast over.
“Do you want to join me?” Lady Cai asked.
“No need. I have already ate.” Pang Tong replied. Lady Cai also did not insist that he join her.
“Milady. When will you return to the city?” Pang Tong asked after Lady Cai finished her food.
“Tomorrow. I will have my people pack the things today. Why do you ask?”
“No reason.” Pang Tong waved his hand. He wanted Lady Cai to leave as soon as possible. Then Liu Mang would become powerless. However, Pang Tong could not say this out. Getting Lady Cai to not meet Liu Mang was already a huge favor.
Lady Cai knew what Pang Tong was thinking about but she would not change her plans just because of him. Otherwise, it would be problematic when Liu Biao asks her why she returned home earlier than usual.
“Milady. Should we continue yesterday’s game?” Pang Tong asked with a laugh.
“Since you suggested, alright.” Lady Cai nodded. During those times, there were not many types of entertainment. Playing board games was one of the only few entertainments around.
Pang Tong nodded back and left to prepare the pieces at the courtyard with one of Lady Cai’s servants. Meanwhile, Lady Cai ordered Xiao Cui, her other female servant, to go and buy more cosmetic powders in the city. She had ran out of cosmetic powder again due to her anger earlier. Lady Cai also chose Xiao Cui because she was the only one that understood what kind of cosmetic powder Lady Cai preferred. As there was some distance to the city, Xiao Cui had to go and prepare the carriage.
****
“They are here!” Liu Mang said when he saw a carriage being prepared at Lady Cai’s residence. The one that got on the carriage was a female servant.
“Come, Jia Xu! Call out to her!”
“Milord! I think we better not!”
“What are you hiding for? Go quickly!” Liu Mang kicked Jia Xu again.
Jia Xu then unwillingly shouted, “Top grade Western cosmetics here! Don’t miss this chance to buy it!”
“Hm?” Xiao Cui frowned from inside the carriage. She may be used these carriage rides due to Lady Cai constantly spilling her own cosmetic powder. However, these carriage rides were still uncomfortable. The roads have been flattened by order of Liu Biao but it did not help much. The journey was still bumpy and uncomfortable.
As Xiao Cui was just a servant, she could not afford to sit in luxurious cushioned carriages. She had been prepared for a bumpy journey but the carriage slowed down as she heard Jia Xu’s words.
“What’s wrong?” Xiao Cui asked.
“Miss Cui. There is someone blocking the way, selling things!” The driver reported respectfully as Xiao Cui’s position was quite high.
“They are selling things?” Xiao Cui frowned. Why would someone do business in the mountains and not the city?
“On top of that, they are selling cosmetics.” The driver laughed.
“Cosmetics?” Xiao Cui thought cautiously. She came out to buy cosmetics but this was too coincidental. “Go around them!”
“Understood!” The driver replied.
“They want to leave?” Liu Mang frowned. Their actions had been too abrupt. There were barely any people around so it was normal for others to become vigilant if they saw someone trying to do business here. “Speak louder!” Liu Mang kicked Jia Xu again. It was the time to rely on Jia Xu’s persuasiveness.
“Our cosmetic products are extremely worth it! You will look younger with these! Those who are eighty years old would look like they are sixty! Those who are thirty years old will look like they are eighteen!”
“Stop!” Xiao Cui suddenly said to the driver.
“Miss Cui?”
Xiao Cui was attracted by Jia Xu’s words. If you were able to look younger from these cosmetic products, they shouldn’t be called cosmetics but rejuvenation medicine. There are no women that would not be interested in this. She grew up with Lady Cai and had always served her. Xiao Cui herself was getting older and fussier about her age. Who did not want to look younger and prettier?
Xiao Cui was still a virgin but she was also getting old. Because of her age, it would be hard for Lady Cai to find her a man. The younger men would refuse due to Xiao Cui’s age while Lady Cai would be unwilling to marry off Xiao Cui to an old man. She did not want the tragedy to befall her happen to Xiao Cui as well. So Xiao Cui had to rely on herself.
“Miss Cui. Could it be a scam?” The driver was cautious.
“This is right outside Xiangyang.” Xiao Cui replied. At this location, all the guards could arrive very quickly. So, Xiao Cui was not afraid that it might be a scam.
“An opportunity!” Liu Mang said when he saw the person inside the carriage. Based on Jia Xu’s information, this must be Lady Cai’s servant Xiao Cui.
“You are selling cosmetics?” Xiao Cui asked. The carriage driver who was also a soldier stayed vigilant.
“No!” “Yes!” Jia Xu impetuously said no but Liu Mang said yes.
“Miss. We are not bragging about our product. If we say we are the second best, there is no one in the world that would claim to be the best!” Liu Mang said to Xiao Cui.
“So confident!” Xiao Cui sneered with disdain but her interest was even more piqued.
“Haha! We are really not bragging. If so, you can take all our cosmetics for free!”
“Oh? Then I must definitely see what this is!” Xiao Cui stepped forward and looked at the products on the table before frowning.
This is because the cosmetics were out of her expectations. There were white cream-like things, plaster-like things and even thin masks.
“Who are you? What are your intentions?” Xiao Cui asked immediately as she backed away.
“We…” Jia Xu wanted to fabricate something but Liu Mang interrupted him. “We came from the West. We are here to see Lady Cai!”
“Milord?” Jia Xu was shocked that Liu Mang immediately spoke his intentions.
“You came here to see the Lady?” Xiao Cui became even more cautious.
“Yes. We know that Jingzhou is flourishing with business. We imported cosmetic products from the West but it is hard to sell it in Jingzhou!” Liu Mang explained.
The trade in Jingzhou were all controlled by nobles. Those that want to sell cosmetics need to obtain the permission of the Wu Family of Jiangling.
“So, we came looking for Lady Cai instead.”
“You came looking for the Lady?”
“Yes, we know that Lady Cai is an exceptional beauty!” Liu Mang flattered. There was no harm in a bit of flattery even though Liu Mang had never seen Lady Cai before. Xiao Cui also felt good that her master was praised.
“If Lady Cai thinks that this product is good, we would definitely be able to sell it easily!” Liu Mang smiled. Lady Cai would become the perfect advertisement for the cosmetics. It was just like how the Wu Family had good business because her favored product was the Wu Family’s Jiangling powder.
“So those are your intentions!” Xiao Cui laughed. Her doubts dispelled. They had been waiting for her to buy their cosmetics for Lady Cai. Once she did that, they would be able to earn a huge profit.
“Then it would all depend on your products!”
“If you miss this chance, you will no longer have this opportunity!” Liu Mang said as he took out the white cream. “These are the cosmetics.”
“These?” Xiao Cui was unconvinced. How could the cream be cosmetic?
“Miss. The things we have here are all brought from the West. Naturally, they would be different. There is no need to worry. Let me show it to you!” Liu Mang reassured Xiao Cui and opened up a case. A fragrance immediately assailed their nostrils.
“Miss, please look at this cream. It is made from snow lotus found on Tianshan.” Liu Mang bullshitted. It was really just normal vanishing cream of an inferior brand but Liu Mang had to say it was made from the snow lotus on Tianshan or else he could not call it vanishing cream1.
“A celestial product?” Xiao Cui was amazed. The snow lotus herb on Tianshan was extremely precious. She has seen it before as a tribute gift by others. Its value was several hundred gold.
Xiao Cui initially did not believe it but the cream was white like snow and had the fragrance of flowers. She was so captivated by the smell that she took a deep breath.
“Miss? Miss?” Liu Mang waved his hand in front of her face to no avail. She only woke up once Liu Mang closed the case.
“How do you use this?” Xiao Cui asked.
“It is very simple.” Liu Mang took a small amount of cream and spread it around his fingers before smearing it on his face. “Just use it like that. Spread it evenly on your face. People not only need to eat to survive. Other parts of the body also need to eat and absorb things to preserve its glossiness!”
“A person’s face also need to eat?” This was the first time Xiao Cui heard this theory. Liu Mang instigated her to try the cream as well. When she smeared it on her face, she felt a cool and refreshing feeling. After she put the cream, she gently caressed her face.
“It is so smooth!” She commented. A person’s face loses moisture easily especially when not taken care of. Although the ancient people knew about healthcare, they did not know much about skincare.
“Of course!” Liu Mang laughed. The vanishing cream was not made out of snow lotus but oil. It was also use as moisturizer.
“It is also so fragrant!” Xiao Cui commented as well.
“How is it? Do you like our cosmetics?”
“What about the others?”
“This is hand cream. It is the same as the vanishing cream but it is meant to be used for hands!” Liu Mang explained as he introduced the other products.
“What about this one?”
“This is flower essence.”
“Is this also for the hand?”
“No, this is to protect your fine black hair.”
“The hair?”
“Yes.” Liu Mang replied and approached Xiao Cui. As he got too close, Xiao Cui blushed.
“What are you trying to do?”
“Nothing!” Liu Mang said as he rubbed her hair and then showed Xiao Cui her dandruff. “Miss, this is your hair that is not protected.”
“This is…!” Dandruffs were common in that era since shampoo have not yet been invented. Everyone had it. Women would simply clean it up.
“This flower dew can get rid of that!”
“Even dandruffs?” Xiao Cui was very interested. She was one of those that had a lot of dandruffs.
“If you don’t mind, you can try it out.”
“Try it out?” Xiao Cui was confused. The people of that era did not wash their hairs unless they were taking a bath. So she did not know how to try using the shampoo.
“If you don’t mind, this one can help you.” Liu Mang offered as he directed her towards a prepared basin of water.
“Alright.” Xiao Cui herself did not know why she agreed.
After helping her wash her hair, Liu Mang told her to look at the water. As the shampoo was foamy, it was able to give her a misconception that her hair was extremely filthy as long as her hair was at least a little bit dirty.
“It is so dirty!” Xiao Cui commented after seeing the dirty water.
“Miss, please look at your hair again.” Liu Mang said as he lightly pulled her hair forward. It had a nice smell and was also smooth and shiny.
“How could this be?” Xiao Cui was astonished when she looked at her own hair. “Are there anything else?”
“Of course! Miss, these should be suitable for your skin.” Liu Mang replied as he helped pick a few of the cosmetics for her. He learned this from Chen Yi and anime.
In this short moment, Xiao Cui’s common sense was overturned. She initially thought cosmetic powders were enough for women to look beautiful but now learned that beauty worked from head to toe.