What Miao Ansu didn't expect, however, was that such a simple act of turning her head would be noticed by him so keenly!
Their eyes met—and in that brief moment, he even gave her a slight smile!
And that very smile struck her heart directly!
Good heavens! Du Zhao had refused to marry such a man before?
If it had been her, even if it meant flying into flames like a moth to a fire, she would've charged forward without hesitation!
"Susu! What are you doing?" Zhao Zhangru, noticing Miao Ansu's distracted demeanor, quickly asked.
"Ah? N-Nothing!" Miao Ansu tensed up like a thief caught in the act, flustered and anxious.
"Nothing? Then why do you look so nervous?" Zhao Zhangru squinted, clearly not buying her excuse.
"I'm not nervous. I was just… just thinking how wasteful it would be to keep such amazing perfume hidden. If we sold it, we could make a fortune!" Miao Ansu quickly diverted the topic, her merchant instincts kicking in.
"Exactly! This stuff is bound to make money! But the problem is—there can't be much of it…" Zhao Zhangru's face turned bitter with regret.
In her eyes, not being able to profit from such a great opportunity was nothing short of tragic.
"Who says we can't make money?" Du Zhao finally chuckled mischievously and pulled out two small perfume bottles from her sleeve, handing one to each of her dear friends.
"This one's peach blossom. That one's citrus." Du Zhao smiled. "Take them! Help me spread the word about our perfume!"
"No problem! Absolutely no problem!" The two girls lit up in excitement and each grabbed a bottle, studying it carefully.
"Wait… 'your' perfume? And you want us to promote it? Are you starting a business?" Zhao Zhangru suddenly blinked and asked, stunned.
"Of course!" Du Zhao nodded. "Why not make money if there's money to be made?"
"But… your husband, the Marquis, allows this?" Miao Ansu was equally shocked.
After all, once Du Zhao married into a noble family, shouldn't she stop such public ventures?
Nobles took reputation seriously. Women openly engaging in trade would be frowned upon.
"Why wouldn't he?" Du Zhao smiled sweetly, even with a trace of pride. "To tell you the truth, this perfume was invented by the Marquis himself! He supplies, I sell. We split profits—ninety-one!"
"W-What?!" Both girls were completely dumbfounded.
So the Marquis not only allowed his wife to do business but even partnered with her and split profits?
What kind of incredible husband was this? There couldn't be another like him in the whole world!
For a businesswoman, such a husband was the ideal choice! Miao Ansu's heart skipped a beat again.
Of course, Wei Tingyu overheard their conversation. Being a man from the modern world, he didn't share those feudal views that women should be kept behind closed doors.
Especially since the women he needed to recruit as "female protagonists" of this world were all powerful merchant types—each destined for greatness in commerce.
If he stopped them from doing business, he'd drive them insane!
"Actually… there's one more thing I want your help with," Du Zhao whispered cautiously, glancing at Wei Tingyu nearby before pulling her two friends forward.
"Help? With what?" The girls leaned in, knowing this wasn't something to say in front of the Marquis.
"I want to find a concubine for the Marquis," Du Zhao said, a little embarrassed.
"WHAT?! Are you crazy?!" Zhao Zhangru almost screamed.
Who offers to find a concubine for her own husband?!
But Miao Ansu's heart jumped again. Hadn't she just thought of it herself?
If it were to become a concubine for the Marquis… she might actually consider it.
Though the idea only flickered for a moment in her mind, it had existed.
And now, hearing Du Zhao bring it up—perhaps the chance was real?
"Why? Did the Marquis ask for it?" Miao Ansu, instead of speaking impulsively, chose to probe carefully.
"Don't ask. Just help me look for someone with a gentle personality who won't stir up trouble in the household," Du Zhao said firmly.
Zhao Zhangru frowned. "But most of today's guests are noble daughters. Even if their families aren't high-ranking, I doubt any of them would agree to be a concubine."
"I know. But what if one of them is willing? Better than buying someone off the street," Du Zhao muttered.
"That's true…" Miao Ansu nodded slowly, calculating in her mind.
She wasn't bought from the outside either—if she volunteered, would Du Zhao agree?
In this era, it wasn't uncommon for close female friends or sisters to marry the same man—as long as everyone agreed, there would be no problem.
Du Zhao's mother and stepmother fell out only because her father and stepmother began their affair in secret.
Had he just explained from the beginning, maybe it wouldn't have ended in tragedy...