"Your Lordship! I have just been thinking that if we sell the perfume directly in a shop for fifty taels a bottle, it is likely no one will buy it!" Dou Zhao said, while tying up Wei Tingyu's belt, lifting her head to look at her husband before speaking.
At this point, the two had already gotten up, with the wedding chamber doors wide open. The maids responsible for cleaning and washing were busily moving in and out.
Meanwhile, Wei Tingyu stood nonchalantly, enjoying the luxurious life of an aristocrat with everything handed to him.
After hearing Dou Zhao's words, he slowly opened his eyes, meeting her gaze, and said with a smile, "What do you suggest we do then?"
In terms of business, Wei Tingyu's experience indeed couldn't compare to Dou Zhao's. So, he looked at her expectantly.
"Esteemed husband, I think there's no rush! A few days from now, when you and I return to my family's house, let's first give a few bottles to our relatives to use. This way, we can spread the perfume's fame first, and then we can start selling it…" Dou Zhao thought for a moment and then spoke.
"Good!" Wei Tingyu nodded directly, agreeing to the suggestion. This method certainly seemed quite reasonable! After all, the Dou family was an official family, and once the relatives started using the perfume, it would soon become fashionable among the noble daughters in the capital.
"Thank you for your understanding, my Lord!" Dou Zhao was surprised by how readily Wei Tingyu agreed. After all, delaying the sale of the perfume meant losing out on thousands of taels of profit.
Seeing Wei Tingyu being so accommodating, Dou Zhao couldn't help but feel flattered.
"We're husband and wife, no need for such formalities," Wei Tingyu said with a chuckle, gently patting Dou Zhao on the behind while raising his eyebrows.
This intimate gesture caused the maids and servants around them to giggle in surprise. They had never expected the Marquis and his new wife to have such a good relationship.
Su Lan and Su Xin, in turn, quickly pretended to turn away to tidy up the still-disheveled bed.
"My Lord!" Dou Zhao didn't expect Wei Tingyu to act so intimately in front of all the servants, and her face immediately flushed with embarrassment.
"I'm going to the Jing Guogong's residence to thank my sister and brother-in-law. After all, they were the ones who arranged our marriage!" Wei Tingyu said with a smile, seeing Dou Zhao's bashful expression. "I leave the affairs here at the Ji Ning Marquis' residence to you, my dear."
"Understood!" Dou Zhao immediately relaxed upon hearing that he was discussing something serious. If Wei Tingyu had decided to act like a rogue and be intimate with her right there, it would have been utterly embarrassing!
Thankfully, he looked carefree but wasn't completely oblivious to manners.
"Well then, I'll be off…" Wei Tingyu said, glancing at Dou Zhao as she raised her face to bid him farewell.
"Go ahead! Who's stopping you?" Dou Zhao, still puzzled, looked at him with a questioning expression.
But just as she was about to understand, she realized that his hand was still resting on her waist, and his fingers were lightly tapping there.
The movement was subtle—only his fingers were moving—but Dou Zhao could feel it clearly. She instantly realized what Wei Tingyu meant!
"My Lord! There are so many people here!" Dou Zhao, feeling both embarrassed and anxious, just wanted him to hurry and leave for the Jing Guogong's residence without causing any further fuss!
However, seeing him act so mischievously, Dou Zhao could only helplessly sigh. She suppressed her shyness, stood on tiptoe, and moved her red lips toward his cheek.
But just as her lips were about to meet his, Wei Tingyu suddenly turned his face, and their lips met unexpectedly.
"Ah!" Dou Zhao was startled. Though it was just a brief kiss, her face burned with shame, especially with so many maids and servants around.
"I'm leaving!" Wei Tingyu quickly spun around and strode out of the room.
All that was left was a red-faced Dou Zhao standing among the maids and servants, utterly flustered!
"I thought he had changed for the better, but now I see he's still a rascal!" Dou Zhao, feeling embarrassed, clenched her fists and muttered under her breath.
Despite her words, there was a sweet, indescribable feeling in her heart, leaving her a bit unsure of what to think.
"Miss… what… should we do?" Just as Dou Zhao was pondering how to teach Wei Tingyu a lesson tonight, Su Lan's voice sounded behind her.
Dou Zhao turned around to find Su Lan and Su Xin holding up a bed sheet, their faces blank with confusion as they looked at her. The sheet had a hint of crimson from last night!
"Ah!" Dou Zhao was so embarrassed that she nearly wanted to bury herself in the ground!
Without saying a word, she hurriedly walked over and snatched the sheet into her arms.
"I'll take care of this myself. You don't need to worry about it!" Dou Zhao took a deep breath and then instructed, "Su Lan, Su Xin, gather all the maids and servants from the back courtyard. I have something to discuss with them!"
"Understood!" Su Lan and Su Xin nodded quickly before leaving in a hurry.
…
In the front hall, Dou Zhao sat at the main position, her gaze sharp as she looked down at the maids and servants standing below her.
At this moment, she was dressed in luxurious attire, her hair styled in a high bun.
Though her face was young and beautiful, she had an undeniable noble aura about her!
Su Xin and Su Lan stood quietly to her sides, while nine valiant female guards, the Silver Shadow Guards, stood in a row behind her.
Dou Zhao knew well that, as a merchant's daughter, with no significant background and only her father's fifth uncle being a mere official in the Ministry of Revenue, many people in the Marquis' residence likely saw her as someone who had climbed the social ladder by marrying into the aristocracy. Some must have looked down on her!
This was precisely why she had gathered everyone here. Since she had already decided to manage the affairs of the Marquis' residence, she naturally needed to establish the presence of a mistress in charge.
But to her surprise, none of the maids or servants dared to show any arrogance. Instead, they all lowered their heads and stood quietly without a hint of defiance, even avoiding making any noise in her presence.
This was not the reaction she had expected! Where were the rebellious servants she had anticipated? She couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled.
It seemed that her intended show of force wouldn't be necessary after all! How could she teach a lesson if there was no one to make an example of?