The Xiao family's high-level meeting, previously attended only by Xiao Yun, Xiao Mo, and the Old Dowager, now naturally included Wang Qingyao after her marriage.
Upon hearing the purpose and objectives of the meeting, Wang Qingyao's eyes lit up, and she became brimming with enthusiasm.
When it came to business and making money, she had a plethora of suggestions.
"Haven't you seen pigs run even if you haven't eaten pork? I've witnessed many modern marketing tactics and peculiar shops."
"We could open an 'Anger Release Shop,' specifically designed for people to vent their emotions. Our target customers would be the noble ladies and young mistresses of the capital. Think about it, these girls have been taught from a young age to be dignified and restrained. If they encounter upsetting things, they can't even shout out loud. How stifled must they feel?"
"For the restaurants and eateries, we can implement a membership system. Members would enjoy discounts, exquisite gifts, or extra dishes."
"I have many new dishes here too. I can tell you about them one by one when you have time. I guarantee you've never heard of them."
"Our country doesn't have Mother's Day or Father's Day, does it? I think we can create them... and Valentine's Day. May 20th, 520, 'I Love You.' Holidays are the easiest for business."
"The ready-to-wear clothing stores can hire male and female models to showcase the clothes to customers. We can hold a fashion show once every season..."
As Xiao Yun listened, he couldn't help but scoff, "Your ideas are too outrageous. Xiao Mo, I'm telling you..."
He turned to find Xiao Mo with his eyes shining, furiously taking notes.
Xiao Yun: "No way, this is acceptable? Weren't the things I suggested last time, and the ideas I had last year, better than this?"
The Old Dowager smiled without a word.
Xiao Mo finished writing the last character and looked up at Wang Qingyao with excitement.
He was usually expressionless, with a cold demeanor, so his excitement was particularly noticeable.
"Sister-in-law, you're amazing! How do you come up with these ideas?"
Wang Qingyao feigned profundity, "Just average. I usually like to let my mind wander. It's nothing, nothing. I'll think of some even more brilliant ones for you later."
Xiao Mo became even more excited, his eyes gleaming like two large lanterns.
Wang Qingyao was worth ten people. Her brainstorming session deeply inspired Xiao Mo.
"Next time, I'll just ramble on, and maybe it will give Xiao Mo some inspiration."
Xiao Mo's cold expression returned, "When do you ever not ramble?"
Xiao Yun: "..."
After the high-level meeting concluded, Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun went to Jingwu Courtyard to pay their respects to Consort Fang.
Wang Qingyao didn't need to visit Consort Fang every day; she went once every seven days, similar to visiting once a week in modern times.
On the way, Xiao Yun quietly asked her, "Are your ideas from that world?"
Wang Qingyao nodded, "And they are all ideas that have been implemented and have yielded excellent results."
Xiao Yun's mouth gaped in surprise. It seemed he was the only one talking nonsense.
"What kind of world is your world?" he murmured.
Wang Qingyao recalled various aspects of modern times, a gentle expression appearing on her face.
"It's a bizarre and fantastical world, completely different from this one. When I have time, I'll tell you all about it."
Xiao Yun looked at her and nodded indulgently, "Okay."
That was her homeland, and he wanted to understand it.
The scent of sandalwood still permeated Jingwu Courtyard as usual.
Upon seeing Wang Qingyao, Consort Fang was reminded of what Yun Zhu had said about her scolding Madam Tian. A layer of frost involuntarily settled on her face.
Consort Fang already didn't have a good impression of Wang Qingyao, so she didn't pay much attention to the frost on her face.
She performed the customary greetings formally and then stood to the side without speaking.
Consort Fang had a naturally cold disposition; she didn't chat much, not even with her own son, let alone Wang Qingyao.
Xiao Yun asked about her health and mood recently. Once that was covered, there wasn't much else to say.
Consort Fang, intending to inquire about Madam Tian, pondered for a moment and then asked, "Princess Consort, I heard that you and the Old Dowager encountered Madam Tian a couple of days ago when you went out?"
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun exchanged a glance, and she smiled, "Who did Mother hear that from?"
Consort Fang was momentarily speechless.
She couldn't possibly reveal Yun Zhu, so she mumbled a few words in her throat, intending to brush past the question.
"You don't need to worry about that. Just tell me what happened."
Wang Qingyao's smile grew even gentler, "How can I not worry? If someone is slandering me in front of Mother, I naturally have to find out who it is. The Ding'an Prince's Estate cannot tolerate such gossips who dare to spread rumors about their masters."
She spoke these words while looking only at Consort Fang, but Xiao Yun's gaze fell on Yun Zhu several times with a grim expression.
Yun Zhu, terrified, lowered her head and held her breath, daring not to exhale.
Consort Fang forced a smile, "Why are you making such a big deal out of it? I just happened to overhear something and thought to ask you. As for who it was, I've long forgotten. If you don't like me asking, I won't ask anymore."
Wang Qingyao replied, "Mother is right."
That was it.
The matter of Madam Tian was not brought up again.
Consort Fang's temples throbbed with anger. She glanced at Xiao Yun, hoping he would discipline Wang Qingyao.
How could a daughter-in-law repeatedly rebuff her mother-in-law's questions?