The summer atmosphere in the capital city is getting stronger and stronger, and the business of the Jinxiu Pavilion is also heating up like this weather.
Relying on the raw materials secretly sourced from secondary and tertiary channels, the workshop temporarily steawed its footing. The popularity brought by the "Shanshui Pa" series made the store bustling with customers.
However, the string in Shen Ruoxin's heart had never truly loosened.
On this afternoon, sunlight filtered through the carved window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the floor of the study.
Shen Ruoxin looked at the latest accounts presented by Uncle Wang, her brows slightly furrowed.
The flowing water looks encouraging, but the cost of purchasing raw materials has increased by nearly 20% compared to before.
Uncle Wang's voice carried a hint of worry.
Moreover, news came from Ah Xing's side that several small cloth stores we had come into contact with seemed to have become cautious recently. Some even dared not ship goods to our people anymore.
I'm afraid... It was Zhang Defa's actions or our frequent small-scale purchases that drew others' attention.
"Expected."
Shen Ruoxin put down the account book and gently tapped the table with her fingertips.
"Breaking down the whole into parts" can only solve the immediate problem and is ultimately not a long-term solution.
Zhang Defa is more patient than we imagined. He is waiting, waiting for our secret line to be broken, or waiting for us to reveal our true selves.
A Xing chimed in from the side:
Yes, Second Miss. We are now like walking on the edge of a cliff, looking at the beautiful scenery but actually in danger. Once the raw materials cannot keep up, the market that has been painstakingly recovering will immediately be brought back to its original state.
"So,"
Shen Ruoxin raised her head, her gaze clear and resolute.
We cannot merely be content with "selling goods".
What Jinxiu Pavilion needs to build is not only sales volume, but also "reputation" and "brand".
When people mention the Splendid Pavilion, what comes to mind is not only the embroidery products, but also a symbol of status, taste and trustworthiness.
Only in this way can we truly stand firm and have the confidence to compete with Zhang Defa and any future rivals.
Wang Bo and A Xing were both listening intently. Although the word "brand" is somewhat new to them, the meaning in the words is not difficult to understand.
"Does the second young lady mean that we should make our Jinxiu Pavilion as well-known as those century-old stores, and even make the noble families proud to use our products?" "
Uncle Wang asked.
That's exactly what it means.
Shen Ruoxin nodded.
The previous "Shanshui Pa", through the mouths of the mountain chief's wife and the prefect's wife, managed to break the deadlock and enhance its reputation. But this is not enough.
We need a more significant and symbolic opportunity to elevate the "style" of the Splendid Pavilion to a higher level.
Her gaze fell on an invitation on the table. It was a "Qinglian Poetry Gathering" held by Lin, the wife of a professor at the prefectural school, three days later. The invited guests were all young women with talent and family backgrounds in the prefectural city, as well as several highly respected ladies.
Professor Lin is a renowned and upright scholar, and his wife also comes from a family of scholars. This elegant gathering has attracted much attention in the prefectural city.
This "Qinglian Poetry Gathering" is a good opportunity.
Shen Ruoxin picked up the invitation.
Ordinary sponsorship and giving some auspicious gifts are just the icing on the cake; they are soon forgotten.
What we need to do is to make the Splendid Pavilion one of the most eye-catching and talked-about "focal points" at this elegant gathering.
How to become the focus? A Xing asked curiously.
Shen Ruoxin gave a slight smile, her eyes shining with the light of planning: "Use a one-of-a-kind 'unique piece'."
She stood up, walked into the inner room, and after a moment, carefully took out a palm-sized brocade box. Opening the brocade box, a handkerchief lay quietly inside.
Unlike ordinary handkerchiefs, this one is made entirely of an extremely rare light golden silk with a soft luster. The embroidery on the silk surface is not ordinary flowers and birds, but a vivid ink plum blossom.
Even more astonishingly, it is not ordinary silk threads that outline the plum branches and dot the stamens of the flowers, but rather golden threads as fine as hair and shining brightly!
This... Is this the gold wire? "!"
Wang Bo and A Xing both moved closer, their eyes filled with shock.
The use of gold thread in embroidery is only employed on court tribulations or extremely luxurious occasions, and it is mostly used as an embellishment. Such extensive use to outline the main subject is almost unheard of among the common people!
This "Ink Plum Golden Thread Handkerchief"
"
Shen Ruoxin explained,
The gold thread used was a small roll that I had accidentally purchased from a traveling merchant before. It was extremely rare. This handkerchief, in terms of needlework, artistic conception and materials, is all top-notch.
We don't sell. We only give.
To whom?
"To the 'Qinglian Poetry Society' as a good omen for the ultimate winner of the poetry society." " Shen Ruoxin said, "But this gift also has its own considerations."
She looked at Uncle Wang and said, "Uncle Wang, it seems that you have some connection with Professor Lin as well?"
Wang Bo thought for a moment and said, "We have met a few times. Professor Lin is an upright person and doesn't like flattery." Giving gifts directly might displease him.
So, we don't deliver it directly. Shen Ruoxin said, "This time, we need to ask Lady Li for help." Mrs. Li, the wife of the Vice Minister, had previously been of assistance in the "Shanshui Pa" incident and had a very close personal relationship with Mrs. Lin.
"Do you mean that Mrs. Li should come forward and 'recommend' this handkerchief to Mrs. Lin as an auspicious omen?" " A Xing understood.
"Right."
Shen Ruoxin nodded.
It is said that the Splendid Pavilion is deeply impressed by Lady Lin's elegant act and wishes to add luster to the poetry gathering.
This "Ink Plum Golden Thread Handkerchief" is a recent work that Jinxiu Pavilion has obtained by chance. I am reluctant to keep it for myself and wish to present it to the poetry gathering to match the beauty's charm. Speak sincerely, keep a low profile, and emphasize that it is about "joining in the grand event" rather than "commercial sponsorship".
If Mrs. Li speaks up, Mrs. Lin surely won't refuse. Moreover, this handkerchief itself is so extraordinary that it can indeed add much charm to the poetry gathering.
Uncle Wang stroked his beard and said, "Only..." Is such a precious and unique piece worth it just to gain a reputation?
"Worth it."
Shen Ruoxin's tone was resolute.
"Gold is easy to obtain, but a good reputation is hard to come by." What we want is not short-term profits, but long-term brand value. This golden line cushion is both a guiding stone and a stepping stone for us to enter the high-end market.
In the following few days, everything went as planned. Lady Li readily agreed and privately mentioned the matter with Lady Lin. Mrs. Lin was already a refined person. Hearing that such exquisite and unique embroidery was willing to add luster to the poetry gathering, she was naturally glad to see it happen.
Meanwhile, rumors that the Jinxiu Pavilion had secretly developed a "Golden Thread divine product" also spread quietly among the female relatives in the prefectural city through various seemingly casual channels, whetting people's curiosity.
Three days later, the "Qinglian Poetry Gathering" was held as scheduled in the back garden of the Lin Mansion.
In summer, the lotus breeze brings refreshing coolness, and talented and beautiful women gather here. Reciting poems and couplets, playing the zither and enjoying paintings, the atmosphere is elegant and refined.
When the poetry recital reached its climax, Mrs. Lin walked forward with a dignified smile and motioned for the maidservant to present a delicate brocade box.
"Dear sisters, your talents are extraordinary and you have produced many excellent works. It is truly a blessing for our family." "
Mrs. Lin has a gentle voice.
Today, Mr. Shen, the master of the Splendid Pavilion, was deeply impressed by the grand occasion of the gathering and specially presented a rare treasure he had obtained by chance, a "Black Plum and Golden Thread Handkerchief", to congratulate the winners of the poetry meeting.
This handkerchief is embroidered with gold thread, featuring exquisite craftsmanship and a lofty artistic conception. It is truly a rare sight. This also clearly shows Shen Dongjia's intention to assist the literary society in its refinement."
When the brocade box was opened, the golden and flowing handkerchief with the proud character of the plum blossom was revealed, immediately drawing low exclamations from the entire audience.
Oh my God! It's really a golden thread!
"These plum blossoms are embroidered with such grace and charm that they are even more vivid than those painted!" "
"How could the Splendid Pavilion have such a masterpiece!" What a hidden talent!
This thing should only exist in the heavens. It's rare to hear of it on earth!
Ultimately, the winner was the daughter of the Minister of Personnel, a young girl renowned for her talent and good looks.
When she took the golden thread handkerchief from Mrs. Lin, the excited and cherished expression on her face infected everyone present.
At this moment, the prefect's wife, who had been watching the ceremony all along, spoke slowly. Her voice was not high, but it spread clearly throughout the entire venue.
The Jinxiu Pavilion has indeed been impressive recently. Previously, there was the "landscape parapet" with a fresh and elegant artistic conception; now, there is this "Golden Thread parapet" with unparalleled craftsmanship. It is evident that it not only operates with dedication but also makes great efforts in inheritance and innovation.
Such meticulous craftsmanship is not merely a piece of handkerchief, but also a commitment to beauty and a rare display of ingenuity. Such shops deserve to be cherished and supported by our prefectural city.
The words of the governor's wife carry extremely heavy weight!
She did not directly state how good the items of Jinxiu Pavilion were, but elevated them to the level of "craftsmanship", "inheritance" and "innovation", and subtly hinted at the meaning of "worthy of support".
This is no longer merely commercial recognition; it has also taken on a layer of official approval!
The effect of these words was immediate.
After the poetry gathering, the comments of the "ink Plum Golden thread Handkerchief" and the governor's wife became the hottest topic among the upper class in the prefectural city.
The name of Jinxiu Pavilion is no longer merely associated with the best-selling "Shanshui Handkerchief", but is closely linked to key words such as "unique piece", "craftsmanship", "golden thread", and "recommended by the governor's wife".
The business of the store, especially the high-end customization and premium series, has witnessed explosive growth.
Many noble ladies and wealthy business wives who were previously only well-known or were unable to come in person to inquire due to their status sent people to negotiate and customize, specifically demanding exquisite products that were "no less than gold thread cushions".
The brand influence of Jinxiu Pavilion achieved a qualitative leap almost overnight.
Shen Ruoxin successfully established the brand image of Jinxiu Pavilion firmly on the benchmarks of "high-end", "elegant" and "trustworthy".
However, just when the reputation of the Splendid Pavilion reached its peak and business was booming, a disturbing piece of news came from the west of the city.
"Second Miss,"
A Xing rushed into the study with a deathly pale face, her voice trembling a little.
Something's wrong! The largest raw material transfer warehouse we set up in the west of the city... It was set on fire by someone! The batch of silk thread and satin that just arrived inside... It's all over!