Tang Yuqiu’s eyes fluttered open, drawn out of sleep by the light caress of dawn's light slipping through the cracks of her window shutters. The warmth of the sun's early rays touched her face, gentle and persistent, coaxing her awake. She blinked, momentarily dazed, as she soaked in the serene morning hues filtering into her room. A nervous thrill raced through her veins, making her heart thud a little faster, a quiet anticipation that prickled beneath her skin.

"Today is the day," she murmured, her voice barely audible in the quiet of the morning, yet the words stirred something deep inside her.

Her mind drifted back, unbidden, to a time not so long ago— a time when her father had finally granted her the chance to prove herself. Back then, she had been eager and full of ideas, diving headfirst into the challenge.

She had researched tirelessly, seeking out methods to increase productivity, negotiating with blacksmiths to craft better tools, and cutting prices to undercut her competitors. The thrill of new possibilities had fueled her every step.

But reality had been harsh. The workforce had struggled to keep up with the demands, and soon, profits dwindled.

Customers turned away, lured by more established names and better alternatives.

Each passing day had layered dread upon her shoulders, a weight that grew heavier with every failure. Yet she still remembered the thrill of those first few days— the heady excitement that had surged through her veins, the electric hope that had made her believe she could reshape her fate.

Now, that same excitement and nervousness welled up in her again, but it was tempered by experience, shaded by the shadows of past failures.

As she rose from bed, a new thought anchored her, grounding her racing mind.

No. This time, it will be different. I'm not alone. It wouldn’t be the same— if it does, well. Someone will be leaving the Tang Clan manor and it won’t be me.

Ignoring the small doubts that started creeping from the back of her head, she started freshening up.

She dressed with care, choosing a deep lavender robe embroidered with silver threads that caught the morning light— dignified yet approachable, she thought. It was a look that spoke of elegance, without the ostentation that might scare away their first customers.

Her maid, Ling’er, awaited her outside, hands folded neatly, her face a mirror of calm reassurance.

They shared a quiet understanding as they stepped into the lacquered carriage, the wheels creaking into motion on the streets. The city awoke around them, lanterns extinguishing as the sun climbed higher, vendors calling out in the distance, and the faint clattering of morning carts blending into a familiar hum.

Ling’er glanced at her, catching the faint crease between Tang Yuqiu’s brows. “Miss, it will be alright,” she said softly, the hope in her voice steady like a river’s current. “This venture will be a great success.”

Tang Yuqiu forced a smile and nodded, but her hands twisted in her lap, the nervous energy refusing to settle.

“I hope so,” she replied, her voice carrying a hint of doubt that she couldn’t quite hide. “I don’t trust Chen Ren, not entirely. But… Everything he’s done so far makes me believe he has a plan. We just need to follow it.” Her voice grew firmer as she spoke, like she was convincing herself as much as Ling’er.

The carriage rolled to a gentle stop, and as they stepped down, Tang Yuqiu’s breath caught in her throat.

Before her stood the shop— a space she had rented from the Tang Clan, one of the few empty properties they owned in the busy heart of the city.

The location was prime, situated where several streets converged— a crossroads where the clamour of the Market Street bled into the stately calm of the upper districts. It was the kind of place where merchants rubbed shoulders with nobles, where the scent of spices mingled with the perfume of the wealthier residents.

Her eyes lingered on the freshly painted sign above the door: Heavenly Fragrances.

The characters were bold yet graceful. They seemed to hold a promise, a hope that this new beginning could bloom into something more.

For a moment, she just stood there, the morning sun warming her back, taking in the sight of the shop that held all her dreams and worries, even though she wished this anxiety was temporary.

The sign of Heavenly Fragrances bore the symbols of the Tang Clan alongside a fancily carved golden coin emblem.

The coin symbolised Chen Ren’s role in the venture, adding a touch that complemented the Tang Clan’s prestige with a fresh, distinctive flair.

He had picked the name of the shop without much deliberation, insisting that “anything with heavenly in it sounds grand and impressive.”

Tang Yuqiu had considered arguing against it, but his certainty— and perhaps a hint of reasoning—had quieted her objections, leaving her to concede.

The door creaked as Ling’er pushed it open, the scent of newly polished counters mingling with the subtle perfume samples she and Chen Ren had laboured over, hoping to entice even the most discerning of noses.

Tang Yuqiu inhaled deeply, a faint smile curving her lips despite the anxious flutter in her chest. Here, in this small shop nestled at the city’s beating heart, was the chance to prove herself again. She just had to seize it.

She took a deep breath, steadying her nerves, and stepped through the doors of the shop.

Inside, the sweet and musky aroma of the perfumes they had painstakingly crafted filled the air. Rows of wooden vials lined the shelves, each holding a different hue of liquid, from deep amber to a beautiful lavender. The perfumes gleamed under the soft glow of enchanted lanterns, their essence catching the light as if promising untold luxuries.

Two employees stood by the entrance, bowing deeply as she entered, their postures respectful yet confident.

They were young, well-groomed men with striking features— high cheekbones, clear skin, and sharp, symmetrical lines that would draw attention from any passerby.

Chen Ren had been insistent on hiring them. “If our main customers will be women,” he had said with a sly grin, “then it’s only wise to take advantage of pretty privilege.”

Tang Yuqiu didn’t entirely understand the term, but she had grasped the essence of his strategy. And she had to admit, the logic had merit; there was a charm to these handsome employees that could certainly sway a few extra purchases.

She acknowledged their greetings with a nod, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly at their well-practised, eager smiles. “Prepare for the launch,” she instructed, her voice steady, but her heart still beating a little too fast.

The employees bowed again, promising to handle the preparations, and she turned towards the back of the shop, Ling’er trailing close behind.

They moved down a narrow hallway, the air gradually growing richer with the scents of herbs and spices. The fragrance shifted with each step— notes of sweet jasmine mingled with the sharpness of mint, followed by the earthy undertone of sandalwood. As they reached a larger chamber, Tang Yuqiu found herself standing in what Chen Ren had referred to as the “assembly line.” It was a concept that seemed almost foreign to her, but she could see the efficiency in its design.

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The room was filled with rows of workstations, each one dedicated to a different task in the perfume-making process. The employees, four in total, moved with focused precision, their hands deft and practised.

Tang Yuqiu's gaze swept across the room, taking in each station.

At the first station, a worker sat with a woven basket brimming with freshly harvested herbs and blossoms. His hands moved deftly as he separated petals from stems, using a small sickle.

He hummed quietly as he worked, each cut releasing a fresh burst of scent into the air, his rhythm steady and unbroken.

Nearby, another employee sorted through piles of dried flowers and herbs, carefully removing impurities and shaking out any lingering dust.

He then placed the ingredients into large earthen bowls, readying them for the next step.

The third worker focused on the delicate task of essence extraction. He stood beside a set of gleaming brass stills, each one designed to draw out the essential oils from the prepared ingredients.

A thin stream of vapour drifted upward as he adjusted the heat with a precise touch, coaxing out the potent scents within.

Further down the line, the final station held a worker who blended the extracted oils into carefully labelled wooden containers.

His hands moved with the care of a master painter, mixing drops of different oils with a pipette, creating fragrant symphonies that would later be fine-tuned and aged.

Tang Yuqiu watched for a moment, the methodical movement of the workers soothing some of her lingering nerves.

There was something almost hypnotic about the way they worked, the low hum of the stills creating a steady rhythm in the room. It was a far cry from the chaotic struggles of her last venture; here, there was an order to things, a sense that each step had its place.

Ling’er shifted beside her, glancing at her with a faint smile. “The workers are diligent, Miss. Young master Chen Ren’s plans seem to be coming together.”

Tang Yuqiu nodded slowly, her eyes lingering on the careful process unfolding before her. “Yes... they are,” she replied, the words softer than she intended. She wouldn’t admit it openly, but in moments like these, it was hard not to see that Chen Ren’s unorthodox methods carried a certain brilliance. Maybe, just maybe, this time things truly would be different.

Tang Yuqiu stood there for a moment, taking in the organised chaos of the perfume production line— workers moving between their stations with purpose, each task flowing seamlessly into the next.

The methodical efficiency of it all, the streamlined process of turning raw herbs into delicate, refined fragrances, still amazed her.

Once again, her thoughts drifted to Chen Ren and the seemingly endless depths of his ingenuity. How had he come up with this production method?

It had allowed them to set up the shop in a fraction of the time she’d thought possible, turning what could have been a slow and arduous process into something swift and effective. Now, all that remained was for the people to come through those doors and experience their creations.

Turning back toward the front of the shop, Tang Yuqiu made her way to the counter where one of the employees stood. His posture straightened as she approached and asked, “Where is Chen Ren?”

The young man dipped his head respectfully before answering. “He was here earlier this morning, Miss Yuqiu. He checked over everything, made sure the batches were in order, and then left, saying he needed to start marketing.”

At that, Tang Yuqiu paused, her brow furrowing slightly.

She knew a few aspects of Chen Ren’s plan— he had gathered a group of children to distribute pamphlets across the city, small sheets of paper listing their perfume varieties, prices, and a promise of discounts for the first visitors.

It was a simple enough strategy, one that would ensure their name spread quickly through the crowded streets. But she was certain there was more to his scheme than just this, some other tactic or trick that he had yet to share with her.

He had been evasive when she pressed him for details, simply offering a confident smile and saying, “You’ll see the results of it. Just be patient.” It was maddening, really— how he could speak with such assurance, as if he could already see the outcome while she struggled to envision the next few steps.

She turned back to the employee, curiosity gnawing at her. “Did he leave any other instructions?”

The servant glanced at the ground for a moment, considering, before he shook his head. “He only said to make sure everything was in place, that the shop was stocked and the workers ready. And... that there would be a lot of customers by the end of the day.” He hesitated before adding, “But we’ve been open for an hour now, and no one has come in yet.”

Tang Yuqiu nodded slowly, a sigh slipping from her lips as she glanced towards the door. The empty street outside seemed to taunt her, the stillness contrasting sharply with the buzz of excitement and nerves in her chest.

She tried to swallow down the unease that bubbled up, but the silence of the shop seemed to magnify every doubt. The promise of a bustling crowd by day’s end sounded more like a boast right now, a far-off hope.

Yet... there was something about Chen Ren’s unwavering confidence, about the glint in his eyes when he spoke of this venture, that kept her from dismissing his words entirely.

He wouldn’t have made such a claim if he didn’t have something planned. But what exactly could he be up to, out there in the city’s winding alleys and crowded squares?

She clenched her hands at her sides, trying to maintain her composure in front of the staff. “We’ll wait, then,” she said, more to herself than anyone else. “Make sure everything stays ready. If he’s right, we need to be prepared.”

She forced herself to keep her gaze steady on the door, watching as a few passersby glanced at the shop’s sign before moving on. What kind of marketing could he be doing?

The question lingered in her mind, an itch she couldn’t quite scratch. As she waited, she couldn’t help but wonder if, once again, Chen Ren’s unexpected methods would turn the tide in their favour.

***

The air was thick with smoke as Bai Hu, the lord of the Bai Hu Trade Association, leaned back in his chair, lazily blowing out a stream of white smoke from his curved pipe. The scented haze swirled around him, filling the room with the rich aroma of rare herbs. He had always enjoyed the tranquillity that smoking brought, a small respite from the endless calculations of profit and trade. But today, his peace was interrupted by the sound of footsteps shuffling into his private chamber.

One of his associates stepped forward, bowing deeply before holding out a small, folded pamphlet. "My lord, the reports have been verified," the associate said, his voice careful, measured. "Tang Yuqiu of the Tang Clan has indeed opened a perfume shop in the city. The rumours were accurate— she's collaborating with a cultivator named Chen Ren, and they’ve promised to sell perfumes at less than half our prices.”

The lord's eyes flicked upward at the mention, curiosity momentarily interrupting his languid repose.

He took the pamphlet from the servant’s outstretched hands, glancing down at the neatly printed prices and descriptions of fragrances. His lips curled into a mocking smirk as he examined the words Heavenly Fragrances.

“Chen Ren, is it?” he muttered, still staring at the paper. “What sect does he belong to? Could it be that the Soaring Sword Sect has decided to involve themselves with the Tang Clan now?”

The servant hesitated before shaking his head. "No, my lord. The man is sectless. Our sources say he’s little more than a stray dog in the cultivation world. His only claim to fame seems to be a noodle shop he started a few months back. And he isn’t strong— he lost to Li Xuan during the sect entrance examinations and nearly died. It’s unlikely he’ll have any significant backing or power."

Bai Hu leaned back, letting out a deep, rumbling laugh that shook the air. His amusement was palpable, echoing through the chamber. He set the pipe back to his lips, taking another leisurely puff before speaking. "A noodle seller, you say? Tang Yuqiu, that brainless girl, partnering with some nobody who couldn’t even make it into a proper sect? Ha! The Tang Clan must have grown truly desperate if they’re allowing her to throw away money like this."

His gaze turned sharp, disdain flickering in his eyes as he continued, “It’s strange enough that Tang Yuqiu’s father dotes on her so much. She should have been married off by now, serving some political purpose, but instead, he’s letting her play at being a merchant, burning his coffers in the process.” He paused, frowning at his own words. "Well, it’s not my problem if he wants to ruin his own clan’s finances. They’ll pay for their folly soon enough."

The servant cleared his throat, a hint of nervousness creeping into his voice. "What would you like us to do, my lord? Should we take any measures against this new shop?”

Bai Hu waved a dismissive hand, the smoke from his pipe swirling around his fingers. "Keep a close eye on them, but I doubt it will matter. In a month, their little venture will be closed, mark my words. Let them enjoy their brief moment of hope. And try to find out if any sect is helping them with these perfumes. Even a sectless nobody could be playing a deeper game. Get me a few samples of those too.”

The servant bowed again and hurriedly left, leaving Bai Hu alone with his thoughts.

He took another slow draw from his pipe, letting the smoke seep into his lungs before releasing it in a steady stream. A lazy smirk played at his lips as he muttered to himself, “Any low-level cultivator thinks they can just waltz into the business world and make a name for themselves. The foolish lot, always dreaming, never understanding the true nature of the market.”

He chuckled, shaking his head as if amused by some private joke. In his mind, the outcome was already certain— another upstart crushed beneath the weight of reality. And as the smoke curled in the air, it seemed to carry his confidence with it, drifting through the room like a shadow of his assuredness.

***

A/N - Just came back from my brother's wedding and got sick. That's why the schedule has messed up. I will try to pick everything up by tomorrow. Thank you for the support.