A family with three widows, after severing ties with relatives, she became wealthy and married into

Chapter 254 Placing the Bet! The Shop is Like a Fairyland

"I still have several shops for sale." The broker was afraid that Tian Tian would change her mind and cause trouble in the future.

Tian Tian waved her hand, "This room is fine, whatever the manager decides."

The broker had no choice but to agree, "Alright, alright."

"Then... please give me a deposit of one thousand taels first. Three days later, please send someone to the government office to sign the contract with the shop owner."

Tian Tian nodded, took out a silver note and handed it to him, "Okay, I'll go myself then."

The broker smiled awkwardly and reached out to take it.

"Did you see that? She has a thick stack of silver notes in her sleeve. Could it be... each one is worth a thousand taels? How much silver is that?"

"I'm more concerned about what kind of shop she wants to open."

"With so many shops in the capital, which kind of shop will she open?"

"No matter which type of business it opens, I don't think it will be closed down for long."

“I think so too. These shops in the capital all have powerful backers... Even if she is a princess, it's useless without support in the capital.”

"Let's just wait and see when this shop closes."

"I can't guess it will be a month."

"I'd guess three months."

"Do you dare to bet?"

"What's there to be afraid of betting on? I'll bet a month."

"I'll bet three months."

"Count me in, I'll bet a month."

"I'll bet two months."

"Count me in. I'll bet three months. She is a princess after all."

Liu San Niang rolled her eyes. These people were really annoying, actually starting to make bets in the street.

But what she didn't expect was that the bet grew bigger and bigger, and eventually... the largest gambling house in the capital intervened as the bookmaker, and almost everyone in the capital placed bets.

In order to attract more bettors, the bookmaker actually raised the odds to 1 to 100.

In other words, if someone bets ten taels and wins, they can get one thousand taels.

If Tian Tian's shop can hold out for more than three months, then the bookmaker will win.

Tian Tian didn't want the bookmaker to profit at her expense, so she decided...

Disguised as a man, the woman, along with Tian Xiang and Qin Youyou, who had also changed their appearances, arrived at the gambling den.

"I want to place a bet."

Tian Tian took out a heavy 1,000 taels of silver and placed it on the gambling table. "I want to bet... Princess Fufeng's shop can definitely last for three months."

This is the first time in several days that someone has managed to secure Princess Fufeng's shop for more than three months.

"Young master, have you thought this through?" The people at the gambling den kindly advised the three girls, seeing that they were young.

“This Princess Fufeng has no power base in the capital and will definitely not last more than three months.”

"If you bet so much and lose, you won't get a single penny back."

Tian Tian pushed her purse forward a little. "Don't worry, since we dared to place the bet, we won't renege on it."

The people at the gambling den took a large bag of gold and said, "One thousand taels, enough to keep Princess Fufeng's shop afloat for three months."

After they registered, they handed the receipt to Tian Tian, ​​"This time is calculated from the day the shop opens for business."

"Persist for more than three months, not even one day less counts, but of course, if you persist for one more day, then you win."

Tian Tian nodded. "I understand."

The three sisters walked out of the gambling den, looked at the slip of paper in their hands, and said they had bet one thousand taels, and if they won, they would have ten thousand taels.

This sum of money... will probably be the easiest money they can earn in the capital.

"Let's go, let's get the contract done."

Because of Tian Tian's identity, the process of obtaining the contract went very smoothly.

The person who came was not the shop owner, but a steward.

Tian Tian didn't care who came; it didn't matter as long as the contract was signed.

However, as she left the government office with the contract, she overheard the yamen runners' disdainful murmurs...

"The owner of this shop clearly looks down on this Princess Fufeng, which is why he sent a steward over..."

"This Princess Fufeng is not only not angry, but she is also so polite to a steward. It's really shameful."

"Hey, have you placed your bet yet?"

“I’ve bet ten taels; I’ve gambled away all my salary for this year.”

"You're too bold. I only bet five taels."

“I bet she won’t last three months, so I’m betting on two months.”

"One month is too short, three months is too long... two months is reasonable."

"Yeah, do you want to order some more?"

"I'll add three more ounces after I finish work."

"Once we win some money, let's go to Fuxianglou for a good meal."

*

There was still no news from the palace, and Ling Yao had not appeared.

Tian Jinghe waited for Ling Yao to take him to the school in the capital, but he didn't see him for a long time. The little guy was very unhappy and kept grumbling.

To cheer him up, Tian Tian specially made him some desserts.

The dessert had just been delivered to Tian Jinghe's courtyard when her maid came looking for her.

"Princess, there is an elderly man surnamed Shen outside the door requesting an audience. He says he is a close friend of yours, despite the age difference." The maidservant reported respectfully, but her eyes kept glancing at the dessert in front of Tian Jinghe.

She came from the palace and had seen many beautiful pastries, but the one the young master was eating... she had never seen anything like it before.

Judging from how much the young master is enjoying his food, this pastry must be delicious.

Tian Tian didn't notice the maid's expression. She was thinking about the old man surnamed Shen? She only knew one, and that was Shen Zhian.

But he said they were friends despite their age difference; she had always respected him as her uncle.

"Quickly invite him to the front hall, I'll be there right away," Tian Tian said, and walked towards her courtyard.

She was dressed simply at the moment, which was fine for making desserts in the kitchen, but it was impolite to receive guests.

Back in the courtyard, she changed into a new set of clothes made in Baishi County.

The fabric I bought at Yun Jin Ge last time has already been used by an embroiderer to make new clothes, but it won't be finished for a while.

"Uncle Shen."

Tian Tian came to the front hall and saw Shen Zhian.

Shen Zhian stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "I, Shen, greet the Princess."

Tian Tian helplessly lifted him up, "Uncle Shen, are you kidding me?"

Shen Zhian straightened up. "You left in a hurry, otherwise I would have gone to the capital with you."

Tian Tian's eyes darted around, "Uncle Shen came for the Tea God Festival?"

Shen Zhian is in the tea business, and he should be present at the Tea God Festival.

“Yes,” Shen Zhian nodded. “Every year during the Tea God Festival, all the tea merchants try their best to promote their tea.”

"My Jade Dew Tea is good, but for many years it has always lost to the Dou family's Cloud Mist Green Dew."

"This year, I created a new method for frying and fermenting tea, and I'll see if it can rival Yunlan Qinglu."

“I have already visited Mr. Su Bing and know that you will be launching tea snacks at the Tea God Festival.”

"I also heard you bought a shop... Are you planning to open a tea shop in the capital?"

Tian Tian nodded, "Yes, it's because of the Tea God Festival that I wanted to open a tea shop in the capital."

"I never expected that opening a shop would cause such a big commotion."

Shen Zhian knew she was referring to the bookmakers placing bets. "This kind of thing is very common in Beijing, but this time... the odds are indeed a bit higher."

"The bookmaker wanted to take advantage of the situation and make a quick fortune."

"The people of the capital... are likely to suffer considerable losses."

Officials and wealthy families wouldn't stoop to such betting; at most, the women in their households would secretly take out money to place bets.

Most of them are ordinary people who want to take a gamble.

But this time, they are destined to lose.

Shen Zhian was very confident that, taking advantage of the Tea God Festival, Tian Tian's Tea House would definitely become famous!

"Uncle Shen, you must reserve a batch of the best tea for me," Tian Tian reminded him.

The capital city is not like Xiushui County. In Xiushui County, Chaxiangzhai only needs to use mid-to-high-end tea leaves.

However, the Tea Fragrance Pavilion in the capital must use the finest tea leaves.

"Don't worry, I will definitely save the best tea for you." Shen Zhian was also good at judging the situation. When Cha Xiang Zhai became popular, his tea naturally became popular as well.

Shen Zhian then asked, "Do you need my help with the shop renovation?"

“I know a skilled old craftsman who has a team of skilled craftsmen under his command.”

Tian Tian nodded eagerly, "That's great! I was worried it would be difficult to find a craftsman at the last minute."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Uncle Shen."

"Then I'll go find them now." Shen Zhian stood up. "Goodbye."

"Uncle Shen, do you have a place to stay in the capital? If not, why don't you stay at the Princess's residence?" Tian Tian suggested.

Shen Zhian shook his head. "I have a place to stay, in the Shen Mansion in Yongle Lane."

If he were to live in the princess's residence, Lu Tao would probably be in an awkward position.

Tian Tian didn't press the issue. "Alright, then I'll go there to find you if anything happens."

*

The craftsman introduced by Shen Zhian was indeed very professional, even though... Tian Tian's drawings were very sloppy.

But after a little explanation, they understood what Tian Tian wanted.

Furthermore, the shop was renovated according to Tian Tian's requirements in just ten days.

The shop doesn't look particularly special from the outside; it's no different from any other shop.

But stepping into the shop is like entering a tranquil garden.

The hall floor is paved with rustic bluestone slabs, which are arranged in a staggered manner, much like a naturally formed path.

In the center of the hall is a pond with crystal-clear water. Several goldfish swim leisurely, and a gentle breeze ripples across the surface.

Beside the pond, artificial hills are scattered among the rocks, which are adorned with small moss and white orchids, creating a scene that is both natural and artistic.

The artificial hill is surrounded by bamboo groves and various kinds of famous flowers...

There are stone tables and stone benches beside the pond, in the bamboo grove, under the rockery, and among the famous flowers.

Books, inkstones, and pen holders were neatly arranged on it.

What's even more captivating is that the entire shop is shrouded in mist, which reflects dreamy colors such as blue and purple, making it feel like a fairyland.

On one side of the building, there is a wooden staircase leading to the second floor, and bamboo is planted next to the wooden staircase.

The second floor has a more private layout. In addition to the same rockery, bamboo grove, famous flowers, and mist, it features light curtains, creating an overall tranquil and elegant atmosphere.

On the second floor, there is a waterfall that flows directly into the pond on the first floor, adding to the sound of flowing water and making people unconsciously relax.

The terrace on the third floor is even more ingeniously constructed.

Tian Tian added a canopy made of greenhouse film directly outside the terrace. This canopy is taken down when it is sunny and unfolded when it rains.

On the side of the terrace facing the street, there is a small and exquisite rockery and pond, in which a blooming water lily grows.

Elsewhere, colorful flowers adorn the landscape, creating a scene resembling a sky garden shrouded in mist.

Here, scholars can enjoy tea with friends or savor poetry and classical texts alone amidst bamboo groves and flowing water.

That day, Tian Tian brought Tian Xiang, Qin Youyou, and Shen Zhian to have their final check-up.

She turned on all the dry ice equipment, and clouds of steam filled the air...

"So beautiful," Qin Youyou exclaimed.

Shen Zhian was also dumbfounded. He thought that the Tea Fragrance Pavilion in Xiushui County was already artistic enough.

Unexpectedly, this shop was transformed into... a fairyland.

"My God, Sweetie, how did you do that?" Shen Zhian reached out and stroked the clouds around him.

He felt like an immortal wandering in a fairyland...

Tian Tian reminded him, "Uncle Shen, you should still watch your step."

There are not only stone slab paths underfoot, but also gravel paths...

When the fog rolls in, the path becomes difficult to see, making it easy to slip and fall.

Safety is still very important, so Tian Tian modified the dry ice device to reduce the amount of fog and reveal the road below.

However, she also opened up dry ice fog at different heights. Because the fog formed by dry ice sinks naturally, it created a layered sea of ​​clouds effect, which was even more spectacular.

"Oh my God!"

"Oh my God!"

"Oh my God!"

Tian Xiang, Qin Youyou, and Shen Zhian were speechless, barely able to utter a word beyond exclamations...

But it's already close to winter, and the weather is cold.

Dry ice creates fog, making the shop even colder.

So, Tian Tian turned on the air conditioner again.

When the air conditioner is turned on, the fog dissipates faster.

But this is also good, as the clouds and fog will not gather on the ground and make it impossible to see.

"Sweetie, your shop is sure to be a hit." Shen Zhian exclaimed, "Forget about those scholars, I'd like to stay here a little longer."

"If you ask me, the Tea God Festival should be held at your shop."

"Sweetie, why don't we ask Mr. Su Bing to come over?"

Tian Tian understood and immediately summoned the maid at the door, asking her to go to the Su residence to invite Mr. Su Bing.

If the Tea Goddess Festival were to be held at her Tea Fragrance Pavilion... it would allow for a good promotion before the official opening.

Su Bing arrived quickly. As soon as he entered the shop, his legs went weak with shock, but fortunately, the servant beside him helped him up.

"this...."

"this..."

He stammered for a long time, but couldn't utter a complete sentence.

"This is amazing."

"Princess, how did you do that?"

He didn't even bother with Shen Zhian, and ran around the building from floor to floor.

"Princess, this shop... is wonderful."

"It's like a fairyland!!"

"Mr. Su, I have proposed to the princess that we hold the Tea Ceremony and Poetry Gathering here. What do you think, Mr. Su?" Shen Zhian brought up the important matter.

“Sure!!” Su Bing nodded immediately. “Of course, absolutely.”

The Tea God Festival was originally held in the lobby of a teahouse, so his Tea God poetry gathering was also held there.

But now that he'd seen Tian Tian's shop, he felt that the teahouse was... utterly worthless.

"Let's hold the poetry gathering right here!!" He immediately made the decision!