"Haha... I was just saying!"
"Oh? Who is this Heir Jiang?" Lixia asked.
"He is Mutong's fiancé," Yufu explained. "The Jiang family of Nanling and the Fang family of Beikuo are both prestigious clans. The academies opened by the Jiang family are famous throughout the Dayu Empire. The Jiang family's legitimate heir, Jiang Yinghan, was betrothed to Mutong since childhood."
Lixia nodded. She had guessed right—it was an arranged marriage. She had strong opinions about such customs, but she wasn't the Emperor and couldn't change the laws. Her own brother was lucky to be in love with his betrothed, but that was rare.
"Mutong, have you met your fiancé?" Lixia asked with concern.
Mutong lowered her head shyly.
"You like him?" Lixia realized. "That's good!" Usually, children rebelled against arranged marriages, especially the men. If the man later fell in love with someone else, the wife would end up suffering in a loveless marriage.
"How does he treat you?"
Mutong looked up with a bashful smile. "We've met a few times, but... we rarely spoke. During the Lantern Festival last year, he gave me a lantern."
Lixia frowned slightly. A lantern didn't prove much, but seeing Mutong's happy face, she didn't want to dampen her spirits.
"Alright, hurry up and undress, Princess. I'm ready," Lixia said, changing the subject.
Mutong laughed awkwardly, blushing as she removed her inner robes and scrambled under the quilt on the bed.
Mutong wasn't obese all over; she just carried extra weight on her belly and thighs. Her face was round and babyish, and her skin was incredibly white, tender, and elastic—common among fuller-figured girls.
"Li'er, look at Mutong's skin. Isn't it nice?" Yufu said enviously.
Lixia took Mutong's pulse and nodded. "Yes, it's excellent. Did you know that plump people are often beautiful?"
"How so?" Mutong asked from the bed.
"They have good foundations. As the saying goes, 'One whiteness hides three uglinesses.' But 'One fatness destroys all aesthetics.' Being slim shows temperament. I guarantee, once Mutong slims down, she will be a stunning beauty." Lixia finished checking her pulse. "Any discomfort lately?"
"No, I feel fine."
"Okay, let's begin. It might hurt a little," Lixia warned gently. "Just relax."
Mutong nodded nervously. The first needle went in—she felt nothing. As Lixia inserted over a dozen needles into her abdomen, Mutong only felt a slight prick as the skin broke, followed by a distending sensation, but no real pain. When Lixia needled her legs, she felt a sensation traveling all the way to her feet.
Lixia said this meant Mutong had good "needle sensation." After more than twenty needles were placed, Mutong relaxed completely and even chatted with them.
The Balm and the Diet
"By the way, I made the plum blossoms we collected into Plum Blossom Balm," Lixia said, sipping tea. She handed a box to Yufu. "Try it."
Yufu opened it and sniffed. "It smells amazing. How do I use it?"
"Wash your face first."
Just then, the maids arrived with snacks. Yufu washed her face and applied the balm according to Lixia's instructions. She immediately lay by the bed to tell Mutong how great it felt.
"It moisturizes the skin," Lixia explained. "Usually, our faces feel tight after washing, and powders make them dry. This keeps the skin hydrated and prevents peeling."
Lixia shook her head with a smile. Sometimes it was psychological, but in an era of primitive cosmetics, her simple balm was indeed superior. She wished she had the equipment to make lipstick or BB cream, but for now, handmade was the only way.
After the time was up, Lixia removed the needles. "The dozen jars on the table are for both of you. But remember, they don't keep long—maybe a month or two. You can give them to friends or relatives as gifts."
"That's a great idea. New Year is coming; they make perfect gifts."
After dressing, Mutong asked, "How is it? Any side effects?"
"No, I feel much lighter and more energetic."
"That's the effect of acupuncture. We'll do this every three days. I guarantee results in three months!" Lixia declared.
"Really, Li'er? Will I be as slim as you and Yufu?" Mutong grabbed Lixia's hand excitedly.
"Now for the hard part," Lixia said seriously, turning to the maid. "Miaoning, you must supervise your mistress. Tie her up if you have to!"
Miaoning nodded solemnly.
"Mutong, listen carefully: One bowl of porridge and one egg for breakfast. Lunch can be anything, but only until you are 80% full. For dinner, ONLY one piece of fruit. Afterward, stand against the wall for an hour. Can you do this?"
Mutong's face fell. "Must I?"
"Yes! Remember: Never lie down if you can sit; never sit if you can stand; never stand if you can walk. Losing weight is your mission now."
"Don't lose heart," Lixia encouraged. "Think of your Young Master Jiang. No excuses!"
Hearing "Young Master Jiang," Mutong's eyes filled with determination. "I will do it! Miaoning, if I eat an extra bite, hit my hand with a ruler!"
The Business Proposal
"Miss, it's almost noon. Shall I prepare lunch for the Princess and Miss Yang?" Hongshang asked.
"Yes. And Xiqiu, go tell my sister-in-law I won't be eating there today."
After the maids left, Mutong washed her face and applied the balm. "Li'er, I guarantee that once we give these as gifts, the ladies will come back asking for more."
"Yufu is right," Mutong agreed.
"If they ask for more, should we sell it to them?"
"No," both girls shook their heads. "They are relatives; selling to them seems stingy."
Lixia frowned. "Then maybe you can direct them to me..."
Before she could finish, Mutong shouted, "Why don't we open a shop together?"
"Wow! Great idea! I'll invest too!" Yufu chimed in.
"Opening a shop is fine, but just for one product?" Lixia asked.
"We can add rouges, powders, incense... like the other shops outside."
"But what if we lose money?" Lixia worried.
"Let it lose money! This Princess has plenty of silver," Mutong declared. "My mother and her friends open shops just for fun to earn some 'cosmetic money.' It's amusing. I want to try."
"My mother does too!" Yufu added.
"So... we're really doing this?"
Seeing their expectant eyes, Lixia couldn't refuse. "Alright. Let's open it."
The three of them were of one mind. Before the gifts were even sent out or the effects tested, they had already decided to open a business based purely on whim and excitement.