Casting Nets to Catch a Husband

Chapter 152: Longing for…

After leaving the Cui family’s embroidery shop, Liu Yu had been pondering something. Cui Erniang felt that selling ready-made clothes from their embroidery workshop was more profitable and less troublesome than selling clothes they made themselves. What about others?

There were many towns around Anyi County, and there were at least dozens of embroidery shops. Could it be possible that other embroidery shops would also be willing to sell the clothes from their Ruyi Embroidery Workshop? Could Ruyi Embroidery Workshop follow the path of both wholesale and retail, like Lufeng Cloth Shop?

Once this thought arose, it was hard to suppress.

All along, the cooperation with Cui Erniang was seen by Liu Yu and Wei Shi as more of a personal favor. Initially, it was Cui Erniang taking care of them, and later on, it became mutual care between the two families.

Their family had risen so quickly. From the time Liu Yu returned to the Liu family, starting with a few sets of clothes consigned at Cui Erniang’s embroidery shop to opening the Ruyi Embroidery Workshop, it all happened in just a few months. Then came the grand wedding, leaving Liu Yu with little time to think deeply about things.

But today, Cui Erniang’s words changed Liu Yu’s perspective. This kind of cooperation might not just be a matter of personal favors; it could very well have enough profit-driven motivation to develop into a business even without the guarantee of personal relationships.

However, truly making it work would be very difficult. The Daqing Dynasty had no shortage of embroidery workshops and shops, but they often operated independently. The successful ones opened branches, but the biggest challenge was that everyone’s body shape was different, and custom-made clothes were the most suitable.

Even in Liu Yu’s case, the clothes sold in Cui Erniang’s shop were, like their sample clothes, based on the most common sizes. When a customer with a different body shape came in, they would need custom tailoring on the spot. This was the biggest reason why embroidery workshops couldn’t develop like cloth shops. The second reason was design copying.

If not for the close relationship with Cui Erniang, Liu Yu would never send her ready-made clothes to other embroidery shops. Without that trust, she wouldn’t want her meticulously designed styles to be easily copied. So, before she had her own shop, she would think of finding someone to sell her clothes for her. But after opening her own embroidery workshop, besides Cui Erniang, whom she had already collaborated with, she had never considered other embroidery shops.

However, today Cui Erniang’s remarks about costs had stirred Liu Yu’s thoughts.

“What are you thinking about? Did Erniang say something to you?”

Lu Chengxiao had been observing Liu Yu for a while. Seeing that she had been deep in thought since they left the embroidery shop, he finally couldn’t resist asking as they walked halfway home.

Liu Yu snapped back to reality, looked at Lu Chengxiao, and nodded. “I’m thinking about whether the embroidery workshop’s business could develop like a cloth shop.”

She recounted what Cui Erniang had said to Lu Chengxiao, then added, “I get the sense that if not for the issue of different body shapes making it hard to standardize clothing sizes, Erniang might even find it easier to sell ready-made clothes from our embroidery workshop. And the profit wouldn’t necessarily be less.”

Lu Chengxiao had a rough idea of the price range for clothes from Ruyi Embroidery Workshop. Even the cheapest sets cost at least 1,200-1,300 copper coins each. The clothes Cui Erniang brought back to sell in town were mostly in this price range. If the cost difference between her own products and the ones from Ruyi Embroidery Workshop was only about a hundred coins, then selling clothes from Ruyi Embroidery Workshop would naturally be more profitable. After all, when running an embroidery shop, isn’t the craftsmanship the most valuable aspect?

Because the Lu family was in the fabric business, Lu Chengxiao had some understanding of the ready-to-wear market. The clothes made by the embroiderers in Cui Erniang’s shop, setting aside the rough fabrics, were mostly priced at several hundred copper coins per set when made with finer materials. The most affordable batch at Ruyi Embroidery Workshop would be considered high-end here, with relatively better fabrics and, most importantly, more attractive designs. Most people were willing to pay a bit more for better fabric and design.

Later, Cui Erniang started sourcing her fabrics from Lufeng Cloth Shop. To make it easier for customers to customize their sizes, she would typically match the fabrics with the designs she obtained from the embroidery workshop. However, even with the same fabric, the finished clothes might not have the same effect. The embroidery and stitching were one thing, but the most challenging part was the cutting.

People were willing to pay 1,200 to 1,300 copper coins for something from Ruyi Embroidery Workshop, but if an embroidery shop tried to copy it using the same fabric, it might not sell as well. That’s the value of craftsmanship.

Lu Chengxiao glanced at her, “So, you’ve been thinking about expanding to other towns around Anyi County?”

Liu Yu nodded, “Yes, Erniang is also a businesswoman. If she sees profit, other embroidery shops will likely see it too. The main difficulty now is the issue of sizing. If that can be solved, I think this could be a good way for Ruyi Embroidery Workshop to grow. If the workshop could operate like a cloth shop, how many more clothes could I sell in a year? Even if I give up most of the profits to the embroidery shops, once the volume increases, the profit could still be significant, right?”

The more Liu Yu spoke, the brighter her eyes became, and her heart began to race.

Seeing her excitement, Lu Chengxiao couldn’t help but smile. After considering her idea, he said, “You’re right, but have you thought about another possibility?”

Another possibility?

Liu Yu looked at him, puzzled.

Lu Chengxiao continued, “Your embroidery workshop is currently favored by the daughters and wives of wealthy families in the county. It’s not hard to imagine that in time, it could become the go-to place for the county’s affluent. But if a lot of clothes from Ruyi Embroidery Workshop start appearing in surrounding small towns, wouldn’t that lower the perceived value of those high-end clothes? If the two get mixed together, would the wealthy families in the county still want to shop at Ruyi Embroidery Workshop? While the essence of it is still about the clothes, many people enjoy the added value of the experience, the status, and the exclusivity that comes with it. Unique, rare, and exceptional items set them apart from ordinary people.”

If Liu Yu took this step, it would erode the special status Ruyi Embroidery Workshop had already established.

Liu Yu understood now. The clothes she sold weren’t just garments; they also represented a certain level of status and identity.

Seeing that she had grasped his point, Lu Chengxiao asked, “Have you considered opening another branch of the workshop in Yuanzhou City in the future?”

“Of course, I’ve thought about it.” Even though she hadn’t had a clear plan, the idea had crossed her mind. Liu Yu blinked and said, “Are you suggesting that if I open a branch in Yuanzhou City, this special quality would be further amplified?”

Sharp as always.

Lu Chengxiao smiled and replied, “Yes. In Anyi County, you might not have much competition, so it’s not obvious. But once you reach Yuanzhou City, you’ll be up against Jinxiuzhuang, a century-old brand. If your competitors seize on this point, it could make your start there much more difficult.”

Liu Yu recalled her previous life as Hong Niangzi. Even in Yangzhou’s Four Great Buildings, where each establishment’s top courtesans were decked out from head to toe in the finest attire, they weren’t just competing in beauty and talent; their clothing, accessories, and the grandeur of their appearances were just as important. If not for that, she wouldn’t have developed such a keen eye for fashion and jewelry, which was half due to her innate talent and half due to the sheer amount she had seen.

If even the courtesans were like this, how much more so for the wealthy and noble families?

“It was my oversight,” Liu Yu realized, but she shook her head, saying, “But I still think this is a profitable path. It would be a shame to give it up. However, if the issue of body sizes can’t be solved, then it’s too early to say. I can think about it more carefully.”

She wasn’t ready to give up.

Lu Chengxiao couldn’t help but smile. This side of Liu Yu was new to him, and as they got to know each other, she continued to surprise him.

As they chatted, they walked until they reached the Lu family’s main gate. After passing through the first courtyard and entering the second, Liu Yu, who had been deep in thought about her business, suddenly had an idea. She stopped in her tracks, grabbed Lu Chengxiao’s arm, and looked at him with bright eyes.

“I’ve got an idea. I think the problem you mentioned isn’t really a problem. If Ruyi Embroidery Workshop can’t cater to both ends of the market, then what if I run two brands under one workshop? Wouldn’t that solve it?”

This idea came from her experience visiting Jinxiuzhuang during her last trip to Yuanzhou.

Liu Yu said, “When I went to Yuanzhou City with Father to buy supplies last time, I visited Jinxiuzhuang. Jinxiuzhuang is one workshop with two branches: the left side is for men’s ready-to-wear, and the right side is for women’s ready-to-wear. Two shops, each with its own signboard, but the large signboard in the middle on the second floor bears the name Jinxiuzhuang. If I were to sell clothes of different price ranges, I could do the same, couldn’t I?”

Lu Chengxiao had been to Jinxiuzhuang many times in the past few years, so he understood what she meant and his eyes lit up.

Liu Yu smiled and added, “Or I could divide it by floors. The first floor could have the more affordable items, and the second floor could sell the high-end clothes. The entrances to the first and second floors could have small plaques with different brand names, creating a sense of separation. I think that could work.”

In Liu Yu’s words, Lu Chengxiao could almost see a picture, envisioning the future of Ruyi Embroidery Workshop. He couldn’t help but smile, “That’s a great idea. I can even imagine what your branch in Yuanzhou will look like in the future.”

“Isn’t that right?” Liu Yu beamed with delight, her eyes crinkling as she smiled.

A light laugh came from nearby. “Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, what are you two chatting about so happily?”

Lu Chengxiao and Liu Yu turned towards the voice, only to find Lu Shuang standing by a pillar outside the flower hall in the second courtyard, smiling at them.

Chen Shi’s voice also reached them. “Yu’er, you’re back?”

Liu Yu then realized that it wasn’t just Lu Shuang; her mother-in-law, Madam Chen, and her elder sister-in-law, Qin Shi, were also present. Smiling, she responded and let go of Lu Chengxiao’s hand, heading towards the flower hall. Lu Chengxiao quickly caught up, walking side by side with her.

As Liu Yu approached, Lu Shuang grabbed her arm and teased with a smile, “Third Sister-in-law, you’re too shy! You just let go of Third Brother’s hand like that?”

Liu Yu playfully pinched Lu Shuang’s waist, causing her to laugh and dodge.

Qin Shi, smiling, asked, “What were you two talking about?”

She poured a cup of hot tea for each of them.

Liu Yu thanked her and, still smiling, briefly explained the situation. “It’s just an idea I had, nothing concrete yet. I was just thinking aloud earlier.”

“You’re thinking of selling ready-made clothes from the embroidery workshop like how the cloth shop distributes fabric to other stores?”

Lu Shuang, intrigued, stopped teasing Liu Yu and pulled her closer, eager to hear more details.

Since they were all family, Liu Yu didn’t mind sharing her thoughts. She explained the potential benefits, challenges, and pros and cons, including the impact on the high-end market that Lu Chengxiao had mentioned, as well as the solution she had just come up with. After explaining, she pointed at Lu Shuang with a smile and said, “I just thought of this idea earlier and was discussing it with your third brother over there. But you love teasing people.”

Lu Shuang laughed heartily and, turning to Madam Chen, said, “Mother, don’t you think Third Brother and Sister Yu are a perfect match? They’re both so clever. It’s a powerful combination!”

Madam Chen found it amusing how Lu Shuang kept switching between calling Liu Yu “Third Sister-in-law” and “Sister Yu,” but she nodded and said, “They are indeed well-matched, a perfect pair.”

In this world, there’s no better match than one where hearts and minds align, where a couple supports each other, advances and retreats together, and never runs out of things to talk about in private. Even Madam Chen envied such a relationship.

Hearing this, Liu Yu blushed slightly. Smiling, she asked Madam Chen and the others, “Mother, Sister-in-law, Shuang’er, what do you think? Do you think this business idea could work?”

Qin Shi quickly shook her head. “I don’t understand business matters, so I can’t offer any advice. But I have to say that the clothes from your embroidery workshop are indeed beautiful. At one to two hundred copper coins per piece, people in Changfeng Town can definitely afford them. It should be the same in other towns as well.”

Liu Yu nodded and then looked at Madam Chen.

Chen Shi had accompanied her husband, Lu Xun, for many years, watching him grow from a peddler with a small stall into a cloth shop owner. Although she hadn’t engaged in business herself, Lu Xun often discussed matters with her at home, so she knew a thing or two. After thinking it over, she said, “It could work, but you also need to guard against competitors copying your designs. Your embroidery workshop relies on unique designs to stand out, doesn’t it? It would be best to set up some barriers, like the cloth shop or cloth dealers do. You should limit the number of pieces available for each design to prevent the embroidery shops from having the ability to copy them. What do you think?”

Liu Yu’s eyes lit up. “That’s a great idea! I’ll remember that. Anything else?”

She looked at Chen Shi with eager anticipation.

Chen Shi was amused by Liu Yu’s enthusiasm. She laughed and said, “What else could I suggest? I’m not a businessperson. This idea is something I picked up recently while watching your father set up the cloth shop.”

Liu Yu laughed. “You’re still amazing, Mother. It was my idea to open the cloth shop, but I never thought of that.”

Chen Shi could tell that Liu Yu was flattering her, but she still felt pleased and gently pinched Liu Yu’s cheek. “Such a sweet talker. Have you been drinking honey?”

Her playful comment made everyone laugh.

Lu Shuang said, “But isn’t the biggest challenge the sizing? Sister Yu, do you have any ideas?”

Liu Yu shook her head. “Not yet. But once I return to the embroidery workshop, I’ll start keeping records of the measurements for all custom orders. After some time, we can compare the data, and maybe we’ll start to see a pattern.”

Lu Chengxiao raised an eyebrow. This was already halfway to a solution; it just needed time to be proven.

Madam Chen nodded. “That sounds like a good plan.”

She looked at Liu Yu and Lu Chengxiao and said, “You’re heading back to the county early tomorrow, so don’t linger here too long. Go pack your things and see what you need to take with you. Start moving your daily essentials first, and put them in the room behind the shop where Chengxiao used to stay. When the house is ready, you can move everything there.”

Liu Yu agreed with a smile and went back to their room with Lu Chengxiao. There were indeed many things to pack today: clothes, jewelry, silver, and other small items—all of which needed to be taken to the county first.

As they walked towards their room in the west wing, Lu Shuang watched Liu Yu’s departing figure, filled with envy.

In Lu Shuang’s previous understanding, after a woman got married, she would probably live like her mother, elder sister-in-law, or second sister-in-law, staying at home to support her husband and raise her children. Although there were women who ran businesses, it wasn’t the norm, at least not among the people she knew. It wasn’t until she met Liu Yu that Lu Shuang saw another way for a woman to live.

Liu Yu could have her own career, work alongside her husband, and clearly wasn’t pursuing her business out of necessity but out of genuine passion.

Lu Shuang couldn’t help but develop a bit of admiration and longing in her heart.

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