The entire Wei family inn became lively and noisy.
The noblewomen completely shed their restraint, eagerly scrambling to the stage to try on various bras and panties.
At this moment, Fei Yue’er had a maid bring a large mirror to the stage.
With this mirror, the noblewomen could clearly see how the new garments looked on them.
Some noblewomen began to admire themselves in the mirror, turning around repeatedly, as the clothes better showcased their alluring figures.
Since arriving in Qingzhou, Fei Yue’er had been influenced by Xiao Ming. Seizing the moment, she said, “Sometimes, for men, the beauty of a glimpse—half-hidden—is even more appealing. These clothes obviously have that effect.”
The noblewomen agreed wholeheartedly. In Chang’an, which noblewoman did not have multiple wives and concubines? Though they were principal wives, seeing their husbands dally with concubines daily often made them resentful.
Hearing Fei Yue’er’s words, they began to scheme. Regardless of the garments’ benefits, they wanted them to compete for favor.
One noblewoman asked, “Princess Consort, how much are these? I want ten sets.”
“I want twenty. I must give some as gifts,” said another.
“I’ll make the little foxes at home envy me,” another boasted.
The noblewomen joyfully chattered.
Princess Pingyang smiled at Fei Yue’er. “Princess Consort, your handiwork is popular. I like it very much too. Why don’t you prepare some for me?”
“If Aunt wants, Yue’er will gladly prepare some within days,” Fei Yue’er replied.
Promoting underwear was planned, and the results pleased Fei Yue’er. But her goal was not just to sell to these noblewomen.
She continued, “Aunt need not worry. Yue’er plans to open a shop in Chang’an selling these garments. Then you can buy them there.”
“Really? That’s wonderful,” Pingyang smiled. She basically understood. “When you open the shop in Chang’an, I’ll be there to support.”
“Thank you, Aunt,” Fei Yue’er said happily.
The noblewomen on stage continued comparing and trying the garments. Pingyang wanted to try too but refrained to keep her status, watching enviously.
She asked, “Yue’er, how much do these sell for a set?”
“Not expensive—ten taels of silver per set,” Fei Yue’er said.
“Ten taels?” Pingyang’s eyes flicked. Ten taels could buy a cotton jacket. Such new clothes were expensive. She asked, “These use so little fabric—does the price…”
As if expected, Fei Yue’er explained, “Aunt, the fabric is minimal, but these garments are supported by steel wire. Without that, these bras wouldn’t differ from ordinary cloth.”
“Steel wire?” Pingyang was surprised. “What is that?”
“I don’t know exactly. It’s made by Qingzhou’s steel workshop. Your Highness said it’s spring steel—a kind nowhere else in the Great Yu Empire.”
Pingyang picked up a bra and felt the stiff support inside, nodding, “I see.”
Successfully promoting the underwear, Fei Yue’er smiled knowingly. She had perfectly fulfilled Xiao Ming’s task.
At ten taels a set, just the noblewomen’s purchases earned her over five thousand taels of silver. And these noblewomen were only part of Chang’an’s wealthy circle.
Including noblewomen from other vassal territories, sales of these garments would bring Qingzhou considerable income. Thinking this, she grew even happier.
After accompanying Pingyang and the noblewomen trying various underwear styles, the noblewomen finally let Fei Yue’er leave. This visit to Qingzhou had truly been eye-opening.
Bidding farewell to Pingyang, Fei Yue’er eagerly returned to the palace.
Xiao Ming was writing a book when she arrived. Seeing her, he asked, “How did the underwear promotion go?”
“They didn’t like it at all,” Fei Yue’er said, pouting.
Xiao Ming looked at her. Though she looked aggrieved, her eyes sparkled with excitement. “You can’t even lie properly. Humph. It must have been a success. I told you it would be.”
“Hehe, nothing escapes Your Highness,” Fei Yue’er said, leaning affectionately on Xiao Ming. “Princess Pingyang liked it very much, and so did the other noblewomen. They bought all the underwear I brought and I earned more than five thousand taels.”
Her cheeks flushed—clearly the first time earning money gave her a sense of accomplishment.
“Good, good. No wonder you’re my princess consort,” Xiao Ming smiled warmly. As Zhen Fei said, Fei Yue’er was indeed his capable partner.
Remembering something, he asked, “Did Aunt ask about anything else?”
“Not much, only that the clothes are too expensive, so I explained Your Highness’s words to her,” Fei Yue’er replied.
Xiao Ming nodded. “Good. Now they understand that simply copying the style cannot make such intimate clothes.”
In the Great Yu Empire’s male-weave female-sew society, women usually wove and sewed their own clothes. These things were routine for them. So Xiao Ming had her spread the idea that making underwear required some difficulty.
And that was true. The underwear Fei Yue’er made used steel wire, but not spring steel—that was a deliberate exaggeration.
Even so, no other part of Great Yu could produce steel wire at Qingzhou’s quality.
To support underwear production, Xiao Ming assigned artisans to make steel wire. Since he lacked industrial tech, they used primitive methods—pulling molten steel through tiny molds, then stretching the steel further.
Though production was limited, the steel wire quality was barely sufficient for underwear.
With this, he was not worried others could copy his products.
Now that the underwear sales succeeded, Xiao Ming planned to generate profits quickly. After all, the finances were tight.