NCCnovel Chapter 244: Creating New Miracles
Chapter 244: Creating New Miracles
Most passersby looked at the new product from Lingxi Pavilion with suspicion.
An elderly woman frowned and waved her rough hands repeatedly.
"I dare not use this black mud mask. I don't want to ruin my face. My old face can't take any more abuse."
The shop assistants tried their best to persuade them, but to little avail. They returned to the shop dejectedly, their faces full of helplessness.
Seeing this, Fang Xiaoxiao frowned, like a delicate flower shrouded in melancholy, but she was not discouraged.
She personally went to the street, like a fairy descending to earth, and stopped a young woman.
The woman was dressed in an elegant light-colored silk dress, with a beautiful face and lively eyes.
Fang Xiaoxiao said with a smile.
"Girl, judging from your beautiful face, you must have a lot of experience in skincare."
My black mud mask has an exclusive formula containing a variety of precious herbs and minerals. It can deeply cleanse the skin, nourish and hydrate it, and also brighten and whiten the skin.
Why don't you take a sample home and try it? If you like it, come back to me.
The woman tilted her head slightly, hesitated for a moment, then reached out her fair hand to take the sample and said softly.
"Then thank you very much, young lady. I hope it's really as good as you say."
In order to expand her influence, Fang Xiaoxiao thought of holding a face mask experience event.
She spared no expense to rent an elegant courtyard in the city, a courtyard shaded by green trees, adorned with blooming flowers, and with pavilions and towers arranged in a pleasing manner.
She had carefully arranged everything, with tables and chairs neatly arranged, and the tables laden with fresh fruit and delicate pastries. The aroma of fruit and the sweet fragrance of pastries filled the air, and of course, there was the star of the show—the black mud mask.
She invited some of the most famous ladies and wives in Kyoto to attend.
But when these pampered ladies heard it was a black mud mask, many of them showed expressions of disgust. One lady dressed in gorgeous brocade scoffed.
"What kind of behavior is it to put this dark, unsightly stuff on our faces? Are you trying to play a trick on us? I usually use precious skincare products that are tributes from the Western Regions. What good could this black mud possibly be?"
Fang Xiaoxiao remained calm, picked up a jar of face mask, opened the lid, took a gentle sniff, and said.
"Madam, please don't be so quick to dismiss this. Although the color of this mask is not ideal, its herbal fragrance is quite pleasant."
As you all know, this black mud was collected from the side of a sacred spring deep in the mountains, a place of beautiful scenery and abundant spiritual energy.
The black mud undergoes multiple meticulous refining processes, allowing its minerals and herbal essences to penetrate deep into the skin, drawing out impurities and leaving it as smooth and supple as if newly reborn. Just like a pearl obscured by the dust of the world, this mask restores its radiance.
As she spoke, she looked at a young woman with a few pimples on her face, who was gently rubbing her cheek with a troubled expression.
Fang Xiaoxiao approached gently and said.
“Miss, you see your skin has some minor imperfections. This mask can reduce inflammation, clear up acne, and improve your skin texture. If you don’t believe me, I can demonstrate for you first.” The young lady seemed somewhat tempted, nodded slightly, and said shyly, “Then I’ll have to trouble you, Miss Fang.”
Fang Xiaoxiao washed her hands, scooped up some face mask with a small spoon, and gently applied it to the young lady's face. Her movements were gentle and skillful, as if she were painting a beautiful picture. She spoke as she applied the mask.
"When applying this mask, make sure to cover it evenly, avoiding the eye and lip areas. When the mask is half-dry, you will feel a slight tightening sensation, which means it is working and drawing out impurities from your pores. Please be patient and feel it."
Just as everyone's attention was focused on the young lady's face, suddenly, the courtyard gate was pushed open violently. A sharp and sarcastic voice rang out.
"Hmph, this black mud mask is nothing but a scam. You people dare to bewitch people here."
Everyone turned to look and saw a heavily made-up woman walking in with several servants.
The woman was dressed in gaudy and vulgar clothes, and her face was covered with heavy makeup, yet she could not hide the jealousy and meanness in her eyes.
Fang Xiao's heart sank. She recognized the woman; she was the owner of a rival shop in the city. She was jealous of Lingxi Pavilion's booming business and often made underhanded moves behind its back.
Fang Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, straightened her chest, stepped forward, curtsied, and said.
"Madam, why do you say such things? Lingxi Pavilion has always been committed to honesty in business. The efficacy of this black mud mask is something you ladies can see for yourselves once you try it. How could it be a lie? Do you have any evidence to support your baseless accusations?"
The proprietress crossed her arms, tilted her head back, and sneered.
"Your black mud looks filthy; who knows what harmful stuff was added to it?"
I've come today to expose your scam. I've been doing business in Kyoto for years, and I won't tolerate a scoundrel like you trying to cheat me here.
Fang Xiaoxiao smiled slightly, picked up the face mask jar, and handed it to the proprietress with a firm and fearless look in her eyes.
"If you have any doubts, Madam, you are welcome to have it tested. All the ingredients in this face mask are natural, and I can list them all out."
Your unfounded accusations suggest you're afraid my face mask will steal your business. If so, you're behaving like a typical merchant.
The proprietress's expression changed, and she became furious with embarrassment.
"Stop talking nonsense! Smash all these things!" Upon hearing this, the servants behind her were about to step forward and attack, each one looking fierce and menacing.
Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes turned cold, and she said loudly.
"With all these ladies and young women here today, if you dare to act recklessly, I will not let it go. There is justice in this capital city. My Lingxi Pavilion has many friends and supporters in this city. If you dare to act recklessly, you will pay the price."
At this moment, the ladies of high birth also stood up. A respected old lady, leaning on her cane, spoke slowly.
“You woman are too brazen. They kindly invited us to experience this place, and you come to cause trouble. What kind of behavior is this? Although we are women, we are not people to be bullied. The rules of this capital city cannot be ruined by you.”
The proprietress felt a little uneasy when she saw that no one supported her, but she still tried to remain calm.
"Hmph, you just wait and see." With that, he led his servants away in a sorry state.
Fang Xiao breathed a sigh of relief and turned to speak to everyone.
"I'm sorry to have surprised you all. The effectiveness of this face mask can only be truly appreciated through personal experience."
After this ordeal, the woman who had tried the mask washed it off, and everyone was amazed. Her previously dull skin had become fair and radiant, her acne seemed to have subsided, and her skin was as smooth and delicate as jade.
One of the ladies couldn't help but say.
"Wow, this face mask is truly amazing! I need to buy a few jars right away before someone else gets them. As I get older, my skin becomes increasingly dry and loose, but after using this mask, I feel like I've become several years younger."
Another young lady chimed in.
"Yes, I was initially skeptical, but now that I've seen it with my own eyes, the results are simply amazing. Miss Fang, your face mask is truly a treasure. My friends are constantly troubled by skin problems, I must tell them and let them try it too."
Fang Xiao responded with a small smile.
"Thank you all for your support. Lingxi Pavilion will always stay true to its original aspirations and provide you with more high-quality products. I am deeply grateful for your support and trust today."
Then, Fang Xiaoxiao came up with another plan. She hired several eloquent women to hold black mud masks in the busiest markets, teahouses, theaters and other places in the city, and vividly described the magical things at the experience event, attracting the curious eyes of many passers-by.
"You didn't see it, but after that lady applied the face mask, her face looked like she had a new layer of skin. All her pimples disappeared, and her skin was fair and rosy, so tender that you could squeeze water out of it."
"One of the propagandists said with great enthusiasm."
"Is this face mask really that amazing?" a passerby asked curiously.
"Of course, this is Lingxi Pavilion's exclusive secret recipe. Countless ladies and young women are scrambling to buy it," the promoter assured, patting his chest.
However, their good fortune didn't last long, as their competitors came up with a new tactic. They secretly bribed some thugs to spread rumors at the entrance of Lingxi Pavilion and in places frequented by their promoters, claiming that while the black mud mask had a temporary effect, it contained harmful substances and that long-term use would ruin one's appearance.
The rumor swept through Kyoto like a cold wind, causing customers who were initially eager to buy the face masks to hesitate. Fang Xiaoxiao was furious upon learning this, but quickly calmed down and began to devise a plan.
She decided to invite several renowned doctors in the city to test the ingredients of the face mask in front of everyone, and ask them to explain in detail the benefits of the herbs and minerals for the skin. She also provided a detailed ingredient list and safety guarantee.
At the testing site, a highly respected senior doctor carefully examined the specimen and stroked his beard as he spoke.
"The ingredients in this black mud mask are all natural and harmless, and they are well-balanced. They have the effects of clearing heat and removing acne, whitening and moisturizing, and contain no harmful ingredients. You can rest assured."
Fang Xiaoxiao then took the opportunity to say, "Everyone, the reason why Lingxi Pavilion has established itself in the capital city is because of its integrity and quality. Some people are maliciously spreading rumors and trying to damage the reputation of our store. Please do not believe the rumors, but believe what you have seen and heard with your own eyes and ears."