A Good Country Wife

Lin Yue knew very well that essential oils could be added to the making of Fragrant Soap, but she hadn’t suggested it due to its impracticality, for there was nowhere to buy such oils in Dazhou. The few bottles with different fragrances that she had were all brought back from the western countries by Zhao Erhu, and they were not cheap, costing even more than the Fragrant Soap itself. If they were used as raw materials for soap production, the cost would be too high, and besides, there would be nowhere to purchase more once they were used up.

"Your idea is good, and indeed feasible, I actually knew this method too, just never mentioned it. Do you know why?"

"Your servant does not understand. If madam knows of this method, and the soaps made by this method are indeed better, then why?... Your servant understands now, madam has abandoned this method because these essential oils are rare, and speaking of which, the bottle of essential oil that your servant has was a reward from you, madam. I had never seen such a thing before, I heard that master bought it from the western countries for you, madam. A bottle of essential oil mustn’t be cheap, right?"

The reason Lin Yue had chosen Liao Ruyan to manage the Soap Making Room was not only that Liao Ruyan had knowledge of making fragrances, which could help better develop new products, but also for her keen insight—she could grasp things quickly without Lin Yue needing to worry or exert herself. Ever since Liao Ruyan took over the Soap Making Room, she had managed it even better than Lin Yue herself. Following the patterns and designs provided by Lin Yue, as well as the insights on soap-making, she had developed various new soap products, demonstrating a true workaholic nature.

Upon hearing Liao Ruyan mention the price of essential oils, Lin Yue started to grumble, showing the stinginess and the nature of her love for money only in front of Liao Ruyan, "Not just expensive—it’s very expensive! This bottle of essential oil may be not too small in volume, yet it costs thirty taels of silver, thirty taels, you know. Is this selling or robbery? I know that Zhao Erhu spent three hundred taels of silver on those essential oils he bought, my heart is bleeding! Aren’t these also made from spices? Priced even higher than gold!"

The more Lin Yue talked, the more dramatic she became. Seeing Lin Yue lament with such passion, a hand pressed against her chest in a gesture of grief, Liao Ruyan found it hilarious and couldn’t help but chuckle aloud. Her mistress was more approachable and interesting than she had imagined. Since coming to the Zhao Family, though she had become busier than before, she lived more happily and contentedly, with more smiles gracing her face instead of always keeping a cold, stern expression that made others afraid to approach her.

"Madam, please don’t be like this. I really want to laugh when you do. I came here to discuss serious matters, please stop making jokes," said Liao Ruyan, who was, after all, a workaholic and thought differently from others. Besides, her relationship with Lin Yue, although technically that of master and servant, was more like friends, and so she said with a suppressed smile.

Lin Yue gave Liao Ruyan, the woman who only knew to busy herself with official matters, a white glance for not understanding the hint, "Now you know why I didn’t tell you about this method, don’t you? If we use essential oils instead of ordinary spices, consider how high the cost will be. Our Fragrant Soaps are already selling at a very high price."

"Madam’s words are reasonable, but if we could produce essential oils ourselves, then the cost would not be high. And we could also sell the essential oils, killing two birds with one stone. Your servant has pondered for a long time and has figured out some methods, and has even made some essential oils, though not as good as this one, still somewhat similar—at least better than ordinary spices, just not as effective as this one. So, your servant came here to ask madam for another bottle of essential oil. The one you gave to your servant has already been used up by me," Liao Ruyan said, smiling ingratiatingly at Lin Yue.