A Good Country Wife

Liao Ruyan finally seemed happy, holding the box in her arms as if it were a treasure. "Thank you, Madam, you are truly generous. Rest assured, from now on I will produce even more and better essential oils, guaranteeing that you, Madam, will never be able to use them all."

"Tsk, tsk, just look at you. Do you really need to be so happy? A few bottles of essential oil and you’re this overjoyed—it’s shallow." Lin Yue never missed an opportunity to belittle Liao Ruyan.

Liao Ruyan didn’t mind and still appeared cheerful. She was born into a family of fragrance blending, destined for this work, but her life had been one of misfortune. Subsequent events had once brought her to the brink of despair, until she joined the Zhao Family. Later, Madam took a liking to her and assigned her to the Soap Making Room, where she eventually became the Manager. She immersed herself in the work, as if she had found the meaning and support of her life. She was even more grateful to Madam for giving her a chance at a new life.

"Whatever Madam says is right. I am shallow, not possessing the skills Madam does. You know my greatest passion in life was originally blending and making fragrances. Now it’s to make our Soap Making Room flourish. If I couldn’t do these things, I’d find life meaningless." Liao Ruyan spoke of her past with a touch of gloom and darkness.

Lin Yue knew about Liao Ruyan’s past and didn’t know how to comfort her. "Ruyan, don’t be sad anymore. All the hardships are in the past. The days ahead will only get better. As long as Lin Yue is here, I will protect you. Forget about the past."

"Indeed, everything will pass. Initially, I thought my life was over, but then I met a wonderful master like you. You gave me a home and let me do what I love. My heart has never felt such peace and stability. I, Liao Ruyan, swear that I will be loyal to you all my life and never betray you. Otherwise, let the heavens strike me with thunder and give me a terrible death." Liao Ruyan looked at Lin Yue with gratitude and swore her sincerest oath.

Although Lin Yue didn’t believe in these things, she understood the ancient importance of oaths. Hearing Liao Ruyan swear made her quite moved. "Enough with that, why say all these heavy words? You’re swearing oaths and making bets, but I understand your heart. Just take good care of yourself. If you really want to thank me, you could better earn me more money. You know how much I love silver notes."

Lin Yue felt the atmosphere was too somber and deliberately joked to lighten the mood, portraying herself as money-loving, which made Liao Ruyan laugh. "Madam, you’re completely fixated on money, but rest assured, I will do everything in my power to help you earn loads of it, so much that you won’t be able to spend it all in your next life, no, not even in the life after that."

Although Liao Ruyan was half-joking, the expression on her face and her tone were more akin to a promise. Lin Yue didn’t want to dissuade her further. Afterwards, under Liao Ruyan’s management, the Soap Making Room grew larger and developed various related industries, eventually becoming the foremost in the Great Zhou Dynasty. But that’s another story.

"By the way, Madam, I came to see you not just to ask for essential oils, but also to discuss another matter," Liao Ruyan said.