Chapter 593 - 587_1
Lin Yue had initially wanted to say that she would prepare a set of glassware for Liao Ruyan for distillation purposes, but considering that although Master Xue could produce small pieces of glass, making glass apparatus was still quite challenging. Thinking it would be disappointing if she mentioned it now and failed to deliver later, she decided it was better not to say anything. She thought it would be better to give Liao Ruyan a surprise when the glassware was ready. By then, with the right equipment, the distillation process could be greatly improved, and the purity of the essential oils would definitely be better than they were currently.
The matter of the goods was left to the people sent by the Emperor, and Zhao Erhu didn’t even think about profiting from it. Doing so not only saved him trouble but also prevented any potential suspicion from the Emperor due to any issues that might arise later. Instead, he stayed at home, helping Lin Yue manage domestic affairs, tending to the two barren mountains, planting trees, and organizing farm work.
Because the Lin family offered high prices, the number of people bringing various fruit tree saplings had significantly increased. Since they had bought several mountains, there was no lack of planting space. Aside from those who deliberately brought substandard goods to cause trouble, Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue accepted all offerings at the agreed prices. During these days, they had managed to plant both barren mountains considerably. One was used to grow tea trees, and the other to grow fruit trees.
Considering the season, it was still a bit early to plant trees; the weather had begun to cool. However, the conditions turned out to be favorable, with on-and-off rainy weather, which was most suitable for tree growth. Moreover, the temperature was higher than in previous years. That day, as Zhao Erhu was busy in the mountains as usual, a servant came to report that someone was looking for him at home and the lady asked him to return.
"Did you ask what their business was?" Zhao Erhu, hearing that his wife had sent for him, put down his work and asked as he began to leave.
"I did not dare to inquire about the master’s matters," the servant replied. "But I overheard a bit, and it seems to be about selling fruit tree saplings. The lady has welcomed the visitor into the main hall."
"Oh, if the lady has invited them into the main hall herself, there must be a reason. It’s certainly not just any local coming to sell saplings. Then we should hurry back," Erhu said, quickening his pace.
On Lin Yue’s side, she had heard that the visitor had a large batch of fruit tree saplings for sale, and they were of various species that could be planted on their land. She was somewhat interested, which was why she had invited the visitor into the main hall for discussion. There were many saplings, and the details of price and delivery needed to be carefully negotiated. These weren’t small numbers that could be decided casually. Since Erhu was at home, naturally, she wouldn’t need to worry about these matters. And it seemed that her husband didn’t want her to be so publicly involved, so she sent for Zhao Erhu. The following issues would be handled by him once he returned.
When Zhao Erhu came back and met with the visitor, he understood the situation. It turned out that the fruit merchant had already found a buyer for the saplings, but the buyer had reneged on the deal at the last minute, even forfeiting the deposit and refusing to take the saplings. The fruit merchant, in desperation, had heard about the Zhao Family’s interest in saplings and approached them like a drowning man clutching at straws, filled with relief and immediately seeking them out. He hoped that Zhao Erhu would take the saplings off his hands, willing to sell them at a slightly cheaper price.