Chapter 61
Shopkeeper Luo's admonition echoed Yu Ying's current worries.
She wasn't concerned about the medical institutions seeking a discussion, but feared their unreasonable tactics and underhanded methods.
After leaving the inn, Yu Ying cast aside her worries and asked her sister-in-law, "Is there anything you or my brother wish to buy?"
Her sister-in-law replied, "I'd like to have a look at the general store."
Yu Ying, wanting to buy soles for shoes and also curious about other items, decided to go along.
As Yu Ying was selecting shoe soles, her sister-in-law joined her.
Wen Xing said, "Sister-in-law, you don't need to prepare these for us; we can buy them ourselves."
Yu Ying nodded, then chose four pairs of soles.
Two for herself, and two for Fu Wei.
After buying the soles, Yu Ying went next door to purchase fabric for the uppers and some softer cloth for undergarments.
Having earned some silver now, she thought it best not to skimp on herself, at least for the time being.
Since she needed to make face cream, she also bought a jar of wine for fifty coins, weighing about a kilogram.
After purchasing the wine, she bought ten kilograms of pork with a mix of fat and lean meat.
Wen Xing, puzzled, asked, "Sister-in-law, what do you plan to do with so much meat?"
Yu Ying honestly replied, "I intend to refine some lard for the face cream. Buying only fat isn't cost-effective, and since winter is approaching, the lean meat can be used to make cured meat."
Winters in Lingnan are warmer than in the north, but they are also harsh in their own way.
The most tormenting weather is the bone-chilling wind accompanied by fine rain, which can sometimes persist for days on end. It's best to stay indoors whenever possible.
Yu Ying purchased ten kilograms of meat, which she placed in a carrying basket, and her brother then shouldered it.
This left Yu Ying free to stroll leisurely with her sister-in-law, browsing here and there. It was her first time enjoying such a relaxed walk through Jade County.
After buying a saw and some paper, they stopped at Wu's Eatery for noodles. By the hour of Shen, they rode back to Lingshui Village in Old Chen's ox cart.
Back home, her sister-in-law helped with cooking, her brother went to chop wood, and Yu Ying selected two bamboo sticks of the right thickness from her storage to make bamboo containers.
Before making the face cream, she needed containers to store it.
As Yu Ying was sawing the bamboo, Fu Wei, watching from the window, stepped out upon seeing her struggling with the task.
The yard was deserted, and since the Fu residence was at the village's edge, people rarely passed by. Fu Wei, leaning on his crutch, slowly made his way out.
Approaching her, he said, "Go get a bamboo stool for me, and I'll do the sawing."
Yu Ying glanced at the bamboo she had been laboring over without success, sighed, and handed the task to the more skilled Fu Wei.
After fetching a bamboo stool, Yu Ying watched as Fu Wei sat down and effortlessly sawed through the bamboo she couldn't manage.
The difference in strength between men and women was evident, and even more so for Fu Wei, who had trained physically. Despite his leg injury, he easily cut through the bamboo that Yu Ying found challenging.
He asked, "Should they all be this length?"
After some thought, Yu Ying replied, "I plan to make bamboo containers for the face cream. They should be about this tall, and leave this much length for the lid's bamboo joint."
She indicated the measurements with a finger's length and a half.
Fu Wei nodded and then sawed both bamboo sticks to the specified length.
Once the bamboo was cut, Fu Wei began to peel off the outer layer.
Yu Ying, about to help with the peeling, was stopped by Fu Wei who, remembering the calluses on her palms, said, "I'm free anyway, I'll do the peeling. You can attend to other tasks."
However, Yu Ying insisted, "We need to make the bamboo containers first to have something to store the face cream in. I don't have much else to do right now."
While speaking, Yu Ying also sat on a wooden stump and began peeling the bamboo.
Soon, Fu Zhen returned and joined in to help.
After peeling the bamboo tubes, they needed to make lids and ensure the rims fit snugly. These tasks, along with sanding the bamboo with coarse stones, were quite time-consuming.
Dinner was ready, so everyone set aside their work to eat.
After dinner, the family gathered in the courtyard to help with the bamboo containers.
Fu Wei peeled the bamboo, Fu Zhen prepared the rims, while Wen Xing, Luo Shi, and Fu An worked on sanding.
Little Fu Ning, although not much of a help, was also slowly sanding a bamboo container.
Meanwhile, Yu Ying went to render the lard.
Even though the weather was chilly and the pork wouldn't spoil in a day, freshly rendered lard was preferable.
Of the ten kilograms of pork, after removing the lean meat, there was less than five kilograms of fat left.
The yield of lard was only about three kilograms.
When Yu Ying finished rendering the lard and checked on the progress, she found that the bamboo containers were being completed faster than she had expected.
By nightfall, about a dozen bamboo containers were ready. Yu Ying boiled them all in salt water, planning to dry them the next day, after which they would be ready to hold the face cream.
Even as darkness fell, her brothers continued working on the bamboo containers in the dining room, while Luo Shi urged the children to wash up, and Wen Xing worked on fabric shoes by the light of a lamp in the dining hall.
By the hour of Hai, seeing her brothers still tirelessly at work, Yu Ying called a halt: "I won't be making so much face cream all at once. Let's stop at this number of containers for now."
Including those made earlier, they had nearly thirty containers, which were more than enough. There was no need to work through the night.
The brothers then stopped their work.
After everyone took turns washing up, they retired to their rooms for the night.
Yu Ying washed up first and found that Fu Ning had already fallen asleep. After tucking in the young girl, she prepared ink and laid out the paper she had bought that day to start transcribing the face cream recipe.
The recipe she was transcribing was one she had noted from "Qianjin Fang," a classic medical text.
Although she had made face cream before, remembering such details was tricky, and she needed to be certain she hadn't confused the recipe.
After writing down the face cream recipe, she meticulously reviewed it several times to ensure there were no errors or omissions.
While checking the recipe, the door opened.
Yu Ying turned to see Fu Wei, freshly bathed, his hair still dripping with droplets of water.
Leaning on his crutch, Fu Wei entered, closed the door, placed his crutch beside it, and slowly approached, asking, "Why haven't you rested yet?"
Fu Wei, though now able to walk without a crutch, couldn't do so for extended periods.
Yu Ying replied softly, "I'll rest in a bit."
After a moment, eager to share her day's experiences, she said, "Today, when I sought out Shopkeeper Luo, I mentioned the face cream. He directed me to a medical institution in Cangwu County to meet an acquaintance of his."
Fu Wei sat down beside her, pondering for a moment before saying, "Jade County to Cangwu County is roughly four to five hundred li away. Even by ox cart, it would take about two days."
Yu Ying said, "Previously, without any connections, I only thought of selling it in Jade County. But now, with this opportunity, I want to give it a try."
Fu Wei, after a moment of contemplation, looked up and said, "Alright, as long as you have your crossbow for protection and your brother to escort you."
Yu Ying smiled, "I thought this time you would advise against it."
Fu Wei fell silent for a moment, his dark eyes intently fixed on her, and he said in a low voice, "I will support whatever you choose to do."
Perhaps it was his earnest expression and words that made Yu Ying sense something subtle, causing her to pause momentarily.
Meeting his ambiguous gaze, Yu Ying suddenly felt the room become stuffy.
The ventilation in the thatched cottage was usually excellent, and it was even somewhat cold, yet she felt a stifling heat.
She averted her gaze, changing the subject: "Today, Shopkeeper Luo also warned me that someone is inquiring about me."
Upon hearing this, Fu Wei's expression darkened instantly.
Yu Ying sighed, "After all, doing business on someone else's turf is bound to upset people. I feel like there might be trouble waiting for me."
Fu Wei too fell silent.
He had never doubted that the letters he sent out would be unanswered, but he worried about the delay in their response.
Early the next morning, Yu Ying was busy again.
With only three kilograms of lard, she couldn't make much face cream, so she used about four grams of each herb, with a maximum of five grams for some.
After preparing the herbs, she chopped them finely, then had Fu Wei pound them into granules in a mortar.
The mortar, carved from wood by Fu Wei during his leg recovery, was a testament to his impressive craftsmanship.
Once the herbs were ground into fine granules, Yu Ying placed them in a bowl, added a small amount of wine, and stirred them to soak for about four hours.
It wasn't until the afternoon, around the hour of Shen, that Yu Ying began cooking the herbs with the nearly solidified lard.
Stirring constantly, the herbal aroma gradually overpowered the smell of the lard, and soon a faint scent of herbs wafted through the air.
After simmering on low heat for more than half an hour, the originally white lard turned a deep brown.
Yu Ying extinguished the fire, took the earthenware pot off the stove, and let it cool for a while before starting to strain the herbal residue through several layers of coarse cloth.
After filtering five times, Yu Ying carefully checked for any remaining residue.
Assured that no residue was left, she then poured the still-liquid face cream into the bamboo containers.
In the end, she had thirteen and a half containers filled.
Wen Xing entered the kitchen and, seeing the unset face cream on the table, curiously asked, "Sister-in-law, can this really turn into face cream?"
Yu Ying smiled, "The weather is quite cool now. It should solidify completely by tomorrow morning."
Wen Xing said, "I've only heard about face cream from others, saying that after applying it, even in winter, the skin becomes smooth and tender."
Yu Ying replied, "Once it's ready, I'll give a jar to you, sister-in-law."
Wen Xing quickly declined, "I don't need it. I'm used to my rough skin. Don't waste such good stuff on me; better to sell it for silver."
Yu Ying said nothing more but looked at her sister-in-law's cheeks, asking, "Lately, have you felt any dryness or burning sensation on your face?"
Wen Xing touched her somewhat rough cheeks, pondering that they might have become dry and coarse due to recent weather changes.
"The weather has changed; indeed, it's been somewhat dry and a bit painful."
"Then, sister-in-law, you really should give it a try. And after you do, let me know how effective the face cream is."
Wen Xing, who had just been refusing, relaxed upon hearing her sister-in-law's words: "Alright, just give me a little bit then, no need for a whole jar."
"Not only should sister-in-law try it, but also my brother, Fu An, and mother should use it to see its effectiveness. If the results are significant, I’ll have more confidence in negotiating the price with others."
Speaking of price, Yu Ying needed to calculate the cost of the nearly fourteen jars of face cream.
After a conversation with her sister-in-law, Yu Ying returned to her room to do the calculations.
As the amount of herbs used was small, the cost of the herbs purchased from Shopkeeper Luo was about three coins, and her own herbs were relatively cheaper, amounting to four coins in total.
The five kilograms of pork used for rendering the lard, at twelve coins per kilogram, came to sixty coins. The cost of the wine was around eight coins.
Since the bamboo containers were homemade, this expense was saved, but it involved considerable labor, which was not accounted for in the initial calculation. Thus, the total cost for the thirteen-plus jars was eighty-three coins.
Adding a labor cost of five coins per person, for five people, that would be twenty-five coins.
Altogether, the total cost was over a hundred coins, making the cost per jar around seven or eight coins.
If sold in Jade County, they would have to be priced at a minimum of fifteen coins per jar.
This meant that the thirteen jars could yield a profit of around ninety coins.
However, if taken to Cangwu County and sold in a medical institution, the profit could far exceed this amount.
Moreover, if she set up a stall in Jade County, it was uncertain whether even five jars could be sold in a day.
If ordinary face cream was priced at just a few coins, and her small stall was charging fifteen coins per jar, it might not sell at all.
Yu Ying didn't yet understand the face cream market in Jade County, so she needed to do some research there.
After finishing the face cream, Yu Ying distributed a jar each to her sister-in-law and Mrs. Luo, kept one for herself, and gave the remaining half jar to Fu Wei.
In Mrs. Luo's small room, Yu Ying applied the face cream to her sister-in-law, Mrs. Luo, and little Fu Ning.
As their cheeks were slightly cracked, it stung a bit when applied.
Yu Ying explained to them, "This is normal. Apply it a few more times, and once the cracks heal, it won’t hurt anymore."
Wen Xing, smelling the faint fragrance and seeing the crystal-clear, yellow face cream in the bamboo jar, said, "Had I not seen you boiling pig fat, I wouldn’t have known this cream is made from it."
Yu Ying gently shushed her, reminding, "Don’t mention to others that it’s made from pig fat. We commoners might not mind, but those with some silver and status will care."
Since they were unaware of the specific herbs and quantities involved, Yu Ying didn’t bother to instruct them further on the formula.
Yu Ying still felt it prudent to remind them about the ingredients of the pig fat cream.
Wen Xing nodded in agreement, "Pigs are considered filthy, and I've heard the gentry and nobles disdain pork. If they knew it was made from pig fat, they probably wouldn't want to use it."
This was exactly Yu Ying's concern.
"Apply it every morning and evening, and don't forget your hands and feet. Since it's homemade and affordable, there's no worry about running out."
Mrs. Luo, having experienced finer things but also endured twenty years of hardship, had lost the demeanor of a lady. She carefully covered the jar with a bamboo lid, saying, "This is a rare commodity; it should be used sparingly."
Seeing this, Yu Ying didn't say anything more.
Just then, Fu An ran in from outside, excitedly shouting, "Grandpa He and Uncle He, as well as He Erlang, are back!"
Hearing this, Yu Ying felt a sense of relief, even though it wasn’t her own family matter.
She remembered the emotional scene of He Erlang reuniting with Uncle He and Auntie He at the quarry when she had gone to fetch her eldest brother and sister-in-law. It had left a deep impression on her.
In the book, her eldest brother was killed by a falling rock. Although they had managed to bring him back, she was unsure if there would be any further mishaps.
Now that He Erlang was back, she naturally felt more at ease.
Yu Ying and Luo Shi’s sister-in-law stepped out of the house, intending to visit the He family.
Unexpectedly, the He family came directly to the Fu residence.
Yu Ying also saw He Erlang.
Compared to when she saw him three months ago, He Erlang was darker and thinner, with sunken eyes, clearly indicating his poor mental state over these months.
Moreover, with the recent change in weather, his face and hands were severely cracked.
Many onlookers had gathered outside the Fu family’s courtyard, drawn by He Erlang’s return.
After all, it was a rare occasion for someone from Lingshui Village to return from the quarry.
Seeing a crowd forming outside, everyone entered the small dining hall.
Just as they entered, He Erlang immediately knelt down before Yu Ying, startling her.
"Don't kneel, don't kneel. If you kneel, I’m leaving right now!" Yu Ying said, genuinely looking as if she would leave.
Her posture indeed suggested she was ready to exit.
Uncle He, seeing this, hurriedly helped his son up and explained, "He heard that it was thanks to Madam Yu's assistance that our family was able to leave the quarry, so he insisted on kneeling to express his gratitude."
Yu Ying, looking uncomfortable, turned to Uncle He and He Erlang, "Even if you want to thank me, there’s no need to kneel."
Perhaps realizing Yu Ying genuinely did not want to be knelt to, Uncle He and his son said, "Just express your gratitude properly, no need to kneel."
He Erlang, who had been tightly holding back his emotions since he entered, his lips tightly pursed and eyes red, suddenly couldn't hold back anymore and burst into tears.
"I never thought I would be able to return home so soon. Every day since Elder Brother Fu and his wife left the quarry, I've been longing to leave, yet fearful it would all come to nothing."
He Erlang didn't dare mention his mental state had been hazy for months, often staring blankly in the direction of home.
Although the connection with Officer Huo made things somewhat easier for him.
Yet, his days at the quarry were still filled with the same grueling work, his spirit and vitality slowly being eroded away amidst the endless stone cutting.
He was almost driven mad by the desire to leave the quarry, each day seeming unbearably long.
It was almost when He Erlang was on the brink of madness that his father and Elder Brother arrived.
When he saw his father and elder brother, and realized they were truly there to take him home, not just to visit, his tears finally broke free.
A grown man, yet he cried heart-wrenchingly.
He Er Lang looked towards Fu's second sister-in-law, feeling that she was the finest woman in the world.
Choking up, he said, "I am truly grateful to sister-in-law. I don't know how I can ever repay you, but I will do everything in my power to repay this kindness in the future."
Yu Ying quickly interjected, "No, no, no, I didn't do much. Your father, mother, and elder brother earned this through their labor. That's how they managed to save enough silver to buy your freedom."
Uncle He, however, added, "Sixth Lady, don't be too modest. There are many who could help, but you specifically chose our family. That's a great favor."
Yu Ying smiled, "In that case, Uncle He's family has also helped the Fu family a lot. In the end, it was elder brother who helped Uncle He, which is why our two families are connected like this."
Fu Zhen was taken aback when suddenly mentioned, unsure why his name came up.
Soon after, He Da Lang, who had gone to pass the message at home, arrived, along with Aunt He.
Aunt He, seeing her son who had become gaunt, and He Er Lang finally seeing his mother, immediately embraced each other, crying bitterly.
After three months, it was finally time for the He family to reunite.
The villagers who previously delivered herbs to the medical hall, perhaps inspired by hearing about a woman's success in the herb trade, began to entertain other ideas and stopped taking their herbs to the medical hall.
Instead, they set up stalls at the entrances of various inns, or wandered in front of them, loudly hawking herbs for three wen per jin, or even two wen.
Most medical halls relied on their herb gardens for profit.
This sudden change, even though the villagers' herbs were incomplete in variety and inferior in quality, and initially might not appeal to herbalists, would inevitably become an excuse for them to suppress herb prices in the long run.
As a result, several medical institutions in Jade County began to feel a sense of crisis.
After thoroughly investigating the woman who had made the deal with Zhao the herbalist, the heads of these institutions gathered to discuss countermeasures.
Luo, the head of one institution, around forty years old and dressed in plain robes with a goatee, said, "The collection of herbs is secondary. The main issue is that following this woman's actions, villagers have begun to imitate her, selling their herbs cheaply to herbalists. After tasting the sweetness of lower prices, why would these herbalists want to pay more for our herbs?"
"They'll definitely drive the prices down severely!"
The group fell into serious contemplation.
Luo, looking around at the people in the private room, suggested, "Why not make an example of this woman who has made a significant sale, to deter those villagers thinking of taking business away from us?"
Another head, around fifty, disagreed: "The trade in medicinal herbs isn’t exclusive to us; anyone capable can engage in it. The woman’s deal with Zhao didn't deliberately undercut the price. How is her deal related to others imitating her?"
He added with a scoff, "I thought we were here to discuss how to handle the villagers' random price cutting, but instead, you're planning to target a woman? Isn’t that a bit petty?"
Luo, hearing this, chuckled softly, "Head Ji, you're indeed noble. I've heard that your institution has already found buyers for your herbs. Those of us who haven't must find ways to secure our interests."
Head Ji, the older man, showed a hint of displeasure and stood up, "The buyers for my herbs were secured by my eldest son's efforts. What does that have to do with this matter? Moreover, whether our herbs sell or not is no excuse for you to scheme against a woman."
With that, the elder spoke sternly, "Whatever you plan to do, I want no part in it. I won’t be involved."
Saying this, he walked out of the private room.
Only three people remained in the room, exchanging uncertain glances.
Luo, the head of the institution, continued with a smile, "Head Ji makes it sound like we're planning something atrocious. My intention is merely to intimidate that woman, using this as an opportunity to also scare those self-righteous troublemakers."
The remaining two prioritized profit over morality.
One of them asked in a hushed tone, "What ingenious plan does Head Luo have in mind?"
Luo replied, "It's not exactly ingenious. Coincidentally, some ruffians owe me medical fees. Having them help out to offset their debt is an option. We won't harm anyone, just intimidate a bit."
By the end of his explanation, he reassured them, "No one will be hurt, and no obvious evidence will be left. People won't believe the words of street thugs. Besides, my brother works as a clerk in the county yamen. As long as this doesn't escalate, he can handle it. So, both of you needn't worry."
Hearing his words, the two were reassured.
Chapter 61
Shopkeeper Luo's admonition echoed Yu Ying's current worries.
She wasn't concerned about the medical institutions seeking a discussion, but feared their unreasonable tactics and underhanded methods.
After leaving the inn, Yu Ying cast aside her worries and asked her sister-in-law, "Is there anything you or my brother wish to buy?"
Her sister-in-law replied, "I'd like to have a look at the general store."
Yu Ying, wanting to buy soles for shoes and also curious about other items, decided to go along.
As Yu Ying was selecting shoe soles, her sister-in-law joined her.
Wen Xing said, "Sister-in-law, you don't need to prepare these for us; we can buy them ourselves."
Yu Ying nodded, then chose four pairs of soles.
Two for herself, and two for Fu Wei.
After buying the soles, Yu Ying went next door to purchase fabric for the uppers and some softer cloth for undergarments.
Having earned some silver now, she thought it best not to skimp on herself, at least for the time being.
Since she needed to make face cream, she also bought a jar of wine for fifty coins, weighing about a kilogram.
After purchasing the wine, she bought ten kilograms of pork with a mix of fat and lean meat.
Wen Xing, puzzled, asked, "Sister-in-law, what do you plan to do with so much meat?"
Yu Ying honestly replied, "I intend to refine some lard for the face cream. Buying only fat isn't cost-effective, and since winter is approaching, the lean meat can be used to make cured meat."
Winters in Lingnan are warmer than in the north, but they are also harsh in their own way.
The most tormenting weather is the bone-chilling wind accompanied by fine rain, which can sometimes persist for days on end. It's best to stay indoors whenever possible.
Yu Ying purchased ten kilograms of meat, which she placed in a carrying basket, and her brother then shouldered it.
This left Yu Ying free to stroll leisurely with her sister-in-law, browsing here and there. It was her first time enjoying such a relaxed walk through Jade County.
After buying a saw and some paper, they stopped at Wu's Eatery for noodles. By the hour of Shen, they rode back to Lingshui Village in Old Chen's ox cart.
Back home, her sister-in-law helped with cooking, her brother went to chop wood, and Yu Ying selected two bamboo sticks of the right thickness from her storage to make bamboo containers.
Before making the face cream, she needed containers to store it.
As Yu Ying was sawing the bamboo, Fu Wei, watching from the window, stepped out upon seeing her struggling with the task.
The yard was deserted, and since the Fu residence was at the village's edge, people rarely passed by. Fu Wei, leaning on his crutch, slowly made his way out.
Approaching her, he said, "Go get a bamboo stool for me, and I'll do the sawing."
Yu Ying glanced at the bamboo she had been laboring over without success, sighed, and handed the task to the more skilled Fu Wei.
After fetching a bamboo stool, Yu Ying watched as Fu Wei sat down and effortlessly sawed through the bamboo she couldn't manage.
The difference in strength between men and women was evident, and even more so for Fu Wei, who had trained physically. Despite his leg injury, he easily cut through the bamboo that Yu Ying found challenging.
He asked, "Should they all be this length?"
After some thought, Yu Ying replied, "I plan to make bamboo containers for the face cream. They should be about this tall, and leave this much length for the lid's bamboo joint."
She indicated the measurements with a finger's length and a half.
Fu Wei nodded and then sawed both bamboo sticks to the specified length.
Once the bamboo was cut, Fu Wei began to peel off the outer layer.
Yu Ying, about to help with the peeling, was stopped by Fu Wei who, remembering the calluses on her palms, said, "I'm free anyway, I'll do the peeling. You can attend to other tasks."
However, Yu Ying insisted, "We need to make the bamboo containers first to have something to store the face cream in. I don't have much else to do right now."
While speaking, Yu Ying also sat on a wooden stump and began peeling the bamboo.
Soon, Fu Zhen returned and joined in to help.
After peeling the bamboo tubes, they needed to make lids and ensure the rims fit snugly. These tasks, along with sanding the bamboo with coarse stones, were quite time-consuming.
Dinner was ready, so everyone set aside their work to eat.
After dinner, the family gathered in the courtyard to help with the bamboo containers.
Fu Wei peeled the bamboo, Fu Zhen prepared the rims, while Wen Xing, Luo Shi, and Fu An worked on sanding.
Little Fu Ning, although not much of a help, was also slowly sanding a bamboo container.
Meanwhile, Yu Ying went to render the lard.
Even though the weather was chilly and the pork wouldn't spoil in a day, freshly rendered lard was preferable.
Of the ten kilograms of pork, after removing the lean meat, there was less than five kilograms of fat left.
The yield of lard was only about three kilograms.
When Yu Ying finished rendering the lard and checked on the progress, she found that the bamboo containers were being completed faster than she had expected.
By nightfall, about a dozen bamboo containers were ready. Yu Ying boiled them all in salt water, planning to dry them the next day, after which they would be ready to hold the face cream.
Even as darkness fell, her brothers continued working on the bamboo containers in the dining room, while Luo Shi urged the children to wash up, and Wen Xing worked on fabric shoes by the light of a lamp in the dining hall.
By the hour of Hai, seeing her brothers still tirelessly at work, Yu Ying called a halt: "I won't be making so much face cream all at once. Let's stop at this number of containers for now."
Including those made earlier, they had nearly thirty containers, which were more than enough. There was no need to work through the night.
The brothers then stopped their work.
After everyone took turns washing up, they retired to their rooms for the night.
Yu Ying washed up first and found that Fu Ning had already fallen asleep. After tucking in the young girl, she prepared ink and laid out the paper she had bought that day to start transcribing the face cream recipe.
The recipe she was transcribing was one she had noted from "Qianjin Fang," a classic medical text.
Although she had made face cream before, remembering such details was tricky, and she needed to be certain she hadn't confused the recipe.
After writing down the face cream recipe, she meticulously reviewed it several times to ensure there were no errors or omissions.
While checking the recipe, the door opened.
Yu Ying turned to see Fu Wei, freshly bathed, his hair still dripping with droplets of water.
Leaning on his crutch, Fu Wei entered, closed the door, placed his crutch beside it, and slowly approached, asking, "Why haven't you rested yet?"
Fu Wei, though now able to walk without a crutch, couldn't do so for extended periods.
Yu Ying replied softly, "I'll rest in a bit."
After a moment, eager to share her day's experiences, she said, "Today, when I sought out Shopkeeper Luo, I mentioned the face cream. He directed me to a medical institution in Cangwu County to meet an acquaintance of his."
Fu Wei sat down beside her, pondering for a moment before saying, "Jade County to Cangwu County is roughly four to five hundred li away. Even by ox cart, it would take about two days."
Yu Ying said, "Previously, without any connections, I only thought of selling it in Jade County. But now, with this opportunity, I want to give it a try."
Fu Wei, after a moment of contemplation, looked up and said, "Alright, as long as you have your crossbow for protection and your brother to escort you."
Yu Ying smiled, "I thought this time you would advise against it."
Fu Wei fell silent for a moment, his dark eyes intently fixed on her, and he said in a low voice, "I will support whatever you choose to do."
Perhaps it was his earnest expression and words that made Yu Ying sense something subtle, causing her to pause momentarily.
Meeting his ambiguous gaze, Yu Ying suddenly felt the room become stuffy.
The ventilation in the thatched cottage was usually excellent, and it was even somewhat cold, yet she felt a stifling heat.
She averted her gaze, changing the subject: "Today, Shopkeeper Luo also warned me that someone is inquiring about me."
Upon hearing this, Fu Wei's expression darkened instantly.
Yu Ying sighed, "After all, doing business on someone else's turf is bound to upset people. I feel like there might be trouble waiting for me."
Fu Wei too fell silent.
He had never doubted that the letters he sent out would be unanswered, but he worried about the delay in their response.
Early the next morning, Yu Ying was busy again.
With only three kilograms of lard, she couldn't make much face cream, so she used about four grams of each herb, with a maximum of five grams for some.
After preparing the herbs, she chopped them finely, then had Fu Wei pound them into granules in a mortar.
The mortar, carved from wood by Fu Wei during his leg recovery, was a testament to his impressive craftsmanship.
Once the herbs were ground into fine granules, Yu Ying placed them in a bowl, added a small amount of wine, and stirred them to soak for about four hours.
It wasn't until the afternoon, around the hour of Shen, that Yu Ying began cooking the herbs with the nearly solidified lard.
Stirring constantly, the herbal aroma gradually overpowered the smell of the lard, and soon a faint scent of herbs wafted through the air.
After simmering on low heat for more than half an hour, the originally white lard turned a deep brown.
Yu Ying extinguished the fire, took the earthenware pot off the stove, and let it cool for a while before starting to strain the herbal residue through several layers of coarse cloth.
After filtering five times, Yu Ying carefully checked for any remaining residue.
Assured that no residue was left, she then poured the still-liquid face cream into the bamboo containers.
In the end, she had thirteen and a half containers filled.
Wen Xing entered the kitchen and, seeing the unset face cream on the table, curiously asked, "Sister-in-law, can this really turn into face cream?"
Yu Ying smiled, "The weather is quite cool now. It should solidify completely by tomorrow morning."
Wen Xing said, "I've only heard about face cream from others, saying that after applying it, even in winter, the skin becomes smooth and tender."
Yu Ying replied, "Once it's ready, I'll give a jar to you, sister-in-law."
Wen Xing quickly declined, "I don't need it. I'm used to my rough skin. Don't waste such good stuff on me; better to sell it for silver."
Yu Ying said nothing more but looked at her sister-in-law's cheeks, asking, "Lately, have you felt any dryness or burning sensation on your face?"
Wen Xing touched her somewhat rough cheeks, pondering that they might have become dry and coarse due to recent weather changes.
"The weather has changed; indeed, it's been somewhat dry and a bit painful."
"Then, sister-in-law, you really should give it a try. And after you do, let me know how effective the face cream is."
Wen Xing, who had just been refusing, relaxed upon hearing her sister-in-law's words: "Alright, just give me a little bit then, no need for a whole jar."
"Not only should sister-in-law try it, but also my brother, Fu An, and mother should use it to see its effectiveness. If the results are significant, I’ll have more confidence in negotiating the price with others."
Speaking of price, Yu Ying needed to calculate the cost of the nearly fourteen jars of face cream.
After a conversation with her sister-in-law, Yu Ying returned to her room to do the calculations.
As the amount of herbs used was small, the cost of the herbs purchased from Shopkeeper Luo was about three coins, and her own herbs were relatively cheaper, amounting to four coins in total.
The five kilograms of pork used for rendering the lard, at twelve coins per kilogram, came to sixty coins. The cost of the wine was around eight coins.
Since the bamboo containers were homemade, this expense was saved, but it involved considerable labor, which was not accounted for in the initial calculation. Thus, the total cost for the thirteen-plus jars was eighty-three coins.
Adding a labor cost of five coins per person, for five people, that would be twenty-five coins.
Altogether, the total cost was over a hundred coins, making the cost per jar around seven or eight coins.
If sold in Jade County, they would have to be priced at a minimum of fifteen coins per jar.
This meant that the thirteen jars could yield a profit of around ninety coins.
However, if taken to Cangwu County and sold in a medical institution, the profit could far exceed this amount.
Moreover, if she set up a stall in Jade County, it was uncertain whether even five jars could be sold in a day.
If ordinary face cream was priced at just a few coins, and her small stall was charging fifteen coins per jar, it might not sell at all.
Yu Ying didn't yet understand the face cream market in Jade County, so she needed to do some research there.
After finishing the face cream, Yu Ying distributed a jar each to her sister-in-law and Mrs. Luo, kept one for herself, and gave the remaining half jar to Fu Wei.
In Mrs. Luo's small room, Yu Ying applied the face cream to her sister-in-law, Mrs. Luo, and little Fu Ning.
As their cheeks were slightly cracked, it stung a bit when applied.
Yu Ying explained to them, "This is normal. Apply it a few more times, and once the cracks heal, it won’t hurt anymore."
Wen Xing, smelling the faint fragrance and seeing the crystal-clear, yellow face cream in the bamboo jar, said, "Had I not seen you boiling pig fat, I wouldn’t have known this cream is made from it."
Yu Ying gently shushed her, reminding, "Don’t mention to others that it’s made from pig fat. We commoners might not mind, but those with some silver and status will care."
Since they were unaware of the specific herbs and quantities involved, Yu Ying didn’t bother to instruct them further on the formula.
Yu Ying still felt it prudent to remind them about the ingredients of the pig fat cream.
Wen Xing nodded in agreement, "Pigs are considered filthy, and I've heard the gentry and nobles disdain pork. If they knew it was made from pig fat, they probably wouldn't want to use it."
This was exactly Yu Ying's concern.
"Apply it every morning and evening, and don't forget your hands and feet. Since it's homemade and affordable, there's no worry about running out."
Mrs. Luo, having experienced finer things but also endured twenty years of hardship, had lost the demeanor of a lady. She carefully covered the jar with a bamboo lid, saying, "This is a rare commodity; it should be used sparingly."
Seeing this, Yu Ying didn't say anything more.
Just then, Fu An ran in from outside, excitedly shouting, "Grandpa He and Uncle He, as well as He Erlang, are back!"
Hearing this, Yu Ying felt a sense of relief, even though it wasn’t her own family matter.
She remembered the emotional scene of He Erlang reuniting with Uncle He and Auntie He at the quarry when she had gone to fetch her eldest brother and sister-in-law. It had left a deep impression on her.
In the book, her eldest brother was killed by a falling rock. Although they had managed to bring him back, she was unsure if there would be any further mishaps.
Now that He Erlang was back, she naturally felt more at ease.
Yu Ying and Luo Shi’s sister-in-law stepped out of the house, intending to visit the He family.
Unexpectedly, the He family came directly to the Fu residence.
Yu Ying also saw He Erlang.
Compared to when she saw him three months ago, He Erlang was darker and thinner, with sunken eyes, clearly indicating his poor mental state over these months.
Moreover, with the recent change in weather, his face and hands were severely cracked.
Many onlookers had gathered outside the Fu family’s courtyard, drawn by He Erlang’s return.
After all, it was a rare occasion for someone from Lingshui Village to return from the quarry.
Seeing a crowd forming outside, everyone entered the small dining hall.
Just as they entered, He Erlang immediately knelt down before Yu Ying, startling her.
"Don't kneel, don't kneel. If you kneel, I’m leaving right now!" Yu Ying said, genuinely looking as if she would leave.
Her posture indeed suggested she was ready to exit.
Uncle He, seeing this, hurriedly helped his son up and explained, "He heard that it was thanks to Madam Yu's assistance that our family was able to leave the quarry, so he insisted on kneeling to express his gratitude."
Yu Ying, looking uncomfortable, turned to Uncle He and He Erlang, "Even if you want to thank me, there’s no need to kneel."
Perhaps realizing Yu Ying genuinely did not want to be knelt to, Uncle He and his son said, "Just express your gratitude properly, no need to kneel."
He Erlang, who had been tightly holding back his emotions since he entered, his lips tightly pursed and eyes red, suddenly couldn't hold back anymore and burst into tears.
"I never thought I would be able to return home so soon. Every day since Elder Brother Fu and his wife left the quarry, I've been longing to leave, yet fearful it would all come to nothing."
He Erlang didn't dare mention his mental state had been hazy for months, often staring blankly in the direction of home.
Although the connection with Officer Huo made things somewhat easier for him.
Yet, his days at the quarry were still filled with the same grueling work, his spirit and vitality slowly being eroded away amidst the endless stone cutting.
He was almost driven mad by the desire to leave the quarry, each day seeming unbearably long.
It was almost when He Erlang was on the brink of madness that his father and Elder Brother arrived.
When he saw his father and elder brother, and realized they were truly there to take him home, not just to visit, his tears finally broke free.
A grown man, yet he cried heart-wrenchingly.
He Er Lang looked towards Fu's second sister-in-law, feeling that she was the finest woman in the world.
Choking up, he said, "I am truly grateful to sister-in-law. I don't know how I can ever repay you, but I will do everything in my power to repay this kindness in the future."
Yu Ying quickly interjected, "No, no, no, I didn't do much. Your father, mother, and elder brother earned this through their labor. That's how they managed to save enough silver to buy your freedom."
Uncle He, however, added, "Sixth Lady, don't be too modest. There are many who could help, but you specifically chose our family. That's a great favor."
Yu Ying smiled, "In that case, Uncle He's family has also helped the Fu family a lot. In the end, it was elder brother who helped Uncle He, which is why our two families are connected like this."
Fu Zhen was taken aback when suddenly mentioned, unsure why his name came up.
Soon after, He Da Lang, who had gone to pass the message at home, arrived, along with Aunt He.
Aunt He, seeing her son who had become gaunt, and He Er Lang finally seeing his mother, immediately embraced each other, crying bitterly.
After three months, it was finally time for the He family to reunite.
The villagers who previously delivered herbs to the medical hall, perhaps inspired by hearing about a woman's success in the herb trade, began to entertain other ideas and stopped taking their herbs to the medical hall.
Instead, they set up stalls at the entrances of various inns, or wandered in front of them, loudly hawking herbs for three wen per jin, or even two wen.
Most medical halls relied on their herb gardens for profit.
This sudden change, even though the villagers' herbs were incomplete in variety and inferior in quality, and initially might not appeal to herbalists, would inevitably become an excuse for them to suppress herb prices in the long run.
As a result, several medical institutions in Jade County began to feel a sense of crisis.
After thoroughly investigating the woman who had made the deal with Zhao the herbalist, the heads of these institutions gathered to discuss countermeasures.
Luo, the head of one institution, around forty years old and dressed in plain robes with a goatee, said, "The collection of herbs is secondary. The main issue is that following this woman's actions, villagers have begun to imitate her, selling their herbs cheaply to herbalists. After tasting the sweetness of lower prices, why would these herbalists want to pay more for our herbs?"
"They'll definitely drive the prices down severely!"
The group fell into serious contemplation.
Luo, looking around at the people in the private room, suggested, "Why not make an example of this woman who has made a significant sale, to deter those villagers thinking of taking business away from us?"
Another head, around fifty, disagreed: "The trade in medicinal herbs isn’t exclusive to us; anyone capable can engage in it. The woman’s deal with Zhao didn't deliberately undercut the price. How is her deal related to others imitating her?"
He added with a scoff, "I thought we were here to discuss how to handle the villagers' random price cutting, but instead, you're planning to target a woman? Isn’t that a bit petty?"
Luo, hearing this, chuckled softly, "Head Ji, you're indeed noble. I've heard that your institution has already found buyers for your herbs. Those of us who haven't must find ways to secure our interests."
Head Ji, the older man, showed a hint of displeasure and stood up, "The buyers for my herbs were secured by my eldest son's efforts. What does that have to do with this matter? Moreover, whether our herbs sell or not is no excuse for you to scheme against a woman."
With that, the elder spoke sternly, "Whatever you plan to do, I want no part in it. I won’t be involved."
Saying this, he walked out of the private room.
Only three people remained in the room, exchanging uncertain glances.
Luo, the head of the institution, continued with a smile, "Head Ji makes it sound like we're planning something atrocious. My intention is merely to intimidate that woman, using this as an opportunity to also scare those self-righteous troublemakers."
The remaining two prioritized profit over morality.
One of them asked in a hushed tone, "What ingenious plan does Head Luo have in mind?"
Luo replied, "It's not exactly ingenious. Coincidentally, some ruffians owe me medical fees. Having them help out to offset their debt is an option. We won't harm anyone, just intimidate a bit."
By the end of his explanation, he reassured them, "No one will be hurt, and no obvious evidence will be left. People won't believe the words of street thugs. Besides, my brother works as a clerk in the county yamen. As long as this doesn't escalate, he can handle it. So, both of you needn't worry."
Hearing his words, the two were reassured.
