Yan Xiao had no idea about Zhao Qian's little schemes. After she finished speaking, she continued walking towards Yuanyi Hall.

Today is different from usual. In addition to treating Mu Yunniang, she also needs to talk to her about cooperation. Once the deal is done, she will write to Shen Muzhi to inform him. This is a way of showing him respect and giving him face.

When Yan Xiao arrived at Yuanyi Hall, Mu Yunniang had just been led into the house, carrying what looked like a gift box.

Yan Xiao glanced at it curiously, but didn't ask any further questions.

But without her asking, Mu Yunniang took the initiative to put the things on the table and opened them for Yan Xiao to see.

"Madam, these are some good things I just acquired. They were shipped from overseas, and it took a month or so just for them to get their hands on them. Even the ladies of the palace would have a hard time getting them."

Yan Xiao became slightly interested upon hearing this and began to look inside the box.

Inside were some delicate little boxes, clearly for storing cosmetics and powders.

"Yunniang, what's wrong?"

Yan Xiao looked at these things and couldn't help but chuckle. She guessed that Mu Yunniang had heard the rumors and specially brought them to her, but she wondered how much effort it had taken.

Mu Yunniang smiled gently, never mentioning the rumors about Yanxiao's ugliness, but instead picked up the items and introduced them to Yanxiao one by one:

"This is called Snow Velvet Skin Cream, it's for whitening. This is called Beauty Face Cream, it can conceal blemishes and brighten the complexion. And this one..."

Yan Xiao couldn't help but laugh as she watched Mu Yunniang take out the exquisite boxes one by one. She stopped Mu Yunniang from continuing her introduction and went straight to the point:

"Yunniang, how many rumors have you heard? Are you planning to give me a makeover and amaze everyone?"

Mu Yunniang did indeed obtain these things for Yanxiao because she had heard some rumors.

She initially didn't believe that Yan Xiao was ugly, but upon closer reflection, she realized that Yan Xiao had been wearing a cap ever since she came to Jiangbei.

It's one thing when they're out in public, but when she's alone with another woman, it's the same. Clearly, there's something she can't say for sure, and it's hard for her not to overthink it.

She didn't think too much about it; she just saw the effects of the recent treatment and found that the discomfort in her lower abdomen was gone, and she felt more relaxed than ever before.

This gave her hope, and she wanted to do her best to repay Yanxiao.

So when she thought that Yanxiao might really be unattractive, her first reaction was to find these rare beauty products for Yanxiao to use.

Regardless of whether a smile is beautiful or ugly, no woman can resist these good things; there's no way she can go wrong with them.

But now, hearing Yan Xiao's words, she belatedly realized that she hadn't considered things carefully.

Yanxiao is probably aware of the rumors circulating about her, and she must be very unhappy about it.

If I were to bring these things here so carelessly now, someone with a sensitive mind would probably overthink it.

Ultimately, she was just one of Yanxiao's patients.

Mu Yunniang, who is always meticulous and thinks eight steps ahead, was suddenly caught in a dilemma and didn't know what to do next.

Yan Xiao, as if sensing her unease, rudely put the things away, his tone cheerful:

"Yunniang, you've really gone to a lot of trouble. These things don't look cheap, so you must have put a lot of thought into them. Since it's such a kind gesture from you, I won't stand on ceremony and accept them. I've been looking for some good skincare products."

Yan Xiao's words were not entirely false. Nowadays, there are very few types of skincare products in this world, and their effects are just so-so. Since Mu Yunniang said that she brought something from overseas, it must be something from overseas.

In today's world, this is considered top-notch; putting aside everything else, the sentiment behind it is very precious.

Mu Yunniang, who had been feeling uneasy, immediately breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Yan Xiao put the things away, and a hint of joy appeared on her face.

"I'm glad you don't mind, Madam."

"I don't mind at all. I like it very much, so why would I mind?"

Yan Xiao then instructed Qian Qiu to carefully put the things away before leading Mu Yunniang into the inner room to begin today's treatment.

As usual, Mu Yunniang fell asleep comfortably shortly after the treatment. When she woke up, she was greeted with a bowl of warming soup at just the right temperature.

For the first few days, Mu Yunniang was a little embarrassed, but now she has gradually gotten used to it.

As usual, after drinking the herbal medicine, she wanted to say goodbye to Yanxiao and leave.

But today was different from usual. Before she could even say goodbye, Yanxiao took the initiative to step forward and invite her:

"Yunniang, is there anything urgent that you need to take care of? If not, would you like to come with me to the inner courtyard? I have something I'd like to discuss with you."

This was the first time Yanxiao had taken the initiative to invite her. Mu Yunniang, even if she had something to say, would rather not.

Although she was curious about what Yanxiao meant by "something to discuss," she didn't rush to ask and nodded without much hesitation.

"Since you invited me, Madam, I am naturally available."

"That's good then, Yunniang, come with me."

Yan Xiao led Mu Yunniang directly to the courtyard where she dried her soap, and then gestured for Mu Yunniang to take a look.

I didn't make many soaps last time. After unmolding and cutting, there were only a dozen or so round and a dozen or so square ones.

Mu Yunniang was a well-traveled and knowledgeable person, but she couldn't recognize what the object Yan Xiao was showing her was.

She withdrew her gaze and looked at Yan Xiao with a puzzled expression, asking:

"Madam, what is this lump-like object?"

"This is soap, which serves the same purpose as bath soap, but its effects are far superior to those of bath soap."

Yan Xiao picked up a piece and held it in her hand, introducing it to Mu Yunniang:

"This is something I just figured out recently, and it will probably need to be dried for another half month before it can be used."

This is just the simplest version; we can create various patterns, colors, and scents in the future, which women should all like.

Yunniang wondered, "If I were to sell this, would there be a market for it?"

If others heard Yanxiao say this, they would probably just think that Yanxiao was talking about this with them.

Mu Yunniang, being a businesswoman, focused on the product's value and market potential. Yan Xiao's invitation to come and see it, along with his explanations and inquiries, clearly indicated his intention to collaborate with her.

As a businessperson, if you have no intention of cooperating, you should politely decline and there's no need to discuss anything further, so as not to offend the other party.

If it were anyone else, Mu Yunniang wouldn't say anything until she saw the effects of this thing.

But the other party was Yanxiao, the person who gave her hope, and now that she has seen the effects of the treatment, she is willing to pay the money.

Making a profit is ideal, but if you lose money due to bad luck, consider it a payment you made yourself.

Thinking this through, Mu Yunniang spoke frankly:

"If the soap you made is really better than bath beans, you will naturally not have to worry about selling it. I just don't know what price you want to sell it for."

If a new product is too expensive, fewer people will likely be willing to pay to try it.

Yan Xiao naturally understood this principle, but she never intended to sell this item at a low price, nor could she sell it at a low price.

The cost of that lard alone was quite high; if she sold it at a low price, she wouldn't make much profit.

From the very beginning, she defined soap as something for the wealthy, a luxury item.

As for how to open up this market and how to make people recognize its value, she already had a plan in mind, but this required Mu Yunniang's cooperation.