Medicated soap recipe

Madam Gu and Mrs. Gu greeted guests in the main hall.

Madam Gu's gaze was immediately drawn to the radiant Shen Yan, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration.

When she saw Ling Zhan, dressed simply, behind Shen Yan, that hint of disdain resurfaced. However, when her gaze fell on the pink jacket Shen Wansu was wearing, her eyes immediately lit up with surprise.

"Oh my! Look at this skillful girl from Yunshangji!"

Old Madam Gu ignored Ling Zhan and warmly beckoned Shen Wansu to come forward, "Come here quickly and let this old woman take a look at this dress! These butterflies... these flowers... how were they embroidered? They look so lifelike!"

She couldn't help but gently touch the patterns on the butterfly wings. The texture was smooth and delicate, completely unlike the raised and stiff feel of ordinary embroidery.

Shen Wansu gave a graceful and elegant bow, her voice clear and melodious.

"Reporting to Madam, this is achieved using a special technique of splitting and twisting the silk threads, combined with the direction of the stitches, so that the reflection of the silk threads changes at different angles, making them look as if they are alive. Aunt Su taught me this technique for a long time."

She then brought out the gentle and smiling Lady Su beside her.

Only then did Madam Gu notice the composed and serene Lady Su. Seeing that although her clothes were simple, the stitches were fine and even, and she had an extraordinary bearing, Madam Gu's slight disdain for her disappeared, and she praised, "Lady Su, you have excellent skills and good upbringing! This girl has been taught very well by you."

She then asked curiously, "Madam Su looks young, is she ever married?"

A faint blush rose on Madam Su's face, and she lowered her head slightly: "Thank you for asking, Madam. I am... a widow."

She readily acknowledged her identity, her brows showing little sorrow, only a calm that comes from having experienced the vicissitudes of life.

"oh……"

Old Madam Gu drew out her words, a hint of understanding flashing in her eyes, followed by a deeper regret and a certain calculation.

Widowed, with such skill and temperament, and dependent on the Shen family... She wanted to ask a few more questions, such as where her family was, whether she had any children, and what her future plans were, so as to consider whether she could recruit her to the Gu family.

Shen Wansu, who was standing nearby, was very clever. Seeing that Aunt Su's expression darkened slightly, she immediately stepped forward and replied with a smile.

"Madam, look! The butterfly wings that Aunt Su embroidered—if they moved in the sunlight, the shimmering light and shadow would be truly beautiful, as if they could really fly! This is all thanks to Aunt Su's special twisting technique, which involves splitting a single strand of silk into twelve strands and then twisting them together using three different shades of silk..."

She skillfully changed the subject, drawing Madam Gu's attention back to the exquisite embroidery.

As expected, Madam Gu was drawn to it and couldn't help but touch the embroidered surface of the butterfly wings, marveling at it.

Madam Gu chimed in, temporarily setting aside the topic of Madam Su's background.

Just then, a hearty laugh rang out from the entrance of the warm pavilion, accompanied by a clear announcement: "The lord has arrived!"

All eyes turned to them.

A handsome young official with a tall and upright posture walked in.

He wore a simple royal blue brocade robe, with a thin woolen vest with dark patterns over it. Although it was not as gorgeous and dazzling as Shen Yan's, it exuded the scholarly sharpness of a newly appointed scholar and the composure and nobility of a scion of a prominent family.

He was none other than the magistrate of Linshan County, Magistrate Huo.

With a perfectly timed smile on his face, he calmly stepped into the warm pavilion. His gaze first lingered for a moment on the radiant Shen Yan, a hint of amazement flashing across his eyes, before landing precisely on the woman beside him, wearing a worn indigo cotton-padded jacket, her aura calm and profound—Ling Zhan.

"Haha, I've kept the old lady, madam, and all the distinguished guests waiting."

Magistrate Huo's voice was clear and pleasant, with a natural affability. He nodded slightly to Old Madam Gu and Madam Gu.

Then he walked straight toward Shen Yan and Ling Zhan.

"This must be Master Shen! I've long admired your talent, and seeing you in person today surpasses even my expectations!"

Magistrate Huo bowed warmly to Shen Yan with a beaming smile, but the reserve of a scion of a noble family was inadvertently revealed.

Shen Yan immediately stood up, returned the greeting with an elegant posture, and smiled warmly.

"Your Excellency, you flatter me. Your Excellency is young and capable, and it is a blessing for the people of Linshan to govern this region."

Magistrate Huo's gaze immediately turned to Ling Zhan, his smile unchanged, but a sharp probing and assessment appeared deep in his eyes.

"This must be Lady Ling. My wife has mentioned many times that you are a woman who is just as capable as any man, a good housekeeper, and also clever and kind to the villagers. Today I have met you and you are indeed extraordinary."

He deliberately emphasized the phrase "benefiting the local community," his words carrying a deeper meaning.

Ling Zhan's expression remained calm as he slightly curtsied in a standard gesture of respect. His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"Your Excellency is too kind. I am just a simple countrywoman and do not deserve such praise. I am only doing a little work to make a living, and I am already fortunate to receive some convenience from my neighbors."

Her response was neither humble nor arrogant, subtly removing the label of "benefiting the community" and pointing out that the essence was "making a living."

A glint flashed in Magistrate Huo's eyes, and he gained a deeper understanding of Ling Zhan's impeccable skill.

He laughed heartily, then sat down in the main seat, gesturing for everyone else to take their seats as well.

"Madam Ling, you are too modest. Please come and sit down. It's best to be casual at a family dinner."

Exquisite dishes were served in a continuous stream, and the atmosphere in the warm pavilion warmed up again, but an invisible tension had quietly spread between the host and guests.

After several rounds of drinks, Magistrate Huo, seeing that the pleasantries had been exchanged enough, finally steered the conversation to the core issue.

He put down his jade chopsticks, picked up his wine cup, and said with a casual smile, "Speaking of benefiting the people, I have recently heard that the soap made by your workshop is quite popular in the county and even the prefectural city. It is truly a good product that benefits the people. It is only natural that the former magistrate was commended by his superiors for this."

He changed the subject, his tone carrying the air of a scion of a prominent family, and turned his gaze back to Ling Zhan, "However, while this item is good, it is ultimately a minor matter. I recently perused the Ministry of Works' gazette and found that it paid more attention to and gave higher praise to some ingenious items that could improve efficiency and innovate industries. These are the truly beneficial tools that are of great importance to the national economy and people's livelihood."

He leaned forward slightly, his tone carrying a tentative undertone and a barely perceptible invitation: "Master Shen, Madam Ling, with your family's capabilities, surely you have more than just soap? If there is truly some ingenious product that benefits the country and its people, rather than letting it go to waste or attract unnecessary attention, wouldn't it be better to find a reliable ally to help you achieve this great undertaking? You know, it's always good to have a big tree to lean on."

His gaze swept over Shen Yan, finally settling firmly on Ling Zhan.

"Although the Huo family does not wield absolute power, they are capable of protecting the peace of the region and sheltering talented individuals from harm."

These words were spoken with a rather condescending attitude.

The room fell silent instantly.

Old Madam Gu and Madam Gu also stopped talking, their gazes shifting between Magistrate Huo and Ling Zhan.

Su Niangzi lowered her eyes, and Shen Wansu, Xiao Shitou, and the others also held their breath and looked at their mother.

Shen Yan's smile remained unchanged, but her fingertips tapped lightly inside her sleeve, awaiting Ling Zhan's response.

Ling Zhan's expression remained calm, as if Magistrate Huo was only talking about the snowflakes drifting past the window.

She put down her teacup, raised her eyes, and calmly met Magistrate Huo's scrutinizing and expectant gaze.

"I admire the magistrate for his concern for the people's livelihood and his long-term vision."

Her voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears: "Soap is indeed a small skill, but if it can earn a word of 'benefiting the people' from the adults, then it can be considered to have some use."

She paused slightly, and under the somewhat surprised gaze of Magistrate Huo, she continued, "Since Your Excellency finds this product acceptable and of some benefit to the people, then I will take this opportunity to present you with the recipe for this soap."

These words shocked everyone present!

Old Madam Gu and Madam Gu nearly dropped their handkerchiefs, staring at Ling Zhan in disbelief.

Soap is a hot commodity in the market these days, and the profits are substantial!

This Lady Ling actually gave it away like that? And in front of so many people?

The composure on Magistrate Huo's face froze instantly, and his pupils contracted slightly.

He never expected Ling Zhan to respond in this way!

He extended an olive branch, aiming directly at the machinery that could revolutionize the cotton textile industry, but the other party casually tossed over a soap recipe? Was this... a misunderstanding of his hint, or... a more subtle rejection? Or perhaps... a test?

His mind raced, and he was caught off guard for a moment.

Ling Zhan turned to Da Ya Shen Suihe and said in his usual tone, "Suihe, bring me the brocade pouch that your mother asked you to prepare."

Shen Suihe immediately took out a palm-sized brocade pouch embroidered with simple cloud patterns from her small purse and respectfully handed it to Ling Zhan with both hands.

Ling Zhan took the brocade pouch but did not open it; he handed it directly to Magistrate Huo.

Xiao Shitou, who was standing nearby, stepped forward, respectfully accepted the gift, and then presented it to Magistrate Huo.

"The method of making it, the required materials, and the precautions are all included," Ling Zhan added calmly. "This is an upgraded version, with a fragrance, and it's called soap. There's also a sample. The method of making this is simple, and the raw materials are readily available. You can have someone make a trial, benefiting the people of Linshan. This would be a practical achievement for you. As for what you just mentioned about 'a very skillful item'..."

She seemed to subtly curve her lips, so quickly it was almost an illusion. “However, it’s just something a country woman would ponder in her spare time; it’s hardly something fit for a refined discussion, much less worthy of the praise of ‘benefiting the country and the people.’ The officials in the Ministry of Works are well-informed and knowledgeable, and I’m sure they won’t be too concerned about such clumsy farm implements. You flatter me, sir.”

These words were truly a case of using minimal force to achieve maximum effect!

Magistrate Huo held the brocade pouch, still warm from his body, smelling its fresh scent and feeling its light weight.

But a huge wave of emotions surged within me!

Ling Zhan's reaction was completely unexpected.

An upgraded soap recipe given away for free?

This either suggests that soap profits are insignificant to her, or that she has something more important at her disposal.

Considering the former magistrate's promotion, the official explanation was his achievements in bandit suppression, military supplies, and soap production.

How could Ling Zhan take this recipe so lightly?

Her ambitions must be much greater!

This woman... is unfathomable!

Ling Zhan's move not only failed to deter Magistrate Huo, but instead ignited an even stronger fire within him!

The way he looked at Ling Zhan had completely changed. A mixture of fear, curiosity, and an even stronger desire to bring him under his control was now present.

This Shen family, and this Lady Ling, are no ordinary people!

He must reassess and adjust his strategy.

Magistrate Huo, as expected of a scion carefully cultivated by a prestigious family, quickly adjusted his expression after a brief moment of shock, and a deep smile returned to his face, only now with a hint of solemnity and scrutiny.

He weighed the brocade pouch in his hand and said loudly, "Lady Ling is truly virtuous! Your concern for your hometown and your generous donation are a blessing to the people of Linshan. I thank you in advance!"

He raised his glass to Ling Zhan, signaling to temporarily put aside the topic of "the great skillful thing," but his mind was already rapidly calculating what to do next.

This tough nut to crack was even harder than he had anticipated, but it was also more valuable!

Shen Yan raised his glass at the opportune moment, his smile still gentle and refined: "You're too kind, sir. My wife has only done her bit. We hope this will truly bring some convenience to the people of Linshan. It may also be of some use in epidemic prevention. We toast you, sir."

He skillfully took over the conversation, bringing the slightly tense atmosphere back to a pleasant one.

Inside the warm pavilion, the sounds of string and wind instruments rose again, and wine cups were clinked, as if the silent thunderclap from just moments before had never occurred.

Only the small brocade pouch in Magistrate Huo's sleeve and the surging thoughts deep in his eyes foreshadowed that this banquet was far from over.

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