Chapter 359 Like father, like son
"Twenty-eight taels of silver."
As soon as the shopkeeper spoke, Cheng Wanwan gasped.
It's equivalent to a modern bottle of moisturizer costing 28,000 yuan; truly, only the nobility could afford it.
Seeing Cheng Wanwan's pained expression, the shopkeeper didn't look down on her, because it was indeed very expensive. He picked up another pink box next to him and said, "This one is a little cheaper, it costs nine taels of silver."
Cheng Wanwan smelled it. This bottle was made of medicinal herbs, and it seemed to have added beef bone marrow and beef fat. Beef bone marrow is rich in protein, which can replenish nutrients to the skin, and beef fat can moisturize the skin and keep it hydrated.
No wonder these things are expensive; they are made from the finest and most precious raw materials. Ordinary people have never even heard of them, let alone come all the way here to buy them.
In terms of cost, her advantage is huge, because all the crude glycerin in the warehouse is waste material from soap production. After processing, it can become a moisturizing product comparable to Snow Skin Cream.
Cheng Wanwan visited a few other shops, and found that they sold similar products. She bought a rouge for herself and Lu Yingxue, thus concluding her market research for the time being.
After returning to Dahe Village, we will formally build the workshop, recruit workers, and calculate the costs before determining the final price.
"Sister Wanwan, let's go for a stroll over there," Lu Yingxue said enthusiastically. "There's an antique shop over there, but I don't have any money, so I've never dared to go in whenever I pass by. Today, I'll take advantage of your help and go in for a look..."
Cheng Wanwan was also interested in antiques, so she followed in that direction.
Next to the antique shop was a shop selling writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, where many scholars gathered.
As the two passed by the door, they overheard the scholars inside engaging in a lively discussion.
"Do you know that Master Yu's youngest son has actually become the top scholar in Ping'an County?"
"What's so surprising about that? Back then, this guy surnamed Yu almost made it to the imperial examination, while his son only got the top score."
"Tsk tsk, he must have cheated. Like father, like son."
"..."
Lu Yingxue, who had been looking on with great interest, suddenly stopped and rolled up her sleeves, ready to rush inside.
Just as Cheng Wanwan was about to pull her back, a hand grabbed Lu Yingxue by the back of her collar.
“When you married him, I told you that you would hear these kinds of things every day for the rest of your life. What, you can’t stand it anymore?” A woman in her forties or fifties looked coldly at Lu Yingxue. “Your father said long ago that he shouldn’t let Xiao Zhan pursue a career in politics. Why did you have to listen?”
Lu Yingxue pursed her lips: "Mother, they are trying to smear your own grandson, how come you are not angry at all?"
"Xiao Zhan's surname is Yu, not Lu. Why should I get upset about this?" Madam Lu's gaze then fell on Cheng Wanwan. "And who is this?"
"Mother, let me give you a proper introduction." Lu Yingxue suddenly became energetic again, "Recently, a Lady Sui has emerged in Ping'an County, Huzhou. Within half a year, she rose from the ninth rank to the seventh rank, making her the first person in our Great Yu Dynasty to achieve this..."
"Ahem!" Cheng Wanwan quickly interrupted her flattery and said with a smile, "Hello, Mrs. Lu. My name is Cheng Wanwan. You can just call me Wanwan."
"My goodness, it's Lady Sui! I've met Lady Sui before!" Madam Lu's eyes widened. "Lady Sui's name is widely known in Huzhou City. Everyone says she's a model for us women. Our Yingxue is so impulsive and unruly. How could Lady Sui be friends with her?"
Lu Yingxue stamped her foot: "Mother, am I not your own daughter anymore!"
“From the day you decided to marry Yu Qingsheng, I no longer wanted to acknowledge you as my daughter.” Madam Lu sneered, then smiled at Cheng Wanwan, “If Madam Sui doesn’t mind, why don’t you come to our Lu family for a simple meal? The Lu family isn’t far, it’s just at the alley entrance of the next street.”
Before Cheng Wanwan could refuse, Lu Yingxue grabbed her arm: "Come on, let's go have a meal. My mother's cooking is excellent, no worse than Dashan's wife's."
The mother and daughter extended a warm invitation, so Cheng Wanwan had no choice but to go with them.
The Lu family's house was the first one in the next alley; even before you got close, you could smell the strong aroma of alcohol.
"I forgot to tell Sister Wanwan that my family brews and sells wine." Lu Yingxue laughed. "Back then, Lao Yu found my family by following the smell of wine. Otherwise, we wouldn't have had a chance to meet."
Stepping over the threshold and into the courtyard, one finds it filled with wine jars and many grains and fruits fermenting.
There was only one woman with several children in the courtyard; the men were all gone, probably tending to their business at the liquor store.
"Sister-in-law!" Lu Yingxue ran towards the woman. "I've missed you so much, sister-in-law, for months!"
The woman quickly stepped aside, saying, "We have guests, so please keep quiet."
Four or five children rushed towards Lu Yingxue: "Auntie, we missed you so much! Did you bring us anything delicious?"
“You’re all gluttons.” Lu Yingxue took out some snacks she had just bought while shopping. “Here, share them, but no fighting allowed.”
Cheng Wanwan casually looked around in the yard when her eyes suddenly lit up. She could smell the aroma of wine, and it seemed to be peach wine as well. It must have been brewed last year. The rich aroma of the wine was overwhelming, and even she, who didn't like drinking, was a little tempted.
Madam Lu was very enthusiastic: "Madam Sui, this wine is a rare delicacy. Drinking it will improve your skin. Most of the profits in our wine shop come from wine. Come, have a taste."
Cheng Wanwan took the cup, took a sip, and exclaimed that it was so delicious, fragrant and indescribable.
She couldn't help but ask, "Excuse me, where did you buy these grapes?"
She only dared to buy grapes secretly from the mall and eat them all by herself. It would be perfect if she could grow grapes at home.
Mrs. Lu paused for a moment. This was a trade secret, and only the Lu family knew the channels. If word got out, this exclusive business would be impossible.
“Mom, Sister Wanwan won’t steal our business,” Lu Yingxue said as she walked over. “Sister Wanwan is probably just craving grapes.”
Cheng Wanwan quickly explained, "I didn't see any grapes in the mountains of Dahe Village, and I can't buy them in the city either. I saw some by chance today, so I was thinking if I could buy some grapevines to plant. Don't worry, Madam Lu, I only eat fresh fruit and don't make wine."
Madam Lu then smiled.
You can't blame her for judging others with a petty mind; it's mainly about business, and you have to be extremely careful, otherwise the entire Lu family will have a hard time surviving in Huzhou City.
"These grapes were discovered by Yingxue's father more than ten years ago in Bishui Village, the first village near Huzhou City. The following year, a confidentiality agreement was signed, stipulating that these grapes could only be sold to the Lu family," Madam Lu said. "Our Lu family is kind and generous to the people of Bishui Village, and our cooperation has been very pleasant over the years. Tomorrow, I will have Yingxue's father go to the village to dig up a few grapevines and send them to Madam Sui. Grape cultivation also requires skills, so I will have my eldest grandson write a list for Madam Sui..."
Cheng Wanwan nodded, expressing her gratitude.
Besides grapevines, she also asked for peach trees, orange trees, and loquat trees. The latter two were not suitable for making wine, but Madam Lu mentioned it, so Cheng Wanwan asked Madam Lu for help.
Of course, she wouldn't let Lu Jiabai help her; she would pay for the seedlings herself, and she also directly ordered a large quantity of wine.
After the Dahe Banquet opened, the wine was purchased from a winery in Ping'an County. There was only that one winery in the entire county, and the price was extremely high. Moreover, there was a queue for pre-sales. It would have been better to let the Lu family earn the money.
Mrs. Lu was extremely grateful.
Although the Lu family could make a lot of money from wine, they still relied more on ordinary wines that ordinary people could afford. Small profits and quick turnover were the foundation for a winery to survive. However, the competition in Huzhou City was too fierce. Their rice wine, Nu'erhong, Zhuyeqing, and other wines had been sluggish for years. With just one sentence from Lady Sui, one-fifth of the inventory was resolved. It was truly a cash cow delivered to their door.
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