Chapter 72: Another porcelain-making skill will soon be available.
Aunt Wang thought for a moment and said, "As you all know, farmers only care about filling their stomachs. Even if they have spare money, they will only use it to buy grain. If it were me, I would only spend twenty coins at most. Otherwise, I would rather suffer the pain than spend that much money."
Du Wanchun pondered. If it were twenty coins a bottle, she wouldn't make much money at all, because the medicinal herbs inside would all cost money to buy.
However, if this fragrant dew can attract more ordinary people and make the shops that were originally only frequented by high-ranking officials and nobles more active, then the Zhou family will have their own customer base and can open their own shops without relying on the Fang family.
Aunt Zhou was also deep in thought.
Seeing that the two of them did not reply, Aunt Wang sighed and said to Xianglu, "It doesn't matter, you can still sell it to those rich families in the county and make money in the same way."
After saying that, a hint of disappointment appeared in his eyes.
Aunt Zhou stuffed the fragrant dew back into her hand, saying, "You take this first."
Aunt Wang was startled, "Sister Zhou, I can't afford this."
Aunt Zhou smiled and said, "This is for you. I've been borrowing your carriage for a while now, so this is to thank you."
Aunt Wang looked at the fragrant dew in her hand with great joy, "Then I won't be polite."
After saying that, he applied the lint to his arm again.
Seeing her like this, Aunt Zhou felt very gratified. Being able to make a more effective perfume than usual made her happier than anything else.
Du Wanchun understood what was going on in her mother-in-law's eyes.
After Aunt Wang left, Du Wanchun discussed with Aunt Zhou, "Mother, I have a good idea."
Aunt Zhou asked in confusion, "What good idea is there?"
Du Wanchun smiled and said, "Aunt Wang said they could only offer a maximum of twenty coins, but our usual cost per bottle is more than fifteen coins. We also have to share the rest with the Fang family. So, we don't make much money. But, Mother, think about it, what if we split one bottle into two and sell them?"
Aunt Zhou didn't quite understand. "What do you mean?"
Du Wanchun said slowly, "This perfume is used in small quantities on a daily basis. One bottle can last an average person one or two months. Why don't we divide one bottle into two and sell each bottle for twenty coins? This way, after deducting the cost, we can still make a profit."
Aunt Zhou thought it made sense and nodded, saying, "That works too, we can give it a try."
Du Wanchun smiled and replied, "Alright, let's go to the county now to buy bottles."
Aunt Zhou looked up at the sky and said, "It's getting late, we need to hurry."
Du Wanchun quickly got up to fetch the carriage.
This carriage was a gift from the Fang family, mainly to facilitate the Zhou family in delivering perfume to their shop.
Aunt Zhou followed along and led the carriage into the courtyard.
The two boarded the carriage and arrived in Cheng'an County before evening.
They bought the bottles first, and then went to the incense shop.
On the way back, I ran into an acquaintance as soon as I stepped outside.
"Wanchun, what are you doing here?"
She is Du Wanchun's aunt, Du Damei.
She is the Cao family's daughter-in-law that Aunt Zhou mentioned.
Du Wanchun was also surprised to see her aunt, and then immediately told her the whole story of her marriage.
Du Damei was furious. "Your father is such a scoundrel! He didn't even tell me about such a big thing as your marriage! He's probably just afraid I'll ruin his plans!"
As she spoke, she soothed the child she was carrying on her back.
Du Wanchun glanced at the child and roughly guessed that this was the child her stepmother had abandoned.
Just as she was lost in thought, Du Damei pulled Zhou Da Niang aside and said, "Sister Zhou, my little niece has been pitiful since she was a child. You must treat her well."
Aunt Zhou nodded solemnly and said, "Don't worry, Wanchun is now my own daughter. I will not let her suffer anymore."
Du Damei felt a lump in her throat and wiped away her tears.
Just as she looked down, she accidentally saw the bottles Du Wanchun was carrying and said, "Wanchun, why are you buying so many bottles?"
Du Wanchun looked up and pointed to the incense shop behind her, saying, "The perfumes in this shop are made by us."
Du Damei quickly said, "Silly child, you don't need to buy this bottle. I have plenty at home."
Du Wanchun was slightly surprised, "Auntie, do you have any at home?"
Du Damei nodded. "I've been learning pottery from my husband for over ten years. We've made quite a few empty ceramic bottles at home. If you need them, we'll give them all to you."
"Why is it vacant?" Du Wanchun asked. "If it were sold, it would be a good source of income."
Du Damei sighed and said, "These ceramics were originally ordered by a wealthy merchant from the neighboring county, but later his whole family left Qingzhou Prefecture. We could only leave these ceramics idle at home. Since we couldn't sell them, my husband stopped firing pottery."
Upon hearing this, Du Wanchun had a sudden inspiration and laughed, "Auntie, that's perfect! I not only want to buy the ceramic bottle you have, but I also want to buy your porcelain-making skills!"
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