Chapter 9 I heard that Second Sister has scented soap that was offered as tribute to the King of the Western Regions.
Although the scent of the soap only lasted for two hours, it was still better than all the soaps she had ever used combined.
And the price is affordable.
A box of soap from Xiangbaoge costs at least 300 coins, but this fragrant soap only costs 100 coins, so you can use it without feeling bad.
She was the most favored concubine in the Chen family, and her family would occasionally give her financial support, so this amount of money was nothing to her.
She would gladly take five baths a day as long as she could get rid of that unpleasant fragrance!
With more frequent bathing, the soap naturally runs out faster.
Besides, she used both at the same time, and only three days have passed, yet both are already more than half used up.
She can't live without this thing anymore.
Having experienced what it's like to be a "fragrant person" and the envious glances from others, she would never want to be a "stinky person" again!
I don't want to see those ostracized looks.
Early in the morning, Wang Yue sent Xiao Cui to the general store at the foot of the mountain, gave her all her savings, and told her to buy as much soap as she could.
It's already noon, why haven't they come back yet?!
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The sky was overcast and gray.
Jiang Yi originally thought he would be the only one guarding this place today, but after waiting for a short while, he saw a carriage coming.
A girl dressed as a maid stepped forward and knocked on the door.
"Shopkeeper? Is the shopkeeper there?"
There was no sound from inside the door.
Jiang Yi was also silently shouting in his heart, "Is the shopkeeper here? When will the shopkeeper come out!"
The Crown Prince's tone was even more somber yesterday when he questioned him. If he didn't come out soon, he really would have to go shovel horse manure!
Jiang Ling naturally couldn't hear it; she was still asleep.
As long as the wooden door is closed, no matter how loud the noise is outside, it won't reach the grocery store.
Xiao Cui waited until noon, when the sun rose higher and dark clouds gathered.
A torrential downpour began, but the shop remained tightly shut.
The rain quickly soaked her hair and shoulders. She had no choice but to return to the Chen family home.
"How many did you buy?" In the side courtyard, Wang Yue greeted Xiao Cui with joy as soon as she saw her.
She needs to calculate how long it will last.
Xiao Cui truthfully replied, "Second Madam, the shop was closed today. I couldn't buy a single item."
She took out the untouched money bag and handed it back.
"What!" Wang Yue exclaimed in disappointment, "You didn't buy any? Then why did you come back so early!"
“The rain is too heavy, Second Madam,” Xiao Cui said aggrievedly. “The shop is closed and it’s unlikely to open this afternoon. I… was afraid you would be waiting anxiously, so I came back to report first.”
Wang Yue was disappointed, but there was nothing she could do. "Oh well! Maybe the shopkeeper had something come up. Luckily, I still have enough soap for a few more days."
It's been raining these past few days, so I'm staying home as much as possible. It's also okay to take fewer showers.
"You must go tomorrow! Tomorrow you absolutely must go early! Even if it's just to stay all day, you have to buy the soap! Do you hear me?!"
Xiao Cui hesitated for a moment, but finally agreed.
Just then, a young girl dressed in a brocade embroidered jacket and skirt, carrying an exquisite oil-paper umbrella and a bamboo basket slung over her arm, gracefully walked into the side courtyard.
The person who came was none other than Chen Yuzhu, the eldest daughter of the Chen family.
She called out sweetly, "Second Aunt."
"Yuzhu?" Wang Yue was taken aback. "Why are you here? Do you have something to discuss with Second Aunt?"
Chen Yuzhu had always considered herself the eldest daughter of the legitimate wife since childhood, and had never given her stepmother a kind look. Fortunately, she did not take the initiative to cause trouble.
Wang Yue has been married into the family for five years, and Chen Yuzhu has only visited her courtyard a handful of times.
Today is truly a case of someone not visiting the temple unless they have a specific reason!
With a gentle smile on her face, Chen Yuzhu walked to the corridor to put away her umbrella.
Chen Yuzhu smiled gently, took a small plate of pastries from the basket, and placed it on the tea table in the corridor. "Second Aunt, Yuzhu learned how to make pastries today. I would like to invite you to try them and give me some pointers."
Yuzhu just turned sixteen this year and is already engaged. I heard it's to the son of the Wu family, a prominent family in town.
I'm currently waiting to get married and occasionally learn pastry making from the cook.
This was the first time she had brought pastries to her stepmother to taste.
"You're bringing me pastries?" Wang Yue glanced at her warily.
Chen Yuzhu smiled awkwardly, "Yuzhu is about to get married, and will be spending less and less time at home. I was immature before and made my second aunt angry many times, so now I'm thinking of making up for it a little."
That's it?
Chen Yuzhu wiped the sweat from the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief; these insincere words made her break out in a cold sweat.
"In addition... I heard that Second Madam has that kind of... fragrant soap that was presented as tribute to the King of the Western Regions? Its fragrance is unique and extraordinary. I wonder if Second Madam could spare a piece for me? Consider it as a way to add to my makeup."
"Oh, so that's what it was about!" Wang Yue sat down unhurriedly.
She even thought the little vixen was possessed!
A while ago, I offered to buy her some things for her dowry, but she looked at me with disdain, as if taking her things would bring bad luck. Now, she's taking the initiative to ask for them.
Seeing that a mere concubine like Wang dared to put on airs in front of her, Chen Yuzhu was so angry that she wanted to leave on the spot, but then she thought of that alluring fragrance...
She heard from her mother that Wang's cousin was a merchant who traveled all over the country, and that the things that were presented as tribute to the king of the Western Regions might really only be possessed by her.
The Wu family, to whom she was engaged, had a large business in the town, so it was considered a high-status marriage for her.
That's why she's been cramming on cooking skills lately. Her mother even spent a lot of money to hire a retired palace maid to teach her how to please men.
The fragrance of that soap can be smelled from a great distance; if we could use it, it would definitely be twice as effective.
When Chen Yuzhu asked her for help for the first time, Wang Yue couldn't refuse.
After all, Chen Yuzhu is about to marry into the Wu family, and the Wu family cannot be easily offended. It would be even better if they could maintain a good relationship.
It's just a bar of soap, nothing serious.
"What? Second Aunt doesn't want to?" Seeing that she didn't respond, Chen Yuzhu was losing patience.
Wang Yue immediately laughed and said, "How could that be? This is the first time Yuzhu has asked you for something, and it concerns your marriage. You have to grant my request no matter what."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yuzhu's expression softened somewhat.
“However…” Wang Yue changed the subject, her face showing difficulty, “I happen to be out of those scented soaps right now.”
Chen Yuzhu's smile froze instantly.
Wang Yue calmly explained, "As you know, this stuff is precious. My cousin went to great lengths to get it from a merchant in the Western Regions. We just finished using the last batch, and the new one... we'll have to wait a few more days."
Chen Yuzhu smiled upon hearing this, "Of course, there probably aren't many things this good. I'm not in a hurry. It's good that you remember, Second Sister."
After seeing Chen Yuzhu off, Wang Yue finally felt at ease and picked up the pastries on the table to eat.
Even the once high and mighty young ladies came to beg her for favors, and she couldn't be more proud of herself.
Suddenly, she remembered something and looked at the still rainy sky.
Tomorrow, she should go to the grocery store herself.
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