Madam Huang savored the taste of the salt, ignoring her descendants who were craning their necks to wait for her answer.
He smiled as he confirmed that the salt in the jar had completely lost its bitterness.
"That's right, this salt doesn't taste bitter."
The Zhao family immediately erupted in chaos in the kitchen.
Second Aunt asked,
"Third Miss, how did you manage to come up with this?"
My aunt was even more direct.
"The third young lady is truly remarkable; she's quietly accomplishing great things."
Her biological father, Zhao Minggeng, said, "My daughter is just so smart."
Praise poured in, but everyone's opinion was naturally different.
Seeing the noisy scene, Madam Huang solemnly announced that they should go to the main hall.
Zhao Qianci and Huang Shi sat on opposite sides of the square table.
The old man's brows were furrowed tightly, while Madam Huang remained silent.
My second uncle, Zhao Yonggeng, was starting to lose his composure.
"Dad, it's a good thing that our third daughter can make salt so white."
Why are you and your mother looking so gloomy?
The old man didn't speak, but his gaze swept over Zhao Changgeng.
"Our third daughter can do the work of purifying crystal salt, what do you think, eldest brother?"
"Dad, we can't tell anyone that our third daughter can extract pure salt."
Salt and iron were both controlled by the imperial court.
If word gets out that our family can purify crystal salt, who will still want to buy fine salt?
The consequences are something we ordinary people cannot afford.
Zhao Changgeng expressed his thoughts in a very tactful way.
After listening to Zhao Changgeng's words, Zhao Qianci nodded, his gaze naturally sweeping towards his second son.
Zhao Yonggeng slapped his forehead,
“Father, I really misunderstood this matter. My elder brother is right.”
The fine salt sold in town is nothing like the salt we have here, but it can sell for 120 coins.
If we sold it here, it would definitely fetch a higher price, while coarse salt costs 50 coins. The price difference is too large.
If others find out that our third daughter can purify crystal salt, they will definitely come to our family to ask for it.
Not only will we lose this method, but we might also bring trouble upon ourselves.
If it weren't for my elder brother's reminder, I might have gotten myself into serious trouble.
Zhao Qianci nodded.
“It’s good that you realize this; you’re a good son of your father.”
"Did you all hear what happened today?"
No one was allowed to go out and show off, not even the children.
Anyone who brings trouble to the family will be expelled from the Zhao family.
Zhao Qianci said solemnly.
Madam Huang then gave a lecture, since the old man shouldn't remind his wives of such things, as that would be against etiquette.
“Even if there’s one, they’re still capable of understanding human speech. All descendants of the Zhao family, keep your mouths shut.”
Wives who have been married into the family should not be allowed to go back to their parents' home without any restraint.
If word gets out about what happened today, it won't just be a simple matter of you being sent back to your parents' home; you could lose your lives.
My dear girl, what kind of purification method is this? You're not allowed to teach it to anyone.
If our family needs to purify the salt in the future, just tell Grandma.
The milk will guard the door for you, while you do your own cooking in the kitchen.
"Or, we could just keep using coarse salt; that wouldn't be so bad."
Zhao Qingyan quickly pecked at the rice like a chick.
She was still feeling lingering fear. How could she not have considered that this was a feudal dynasty?
I only wanted to improve my family's quality of life, but I never expected there would be so many different opinions.
The old couple's words turned the family's excitement into a somber mood.
Huang looked at the room full of younger relatives with their heads hanging low and found it amusing.
"Look at you good-for-nothings."
Just shut your mouths, and nothing will happen. It's your inability to control your mouth that's the real problem.
Anyway, it's a good thing that our family will be able to buy crystal salt that others can't get in the future.
You all must remember how good my dear daughter is.
I don't know if this family was used to being scolded by Huang, but after Huang finished scolding them, they all perked up and lost their previous dejection.
Everyone cast grateful and admiring glances at Zhao Qingyan.
The little person in Zhao Qingyan's heart was biting a handkerchief, so embarrassed that she could practically carve out a three-bedroom apartment from the spot.
With the salt business concluded and the sun still blazing, Madam Huang instructed her children and grandchildren to return to their rooms to rest, as the remaining crops needed to be harvested that afternoon.
Zhao Qingyan naturally returned to her room. While everyone else slept, she stayed there reflecting on herself and pondering ways to make money.
Searching through the original owner's memories, even though the original owner was pampered since childhood, she had never been to the town many times.
Instead, she enjoyed going hunting in the mountains.
"Clothing, food, housing, and transportation are the most basic living needs of ordinary people. Where should we start?"
As for the clothes, forget it, they're all coarse linen and patched upon patched.
They had only recently escaped the caves of primitive society and lived in thatched huts. Where would they get so much money to build new houses?
It seems we really have to start by eating...
While muttering to herself, Zhao Qingyan fell asleep.
Since there wasn't much work left in the fields, Liu Xiaohua was left at home to clean the courtyard and tidy up the granary.
Zhao Qingyan could also watch the children at home, so no one came to wake her up from her afternoon nap.
Most of the afternoon had passed before Zhao Qingyan finally woke up from her sleep.
I yawned and felt sweaty all over.
I filled a basin with water from the large vat in the yard, went inside, locked the door, and began a simple cleaning.
After washing up, I changed into underwear and panties that I took out from my space. It took me a lot of effort to finally put on my clothes, and I was covered in sweat again.
I took out a handheld electric fan from my storage space and blew on it for a while, which helped to cool down some of the sweat.
She took the basin outside and poured out the water, then took her clothes and went to find her eldest sister-in-law.
Liu Xiaohua had just finished her work in the yard and was now relaxing on the bed with the children.
"Sister-in-law, may I come in?"
Zhao Qingyan stood outside the door and called out.
"Third Sister, you're awake. Come in quickly, what's wrong?"
Liu Xiaohua extended a very warm invitation.
There wasn't a chair in the room, so Zhao Qingyan had to sit on the bed rather awkwardly.
"Sister-in-law, I have something I'd like to ask you for help with. You know I can't handle needles and thread here."
I feel these clothes are too inconvenient to wear, sister-in-law, could you please alter them for me?
As he spoke, he handed over the malt candy he had given to the two little ones.
"Your clothes are fine, what happened to them?"
Liu Xiaohua asked, puzzled.
"It's not bad."
You know I'm a bit clumsy; every time I wear these skirts, I have to wrap them around myself, making dressing a real hassle.
Moreover, as you can see from this style, we farmers don't have much money to buy cloth, and it's all wasted on these sleeves.
I was thinking about whether I could make the sleeves smaller and then connect the top to the skirt.
Even if it's a bit loose around the waist, it's fine; you can just wear a belt over it.
It's better than having layers upon layers of belts wrapped around your waist here.
Besides, it's so hot, and having to wear so many layers is such a hassle. Wearing so many layers is just to avoid accidentally exposing yourself.
Zhao Qingyan expressed her dissatisfaction with the clothes.
"Wardrobe malfunction? What does 'wardrobe malfunction' mean? Third Sister's way of putting it is quite novel," Liu Xiaohua asked.
"A wardrobe malfunction is a wardrobe malfunction."
No, a wardrobe malfunction is when you accidentally reveal your undergarments, which is considered indecent.
Zhao Qingyan quickly tried to salvage the situation, her inner voice pounding her chest in relief.
"Why does he always blurt things out without any restraint?" I thought to myself.
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