"A friend sent it from Jiangbei." Yu Jiao replied.
Liu Yaoyu didn't bother to ask any more questions and said, "Let me borrow your pen and ink."
After she ground the ink and started writing, she felt that the red paper was soft and flexible, the ink color was distinct due to the strength of the pen, and the characters she wrote were well-arranged.
"This paper is really good, much better than the flowery paper I bought from Yaxuan Pavilion." After Liu Yaoyu finished writing the invitation and let the ink dry, she praised it and said, "Can you ask your friends in Jiangbei to send some more?"
Yu Jiao's lips curled up slightly when she heard her praise. She took out two small yellowish paper and handed them to Liu Yaoyu, "Do you really think this paper is as good as the one bought from the shops in Beijing?"
Liu Yaoyu looked at the small yellow paper and was quite attracted by it. She liked yellow the most. She took the small paper and couldn't put it down. She said, "It's not worse than the flower paper sold in Yaxuan Pavilion in the city. Although the flower paper is decorated with various patterns, the paper quality is too poor and it is easy to smudge. Although it has a light fragrance, it doesn't last long."
Liu Yaoyu lowered her head and got close to the paper, sniffing it gently. "It's a pity that such good paper doesn't have a delicate fragrance."
Yu Jiao's eyes lit up. Yes, colored paper is sold to scholars who like elegance and ladies in the boudoir. Not only should it be made exquisitely, it should also be fragrant.
She also knows how to make incense. Her grandfather had asked her to read many incense recipes. The traditional incense-making process requires the use of many medicinal materials. They should not only be fragrant and nourishing to the nose, but also to nourish the body and mind. It is not just for burning incense, but more of a health-preserving medicine.
Incense making is closely related to traditional Chinese medicine. Many incense pills are used to treat diseases. For example, Qingxin Cake uses spices to refresh the brain and clear the heart, and open up the lungs and heart. Tianshuixiang uses six aromatic ingredients that can enter the kidneys, and the combination of water and fire can replenish essence and qi for men. Xiangyu Cake, when fried, can remove bad breath, help digestion and stimulate appetite.
Yu Jiao looked at Liu Yaoyu with sparkling eyes and said happily, "Second sister, thanks for your reminder. I will thank you later."
Liu Yaoyu was confused, "Thank me for what?"
Yu Jiao said, "This paper is actually produced in my paper mill in Jiangbei. I plan to sell it to the capital in the future. Fortunately, you reminded me of the matter of Yaxiang. When I make money in the future, I will wrap it in a big red envelope for you."
Liu Yaoyu was extremely surprised. "Third sister, are you saying that you made this paper? You also opened a paper mill in Jiangbei? You... are so amazing?"
Yu Jiao smiled faintly, "It's just a small workshop, and it hasn't opened yet."
Liu Yaoyu is a young lady who stays in the boudoir. On weekdays, she either enjoys the flowers and sings about the moon, or plays the piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, or does needlework and embroidery. Most of the other girls she knows are like this. Yu Jiao is the first one to open a workshop.
Liu Yaoyu no longer cared about the paper in her hand. She grabbed Yu Jiao and said, "Third sister, you really surprised me! Tell me about your paper mill."
Yu Jiao smiled and dodged, "It's nothing special. I just wanted to do some business to make money, so I opened a small papermaking workshop in Jiangbei with someone else, thinking of making some paper to sell."
Liu Yaoyu didn't look down on her when she heard her say this. She just said, "How come you like big brother and both like doing business? If you want to talk about business, you should ask big brother for advice."
"What do you mean?" Yu Jiao asked puzzledly.
Seeing her confused look, Liu Yaoyu said softly, "Look at the food and clothing expenses in our mansion. Aren't they comparable to those of the noble families? Where do you think the money in our mansion comes from?"
"But what about the harvest from the farm and shop?" Yu Jiao remembered that wealthy families all had farms, shops and fields. She did not mention Liu Ci Fu's annual salary because she knew that although the annual salary of ministers was enough for them to have food and drink, it was far from enough to cover the various expenses of maintaining the wealth and dignity of such a large family.
Liu Yaoyu shook her head. "How can the income from the manor shop be enough for the mansion to spend? We have to spend half a year's rent for a shop to make two sets of headgear. The annual salary of the servants in the mansion alone is a considerable expense."
Yu Jiao lowered her voice and could only boldly guess, "Could it be my father..."
Liu Yaoyu laughed, "Father was an honest official, but he never coveted anything from the court. In fact, most of the money we spend in our house is earned by my eldest brother. He likes to make money just like you. He has been doing business outside for many years and has a business in Jiangnan."
Yu Jiao was a little surprised. She had always thought that Liu Ziqi was just a scholar, but she never thought that he was also doing business outside and was able to run a business. His ability was evident.
"I didn't know that big brother was so powerful." Yu Jiao blushed, "Big brother has always been gentle and polite, I just thought he was a scholar."
Liu Yaoyu's expression brightened up. "Big brother is also very good at studying. Many people have praised him for his talent. University Scholar Shen has always said that if big brother takes the imperial examination, he will definitely win the first place. But big brother is not interested in a career in politics. Instead, he is interested in business, and father lets him do what he wants."
When Liu Yaoyu talked about Liu Ziqi, she became quite eloquent. Yu Jiao could see that she had a deep admiration for Liu Ziqi.
"Big brother is also very good at business. Although I don't know how big his business is, our mansion has never been short of money over the years. Whatever jewelry, headwear, dresses, and rings are popular in the capital, as long as the young ladies in other mansions have them, big brother will have them bought and sent to our courtyard. Anyway, no young man in the capital is as outstanding as our big brother."
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