The soaps that Gu Lili gave to Eunuch Zhang were all in boxes inlaid with mother-of-pearl, which looked very exquisite.
Other soaps sold only have simple patterns carved with mother-of-pearl.
For example, rose-scented soap has a rose pattern embedded in it.
The goat milk soap features an adorable goat head designed by Gu Lili herself.
In short, each fragrance has a pattern to distinguish it.
This will also allow the apprentices to receive their monthly stipends sooner, preventing them from giving up.
Gu Lili knew that although it was to learn a skill, their family also needed to make a living.
Their carvings may not be very refined, but they are more than enough to hold soap.
The ones used to wrap soap are especially exquisite.
Gu Lili first had someone wrap the soap in a layer of oil paper, and then wrapped the double-sided embroidery that Gu Huanhuan and the others had embroidered on the outside.
This can be seen as a disguised way of promoting their own products to the ladies in the palace.
They made these things popular, and merchants could easily take them from her and sell them elsewhere.
Gu Lili also picked out a bag of the best-quality sweet potatoes planted this year and asked Eunuch Zhang to take them to the capital.
"Oh my, Princess Yongning, you're too kind. Every time you come, our carriage is packed to the brim." Eunuch Zhang's face was all smiles.
This time, Eunuch Zhang was prepared, and he specially brought an extra empty carriage to Donghai Town.
So that I could pack more of the things Gu Lili gave me and take them to the capital.
Gu Lili smiled, but didn't expose it.
Gu Lili didn't feel any remorse at all for giving away such a large cartload of things.
This is the key to unlocking the "market" in the capital. Gu Lili is hoping that the Emperor will receive these things and bestow them upon others.
"You're too kind. It's all I should do," Gu Lili said.
Watching the guards load the last basket of sweet potatoes onto the cart, Eunuch Zhang prepared to get on the carriage and leave.
At that moment, Eunuch Zhang suddenly caught a glimpse of a fluffy little head behind Gu Lili's courtyard gate.
It was Little Fox.
It turned out that when Wei Yin heard Eunuch Zhang's voice, he immediately told Xiao Li'er to hide in the next courtyard.
It would be bad if we offended Eunuch Zhang.
At the time, Eunuch Zhang was busy helping Gu Lili out of the predicament and didn't notice.
Little Fox was also well-behaved and stayed in the next yard without appearing.
Perhaps it was because they heard that Eunuch Zhang and the others were leaving that they slipped out.
Zhang Gonggong, who was about to leave, turned back.
Following Zhang Gonggong's probing gaze, Gu Lili also spotted Xiao Li'er.
The little fox was not afraid of people. When it saw Gu Lili looking at it, it waddled over to Gu Lili.
Eunuch Zhang was immediately startled, fearing that the little fox would pounce on it.
"Don't be afraid, Father-in-law, the little fox won't hurt anyone," Gu Lili quickly reassured him.
At the same time, she gently tapped the little fox that was rubbing against her skirt with a hint of helplessness.
"Princess, this...this is a tiger?" Eunuch Zhang asked with a look of great curiosity.
Gu Lili nodded helplessly. Looking at Eunuch Zhang's starry-eyed expression, Gu Lili was really afraid that he would ask for Xiao Li'er.
But that's how people are; what they fear most is what will come to pass!
With a broad smile, Eunuch Zhang said, "Princess, His Majesty has always loved tigers. Even when he goes hunting in the royal hunting grounds, he prefers to catch tigers. If we present this to His Majesty, he will surely be overjoyed!"
Gu Lili's smiling face instantly lost some of its smile.
“Eunuch Zhang, Xiao Li’er has been with me since she was a child, like family. I’m afraid I can’t comply,” Gu Lili said, neither humble nor arrogant.
Although Gu Lili rejected him, Zhang Gonggong felt that he had spoken out of turn.
A gentleman does not take what others cherish, especially since he wanted to use someone else's flowers to present to Buddha, which is truly inappropriate.
Eunuch Zhang said with a forced smile, "It was my mistake, Princess. Please forgive me. I'll take my leave now."
Gu Lili is someone Yin Jiuchen values, so Eunuch Zhang naturally cannot afford to offend her.
After thinking for a moment, Gu Lili decided to keep Eunuch Zhang with her.
"Please wait a moment, sir. If you wish to please the Emperor, what do you think of this?"
As Gu Lili spoke, she walked into her room. When she returned, she was carrying a pair of glass palace lanterns with dragon and phoenix motifs.
Gu Lili explained with a smile, "This was brought back by Uncle Facai a while ago. I took a liking to it and bought it. I was so busy talking to my father-in-law that I forgot to take it out."
Eunuch Zhang examined the palace lantern closely. The dragons and phoenixes on it were lifelike, and the most wonderful thing was that it was made of glass. So, if there was wind and rain, there was no need to worry that the candles inside would be blown out.
There are many glass objects in the palace, but this is the first time that Eunuch Zhang has seen one so exquisite.
If this item were presented to the Emperor, it would be perfect for both the Emperor and Empress to use, and it would surely please the Emperor greatly.
However, Eunuch Zhang still waved his hand and refused.
"Sigh, we already took what others wanted earlier, so we dare not ask again this time."
As Eunuch Zhang spoke, his eyes remained fixed on the two palace lanterns.
Gu Lili continued, "Actually, this was originally something I found to present to the Emperor and Empress. As a princess, I dare not use the pattern on it, so I asked Eunuch Zhang to do it for me."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Zhang, having been given a way out by Gu Lili, naturally accepted it, nodded, and ordered his men to accept it.
After saying goodbye to Gu Lili, Eunuch Zhang got back into the carriage.
The convoy then left Guzhuang in a grand procession.
After watching Eunuch Zhang and his entourage walk away, Prefect Yang bid farewell to Gu Lili and returned to Donghai Town.
Prefect Yang recommended Li Shiye to the Emperor as the magistrate of Donghai Town. He needs to rush back to hand over his duties to Li Shiye before heading to Jiangbei Prefecture to take up his post.
In the Jiangbei Prefecture today, there is almost no harvest. Prefect Yang is busy appeasing the people and thinking of solutions.
"Wei Yin, hide Little Fox better from now on," Gu Lili instructed, looking at Prefect Yang's carriage.
If Eunuch Zhang insists on having Xiao Li'er, she really has no choice.
Therefore, Gu Lili could only try to keep Xiao Li'er out of the public eye as much as possible.
This way, fewer people will try to take advantage of it.
Wei Yin nodded and said, "Your subordinate understands, Princess."
When Eunuch Zhang asked for Little Fox just now, Wei Yin's heart was also filled with emotion.
Fortunately, Gu Lili did not agree, and Eunuch Zhang did not insist.
Gu Lili went back into her room and took out the letter that Yin Jiuchen had given her.
As the letter was unfolded, the vigorous handwriting caught Gu Lili's eye.
After reading the letter, Gu Lili put it into her spatial storage.
The letter contained nothing else but two words: "Wait for me."
Gu Lili was speechless. Why did she have to say the same thing twice?
However, my mood inexplicably improved a lot.
He put his displeasure at Eunuch Zhang's demand for Little Fox out of his mind.
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