Chapter 60: The Stubborn Ning Yaxin

In truth, the fortunes of the Ning family’s silk shop had already begun to decline even before Master Ning fell ill. By the time Ning Yaxin took over the reins, the shop’s business had dwindled to the point where it barely broke even. Recently, the Wang family had suddenly lowered the price of their silk, causing Ning’s last remaining customers to drift away, and business became even more dismal.

Thus, when Ning Yaxin discovered that soap was Xu Mo’s invention, she immediately proposed a partnership. She was certain in her heart that soap was a tremendous business opportunity—one that could bring her great wealth.

“Yaxin, is business really so bad these days? Has it come to the point where we must close our shops?” Master Ning exclaimed in shock.

Yaxin replied, “Father, given our current situation, we have too many shops open. Each one demands rent and wages, and the more shops we have, the more money is needed to stock goods. We’re stretched too thin!”

She continued, “Father, I have thought it over carefully. If we want to weather this storm, we must first close the shops that are doing poorly. This way, not only can we save a significant sum on rent, but we can also consolidate our inventory and staff, easing our burdens considerably.”

Master Ning pondered this for a moment before speaking slowly, “Then do as you have said.”

“Understood, Father,” Yaxin nodded.

Master Ning tilted his head back with a weary sigh, his tone tinged with helplessness. “Yaxin, you have truly been put through much. As a daughter, you should have married into a good family and lived a peaceful life, tending to your husband and children. Yet now, it is you who must shoulder the family’s burdens.”

At this, Master Ning’s frustration flared. “Yongqiang is simply hopeless! All day long he does nothing but eat, drink, and play, not even half as capable as you! Cough, cough… cough, cough…”

The more he spoke, the more agitated he became, ending in a fit of coughing.

Yaxin hurried to comfort her father. “Father, please don’t get worked up. Yongqiang has made great strides recently. Just look at the Zhenxiu Restaurant—he manages it with such flair now. You should be proud of him.”

“Is it really his management? If not for Xu Mo’s clever ideas, that restaurant would have closed long ago!” Master Ning scoffed.

Yaxin replied, “Father, Yongqiang works hard every day and is truly much improved from before. Don’t be too harsh on him. He needs more encouragement from us.”

“You, always shielding him since you were children,” Master Ning said, shaking his head in resignation.

Yaxin smiled, then said, “Father, please rest well. I’ll retire to my room. I must leave for Gushan Village early in the morning.”

Seeing his daughter about to leave, Master Ning quickly called out, “Yaxin, wait a moment—there’s something I want to ask you…”

“What is it?” Yaxin inquired.

Master Ning said, “Yaxin, while you were away a few days ago, the Zhang family from Heyang County sent someone over again…”

At these words, Yaxin’s face immediately darkened, her brow furrowing at once.

Seeing this, Master Ning hastily went on, “Yaxin, don’t be upset. Just listen to me…”

“Yaxin, you’re already nineteen. It’s time you thought of marriage. You and the eldest son of Master Zhang both know each other—he’s well-educated, courteous, and good-looking, and you’re close in age. Both Master Zhang and I feel you’d make a fine match. Why not give it some thought…”

As he spoke, Master Ning watched his daughter’s expression closely.

Yaxin shook her head, brushing him off. “Father, given our family’s circumstances, how can I even think about such things?”

“Yaxin, that’s exactly why I hope you’ll consider it…” Master Ning pressed. “You know the Zhang family’s wealth. If our families were joined by marriage, they could bring enormous support to our business! Yaxin, heed your father’s advice—”

Before he could finish, Yaxin rose swiftly, her face resolute. “Father, say no more! I will never agree to this. I will not marry someone I do not love!”

“Yaxin! Must you be so stubborn?” Master Ning’s face clouded with distress, his brows knitting together.

But Yaxin stood firm. “Father, I know what you’re thinking. Don’t worry—even on my own, I will restore the Ning family’s business. I will bring us back to our former glory!”

With that, she strode quickly from the room, leaving Master Ning behind with a helpless sigh.

Silent and unspeaking, Yaxin went straight back to her courtyard with Ling’er in tow. Feeling somewhat weary, she intended to bathe and retire early.

Unexpectedly, Ling’er asked, “Miss, aren’t you going to try the soap tonight?”

Yaxin remembered and instructed Ling’er to have the servants draw hot water at once.

After the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, the large wooden tub was filled, steam curling through the room.

With a graceful stride, Yaxin stepped into the bath, her long, elegant leg slipping into the water—a sight of breathtaking allure.

Once Yaxin was seated, Ling’er asked, “Miss, which scent would you like?”

“Give me the jasmine and osmanthus,” Yaxin replied. “I prefer fresh, delicate fragrances. Though the peony is nice, I still like the jasmine and osmanthus more.”

Ling’er nodded, then took the jasmine-osmanthus soap and began to lather it in a basin of warm water, gradually working up a fragrant lather.

She was preparing a basin of scented water to help her mistress wash her hair later.

“Miss, this jasmine and osmanthus scent is truly wonderful—so light, never cloying. The more I smell it, the more I love it!” Ling’er seemed utterly enchanted by the fragrance.

Yaxin, not far away, could also smell the aroma wafting from the steaming water, and her anticipation for the soap’s future success grew stronger.

After a short while, Yaxin emerged from her bath, radiant as ever, and with Ling’er’s assistance, retreated to her inner chamber.

Ling’er used a towel to gently dry her mistress’s hair, pausing now and then to inhale the lingering fragrance.

“Miss, it smells so lovely. It’s truly delightful!” Ling’er was full of envy, wishing she could try it herself.

Of course, Yaxin understood Ling’er’s longing and said, “Ling’er, you may have the peony soap.”

“Really, miss?” Ling’er squealed in delight, her eyes crinkling to slits. “Thank you, miss! Thank you so much!”

Yaxin smiled faintly, picked up a lock of her own hair and inhaled—the fresh scent instantly soothing her spirit.

The next day, at the hour of the dragon, Yaxin led twelve carpenters to Gushan Village.

One carriage and two mule carts traveled for more than an hour and a half before Yaxin and her party finally arrived and met Xu Mo.

Xu Mo was taken aback by Yaxin’s remarkable efficiency, and could not help but offer her praise.

Yaxin explained seriously that the sooner the workshop was built, the sooner everyone could start making money—speed was essential!