Chapter 61: Fragrant Skin Boutique

After handing the twelve carpenters over to Xu Tieshu, Ning Yaxin asked, "Young Master Xu, would you mind showing me around the workshop?"

"Of course! This way, Miss Ning," Xu Mo replied with a warm smile, gesturing for her to follow.

Ning Yaxin nodded slightly, then turned to Ling'er. "Ling'er, you need not accompany me. Just wait for me here."

"Yes, Miss!" Ling'er replied obediently.

Xu Mo quickly noticed that Ning Yaxin seemed to have something she wanted to discuss privately, so he said to Chen Miaoyi, "Miaoyi, why don't you help Huihui with the accounts? I’ll accompany Miss Ning."

Chen Miaoyi agreed without hesitation and walked away.

Once more, Xu Mo gestured politely. "Miss Ning, please, after you."

Ning Yaxin smiled and nodded before stepping forward.

The construction site was bustling, with everyone engrossed in their tasks. Considering safety, Xu Mo led Ning Yaxin only around the periphery of the workshop for their tour.

He became a guide, describing the design style and structural layout of the workshop. With his humorous phrasing and lighthearted tone, Xu Mo managed to make Ning Yaxin laugh several times. Though her smiles were fleeting, for someone as reserved as Ning Yaxin, this was a rare sight.

She listened intently throughout, seldom interrupting him except to ask about matters she found truly perplexing.

Only after Xu Mo had finished his introduction did Ning Yaxin nod in satisfaction.

Xu Mo smiled and then asked, "By the way, Miss Ning, have you tried the soap yet? Do you like it?"

Ning Yaxin nodded. "Young Master Xu, the soap is excellent. I like it very much!"

"Which scent did you use?" Xu Mo inquired.

"Jasmine and osmanthus," she replied.

"And the peony fragrance? Did you not try that one?" Xu Mo asked again.

Ning Yaxin shook her head. "I prefer lighter, more subtle scents, so..."

"I understand, truly," Xu Mo nodded immediately, indicating she need not explain further.

Suddenly, Ning Yaxin recalled something and asked, "Young Master Xu, why did you name the brand 'Peony'?"

"Because my wife’s favorite flower is the peony," Xu Mo replied. "So I chose that as the name."

Ning Yaxin was genuinely surprised. "Just because your wife likes peonies, you made that decision?"

She hadn’t expected Chen Miaoyi to hold such a significant place in Xu Mo’s heart. Yet, she couldn’t help but wonder—if he valued her so deeply, why had he once pawned Chen Miaoyi away?

Lost in thought, she was brought back by Xu Mo’s next question: "Miss Ning, do you think there’s anything about the soap that needs improvement? The color, the strength of the fragrance, anything at all..."

Ning Yaxin shook her head at once. "No, it’s perfect as it is!"

So far, not only Ning Yaxin but also Chen Miaoyi and Xu Hui had tried the soap. They all agreed that the scent was delightful. With Ning Yaxin’s approval matching theirs, Xu Mo felt completely at ease.

Ning Yaxin now asked, "Young Master Xu, how many bars do you plan to produce for the first batch, and what will the selling price be?"

Xu Mo answered, "Miss Ning, I haven’t decided yet on the exact quantity or price. But one thing is certain: our soap is of much higher quality than ordinary soap, so when it launches, we must target those with the strongest purchasing power!"

"Absolutely!" Ning Yaxin nodded in agreement.

Xu Mo paced a few steps, then turned back. "Miss Ning, why don’t we open a specialty boutique in the city just for soaps and skincare?"

"A specialty skincare boutique?" Ning Yaxin was intrigued by the concept.

"Yes," Xu Mo explained, "Fragrant for the scent, and skin for the skin. The boutique would not only sell soaps and bath products, but also exquisite soap boxes, premium towels, and other related items..."

"Most importantly, the boutique should offer free samples, inviting affluent customers to experience the products themselves!"

Ning Yaxin nodded repeatedly, finding the idea excellent.

Xu Mo continued, "Miss Ning, the boutique must be in an affluent district. Ideally, it should have two stories—downstairs for sales, upstairs for customers to experience the soap firsthand..."

"And the decor must be opulent and grand, so that the moment someone steps inside, they know our Peony brand is truly high class!"

Ning Yaxin responded, "That’s easily arranged. My family owns a silk shop in an ideal location, surrounded by wealthy households. With some renovations, it would be perfect!"

Xu Mo asked at once, "If you do that, Miss Ning, what happens to the silk shop? Will you close it?"

She answered honestly, "To tell you the truth, Young Master Xu, I’ve been considering cutting costs and closing underperforming shops. While the silk shop isn’t exactly failing, it’s not thriving either. It makes more sense to convert it into a boutique."

Xu Mo thought for a moment. "Miss Ning, may I visit this shop? This is an important decision—I’d like to see the location and its surroundings myself before deciding to proceed."

"Of course!" Ning Yaxin agreed at once.

After lunch, Xu Mo summoned Qin Mutou, asking him to accompany him into the city.

Qin Mutou agreed immediately, fetched his bronze hammer, and readied himself for the journey.

The bronze hammer had been repaired; Qin Mutou had collected it himself from the blacksmith a few days prior. The blacksmith had even gifted him a set of hammer holsters, so he could hang it at his waist and have it handy at all times.

From the joy on Qin Mutou’s face upon his return, Xu Mo could tell he was thoroughly pleased.

Before leaving, Xu Mo gave Chen Miaoyi some last instructions, then set off with Qin Mutou in the mule cart, traveling together with Ning Yaxin’s carriage.

Chen Miaoyi stood at the doorway, watching the cart recede into the distance, her heart filled with reluctance.

Xu Hui approached, gently nudged Chen Miaoyi’s elbow, and whispered, "Sister-in-law, you’d better keep a close eye on Cousin..."

"What do you mean?" Chen Miaoyi asked.

Xu Hui pointed her chin toward the distant carriage and lowered her voice. "Sister-in-law, don’t you think Miss Ning’s gaze toward my cousin is a bit unusual?"

"How could it be!" Chen Miaoyi was startled and instinctively denied it.

Then she added, "She’s the eldest daughter of the Ning family—her standards are high. How could she possibly... have any such intentions?"

But Xu Hui persisted. "Sister-in-law, in the past, Cousin really wasn’t much to look at. Back then, Miss Ning wouldn’t have spared him a glance. But things have changed—he’s become a veritable money tree, the kind everyone wants!"

Hearing this, Chen Miaoyi fell silent, an uneasy sense of insecurity welling up inside her.

Unaware of her sister-in-law’s distraction, Xu Hui continued, "Sister-in-law, if you ask me, you’d better hurry up and give Cousin a big, healthy son. That’ll secure your place in the household. Even if other women come along in the future, your position will be unshakable!"

At the mention of children, Chen Miaoyi blushed with embarrassment.

"Huihui, you’re still just a child—how could you be giving such advice?" she said, pinching Xu Hui’s cheek.

Xu Hui winced and dodged away, rubbing her face in protest. "Sister-in-law, you know perfectly well if my advice is good or not."

With that, Xu Hui walked off.

Chen Miaoyi remained where she was, lost in thought. Whatever it was she contemplated, her cheeks and neck soon flushed with a rosy hue.