Springtime Farming: A Happy Wife At Home

Chapter 1351: Looking at the Flower Field

Editor: Henyee Translations

Everything seemed to be in place, except for the lilies.

So, Qiao Xuan approached Uncle Qing, expressing her desire to inspect the lily bulbs selected for seed propagation.

Without delay, Uncle Qing led her to the designated area.

All the chosen lily bulbs for seed were carefully buried in the sand. A dedicated gardener tended to them, adjusting the watering regimen based on the sand’s moisture levels.

Uncle Qing took a moment to explain to Qiao Xuan the reason for this meticulous care.

Qiao Xuan nodded appreciatively, acknowledging that it was indeed the best approach, and Uncle Qing had done well in hiring the gardeners.

With a focused concentration, Qiao Xuan infused her superpower into the lily bulbs before heading to Zhao Shu’s teahouse to assist him.

The teahouse was situated along the mountainside, winding gracefully upwards, presenting a picturesque view. In an effort to conceal the perfume workshop, Zhao Shu and his team had put in great effort. The tea saplings planted there were three-year-old seedlings, ready for harvest in the spring.

Within a dedicated courtyard on the farm, the perfume workshop conducted the process of extracting essential oils from flower petals, adjusting their composition, and ultimately producing bottles of perfume. The operation was intricate and required meticulous attention.

In Great Qin, finding someone skilled in the art of crafting spices and incense cakes was nearly impossible. Nevertheless, the underlying principles were similar, and they could be learned.

Presently, they had become quite proficient in this craft.

The stock of essential oils extracted earlier was nearly depleted. At month’s end, the perfume workshop would temporarily cease operations, resuming in mid-spring of the following year.

On the subsequent day, Uncle Qing didn’t wait for Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan to seek him out. Instead, he arrived with the account book, requesting their assistance in reviewing the financial records.

Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan had unwavering trust in Zhao Shu and his loyal servant, so reviewing the account book was merely a formality. After scrutinizing the income and expenses, they retained the primary account book for a closer examination and returned it to Uncle Qing the following day.

For the year, a total of 2,268 bottles of perfume had been sold, resulting in earnings of 228,300 taels of silver.

Following the agreed 40-60 split, Qiao Xuan’s share amounted to over 93,000 taels of silver.

Uncle Qing presented them with notes and two beautifully crafted gift boxes, sharing that the Young Master had prepared them for Lord Shao and Madame Shao.

The two of them extended their stay in Hangzhou for another five to six days, enjoying the city and its outskirts. The early winter season in Jiangnan offered a different kind of beauty, with colorful fallen leaves adorning the landscape, complementing the picturesque mountains and rivers. It held its own charm compared to the scented mountains near the capital.

During their time in south, Qiao Xuan purchased various specialties, including silk, embroidered items, fans, Longjing tea, smoked duck, winter bamboo shoots, lotus root powder, sweet osmanthus honey, and sweet osmanthus cakes.

As for Zhao Shu’s marriage, it appeared to be a complex matter, given his prolonged absence.

With no further reason to linger, Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan made their way back to the capital.

Despite Zhao Shu’s insistence on giving Qiao Xuan a 30% share of the profits, it was essential to remember that the mulberry garden had no direct connection to her. She had been assisting Zhao Shu in addressing the issue.

They had already received a substantial sum, and taking more would be excessive.

Any future offer from Zhao Shu could yield at most 100,000 taels, a figure Qiao Xuan wouldn’t seek to increase.

Thus, there was no need for them to proceed to Yangzhou to inspect the mulberry garden, especially with the weather growing colder. It was time for them to return to the capital.