Yu Banxia didn’t mind either way. She packed up her things.
Xu Yong’s mother hurried out as well. When Yu Banxia emerged, she handed her a string of copper coins.
“This is a total of two hundred wen. It’s a small token of appreciation from our Xu family. On the third-day bathing ceremony, you must come for a simple meal, Miss.”
Yu Banxia glanced at it and passed the coins to her eldest brother.
Yu Mangui said nothing, taking them to keep safe for his sister. Yu Banxia then pulled Xu Yong’s mother aside to speak a few words.
Xu Yong’s mother’s eyes widened. It was the first time she had heard someone say such a thing.
“Is that really possible?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t deceive you. But remember, she must not catch a chill. If you’re still worried, boil water with ginger and mugwort to wash her.”
“Alright, alright.” Xu Yong’s mother quickly agreed.
Yu Banxia sniffed the scent on her hands. She had wanted to yawn but decided against it.
“I’ll head back now.”
“Ah, yes. Take care on your way, Miss Yu.” Xu Yong’s mother saw her to the gate.
Yu Banxia waved her hand. “Auntie, go back and take care of the new mother.”
Watching them disappear into the night, Xu Yong’s mother returned to the courtyard. The woman from earlier was now anxious, gesturing frantically.
She was filled with regret—why had she provoked that girl?
Now that she knew Yu Banxia truly knew medicine, she might need her help in the future.
Yu Banxia admitted she had intentionally “forgotten” as a form of punishment.
Spotting the candlelight from their home in the distance, Yu Banxia said to her brothers, “Father and Mother left a candle lit for us.”
“Mm, take it slow. Watch your step,” Yu Mangui reminded her.
Yu Banxia’s cheerful voice replied, “I know, Eldest Brother!”
When they returned home, they found the whole family awake, eating and chatting quietly.
Seeing them back, Yu Banyue quickly stood up to greet them, taking the medicine box from Yu Mancang’s hands.
“Second Sister and I cooked some soft noodles. Would you like some?”
“Just a bit hungry. Let’s eat some before sleeping,” Yu Mangui chuckled.
Wu Zhuxiang and Yu Banta went to the kitchen and brought over a large bowl, along with empty bowls. Yu Banxia fetched some hot water from the kitchen, then went to the well and took out a bar of soap.
While scrubbing her hands, she suddenly thought of something.
“Xiao Bai, can I take out the milk soap and flower soap I stored in the warehouse?” Yu Banxia almost slapped her forehead.
She had previously owned a medicinal cosmetics brand and had produced large quantities of soaps, including milk soap and silk soap.
She had stored many of them in her Space, enough to sell for a while.
“Yes, you can,” Xiao Bai replied quickly.
“What about those lip balms and facial masks? Can I take those out too?” Since she was a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, the bottles and containers she had made back then were all packaged in porcelain jars and boxes.
Taking them out now would be more than enough. With the inventory she had stored in the warehouse, she could sell them for three to five years without issue. By then, she would have long found new raw materials and made new products.
She understood the principle of scarcity increasing value.
This needed careful planning.
No rush, no rush.
Life was becoming more hopeful, and Yu Banxia felt happy.
“What is this? It smells like milk, so fragrant,” Yu Banyue curiously walked over, sniffing the air.”This is goat milk silk soap, it nourishes the skin. Starting tomorrow, you can use this to wash your face and bathe,” Yu Banxia said, taking out a brand new bar and handing it to her.
The goat milk soap was wrapped in oil paper, with an antique window flower pattern printed on the outside.
“It smells so good,” Yu Banyue took it and sniffed.
Yu Banxia chuckled, then took the used one back to the kitchen and placed it on the windowsill.
“Hmm, what’s that smell?” As everyone entered the main hall, they all sniffed the air. Yu Banxia simply swept her hand across the table, and ten neatly stacked bars of soap appeared there.
Yu Banta and his wife stood frozen in place, stunned. Yu Banxia glanced at her father, who understood her meaning.
He explained the matter to his eldest daughter and her husband, having previously, under Yu Banxia’s instructions, also informed his eldest brother and his wife, as well as their mother.
As for the nephews, nothing was said. Madam Wu had repeatedly warned the eldest son’s family not to speak of it, while the third son had been informed by Yu Banxia from the start.
Of course, Xiao Bai had also been given strict instructions to prevent any accidental leaks that might cause trouble for Yu Banxia.
“Although Xiaxia gained an extraordinary opportunity, she also suffered greatly. Thankfully, our family will be better off from now on,” Yu Banta said happily, wiping away tears.
Yu Banxia chuckled. After she finished eating, Fan Cuilan finally asked, “Xiaxia, how is the woman in labor?”
“She gave birth to a boy, and she even asked me to name him.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. Our Xiaxia saved two lives,” Fan Cuilan said joyfully.
Yu Banxia gave her a simple smile and then said, “Father, Mother, since no one is sleeping for now, let me share my plans.”
“Go ahead,” everyone turned to look at her.
As Yu Banxia began to explain, Wu Zhuxiang was stunned when she heard that Yu Banxia wanted to open a restaurant for her, and her eyes immediately welled up with tears.
She kept saying she hadn’t doted on Yu Banxia in vain. No one thought Wu Zhuxiang was being materialistic; in fact, since marrying into the family, she had always treated Yu Banxia very well.
Next, Yu Banxia began making arrangements for her second sister and her husband, planning to open a pastry shop for her second sister in the future.
She suggested that her second brother-in-law could gather a team to build courtyards for others or take on other work.
As for her third brother, she would heal his leg and teach him martial arts. Whether he chose to hunt in the future or take the military imperial examinations would be up to him.
Yu Mancang was also stunned upon hearing this. Could his leg really heal, and could he even learn martial arts and take the military imperial examinations?
“We’ll follow your arrangements,” Yu Hongwen said with a cheerful smile.
Since the head of the household had spoken, no one else had any objections.
“Father and the nephews will attend school. Father, you will study at the academy in town. Next spring is the triennial imperial examination. If you pass the county-level exam in spring, you can try the provincial-level exam in autumn. If you don’t wish to continue, having the title of a provincial graduate will still reduce the family’s taxes.”
“Me? I’ll also go to study?” Yu Hongwen was truly stunned this time.
“Yes, Father. I see great fortune in your future. You will surely become a good official,” Yu Banxia said earnestly.
Yu Hongwen fell silent for a long time before finally nodding. “Alright, since my Xiaxia believes in me, I’ll give it a try. I’ll strive to bring honor to the family and return with a top-three ranking in the exams.”
“Great!” The whole family cheered happily upon hearing their father’s agreement.
Wu Zhuxiang was even more delighted now, her heart pounding with excitement.
“I also plan to start a business, making and selling these soaps, skincare products, and other items. I’ll use the earnings to supplement my two sisters’ dowries and prepare their wedding gifts.””Ah? I’m already married, what’s there to make up for? Besides, it doesn’t make sense for a younger sister to provide a dowry for her elder sister.”
“In the future, our family should work together, strive to earn money, and save up for the third brother’s betrothal gifts and both of your dowries,” Yu Banta said happily.
Yu Banxia chuckled, while Yu Banyue blushed shyly in embarrassment.
“Oh, right, Father.”