As soon as Old Madam Lu stepped closer, she caught a wonderfully pleasant scent.
It was a faint, elegant fragrance—not overpowering, but incredibly refreshing.
“What is that smell? It smells wonderful!”
She couldn’t help taking several deep breaths.
Lu Qianqian smiled.
“This fragrance comes from the flower petals.”
“The soap I’m making will smell even better than the Moon Soap sold at Moon Tower.”
Old Madam Lu didn’t really understand soap-making.
But she knew one thing for certain:
The scent was amazing.
Whatever her daughter made would definitely be better than anything sold at Moon Tower.
She had complete confidence in her daughter.
The thought that Qianqian might fail never even crossed her mind.
After extracting all the color from the petals, Lu Qianqian finally stopped.
Meanwhile, the pork belly in the kitchen had finished rendering.
The entire courtyard was filled with the rich aroma of cooked pork.
Several of the children were swallowing hard.
Their mouths watered uncontrollably.
“Little Sister, this is all the lard we could get.”
Lin Gui carried over a clay jar.
The family’s supply of pork wasn’t large, and the rendered lard filled less than half the container.
Looking at the small amount of lard, Lu Qianqian suddenly slapped her forehead.
She was an idiot.
She had forgotten the most important thing.
Molds.
How was she supposed to make soap without molds?
Her sudden gesture startled everyone in the courtyard.
Old Madam Lu’s expression immediately changed.
“Qianqian! What’s wrong?”
“Why are you hitting yourself?”
The younger children quickly backed away in fear.
They were terrified that their aunt might suddenly revert to the old Lu Qianqian who yelled and hit people.
Lu Qianqian sighed.
It looked like she definitely wouldn’t finish the soap by tomorrow.
“Mother, is there a carpenter in the village?”
“I need someone to make a few things for me.”
Old Madam Lu relaxed when she realized nothing was wrong.
“There is.”
“Most villagers go to him whenever they need wooden items made.”
“Then please take me there.”
“Of course.”
Old Madam Lu immediately agreed.
Then she turned to Lin Gui.
“First Daughter-in-law, keep an eye on these things.”
“Nobody is allowed to touch them.”
“If I find out anyone messed with them while I’m gone, I’ll break their legs when I get back.”
Before even leaving the courtyard, she laid down the law.
She knew perfectly well that some people in the family weren’t entirely trustworthy.
A reminder was necessary.
“I’ll watch everything carefully, Mother.”
Lin Gui nodded.
Old Madam Lu swept her gaze across everyone in the courtyard before finally leaving with Lu Qianqian.
The moment the two women disappeared through the gate, Liu Zhaodi couldn’t hold herself back.
“Tch.”
“Mother really is stingy.”
“It’s not like these are priceless treasures.”
“What’s wrong with touching them?”
As she spoke, she wandered over to inspect the basin containing the flower mixture.
Then she glanced toward the kitchen.
The smell of pork had already triggered her appetite.
Her mouth was practically watering.
“Second Sister-in-law, Mother said nobody is allowed to touch those.”
Lin Gui reminded her.
Liu Zhaodi shot her a glance.
She watched as Lin Gui carefully carried the jar of lard into the kitchen before returning to sit on a small wooden stool in the courtyard.
“Hmph.”
“I’m just going to pick some vegetables from the backyard.”
With that, Liu Zhaodi headed toward the rear garden.
Meanwhile, Old Madam Lu and Lu Qianqian walked through the village together.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lu Qianqian hooked her arm through her mother’s and spoke gently.
“Mother, now that I can earn money, you should ease up a little on Big Brother and Second Brother.”
“Don’t scold them all the time.”
“Otherwise they’ll start thinking you’re unfairly favoring me.”
Before she could finish, Old Madam Lu became angry.
“I do favor you!”
“Look at those ungrateful sons!”
“They marry wives and forget their mother.”
“They’re all heartless.”
“As for the money you earn, keep every coin for yourself.”
“Don’t let those shallow-minded people get jealous.”
The words weren’t exactly pleasant.
Yet Lu Qianqian felt warmth spread through her heart.
Old Madam Lu had a sharp tongue.
But her love for her daughter was completely genuine.
“Mother.”
“You said it yourself—they all have wives and families now.”
“They have households of their own.”
“If you’re constantly criticizing them, how could they be happy?”
She continued patiently.
“Try to relax a little.”
“We’re all family.”
“I promise every coin I earn can be spent on you and Father.”
“But there are many things I can’t do alone.”
“I’ll need everyone’s help.”
“When they help me, I’ll pay them wages.”
“That way they’ll feel respected.”
“They’ll naturally think well of me and continue taking good care of you and Father too.”
Old Madam Lu fell silent.
For once, she didn’t immediately argue.
Her entire life had been spent being strong and independent.
Back when she was young, she had been considered one of the beauties of Apricot Blossom Village.
So many men had come to propose marriage that they nearly wore down her family’s doorstep.
She had rejected every single one.
Until she met Old Master Lu.
At the time, he had just returned to the village.
He was handsome, capable, and worked for a wealthy household.
His earnings were better than most.
Old Madam Lu had immediately decided he was the one.
After they married, Old Master Lu treated her very well.
Their life together had been peaceful and happy.
She had given birth to three sons.
Then, while pregnant with Lu Qianqian, a wandering monk passed through the village.
The monk asked for a bowl of water.
After drinking it, he left behind a single sentence:
“Madam carries within her a daughter of immeasurable fortune and noble destiny.”
“Treat her well.”
Then he disappeared.
At the time, Old Madam Lu hadn’t thought much of it.
She already had three sons.
A daughter would complete the family nicely.
She was actually looking forward to it.
Only later, when Lu Qianqian was born, did she understand the monk’s words.
When Lu Qianqian entered the world, the entire room filled with fragrance.
Countless floral scents seemed to blend together.
The smell was rich but never unpleasant.
The fragrance lasted only a short time before disappearing.
But from that moment onward, Old Madam Lu knew:
This daughter was special.
She had never disliked girls in the first place.
And Lu Qianqian was her only daughter.
Naturally, she doted on her more than the others.
As the years passed, her sons grew up and married.
With wives came outside influences.
Gradually, things changed.
Old Madam Lu’s feelings cooled after seeing how some of her sons behaved.
Eventually, she devoted all her affection to her daughter instead.
“Fine.”
At last, she relented.
“I understand what you’re trying to say.”
“Do whatever you think is right.”
“I won’t interfere.”
Lu Qianqian immediately smiled.
“Don’t worry, Mother.”
“If my brothers ever stop being filial to you and Father, I won’t continue helping them.”
That answer instantly cheered Old Madam Lu up.
The smile returned to her face.
Before long, they arrived at a house.
Unlike most village homes, this one was built with blue bricks.
The family clearly lived comfortably.
“Is anyone home?”
Old Madam Lu called out from the gate.
“Who is it?”
A middle-aged woman emerged from inside.
Her face looked kind and gentle.
As Chen Cui stepped out of the kitchen and saw Old Madam Lu standing outside with Lu Qianqian, a flicker of surprise flashed through her eyes.