Chapter 435: Chapter 257: The Custom Ceramic Bottles

The third son received the title “Righteous Merchant” bestowed by the emperor, and Zhao Chengxun generously rewarded the servants.

“Reward them, give each person two months’ silver.”

“Congratulations, master and madam!”

The Zhao family had one joyful event after another, and the master’s rewards came one after another.

This made the servants extremely happy.

They hoped the second young master would succeed, and there’d be another grand reward at that time.

“Nuannuan, the third son’s fortune is definitely connected to you,” Mrs. Zhou was quite clear-headed: “With his lazy demeanor, how could he be business-minded? You must have advised him a lot.”

“Mother, my husband is quite smart, he often understands things immediately and can infer other things from one instance, no need for much explanation.”

Thinking about how one’s own son was criticized like this, Chun Nuan decided she would never treat her son like that in the future.

One should believe in their child’s abilities, often encourage him, and maintain his ambition.

Zhao Minghua was so capable, even his biological parents were unaware, such parents were quite negligent!

Returning from the outer courtyard, Chun Nuan began writing letters to Zhao Minghua.

Before going to the Capital, he mentioned wanting to open a shop there.

Chun Nuan had lived in the Capital for fifteen years, she knew from memory that people there, especially those from powerful and wealthy families, were very afraid of death, so longevity pills were very popular; and the women of the Capital feared aging and losing beauty, so beauty-enhancing products naturally sold well.

Since coming out of confinement, Chun Nuan had been developing concoctions in this field.

She created several face creams and ointments to treat chloasma, dark spots, freckles, and to eliminate wrinkles.

This time, the face creams and ointments were to be sold in the Capital under the name of Hundred Herbs Hall.

Not for anything else, just to ensure the Xiao family’s reputation wasn’t overly prominent.

After all, that person was still there, and it wouldn’t be good for a family that had been exiled and had their properties confiscated to appear so prominently in the Capital, wouldn’t it be an embarrassment?

If he’s displeased, another decree could be disastrous.

One must be discreet when necessary!

Chun Nuan was very aware of this.

Moreover, Zhao Minghua’s recent ascension to Imperial Merchant certainly required a commodity that could uphold his status.

Other products could be replaced or mimicked, but the face creams and ointments she produced weren’t something that could be replicated by just anyone.

Once the face creams and ointments entered the Capital, they were sure to cause a sensation among the circles of noble ladies.

“Young mistress, the ceramic bottle samples you ordered have arrived.”

Bai Zhi came in to report, “Uncle Fu asked where you’d like them delivered?”

“Let him send them to the hall, I’ll go have a look.”

This time, Chun Nuan’s custom ceramic bottles were still ordered in seven colors: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple, with different products in each bottle.

The bottles were exquisite, with high production costs.

Qingyan Pavilion under Xiao Chunyu was already proven not to fear high prices, just fear having no products.

Even in remote alleys, good products would not have trouble selling despite high prices.

When Chun Nuan reached the hall, Uncle Fu was conversing with Mr. Hu, the owner of the Pottery Workshop.

“Mr. Hu, this is our Third Young Madam.”

“I’ve heard of the Third Young Madam’s great reputation, today I’m fortunate to meet you.”

“Mr. Hu, you’re too kind.”

Both the Zhao and Xiao families were longstanding customers of the Pottery Workshop.

However, their product demands were quite meticulous.

For the craftsmen of the Pottery Workshop, it was a considerable challenge.

Previously, the workshop made pottery ranging from water jars to wine flasks, oil pots to salt containers, but such small ceramic bottles that only hold one tael were rarely seen, especially made with different colors.

Such intricate work was typically done by government kilns, fortunately, their workshop had a craftsman named Master Ma capable of this skill, allowing them to produce it.

Intricate work had its perks, earning high wages.

The work cost for a small ceramic bottle was even higher than a large vat.

As long as the pay was right, intricate work could surely be done.

“Third Young Madam, how do you find these few ceramic bottles?”

Chun Nuan carefully examined them, still feeling a bit dissatisfied.

“The bottle neck is a bit too small.”

She wanted to fill them with face creams and ointments, but a small neck would make it hard to access.

“But if the bottle neck is too large, the lid can’t be tightly screwed on.”

Therefore, this issue was quite challenging.

Chun Nuan was uncertain how to solve it temporarily.

After some thought, she dismissed it.

The colors of the bottles were bright and did not fall short of government kilns.

“Our workshop’s Master Ma has been firing kilns for forty-six years, occasionally creating transformations, this part is assured, we’ll definitely produce satisfying ceramic bottles.”

“Alright, let’s produce two hundred of each then,” Chun Nuan said, “there might be ongoing collaboration in the future.”

“Thank you, Young Madam, for your recognition.”

Mr. Hu thought let others do the vats, his workshop would focus on making these beautiful small ceramic bottles instead.

Less trouble, less worry, and even lesser effort, the main point being they still earn good money.

After Uncle Fu sent Mr. Hu off, Chun Nuan held the ceramic bottle, pondering how to access the creams and ointments.

When she returned to the courtyard, she saw the gardener cutting bamboo.

“Uncle Luo, why are you cutting the bamboo?”

“Third Young Madam, these bamboo have flowered, once they flower, they’ll die and may affect other bamboo,” explained the gardener, “cutting them into slats can be used to weave baskets.”

Bamboo slats!

Chun Nuan’s mind sparked with an idea.

“Uncle Luo, may I use your cutting knife?”

“Third Young Madam, this cutting knife is sharpened and quite sharp, just tell me what you’d like to cut, I’ll assist you.”

“Then, could you shave a bamboo sliver for me?” Chun Nuan held up a small ceramic bottle to compare, “like this, shave it into thin slices, a bit finer.”

Uncle Luo immediately complied with Chun Nuan’s request and soon carved a piece.

“Third Young Madam, do you need more?”

“Yes, carve a few more.”

“Alright.”

Uncle Luo was very familiar with shaving bamboo slivers.

Chun Nuan still felt a tad dissatisfied after several slivers were carved, it seemed lacking something?

Hmm, mainly, these items were to be sold at a high price, matching them with bamboo slats seemed to lower their class a bit.

How about jade… No, too fragile; match with silver… No, some medicine reacts badly; match with copper… No no, still not right.

Chun Nuan returned to the courtyard holding several bamboo slivers, her mind full of questions.

“Young mistress, what are you using these for?” Bai Zhi asked curiously.

“I’m considering using them to scoop face creams and ointments, but they seem a bit rough.”

“Use firing to refine them,” proposed Bai Zhi, “after firing, they’ll look much nicer.”

This indeed seemed feasible!

Chun Nuan hurried to the small kitchen, seeing the cook tending the fire, she quickly passed the bamboo slats through the flames then took them out, miraculously the slivers took on a new color, the crude fiber was gone, they seemed antique and elegant.

This paired with the small ceramic bottles really enhanced the aesthetics.

One learns from everyone, even though Bai Zhi was a servant, her suggestion was viable.

“Bai Zhi, you’re truly clever.”

Bai Zhi smiled shyly at the young mistress’s praise. She had often seen such tasks done at home where her father would pass rattan goods through fires to enhance their color.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep