Chapter 80: Don’t let it out
“We need to find something smooth and of an attractive shape to make a mold out of. If we make the soap oval-shaped and flower-shaped, it’ll look pleasing to the eye, right?” Ye Jiu stroked his chin thoughtfully before adding, “And we should carve some wooden boxes to store the finished soap in. It’s only when they look nice that they will be able to move upmarket and catch the eye of the wealthy. Otherwise, with these homely shapes, we could at most sell them for a few coins to farmers like our family. Then we wouldn’t even make back our initial investment!”
Ye Gaosheng wanted to say that even selling the soap for a few coins apiece would still be profitable.
But on second thought, his little sister’s idea made more sense. Making it more aesthetically appealing could fetch a higher price, and who wouldn’t want to do something that could earn money without much extra effort? Especially since their family’s finances were still tight.
Thinking about it, Ye Gaosheng couldn’t wait to get started.
“Little sister, for the mold you mentioned, I think we could just use stone. We have plenty of that on the mountain, although working it would take some effort. We have chisels and hammers at home, so I can handle that myself. As for the wooden boxes, we’d need someone with carpentry skills for that.” Ye Gaosheng instantly had an idea.
“Alright, then you should get on with it quickly, brother. The sooner we make the soap, the sooner we might turn a profit, maybe even before the New Year. And as for the wooden boxes, I’ll go ask Dad later if he knows anyone skilled in carpentry,” Ye Jiu said.
“Okay, I’ll call Wenqing and Wenyu to help,” Ye Gaosheng said, turning to fetch them.
“Hey, big brother,” Ye Jiu called out to Ye Gaosheng before adding, “Just find a flatter stone and chisel an oval half the size of a palm on it. Also, let’s keep the soap business under wraps until we’re fully ready to launch it.”
“I won’t tell a soul,” Ye Gaosheng agreed, knowing the value of keeping a money-making secret.
Especially since they had a sister-in-law in Zhao Shi who was particularly keen on prying into their maternal family’s affairs, neither Ye Gaosheng nor Ye Jiu wanted to stir up trouble.
Ye Gaosheng and the two helpers quickly returned, carrying a large stone slab with them.
Then, in full view of the entire household, the three of them began the task of carving the stone slab.
Back in the main house, just as Ye Jiu got home and thought of resting a moment, he saw Zhao Shi following close behind.
The moment Zhao Shi entered, she began to scold, “Mother, our family is so poor all the time. Does all the poverty only target our first and second households?”
Mrs. He’s face immediately darkened, and without even pretending to be sick, she retorted, “Zhao Shi, to raise your voice and be disrespectful right in front of me, have you no sense of decorum?”
Zhao Shi shuddered, her voice becoming weaker, “It’s not my fault, though. Isn’t it because your favoritism has left us barely satiated day by day? But look at the little sister, she always gets the best food and supplies, and that’s tolerable, but now she’s being wasteful too. She’s bought jars of lard and added stuff to them and put them outside, off-limits to everyone. Wastefulness should have its limits, shouldn’t it?”
Ye Jiu then realized that the issue was really directed at her.
The news about her earning a hundred silver taels had already been announced by Mrs. He, and Zhao Shi knew this. But now Zhao Shi was bothered simply because Ye Jiu had been preparing something.
No matter what Zhao Shi was thinking, Ye Jiu was feeling uneasy.
“Sister-in-law,” Ye Jiu said sternly, “When Qingzhi brought you the leftover oil residue last night, I didn’t hear a single word of refusal from you.”