After a male student transmigrated into the body of a widow,

Gu Lin said, "The two items in the gift box are called soap and scented soap. The yellow square object is called soap, which is made of lard and wood ash, and it is most effective at cleaning stains. The snow-white petal object is called scented soap, which is made of petals and lard, and it is suitable for people to wash and bathe. After using it, the fragrance will linger on the body for a long time."

Fang Jiyue was able to stand out from his brothers and be raised by the head of the Fang family, not only because of his status as the eldest son of the family, but also because of his talent in business.

When Fang Jiyue saw the soap and bar soap, he didn't understand what they were, but his intuition told him that they would bring him a great surprise.

After Gu Lin finished speaking, Fang Jiyue turned to his servants and ordered, "Prepare a basin of clean water and some dirty clothes."

The attendant immediately turned and left the private room, then came up with a person carrying water.

The person carrying the water came to Fang Jiyue. Fang Jiyue got up, first wet his hands with water, and then lathered them with soap to make a dense foam. Soon, Fang Jiyue's palms were covered with snow-white foam.

Gu Lin reminded him, "Young Master Fang, you can wash your hands now."

Fang Jiyue raised an eyebrow, put his hand into the copper basin, and after taking his palm out of the water, he took the towel handed to him by the servant and dried his hands. Then he raised his hand and smelled a fresh floral fragrance.

Fang Jiyue looked radiant and his eyes were bright. He said to the servant, "Wash your clothes with soap."

Upon hearing this, the servant immediately sprang into action. The clothes were from the kitchen and were covered in grease and grime.

He wet the clothes, applied soap, and scrubbed them. After a while, the clothes, which were covered in oil and dirt, slowly became clean, while the clear water in the copper basin turned murky and yellow.

Fang Jiyue turned around, a smile returning to his face, and said to Gu Lin, "Mr. Gu, you kept this a secret so well, only revealing such a fine product now. This soap and bath soap are so much better than pig pancreas soap. How much would you like to offer, Mr. Gu?"

"Don't rush to discuss the price."

Gu Lin asked, "Young Master Fang, are you confident that you can sell your soaps and bar soaps to other places?"

Gu Lin asked again and again, and Fang Jiyue, having obtained such good things as scented soap and bar soap, no longer intended to hide it from him.

Fang Jiyue said with confidence, "Don't worry, Mr. Gu. Although my Fang family is not a big shot, we still have some influence in the capital. We can guarantee that our soaps and bar soaps will sell safely."

There was no need to be too blunt; as soon as Fang Jiyue said this, Gu Lin knew that the Fang family was no ordinary business family.

He said, "I believe in Young Master Fang's capabilities. I will sell you the formula for the soap and bar soap, and we will continue with our previous profit-sharing arrangement, how about that?"

Fang Jiyue nodded slightly and smiled, saying, "That's fine, but if my Fang family wants to promote our soaps and bar soaps to various prefectures and even the capital, we'll need to make some connections. What do you think, Boss Gu?"

Gu Lin said, "I don't want more, how about 40/60?"

Fang Jiyue narrowed his eyes, then his smile grew brighter as he said, "Okay."

"Happy cooperation!"

Gu Lin said, "It's a pleasure to cooperate with you!"

Actually, Gu Lin didn't have to sell this recipe at all. Now that he has no backing, he can't protect the recipe for soap and bar soap.

But if we wait another ten years or so, Zheng Hao will pass the imperial examination and become at least the top official in a county. Gu Lin will then have a chance to enjoy the benefits of soap and scented soap all to himself.

However, Gu Lin opened a restaurant in the prefectural city and was unwilling to sell his recipes to Fu Man Lou anymore. Even though he and Fang Jiyue had a friendly relationship, businessmen prioritize profit. If Gu Lin wanted to settle down in the prefectural city in the future, he would have to offer Fang Jiyue a reward that would satisfy him.

Following Fang Jiyue's instructions, the servants returned to the private room after seeing Gu Lin off.

Watching his young master sit at the table gently stroking the soap, the servant's face showed a conflicted expression.

Fang Jiyue turned to look at him and asked, "What's wrong? You're being so hesitant after bringing the person back?"

The servant, who had been holding back for a long time, finally couldn't help but ask, "Young Master, why don't we just buy Boss Gu's prescription directly instead of giving him so much money?"

"Is that all you wanted to ask?"

The servant scratched his head and said awkwardly, "Young master, why don't you just take Boss Gu as your concubine? That way, Boss Gu will be your man, and all the money you make from soap and bar soap will go into your own pocket."

As soon as the attendant finished speaking, Fang Jiyue's expression turned cold.

"Because I'm not stupid."

Seeing the servant's panicked face, Fang Jiyue said, "Do you think Gu Lin was able to rise from a penniless country boy to where he is today simply because of luck?"

The servant muttered under his breath, "Isn't it just about clinging to the coattails of our Fumanlou restaurant?"

Fang Jiyue scolded, "What I told you to go back and learn from your father, have you learned nothing but dog food?"

The servant dared not talk back after being scolded by his young master. He had followed Fang Jiyue since he was a child, but a year ago he was punished by Fang Jiyue for making a mistake and sent back to the Fang family mansion. After studying with his own father for a year, he was able to return to serve his young master.

"Gu Lin has achieved what he has today, thanks in large part to the support of Fu Man Lou, but mainly to his own abilities. We at Fu Man Lou have collaborated with many people, but which man can compare to him in just a few years and have achieved such success?"

"Everyone looks down on men, including you. I took you with me to travel around, thinking that you would broaden your horizons. But when you faced Boss Gu, you still thought he could only be my concubine. Little did you know that he didn't even look at me."

Upon hearing this, the servant's face turned angry as he said, "He's just a widowed young master, what right does he have to look down on the young master? So many beautiful women in the city want to be your concubines."

Fang Jiyue said, "Just because he doesn't need to rely on men to make a name for himself, and even taught his late husband's son to become a scholar."

Upon hearing Fang Jiyue's words, the attendant was speechless, but he couldn't help but mutter, "Isn't he just a scholar? Our Fang family has several scholars. Does he think that just because his stepson is a scholar, he can become your wife?"

"Such arrogance! You're just a mere scholar!"

Fang Jiyue's eyes sharpened as he said, "Our Fang family's children are supported by their families and do not have to work. They study hard for more than ten years to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar. But do you know how many years Boss Gu's stepson studied?"

“The other party only studied for three years, yet he won the minor three-crown prize in the competition. Even if he were in the Fang family, my father and I would have to treat him like royalty.”

Fang Jiyue's expression was solemn: "In short, Zheng Hao is no ordinary person, and Boss Gu can never be my concubine. I don't care what prejudice you have against Boss Gu, but you must not show it in the future. Otherwise, I don't need people who lack discernment around me."

Seeing that their young master was serious, the servants dared not be arrogant anymore.

However, thinking of his wife's constant urging for the young master's marriage, the servant tentatively asked, "I see that the young master does have feelings for Boss Gu. Since Boss Gu cannot be a concubine, why doesn't the young master marry her?"

"Boss Gu is not only a cheerful and generous person, but also a shrewd businessman. If the young master marries Boss Gu, it would be a good match."

"Besides, doesn't the young master think highly of Boss Gu's stepson? If he achieves something in the future, it would be a good thing for us to form a marriage alliance with him!"

As soon as the attendant finished speaking, Fang Jiyue's expression changed slightly.

He had considered what the other person said, but Gu Lin was different from other boys. He had been with the other person for three years and had never felt the same shyness that a boy would show when facing a man.

In addition, he and Gu Lin were business partners, and she had been a widow for the first three years of her life. Although Fang Jiyue was not a gentleman, he was not without morals either.

However, at this moment, the servant's words stirred up Fang Jiyue's previously dormant thoughts once again.

He shook the paper fan in his hand, forcing himself to calm down: "This matter needs to be considered carefully."

He had dealt with Gu Lin quite a bit and knew him to some extent. If he wanted to marry Gu Lin, he first had to cut off all the other women around him.

Thinking about this, Fang Jiyue couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. In recent years, although he hadn't been living a life of debauchery like before, he still supported a few people.

Those women and men were kept outside before they met Gu Lin. They were all young girls and boys, and if they really left him, they would definitely not be able to support themselves.

If he wants to marry Gu Lin, he must first settle these people properly.

When Gu Lin returned from Fu Man Lou, Hao Yun Lou was already closed. He went home.

After the group finished eating, Gu Lin stopped Zheng Hao, who was about to take a bath, and said, "I have recently developed a peach-scented soap, which I have placed in your bedroom. You can use the new soap when you take a bath later."

Zheng Hao nodded in agreement and went back to his bedroom to take a bath.

After Zhao's wife and brother Zhao finished preparing for Zhao Dagen's wedding, they had some free time. So, Gu An returned to Zhao's wife's side and was taken to take a bath by her.

Gu Lin returned to his bedroom and began to take a shower.

After he finished bathing, he stepped out of his bedroom to empty the bathwater. He went back and forth three times before the water in the tub was completely emptied.

Just as Gu Lin was about to turn around and go back to his bedroom, the door to the room opposite opened.

Gu Lin frowned slightly: "In this cold weather, why didn't you dry your hair before coming out? What if you catch a cold?"

Across from him, Zheng Hao, who had just finished showering, emerged with his hair still wet. Even from a distance, Gu Lin could see water droplets dripping from the ends of his hair, sliding down his clothes, and finally falling to the ground.

Zheng Hao said without changing his expression, "Uncle Gu, don't worry, I'm healthy and will be fine."

Gu Lin disagreed with this. He turned around and closed the door to his bedroom, then turned to Zheng Hao and said, "You're young and don't know what hardship is. You'll suffer when you get old. Hurry up and come in with me."

As Gu Lin spoke, he walked past Zheng Hao into his bedroom.

Seeing Uncle Gu's actions, Zheng Hao was slightly stunned. When he heard the urging voice behind him again, he turned around and went into the bedroom, leaving the door wide open.

Gu Lin took out a cloth and waved to Zheng Hao who came in: "Come here quickly, let me dry your hair."

Zheng Hao paused, his expression slightly somber: "Uncle Gu's actions are inappropriate."

Before the other person could launch into another long-winded speech, Gu Lin interrupted, "Don't give me those grand theories. Even a saint couldn't stop me from taking care of my own child. You'd better come here right now, or you'll really catch a cold."

Zheng Hao didn't know how to describe his feelings at this moment. Uncle Gu was so good to him, he should be happy, but for some reason, he couldn't feel joy.

Zheng Hao lowered his eyes slightly, obediently walked to Gu Lin, and then turned his back to Gu Lin.

“You’re too tall, sit down,” Gu Lin said, standing.

Zheng Hao said, "How can this be?"

Gu Lin said, "You little stick-in-the-wall, didn't the sage teach you to listen to your elders? I don't mind, so why do you care?"

After saying that, Gu Lin pressed Zheng Hao's arm down and made him sit down.

Uncle Gu's strength was like an ant to an elephant to Zheng Hao, but since the other party was determined, Zheng Hao could only obediently sit on the wooden stool.

Gu Lin nodded in satisfaction upon seeing this.

Then, he picked up the cloth in his hand, wrapped it around Zheng Hao's wet hair, and began to wipe it. Because of the ample nutrition, Zheng Hao's hair was black and shiny, and strands of black hair slid down the light-colored cloth like fine silk.

Gu Lin sighed slightly, "Your hair is the envy of countless women and men."

Gu Lin had dealt with many men and women in his business dealings and knew that for both women and men, besides a good appearance, the hair on their body was the most important thing.

Countless young women and men in their boudoirs have been eating sesame seed pills and he shou wu (Polygonum multiflorum) every day without fail, all for the sake of having a good head of hair.

No man or woman can resist a head of jet-black, lustrous hair.

However, high-quality black hair not only requires sufficient nutrition, but also good genetic inheritance.

Zheng Hao's eyes lingered on the two figures, one tall and one short, overlapping on the opposite wall. He turned his gaze slightly away and said, "Uncle Gu's black hair is also exceptionally beautiful."

Zheng Hao wasn't just giving a perfunctory answer. Gu Lin's black hair was smooth and shiny. Although the hair of others, including Zheng Hao, looked good, the hair was coarse and stiff. Gu Lin was different; his hair was fine and soft, like soft clouds.

Gu Lin smiled upon hearing this, and gently wrung out the increasingly damp cloth in his hand, saying, "Sister Zhao stews tonics for me every day. If my hair is still dry and yellow, Sister Zhao would want to follow me around all day and feed me three or four bowls of tonics before she would stop."

Zheng Hao knew very well how much Uncle Gu disliked tonics, so when he wasn't busy, the important task of persuading Uncle Gu to take tonics fell on him.

Zheng Hao pictured the other person grimacing as they drank the tonic, feeling a pang of heartache and helplessness. But when he thought of Uncle Gu's exaggerated description, Zheng Hao couldn't help but chuckle.

To avoid angering Uncle Gu, Zheng Hao quickly stopped laughing, but the young man behind him had already heard it.

Gu Lin said helplessly, "Laugh all you want, you and Sister Zhao are in cahoots. If it weren't for your support, Sister Zhao wouldn't be chasing after me every day to make me take supplements."

After hearing Uncle Gu's complaints, Zheng Hao would definitely have sided with the other party in any other situation.

But when it came to Uncle Gu's health, Zheng Hao said, "Auntie is doing this for Uncle Gu's own good. If Uncle Gu can just bear with it a little longer, he won't need to drink tonics anymore after a few years when his health improves."

Gu Lin sighed softly, "I know, otherwise I would have poured the tonic into the flowerpot long ago."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Hao paused for a moment.

After drying the other person's hair, Gu Lin said, "Alright, I'm going back now. You should get some rest too."

Zheng Hao got up to see the other person off, and only after seeing the other person enter the bedroom did Zheng Hao turn around, close the door, and go into his own room.