Chapter 20: Ye Xun Reveals Astonishing Talent—Is He Playing the Hunger Game Here?

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Thinking about that number, Cao An felt almost faint with happiness. There were only three people in the Qin Prince’s mansion, so no matter how you calculated it, this money would definitely be under his management. Imagining the countless wealth he would oversee in the future, Cao An was extremely excited.

Then, he looked at Ye Xun and asked joyfully, “Your Highness, how much do the rose-scented and osmanthus-scented soaps sell for?”

Cao An was calculating in his mind. The cost of rose and osmanthus soaps wasn’t very high, so selling them at twelve copper coins would bring more profit than ordinary soap. However, he was no fool.

Ye Xun’s lips curled slightly as he held out a hand. Cao An furrowed his brow in surprise, “Five copper coins?”

That didn’t seem right. Why would the floral-scented soaps sell for less than ordinary soap?

But Ye Xun shook his head and calmly said, “Fifty copper coins.”

Cough, cough, cough... Cao An suddenly coughed hard, almost choking on Ye Xun’s words.

Fifty copper coins? That was probably more lucrative than robbery.

Ling’er was also greatly shocked and exclaimed, “Your Highness, isn’t fifty copper coins too expensive? How could ordinary people afford that?”

A bushel of rice was only twenty copper coins. She simply could not imagine anyone from a common household spending fifty copper coins on a bar of soap for washing clothes.

Ye Xun picked up two bars of floral soap and explained, “Ordinary soap is sold to common folk at eight copper coins, which everyone can accept. But these floral soaps are mid-range products—we sell them to wealthy households with ample food and surplus money.”

Listening to his explanation, Cao An and Ling’er nodded slightly, paying close attention. They truly hadn’t expected the prince to be so astute, even knowledgeable about business.

Immediately after, Cao An eagerly asked, “Your Highness, how much do the milk and honey soaps sell for?”

Compared to the rose and osmanthus, milk and honey were rare treasures. These not only cost more but were also in short supply.

Ye Xun calmly held up one finger. Even though Cao An and Ling’er were mentally prepared, Ye Xun’s boldness still shocked them.

Of course, they understood Ye Xun’s meaning.

The price for milk or honey soap was one hundred copper coins, a full string of cash, worth five bushels of rice.

That was the equivalent of over half a month’s grain for an ordinary family.

Selling a bar for one hundred copper coins? They wouldn’t even dare to imagine it.

Ling’er looked at the milk and honey soaps on the ground and pondered, “Your Highness, these two bars must be sold to high officials or noble sons.”

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Apart from such figures, she could not imagine anyone else who could afford this kind of soap.

“That’s right,” Ye Xun smiled and nodded. “Milk and honey soaps are our premium products—they sell at a single word: expensive.”

“Don’t think just because they’re expensive, we’ll supply as many as they want. We have to limit the quantity.”

“We must make them understand the uniqueness and preciousness of milk and honey soaps.”

Upon hearing this, Cao An and Ling’er both gave Ye Xun a thumbs-up, deeply impressed.

He was truly exceptional—so clever.

Cao An couldn’t understand how Ye Xun had suddenly become so enlightened after the setbacks he suffered. He had become so wise.

Soon after, Ye Xun instructed Cao An to leave the mansion and arrange for a new batch of soap molds, making those for milk and honey soaps even more exquisite.

After Cao An left, Ye Xun led Ling’er and Wangcai to continue making soap, preparing sufficient stock. Once the funds arrived, they could begin sales.

...

Night fell, and a torrential downpour drenched the Qin Prince’s mansion.

In the front hall, after a day’s hard work, Ye Xun and his two servants were having dinner.

Wangcai was gnawing on a pork knuckle with gusto.

Outside the mansion, the sound of knocking doors pierced the heavy rain, faint but persistent.

Ye Xun was happily eating a chicken drumstick.

Cao An poked his rice bowl with chopsticks, feeling no appetite.

Because the one knocking was his cousin Zheng Qian.

Although Zheng Qian was a hopeless gambler, he was Cao An’s only relative in this world.

That was why, even knowing Zheng Qian’s gambling habits, Cao An still gave him some money every year.

After all, everyone needs some hope in life, right?

Ling’er noticed Cao An’s concern. She put down her chopsticks, looked at Ye Xun cautiously, and said, “Your Highness...”

“What is it?” Ye Xun said without looking up, still savoring the aroma of Yang family’s roast chicken—it was truly exquisite.

He took a big gulp from his wine cup.

Ah... refreshing, truly refreshing~

Ling’er continued, “Your Highness, with such heavy rain, Cousin Zheng Qian is still outside the mansion. Shouldn’t you...?”

Ling’er was kind-hearted, and Cao An treated her well.

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She sensed Cao An’s worry and couldn’t help but plead.

After a pause, Ye Xun tossed the chicken bone onto the table, wiped his hands, and looked at Cao An.

He spoke slowly, “Xiao Anzi, I know you’re worried about Zheng Qian. I’m not deliberately teasing him.”

“You must remember, pitiful people always have hateful faults. We should be magnanimous, but never be doormats. Those who come to the Qin Prince’s mansion must contribute and work.”

“Tell me, if I call Zheng Qian here, what can he contribute to the Qin Prince’s mansion? Can he quit his gambling? I’m saving him. The hardship he’s enduring now will be his lifelong wealth.”

Ye Xun’s situation was difficult; he had no time to waste on earnest lectures.

Moreover, with someone like Zheng Qian, earnest words were futile.

Hearing this, Cao An stood and bowed.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I understand your meaning. Thank you for your thoughtful care of my cousin.”

Now he understood that unless Zheng Qian shed a layer of his skin, he could never truly change.

Ling’er didn’t speak further, picking up her bowl and eating slowly and carefully.

She needed to eat more so she’d have the strength to work and serve the prince.

...

Outside the Qin Prince’s mansion, Zheng Qian was drenched, clutching his last ten taels of silver as he pounded heavily on the mansion’s gate.

Ye Xun’s guess was correct.

Zheng Qian hadn’t gone home after leaving the mansion last night, heading straight to the gambling den.

No surprise, he lost again—ten taels of silver in one go.

Finally, suppressing the urge to gamble further, he took his last ten taels and came to seek refuge at Ye Xun’s mansion.

But he didn’t understand why—

He had knocked on the door for a whole hour, yet no one opened.

“Damn it! Why won’t they open the door for me!?”

Zheng Qian kicked the gate hard in frustration, lowering his eyes.

“Fine.”

“You think I can’t live without entering the Qin Prince’s mansion?”

“You really think I’ll never win in this life?”

“Just wait and see—I’ll win big next time and show you all.”

Then, clutching his ten taels tightly, Zheng Qian dashed into the rain, heading back toward the gambling den.

He refused to believe that after so many years of losses, he could still turn things around.

He swore that once he won this time, he would never gamble again!!!