Chapter 86

Qiao Zhongguo was a man of action. The next day, he sent someone to the relief hall and even had Aunt Liu accompany them.

Aunt Liu had dealt with Mama Rong, the head of the relief hall, many times before, so it would be easier for Aunt Liu to negotiate.

When Mama Rong heard that the Qiao family not only agreed to continue supporting the relief hall but also offered to arrange futures for the older children, she couldn’t help but be extremely grateful.

Because there were many children, each with different personalities and talents, it took half a month just to tailor the education to each child’s needs.

In the end, only a few children were found who could focus on studying, while more chose to learn a trade.

Qiao Zhongguo couldn’t help but feel sorry when he heard this.

He actually understood these children’s thoughts very well.

The path of studying was long and uncertain, and there was no guarantee of success in the future. But if they learned a trade, they could not only earn money early but also quickly repay the relief hall.

They were all good children.

What particularly surprised Qiao Zhongguo was that among these children were five promising martial artists, all of whom were willing to come to the Qiao family to learn martial arts.

After these actions, the relief hall was revitalized.

Mama Rong wore a smile on her face all day long and was even more available to take care of the younger children.

Qiao Jiaojiao didn’t know about this.

She planned to save up her private money and talk to her parents about her plans when she could speak, to help those children.

She was still worried about the three formulas. She kept repeating:

“I wonder if big brother has made the soap?”

Under the urging of the childish voice of Qiao Jiaojiao, Qiao Tianjing was busy.

He had to attend court, handle his own official duties, oversee the experiment of the formulas below, and also strategize the business in Qingzhou, making him look increasingly thin.

One afternoon, just after Qiao Jiaojiao woke up from her nap, she heard the voices of her family.

“Mother, take a look. Is this soap the same as Meng Guxue’s?”

Qiao Jiaojiao rubbed her eyes, vaguely seeing Qiao Tianjing handing a round piece of soap to Mrs. Qiao. In an instant, she sat up straight, wide awake.

“Ah! Did you make the soap? Big brother, I want to see too!”

“Brother… Brother…”

As soon as Qiao Jiaojiao’s voice was heard, the Qiao family knew she was awake.

Qiao Tianjing bent down and picked up Qiao Jiaojiao, handing her a piece of soap.

“Little sister, you can’t eat this.”

Qiao Jiaojiao: “…”

“Hmph, does big brother really think I’m an ignorant child!”

“Wow, this milky white color looks really delicious…”

Qiao Tianjing: “…”

“Little sister, although you’re very clever, you’re still a child.”

Mrs. Qiao tried the soap and came back with a pleased expression on her face after a while.

“It’s excellent to use, smoother and lathers better than the soap Miss Meng gave.”

Qiao Tianjing smiled at her words.

In fact, this soap had been made a few days ago, but he pursued perfection and had the craftsmen try it several times until he finally got the most satisfactory result to present to his parents.

“Since that’s the case, we can start preparing on a large scale.”

“Mother, take a look at these two things.”

Qiao Tianjing reached into his pocket and took out two small porcelain jars. Qiao Jiaojiao immediately caught a whiff of fragrance.

“Mother, this is the lipstick mentioned in the formula. Take a look and see the difference between this and the lip balm.”

“As for this perfume, making it isn’t difficult, but the challenge lies in how to preserve it.”

Mrs. Qiao, being a woman who loved beauty, couldn’t help but brighten up when she saw the lipstick and perfume. She took them and tried them out, returning with a satisfied expression.

“These two things are bound to sell well!”

Mrs. Qiao said confidently.

“If the lipstick came in more colors and the perfume had more varieties of scent, it would be even better.”

Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but grin at her words.

“Indeed, loving beauty is a woman’s nature. Mother’s words are so insightful!”

“Whether it’s the color of the lipstick or the scent of the perfume, there are already plenty of options. I’m not clear about these details. We’ll have to let big brother figure it out himself!”

Qiao Tianjing chuckled and said, “I’ve hired several skilled craftsmen at great expense. They’re already working on creating different colors and scents, and we even have multiple scents of soap.”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but admire him, nodding in agreement.

“I didn’t expect my big brother to be such a savvy businessman! If he can’t make it in the officialdom in the future, he could become a tycoon!”

“Hehe, my brother, this hexagonal all-rounder genius, is sure to thrive in the officialdom!”

“Sigh, but I’m worried that my brother is overworking himself. Look at his handsome face, becoming more defined. If his wife sees him looking so thin, she’ll definitely be heartbroken!”

Even Mrs. Qiao couldn’t help but worry.

“Son, you’ve been working hard lately. You’re getting married in a few months. Don’t tire yourself out too much.”

Qiao Tianjing hurriedly reassured Mrs. Qiao and Qiao Jiaojiao, “It’s just tiring at the beginning. Once the craftsmen’s skills mature and everything falls into place, it will be easier.”

“I plan to start this business in Qingzhou first. After all, the market there is already well managed. And Meng Guxue is in the capital. She gave soap to mother not long ago. If better soap suddenly appears in the capital, she might suspect our Qiao family.”

Hearing this, Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but admire Qiao Tianjing even more.

“That’s right, I was thinking the same thing! Although Meng Guxue is naive, she is still the female lead. We can’t underestimate her.”

“And if these things become famous in Qingzhou and then spread to the capital, because of the long distance, the price will go up!”

“Sigh, I’m so greedy. Wow, so much money!”

Qiao Tianjing couldn’t help but smile at these words.

Look at my clever little sister. When she grows up, she can naturally take over the business effortlessly.

By then, who knows, maybe my little sister will be the richest girl in the world!

Time passed smoothly for the family.

Two weeks later, Qingzhou suddenly saw unheard-of soap on the market, along with lipsticks of various colors and perfumes with special and captivating scents.

Because of their limited quantity, they were quickly snapped up by the officials and nobles of Qingzhou.

However, the ladies who used them all praised them, and many of them placed orders and paid in advance, spreading the word.

At this time, it was early May, and Jiaojiao was nine months old.

During this time, she couldn’t help but feel anxious because the Dragon Boat Festival banquet was coming soon, and that day in the original novel was the silly white sweet girl’s death anniversary!