Chapter 24: This Business is a Massive Windfall; Ye Xun Shows Unparalleled Generosity with His Rewards

Evening fell upon the Prince of Qin’s estate.

A series of urgent knocks echoed from the back courtyard. Cao An, who had been squatting there waiting for Zheng Qian’s return, scrambled to his feet to open the door. Ye Xun had told him earlier that the time was right and Zheng Qian should be returning, instructing Cao An to wait for him. He had not expected the knocking to begin a mere quarter-hour later.

Creak...

The back door swung open. Zheng Qian stood there pulling a wooden cart, drenched in sweat. His face was filled with excitement as he looked at Cao An. "Cao An, we sold them! We sold them all!"

"Really!?" Cao An’s face lit up with joy. He stepped out of the gate to help Zheng Qian push the cart inside.

"It’s true!" Zheng Qian’s expression was brimming with irrepressible delight.

Cao An urged him, "Come on, let’s go back and see His Highness."

Seeing Zheng Qian in such high spirits, Cao An felt a profound sense of relief. He was genuinely comforted to see his cousin reborn, turning over a new leaf.

A moment later, Cao An and Zheng Qian reached the front hall. Zheng Qian emptied the money he had earned in front of Ye Xun. It was a heavy pile consisting mostly of copper coins, with a few pieces of silver given by wealthy families who had bought ten blocks of milk and honey soap each.

"Your Highness, I have completed the mission."

"All the soap was sold today: eight hundred blocks of plain soap, four hundred blocks of floral-scented soap, and two hundred blocks of milk and honey soap."

"We brought in twenty-six strings and four hundred coins, plus twenty taels of silver in change, totaling forty-six taels and four hundred coins."

As Zheng Qian spoke, he was visibly stirred; the soap had sold even better than he had imagined. If he had known that the production cost for these soaps was only about one tael of silver, he might have fainted from the sheer shock.

However, that was a trade secret. Zheng Qian knew nothing of the soap-making process or its costs, and Ye Xun had no intention of letting him find out. There was no helping it—human hearts were treacherous. With sales this good, they would inevitably be targeted sooner or later. Even though Ye Xun trusted Zheng Qian, no one could guarantee that Zheng Qian wouldn't spill the secret recipe if he were ever captured and subjected to torture. Therefore, Zheng Qian, who was responsible for sales, could not be privy to the production. Furthermore, when Ye Xun had sent Cao An out to procure materials, he had deliberately bought many cheap and irrelevant items to throw off anyone with prying intentions.

"Good." Ye Xun took the money bag and withdrew fifteen one-tael silver pieces. "The soap sale was a success, and you all deserve credit. Each of you three shall receive a reward of five taels."

"It isn't much, but it is a token of my appreciation."

"From now on, as long as you follow me well, I will never treat you unfairly."

Ye Xun was a simple and realistic man; he didn't care for empty rhetoric or drawing grand, hollow blueprints. When something needed doing, he dealt in hard cash. There was nothing more direct, more acceptable, or more exciting than cold, hard currency. Giving extra rewards was far more practical than offering hypocritical praise.

However, Cao An, Zheng Qian, and Ling'er were all quite embarrassed. In this era, class hierarchy was deeply ingrained. They felt that slaving away for Ye Xun was their duty. Ye Xun’s generosity was so staggering that they found it hard to believe; he seemed to throw money at them at every turn.

But... who doesn't love money? Even if they didn't spend it, just keeping it in their pockets provided a sense of security and joy.

"Your Highness, we cannot accept this money..." Cao An led the way in refusing.

Before he could finish, Ye Xun raised a hand to interrupt him. "Enough. From now on, when I hand out rewards, don't give me any nonsense. If I tell you to take it, take it. If you refuse, you are slapping me in the face."

He paused, then added, "Fine, this servant thanks Your Highness." Understanding Ye Xun’s temperament, Cao An stopped arguing and stepped forward to accept the reward.

Next, Ling'er stepped up, took the silver cautiously, and said softly, "Thank you, Your Highness." She truly hadn't expected that after arriving at the Prince of Qin’s estate, not only would she escape inhumane torment, but she would actually receive a reward. Five taels of silver was a figure she had never dared to imagine, yet Ye Xun had tossed it to her as if it were nothing.

Zheng Qian smiled but did not step forward. He bowed and said, "Your Highness, please keep my share. Consider it a repayment of my debt to you."

Ye Xun waved a hand. "No, you are paying back those seventy taels with your life; this money is what you have earned. In our Prince of Qin’s estate, there is a rule: punishment for faults, and rewards for merits."

Although he knew Ye Xun was half-joking, Zheng Qian was deeply gladdened. Having drifted through the world for so many years, Zheng Qian had encountered all sorts of people—nobles, scions of great families, those who struck it rich overnight, and those who lost everything in a day... But this was the first time he had met someone like Ye Xun, someone he simply could not see through.

Zheng Qian smiled and stepped forward to accept the reward. "Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you for your generosity."

Afterward, he handed the money to Cao An.

Cao An asked, puzzled, "Cousin, what are you doing?"

"Heh..." Zheng Qian gave an awkward laugh. "Help me keep this. You know me—I can't keep money in my own hands."

Hearing this, Cao An understood and nodded slightly. "Alright. Just let me know whenever you need to spend it." He was very supportive of this decision.

By now, Ye Xun was calculating whether he should recruit a few more laborers and rent a shop to expand production and increase sales. Since the soap was such a success, if he could introduce scented soap, the market would surely be vast. Once he was raking in gold every day, this life as a prince might finally be comfortable.

However, Ye Xun also felt a sense of crisis. For now, this small-scale operation, earning a hundred taels or so a day, was fine. But if his business grew too large, once he was truly wealthy, it would inevitably invite jealousy. Even though he was a prince, he was a "useless" one—one who couldn't even enter the imperial palace, unloved by his father, ignored by his uncle, and despised by all the civil and military officials.

Therefore, Ye Xun realized he needed a backer. Compared to the Xia Emperor, Wei Wuji might be an excellent choice. Though Wei Wuji had already severed ties with him, he was, after all, his biological uncle; blood is thicker than water, and bones are connected even when broken. Besides, apart from Wei Wuji, he really didn't know who else he could turn to.

Ye Xun didn't need Wei Wuji to help him fight for the throne. He only needed him to ensure his safety so he wouldn't be targeted by others. After all, the princes busy with the succession struggle were not to be trifled with. As long as no one bothered him, he could live a life of luxury and indulgence, a true playboy prince.

But that was a matter for another day. At this stage, no matter what Ye Xun said, Wei Wuji wouldn't even meet him. In fact, Wei Wuji would probably be delighted to see Ye Xun suffer.

Ye Xun stopped dwelling on it and beckoned to Cao An and the others.

"Come, sit down."

"Zheng Qian, tell everyone about the sales in the East Market today. Did everything go smoothly?"

Hearing this, the three gathered around. Cao An and Ling'er looked at Zheng Qian with curiosity. Over the past few days, they had worked incredibly hard to produce the soap. Even Wangcai raised its head to look at Zheng Qian; the dog had also been pressed into labor for the past few days.