Chapter 62: Mo Jianjia

With the addition of twelve carpenters, the construction of the soap workshop in Gushan Village progressed at an astonishing pace. In just three days, the entire workshop was completed. During these three days, Xu Mo was also helping Ning Yaxin renovate the Scented Skin Specialty Store. This activity quickly caught the attention of the Wang family.

That day, Wang Shunyang arrived at Lishui Pavilion early in the morning. Lishui Pavilion was one of the most renowned brothels in Xinzhou City, and ordinarily, it would not open its doors to guests until late afternoon. However, Wang Shunyang arrived well before noon. As soon as he entered, he headed straight for the third floor with his servant in tow.

Madam Yang, the madam of Lishui Pavilion, hurried out to greet him when she heard the news and caught up with him, saying, “Young Master Wang, you’re here far too early. Miss Jianjia is still preparing in her room. If you barge in now, I fear…” Before she could finish, Wang Shunyang interrupted her, “Madam Yang, would Jianjia really need to prepare to see me?” Without pausing, he strode ahead briskly.

When Madam Yang tried to follow and persuade him further, Wang Shunyang raised his hand, and the servant behind him immediately stepped in to block her path, slipping a silver ingot into her hand. The moment she received the silver, a broad smile appeared on Madam Yang’s face, and she made no further attempt to stop him.

Soon, Wang Shunyang stood before a room on the third floor. Just as he raised his hand to knock, the door opened. In the doorway stood a stunning young woman, graceful and radiant. “Young Master Wang, what brings you here so early today? I haven’t even had time to prepare myself,” she said coyly. She was none other than Mo Jianjia, the star courtesan of Lishui Pavilion.

As she spoke, a shy blush tinted her cheeks, and she hinted at gentle reproach, her manner irresistibly alluring. On any other day, Wang Shunyang would have been unable to restrain himself, eager to indulge in intimate conversation. But today, he was uncharacteristically serious. “Jianjia, I came early because I have a favor to ask of you,” he said earnestly.

Mo Jianjia, seasoned in the courtesan’s arts, immediately recognized that he had something urgent to discuss. She stepped aside and smiled, “Young Master, do come in and speak.” Wang Shunyang entered at once.

As soon as the door closed, he asked, “Jianjia, are you free these next couple of days? Could you do me a favor?”

Jianjia flashed a seductive smile. “Young Master, you’re not hoping I’ll recommend guests to Fenghua Restaurant again, are you? These days, everyone prefers the dishes at Zhenxiu House. Even if I recommended them, they might not go.”

As she spoke, she poured tea for Wang Shunyang.

Wang Shunyang shook his head. “You misunderstand. That’s not what I need your help with…” As for the wager with Ning Yongqiang, Wang had already given up after learning from Li Changsi that no matter how hard he tried, Fenghua Restaurant’s profits could not surpass those of Zhenxiu House.

Jianjia was surprised, her curiosity piqued. Wang Shunyang sat down and spoke in earnest, “Jianjia, could you go somewhere for me?”

“Where is that?” she asked, even more curious.

“Scented Skin Specialty Store,” Wang replied.

Jianjia, unfamiliar with the shop, inquired, “Where is it? What does it sell?”

Wang Shunyang explained, “It used to be a Ning family silk shop. It closed a few days ago, and now, almost overnight, it’s become a soap shop.” He then gave her the precise location.

“Is this the soap you mean?” Jianjia asked, retrieving a small bowl that held a nearly used-up bar of soap.

Wang Shunyang nodded. “That’s right! And I’ve heard people say the Scented Skin Specialty Store sells not only soap, but also a new product called scented soap—specifically for bathing. It’s more expensive and even better than before!”

“Oh?” Jianjia’s interest was instantly piqued. Since she first tried soap, she’d never wanted to use soapberry again. Yet lately, soap had been hard to come by—she’d visited the General Sundry Store several times without success. To think there was now a shop specializing in soap!

What’s more, she was delighted to learn there was now an even finer, pricier variety on offer.

Wang Shunyang watched her intently. “You know, it was always the Liu family’s General Sundry Store that sold soap, but now, suddenly, this business has shifted to the Ning family? I’m curious what happened.”

Jianjia immediately understood. “You’d like me to visit the Scented Skin Specialty Store, look around, and find out what’s going on for you?”

Wang Shunyang nodded eagerly, waiting for her answer. Jianjia, running low on soap herself, was only too pleased to oblige now that she knew where to get more.

“Young Master, I have nothing pressing today. I’ll let Madam Yang know, then head to the Scented Skin Specialty Store to see what I can find out for you,” Jianjia agreed.

Wang Shunyang was delighted, stepping forward to wrap his arm around her slender waist, doting on her. “Jianjia, I’m so grateful you’ll do this for me.”

His hand began to wander, making Jianjia giggle and squirm away, retreating into the inner room. Wang Shunyang’s spirits soared, and he quickly chased after her, calling, “Don’t run, beauty…”

---

Around five in the afternoon, Mo Jianjia, accompanied by two bodyguards from Lishui Pavilion, arrived at the entrance of the Scented Skin Specialty Store.

“This place is indeed grand—worthy of the Ning family’s name,” she murmured.

The store’s sign was impossible to miss—massive, extravagantly adorned, with the words “Scented Skin Specialty Store” gilded and gleaming in the sunlight, visible from a long distance. Without exaggeration, this was the most eye-catching establishment on the entire street.

At the entrance stood four attendants—two men and two women—dressed in matching uniforms, welcoming customers with enthusiasm. The men were tall and handsome; the women, charming and friendly—a highlight of the shop.

As the store was newly opened, there was a constant flow of well-dressed, affluent customers coming and going, and the atmosphere inside was bustling.

Jianjia observed that nearly everyone entering or leaving wore fine clothes and carried themselves with an air of status and wealth.

“Wait here,” she instructed her two escorts, then walked inside alone.

The moment she stepped through the door, a delicate fragrance of soap greeted her, instantly lifting her spirits.

Inside, a crowd had gathered in the central hall, seemingly enthralled by something. Curious, Jianjia drew closer—and was stunned. There, at the center, stood a towering “mountain of soap.”

This, of course, was Xu Mo’s idea, inspired by the product displays so common in twenty-first-century supermarkets. Bars of soap were stacked into a pyramid, forming a small mountain more than twice the height of a person—an impressive sight up close.

Jianjia couldn’t help but think: Wang Shunyang always claimed the Ning family’s business was declining and their fortunes waning, but clearly, that wasn’t the case at all.

Knowing how expensive soap was, she naturally assumed its cost must be high as well. Seeing the lavish décor and the grand “mountain of soap,” Jianjia concluded that the Ning family’s wealth was far greater than Wang Shunyang let on.

While she stood admiring the display, a poised and elegant woman approached.

“Miss Jianjia, it’s been a long time,” the woman greeted her, her voice melodious and pleasant.

Jianjia turned and immediately recognized her. She dipped in a graceful curtsy. “So it’s you, Manager Xie. It’s been a while—you’re as radiant as ever!”

The newcomer was Xie Yuqing, who had managed the shop when it was a silk store and continued to do so now that it had transformed into the Scented Skin Specialty Store.