Pei Ying noticed Huo Tingshan staring at her but saying nothing. His intense gaze made her slightly uneasy, so she called out, "General?"
Huo Tingshan straightened up and walked to the other side of the carriage to board.
Today, Meng Ling'er had gone to study with Gongsun Liang as usual, while Xin Jin and Shui Su were in the carriage behind. Now, only Pei Ying and Huo Tingshan remained in this carriage.
After taking a seat opposite Pei Ying, Huo Tingshan turned his attention to the small wooden blocks on the table before him—tiny things, none larger than half his palm.
He had seen them earlier; they were nearly identical to the one Pei Ying held in her hand.
Huo Tingshan picked one up and weighed it in his palm. It was light. "So this is the soap you mentioned, madam? Using wood for bathing?"
"Of course not wood, General. What you see is merely a mold—the soap is inside." Pei Ying pressed a certain spot on the wooden block in her hand and gave it a gentle push.
Click. A small wooden panel slid out.
She repeated the process, carefully dismantling the wooden box.
This mold had been custom-made—a rectangular prism with six interlocking panels, the largest two adorned with intricate carvings.
Each mold bore a different design: some featured popular motifs like peonies or bamboo, while others displayed whimsical, cartoonish cats and dogs, charming and playful.
Click. Another panel came loose in Pei Ying's hands.
Her movements were deliberate, unhurried. Huo Tingshan didn’t rush her. Instead, he rested his chin on his hand, watching as the elegant woman across from him worked the wooden box with her slender, pale fingers.
Most noblewomen adored jewelry, yet Huo Tingshan noted that Pei Ying’s wrists were bare.
Only when two panels remained did Huo Tingshan finally focus on the object in Pei Ying’s hands.
With the last pieces removed, the contents were revealed.
Inside lay a pristine white block, its color as pure as freshly fallen snow in the northern lands, even more immaculate than the finest jade.
"This is the soap," Pei Ying said, handing it to him.
Huo Tingshan took it and pinched it between his fingers. Unlike snow, it wasn’t soft—its texture was firm yet pliable.
His sharp eyes caught the intricate carvings on the soap’s surface—a vibrant peony bloom. Turning it over, he found the same design on the reverse.
After examining it thoroughly, he suddenly brought the soap to his nose.
It wasn’t his imagination—it carried a fragrance.
Of course it did. When crafting the soap, Pei Ying had infused it with scents. Like the patterns, the fragrances varied.
If they were to market this as a luxury item, it had to be flawless. And Pei Ying knew that the wealthy often had collecting obsessions.
Limited-edition luxury bags in every color, complete sets of rare figurines, autographed sneakers from different seasons—collecting was an expensive habit, but for those with deep pockets, family fortunes and thriving businesses could sustain such indulgences.
"Madam, this soap is quite novel," Huo Tingshan mused, turning it over in his hands.
Pei Ying then placed a small wooden basin of water on the table. "General, why not try it?"
"How is it used?" he asked.
Traditional soapberries required boiling to extract their cleansing properties.
Pei Ying smiled. "Simply wet it and wash."
So Huo Tingshan did. He dipped his large hands into the basin and rubbed the soap between them. The delicate, jade-like block soon produced fragrant, velvety lather—novel and convenient.
He paused, staring at the soap in his palm. Its shape remained intact, barely diminished.
Pei Ying chuckled. "Soapberry liquid has a pungent odor, but this doesn’t. That alone will make it desirable among the wealthy. In Chang’an, where nobles abound, competition is fierce—they covet what others lack and refine what others possess. Cheap goods hold no appeal to them."
Huo Tingshan slowly lowered his gaze to the soap.
"Each bar bears a unique design—flora, fauna, or landscapes. Sold individually, yet clearly part of a set," Pei Ying continued. "Once the first batch sells out, we’ll limit daily sales. Once the quota is met, no more will be sold that day—let the nobles come back tomorrow."
In essence, it was scarcity marketing.
Chang’an, a city teeming with aristocrats and wealth, was the perfect place for such tactics.
"Once we’ve secured our first fortune, we can enhance the soap with medicinal herbs, advertising its beautifying properties. Then demand will soar. So, General, knowing its true cost, do you still think ten taels per bar is too expensive?" Pei Ying’s eyes curved with amusement.
Huo Tingshan already had his answer.
No, it wasn’t. For Chang’an’s corrupt officials and decadent nobles, ten taels for such a novelty was a trifle.
At first, he hadn’t grasped the full picture, but now he could vividly imagine the frenzy these soaps would incite in Chang’an.
Shops would be mobbed by wealthy households and their servants. Scalpers would hoard bars to resell at inflated prices.
In short, the soap would sell itself.
Priced at ten taels, yet costing less than one percent of that in materials—pork fat, lye, and coarse salt.
Huo Tingshan envisioned a river of gold and silver, flowing ceaselessly into Youzhou.
But it wasn’t just wealth—it meant better feed for warhorses, compensation for fallen soldiers, military pay, infrastructure for Youzhou, and tax relief for its people…
Huo Tingshan abruptly looked up, his gaze blazing as it locked onto Pei Ying.
Though she had anticipated his excitement, the intensity in his eyes still startled her. They burned like molten lava, overwhelming, as if he were a predator poised to strike.
For a fleeting moment, Pei Ying’s spine stiffened, her pulse quickening under the weight of that gaze—a primal tension, as if cornered by a beast.
But the sensation passed as swiftly as it came. The man across from her lowered his lashes briefly, and when he looked up again, his expression was relaxed, his smile easy.
"Madam, your soap is extraordinary. Once it reaches Chang’an, the nobility will treasure it. With more opulent packaging, some may even gift it as a prized offering."
Pei Ying exhaled slowly, steadying herself.
Listening to Huo Tingshan, she couldn’t help but marvel at how shrewd ancient people truly were.
They simply couldn't comprehend things they had never encountered before, but once accepted, applying the concept came naturally.
"Madam, have you considered giving the soap a name?" Huo Tingshan asked.
Pei Ying hadn't really thought about it—soap was just soap.
Seeing her hesitation, Huo Tingshan knew she hadn't settled on one. The man retrieved the soap from the water, carefully wiped it dry with an embroidered handkerchief, and only then dried his hands. "How about calling it 'Pei's Soap'?"
Pei Ying: "Huh?"
Huo Tingshan chuckled at her wide-eyed expression. "This soap was made by you, Madam. It's only fitting to name it after you."
Pei Ying felt an inexplicable sense of embarrassment, her fair cheeks flushing pink. The name "Pei's Soap" bore an uncanny resemblance to modern-day shop signs like "Wang's Fried Rice" or "Li Family Pork Trotters Noodles."
Huo Tingshan picked up the other small wooden boxes to inspect them, speaking as he did. "What’s that look for, Madam? If it’s your soap, it deserves such a name—unless this isn’t your recipe?"
Pei Ying quickly replied, "Well, it isn’t mine. It was my late husband’s..."
"Close friend’s," Huo Tingshan interjected smoothly.
Pei Ying choked back her words—that was exactly what she had been about to say.
Huo Tingshan lifted his gaze, his tone meaningful. "Madam, your skill in conjuring friends out of thin air has grown quite refined."
At first, he had entertained the possibility of a reclusive sage existing somewhere. But as events unfolded and his soldiers—dispatched to scour the mountains around Beichuan County—returned empty-handed, Huo Tingshan realized the secret lay with Pei Ying herself.
There was no "close friend." It was likely a fabrication to deceive him.
Even if he was wrong and the soap truly belonged to someone else, it didn’t matter. Once "Pei's Soap" hit the market, the real creator would surely make themselves known.
Pei Ying lowered her eyes, fiddling with the handkerchief in her hands.
So he knew.
Of course he did. A man who thrived in the cutthroat environment of Youzhou, who commanded a pack of wolves, was no fool.
But what could he do about it?
After spending time with him, Pei Ying had come to understand Huo Tingshan better. His face might be stern, but as long as his bottom line wasn’t crossed, he was surprisingly reasonable. He had a weakness for women, yes, but ambition and power took precedence—everything else came second.
Later, when she accompanied her daughter to one of Gongsun Liang’s lectures, she noticed his tent was immaculate, his belongings refined and lavish, even his tea was of exceptional quality. It was clear Huo Tingshan treated those of use to him very well.
Now, Pei Ying’s heart was completely at ease—so much so that she even felt bold enough to tug at the tiger’s whiskers without fear.
So what if she didn’t explain? What could he do?
With a smile, she nodded. "I suppose practice makes perfect."
Huo Tingshan hadn’t expected her to acknowledge his jab, let so casually. Studying her amused eyes, it struck him that once the soap was released, her promise of "endless silver" would soon materialize.
Their business contract was now in effect.
His fingers stilled around the wooden soap box.
Pei Ying noticed the subtle pause, her heart skipping briefly before she dismissed it and began ushering him out. "The sooner we sell the soap, the better. General, you should hurry back and discuss this with Gongsun Liang and the others."
Then she remembered something. "Chen Yuan and his soldiers were the ones who helped make the soap. They must keep the recipe secret. If it leaks, ten taels of silver could plummet to mere pennies in months."
As long as the recipe remained hidden, no one would ever guess that this luxurious, fragrant item contained the stench of rendered lard.
Huo Tingshan had considered this too. "Rest assured, Madam. Aside from Chen Yuan, every soldier involved will be assigned to soap production under strict supervision. Though our contract stands, since the soap is your creation, you’ll receive twenty percent of the net profits moving forward."
Pei Ying froze.
Huo Tingshan smirked. "What, don’t want it?"
"I do!" she blurted.
The soap was meant to fulfill their agreement—she hadn’t expected any share of its profits, let alone for the cash-strapped Huo Tingshan to willingly part with a portion.
Twenty percent might not sound like much, but with raw materials, management, and operations all handled by him, it was pure profit for her. Free money.
If he was offering, why wouldn’t she take it?
"I’ll take these samples to show the others," Huo Tingshan said, gesturing to the remaining soap boxes.
Pei Ying nodded.
There were five wooden boxes in total. Huo Tingshan stacked them, then wrapped them in the same red-plum-embroidered handkerchief he’d used earlier.
After dismounting the carriage, he swung onto his horse, Wu Ye. The steed trotted a short distance before Huo Tingshan glanced back.
The carriage curtain was slightly lifted, revealing half of the beautiful woman’s face inside. The sunlight streaming in illuminated her features, enhancing her radiance—her lips curved in quiet satisfaction, her complexion glowing like peach blossoms.
His grip on the handkerchief tightened. Without a word, Huo Tingshan turned and rode ahead.
"General, what is this?" Xiong Mao eyed the small wooden box in Huo Tingshan’s hand.
The command tent was packed, everyone present staring at the box in confusion.
What treasure could this be? Just a tiny wooden container?
Surely it wasn’t ordinary—otherwise, the General wouldn’t have summoned them all.
"All of you are my trusted men. Today, I’ve gathered you to witness something that will bring us wealth." Huo Tingshan called Chen Yuan forward. "This is what you helped Madam create. Open it carefully—don’t damage it."
Sha Ying and Qin Yang exchanged glances, puzzled.
So the thing Madam Pei had been working on—this "soap"—wasn’t just a whim? She’d actually succeeded?
Chen Yuan took the box, inspecting it first. The wooden pieces were clearly joined together, and he quickly figured out how to dismantle it. With a few clicks, he removed the lid, revealing the pristine white soap inside.
"So this is soap? It looks exquisitely crafted."
"General, how is it used?"
Huo Tingshan replied, "Simply wash your hands with it in water."
A basin was already prepared. Chen Yuan hesitated briefly—the soap was solid, unlike the liquid from boiled soapberries—but at Huo Tingshan’s instruction, he proceeded.
The entire group leaned in, watching intently.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Chen Yuan's hands moved through the water basin, rubbing the soap until a layer of white frothy bubbles emerged. Those with keen noses had already caught the fresh, pleasant scent.
The main tent erupted in chaos.
"How is this possible?"
"My lord, may I try it too?"
"General, can I give it a go? I just caught a whiff of fragrance—it’s incredible!"
"This is so convenient! No need to boil water—it can be used directly?"
Huo Tingshan pointed at the remaining wooden boxes on the table.
Quick-witted officers scrambled to grab them. Xiong Mao only realized what was happening after the others had already seized their shares, his face flushing with urgency. "Give me one! Give me one!"
The tent descended into pandemonium, but Huo Tingshan made no move to stop them, allowing his subordinates to continue their raucous scramble for the soap.
It was at this moment that Gongsun Liang entered. He had just finished tutoring Meng Ling'er when he heard that Huo Tingshan had summoned his closest advisors to the main tent. After some thought, he deduced it must be an important matter—though not urgent, or else the lord would have called for him as well.
Strolling in leisurely, Gongsun Liang was met with a sight that left him utterly astonished. The tent was in disarray—Xiong Mao and Qin Yang seemed to be wrestling over something, nearly coming to blows. One officer, shoved in the commotion, stumbled toward Gongsun Liang, who failed to dodge in time and ended up with a foot planted squarely on his own.
"Ouch!" Gongsun Liang yelped in pain.
Recognizing his voice, the crowd gradually stilled.
"Apologies, Master Gongsun!"
Gongsun Liang turned to Huo Tingshan. "My lord, what is the meaning of this?"
How could the lord allow such disorder without intervening?
Huo Tingshan instructed Qin Yang to hand his soap to Gongsun Liang. Qin Yang hurriedly complied, explaining how to use it once the older man had it in hand.
Gongsun Liang's goat-like beard twitched with excitement as he eagerly tried it—and was instantly awestruck.
Like Huo Tingshan, he immediately grasped the soap’s immense value. His hands trembled slightly as he held it. "My lord, the method for making this must never be leaked."
Not content with just warning Huo Tingshan, Gongsun Liang turned to Chen Yuan. "Chen Yuan, I recall the soap project was under your supervision. Keep a tight leash on the soldiers involved. If word gets out, Youzhou stands to lose a fortune—our military provisions and supplies depend on this."
Chen Yuan, realizing the gravity, responded firmly, "Understood!"
"My lord, I remember Murong Shu is currently in Chang'an. He’s shrewd, skilled in commerce, and his elderly mother remains in Youzhou. I propose entrusting him with the soap trade," Gongsun Liang suggested.
Every province had its own network of connections, and Youzhou was no exception. Murong Shu, a native of Youzhou, had once caught Huo Tingshan’s attention for his business acumen and had since been nurtured accordingly.
Murong Shu operated under the guise of Youzhou’s foremost merchant, boasting of his extensive local connections—a reputation Huo Tingshan occasionally bolstered. In return, Murong Shu supplied Youzhou with a substantial sum every six months.
Huo Tingshan nodded. "An excellent suggestion, Master Gongsun."
Gongsun Liang sniffed his freshly washed hands, the lingering fragrance pleasing. "My lord, I have a presumptuous request."
Huo Tingshan waved a hand. "Speak freely."
Gongsun Liang chuckled. "I’d like to ask for a bar of soap for myself. I hope my lord will grant this wish."
The moment the words left his mouth, the tent erupted again, with others quickly following suit.
"General, I’d like one too!"
"General, me as well—"
Huo Tingshan let the clamor continue without response or reprimand, waiting for it to die down naturally.
Eventually, silence returned.
His gaze swept over the crowd, lingering on Xiong Mao and a few other officers. "Who was it that dismissed my wife’s efforts as frivolous? Who argued over a few pounds of pork with her? And now, you clamor for her soap?"
No names were spoken, but the implication was clear.
Xiong Mao and the others flushed crimson.
Even those who had only thought similarly hung their heads, not daring to speak. They had been blind fools—thankfully, the general hadn’t listened to them, or disaster might have followed.
Huo Tingshan scoffed. "Do you recall the price set for this soap in Chang’an?"
The crowd wilted.
They remembered. Lady Pei had said it would sell for ten taels of silver.
Ten taels! Even if they had that much, they’d hesitate to spend it on a mere bar of soap...
Huo Tingshan continued, "Soon, the Blue Scarf rebels will make their move. The forces in Changping will likely swarm out in full force. When that happens, rewards will be based on military merit."
The officers perked up immediately.
Killing enemies? That was their specialty.
Once the orders were given, the officers dispersed to their duties, leaving only Huo Tingshan and Gongsun Liang in the tent.
Huo Tingshan glanced at him. "You have more to say?"
Gongsun Liang grew serious. "My lord, have you uncovered Lady Pei’s background?"
Huo Tingshan gave a noncommittal hum.
Gongsun Liang, reading his expression, knew the investigation had yielded little. "My lord, if nothing can be found, perhaps it’s best to let it go. It’s possible Lady Pei herself is the 'Qilin Child.' Previously, there may have been misunderstandings between you, but now that they’re resolved, she willingly offers her counsel. In time, she’ll come to see you as the wise and generous leader you are."
A wise man need not spell things out.
Huo Tingshan knew there had never been any misunderstanding between him and Pei Ying—only his own greed. Gongsun Liang had glimpsed his thoughts and was subtly advising him.
When Huo Tingshan remained silent, Gongsun Liang bowed deeply. "There are countless beauties in the world, my lord. But remember—Lady Pei is no longer just Lady Pei. She is..."
Huo Tingshan’s expression darkened. "Is what?"
Gongsun Liang met his gaze squarely. "The reincarnation of the God of Wealth. Therefore, my lord must not offend her."
Huo Tingshan closed his eyes, unwilling to look at Gongsun Liang’s smug face any longer.
Seizing the opportunity, Gongsun Liang grinned silently. "My lord, for the coming battle in Changping, I pledge my utmost efforts. Might I... receive a bar of soap in advance?"
Huo Tingshan kept his eyes shut. "Get out."
Gongsun Liang, long accustomed to his lord’s manner, took this as assent and happily pocketed a bar of soap before exiting.
The allied forces advanced leisurely toward Changping, the distance shrinking day by day. At this pace, they would arrive in ten days.
Pei Ying had assumed this peaceful march would continue uninterrupted—until the day she awoke to find the camp’s atmosphere transformed.
Tension. Anticipation.
Patrols had multiplied, and the army moved faster.
After leaving the governor's residence, Chen Yuan had been lingering around Pei Ying, so she decided to call him over and ask what was going on.
When Pei Ying inquired, Chen Yuan didn’t hold back and truthfully explained the situation.
Changping County was the stronghold of the Blue Scarf Army, while the late Governor of Ji Province, Yuan Ding, had resided in Yuanshan County. The two regions weren’t too far apart. After news of Yuan Ding’s death reached Changping County, the morale of the Blue Scarf Army soared, and they had already launched multiple attacks on Yuanshan County.
Yuan Ding’s death not only emboldened the Blue Scarf Army but also demoralized the Ji Province forces—especially since Huang Muyong, the imperial envoy sent by the court, was not currently stationed in Zuoyuan County.
After securing two minor victories, Dong Fei, the leader of the Blue Scarf Army who styled himself as the "Dream Realization Sage," made a bold decision—
To mobilize all forces and attack Zuoyuan County.
To the north of Yuanshan County and Changping County lay a mountain range that acted as a natural barrier, making both locations difficult to assault.
The Dream Realization Sage made this decision after receiving news that the allied forces from the south were advancing.
He wanted to crush the Ji Province army before the combined forces of You, Yan, and Si Provinces arrived.
The reason it was called the "Three-Province Alliance" was because Huang Muyong, dispatched by the court, had grown restless upon hearing of the Blue Scarf Army’s repeated attacks on Yuanshan County. He led his troops in a forced march back to Yuanshan County under the cover of night.
After all, he had been sent by the court to aid Ji Province and had even been granted military authority. If he failed to clean up this mess, he wouldn’t be able to answer to Emperor Zhao.
Thus, when Huang Muyong noticed the other three armies moving at a leisurely pace without urgency, he angrily smashed several teacups and led his forces ahead of the others.
"So that’s how it is," Pei Ying murmured thoughtfully.
The situation had reached a boiling point—the Ji Province army had been nearly crushed by the Blue Scarf rebels, and now it was the Three Provinces’ turn to step in.
Pei Ying also saw another layer to this: whichever faction managed to annihilate the Blue Scarf Army would likely claim Ji Province as their own.
"My lady."
Pei Ying turned at the voice and saw Huo Tingshan.
After handing over a pile of small soaps to him the other day, she had finally relaxed. Now, even though he stood before her clad in black armor with a blade at his waist, she no longer felt afraid.
"General, are you here to see Colonel Chen? I won’t disturb you, then." Pei Ying assumed he had come for Chen Yuan.
Over the past few days, she had learned more about Chen Yuan’s background. The seemingly taciturn colonel was no ordinary officer—he was practically part of the core leadership of the You Province army.
"Not him. You."
Five words froze Pei Ying in her tracks.
She turned back, her clear almond-shaped eyes widening slightly in surprise. Though she didn’t speak, her expressive gaze seemed to say, What do you want with me? What else is there to discuss?
Huo Tingshan clicked his tongue. "Can’t I come to see you?"
Pei Ying hesitated, remembering her current circumstances. "That’s not it," she replied softly, a hint of reluctance in her voice.
Huo Tingshan knew she was now showing her true self, shedding much of her earlier pretense, so he didn’t bother arguing. "I’ll be setting off tomorrow at the earliest, the day after at the latest. Wait for me here. If anything urgent comes up, look for Chen Yuan."
Pei Ying realized he had come to bid farewell. After a moment’s thought, she said, "May you be victorious and return triumphant."
Huo Tingshan smirked.
Finally, something pleasant to hear.
Pei Ying expected him to leave after that, but instead, he suddenly tossed her a small brocade box slightly larger than her palm.
She caught it reflexively.
"Yan Province sent some gifts. This one caught my eye, so I thought you might like it," the man said lazily.
Pei Ying looked up at him. "What is it?"
Huo Tingshan remained silent.
Biting her lip, she finally gave in to curiosity and gently flicked open the silver clasp.
The box was exquisitely crafted, emitting a soft click as it opened. Inside lay a twisted gold filigree bracelet studded with rubies.
Under the sunlight, the gems shimmered brilliantly, casting dazzling reflections.
Pei Ying was stunned.
