Huo Tingshan reached directly into the small clay pot. His fingertips touched the translucent crystals inside, and in that instant, a wave of cold air traveled up his finger.
It was indeed ice.
Moreover, judging by its shape, it was frozen directly within the pot, as if an invisible giant hand had torn through time and space, bringing this pot from the depths of winter into the gradually warming summer.
Huo Tingshan lifted the small pot out of the larger one. "That rebel leader who calls himself the Dream Fulfillment Master once boasted he could turn stone into gold. I always dismissed it as nonsense to deceive the gullible. But now, with just this one feat of turning water into ice, Madam, if you told me you could accomplish what that rebel chief claimed, I wouldn't even doubt it."
Pei Ying pursed her lips into a smile.
Turning stone into gold? Well, given the right conditions, it wasn't entirely impossible.
Weighing the small pot in his hand, Huo Tingshan noticed his eldest son staring at it and casually tossed it over like a ball.
Huo Mingji caught it deftly, turning it over in his palm and even giving it a slight shake.
The freshly formed ice was tightly fused to the inner wall of the pot, not making a single clinking sound.
"Madam, how was this ice made?" Huo Tingshan asked. "Did you use astragalus, arborvitae seeds, honeysuckle..."
He listed a series of medicinal herbs.
A flicker of surprise passed through Pei Ying's eyes.
These were precisely all the herbs she had purchased with him yesterday from five different clinics.
He remembered every single one, without missing a beat.
Seeing the beautiful woman beside him staring at him in a daze, a smile curled at the corner of Huo Tingshan's eyes. He raised his hand and pinched the nape of Pei Ying's neck. "What is Madam thinking about?"
His hand, having just touched the icy pot, was still very cold. Pei Ying shivered from the chill and immediately swatted his hand away. "You're practically forty, how can you still act like a child?"
"Only practically forty. That's an improvement from last time, when Madam said I was practically fifty." Huo Tingshan murmured to Pei Ying.
The corner of Pei Ying's mouth twitched.
She always said this man held a bit of a grudge, remembering even the most trivial matters for a long time.
Huo Mingji stood not far away, keeping his head bowed as he examined the pot.
Though his eyes weren't looking, his ears heard everything. A complex emotion flashed in the young man's eyes.
His birth mother passed away when he was three. He began remembering things and started his education early, and even now he could vaguely recall some scenes from that time.
His father and his birth mother had separate rooms. They would sometimes gather for meals. But in his memory, his father spoke very little. After exchanging what he now recognized as perfunctory greetings, they would begin eating.
Truly treating each other with the respect due to a guest.
After that, even up until about a year ago, he had always believed that was how one interacted with a wife—
Mutual respect, utmost courtesy.
That was the proper way to show regard.
But now, Huo Mingji was startled to realize his previous understanding was wrong. It turns out interaction with a wife isn't limited to one mode; it could actually be this intimate.
"So, Madam, where does this ice come from?"
Huo Mingji was called back from his thoughts by the question. He looked up at the beautiful woman not far away, who was holding up a small bag containing some residual white, fine powder.
Pei Ying explained to them: "The main ingredient is saltpeter. When saltpeter dissolves in water, it absorbs a great amount of heat, causing the temperature inside the small pot to drop rapidly. When there's enough saltpeter, the liquid inside the inner container will freeze."
Besides the small pot, Huo Tingshan also saw a larger pot that wasn't completely filled with water. The liquid inside was somewhat murky, clearly having something added to it.
Huo Tingshan pondered Pei Ying's words.
Absorbing a large amount of heat, rapid temperature decrease—the concepts weren't hard to grasp. But sometimes it's precisely such plain explanations that make one feel as if a fog has suddenly cleared, bringing a moment of revelation.
Huo Tingshan looked at the wide-eyed Guo Dajiang. "Guo Dajiang, take a squad of soldiers to neighboring counties and purchase a large quantity of saltpeter..."
"Huo Tingshan," Pei Ying called to him. "You don't need too much. The saltpeter can be reused."
Saltpeter wasn't a single-use item. Evaporation and crystallization could extract the saltpeter from the solution for repeated use.
Huo Tingshan's gaze returned to the large pot. The water was still murky. "When Madam says 'reuse,' does it mean boiling the water dry?"
He thought of salt—boiling brine to evaporate the water, leaving salt crystals behind.
Pei Ying nodded. "Exactly."
Even after learning the saltpeter could be reused, Huo Tingshan still ordered men to buy it, though he significantly reduced the requested amount. To prevent others from discovering the secret method, they adopted Pei Ying's previous tactic: mixing the saltpeter purchases with other medicinal herbs, creating a smokescreen.
The method of making ice with saltpeter might not stay secret for long, given its simple, low-tech steps, but keeping the formula hidden for even a little longer was worthwhile.
Guo Dajiang accepted the order and left.
"You may return as well," Huo Tingshan said to his eldest son.
Just as Huo Mingji was about to take his leave, he heard Pei Ying say, "Huo Tingshan, tell Mingji and the others they don't need to come pay their respects to me every day from now on."
Huo Tingshan first glanced at Pei Ying, seeing her serious expression, then addressed his son: "From now on, coming on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month will suffice."
Huo Mingji bowed with clasped hands. "As you wish."
After his eldest son had withdrawn, Huo Tingshan looked again at the beautiful woman beside him. "Did they wake you this morning, Madam?"
The tips of Pei Ying's ears turned slightly red. "Don't think me so lazy. I woke up on my own this morning. I'm just not used to having people waiting to pay their respects to me every single day."
On nights when he wasn't... indulgent, she typically woke up quite early.
"Madam isn't lazy; that's called conserving energy." Huo Tingshan said with a laugh.
Guo Dajiang's efficiency was high. In just two days, he had procured a considerable amount of saltpeter.
Pei Ying bought a shop in the western market of the commandery. The shop's original furnishings were quite good, requiring no renovation.
With the shop secured, the next step was the signboard.
Pei Ying had a large plaque made. She mixed some light blue pigment and inscribed on the plaque: Pei's Ice Blocks.
On the far right end of the plaque, she also painted a little rabbit hugging the character "Pei," effectively creating a trademark logo.
Besides the plaque, Pei Ying also had a large banner made. On the light blue banner, also bearing the words "Pei's Ice Blocks," the shop name was no longer the main focus. This advertisement-like vertical banner featured several large characters:
Ice Blocks, half a tael per pot.
The price was displayed right on the banner.
After the plaque and banner were hung, a crowd of commoners gathered in front of the shop to watch the spectacle.
"Is this... a shop selling ice blocks?"
"I've heard of shops selling food and clothes, but a shop selling ice is a first."
"I remember this shop used to sell clothes. It doesn't have a cellar underneath. How will they store the ice when it's transported here?"
"Indeed, now that the weather is getting hot, much of the ice will surely melt during transportation. How can this business work? Wouldn't it be a loss rather than a gain?"
"Is this Pei's shop... perhaps our Governor's Lady's establishment?"
"Pei's has opened here already... What? You actually ask what Pei's is? Let me tell you, this shop's name is quite famous in Chang'an. Pei's Soap and Pei's Fine Wine both come from it. It's not an exaggeration to say 'Pei's' is a favorite among Chang'an's nobility."
"It seems they've officially opened for business. Whether I buy or not, I'm going in to have a look first."
...
Meng Ling'er and Huo Zhizhang were on their day off today. Having heard that Pei Ying was opening an ice shop, which they had been involved in, they came specifically to help out on the opening day.
As soon as the large door panels were folded and put away, quite a crowd surged in from outside.
Everyone who entered the shop felt a sudden jolt of alertness, for no other reason than that the shop was wonderfully cool.
Looking around, the crowd was astonished.
Inside the shop stood a row of wooden shelves, upon which rested one exquisite ice sculpture after another—flowers, plants, trees, insects, fish, birds, and beasts, all incredibly lifelike.
Not only were there ice sculptures on the shelves, but massive blocks of ice, square and towering even taller and thicker than a young child, were also stored in the four corners of the shop.
The entire shop was enveloped in coolness. In the gradually intensifying summer heat, this refreshing chill made one feel utterly comfortable, as if every pore on the body had opened up.
"Welcome, honored guests. Are you looking to purchase ice? Today we have a special promotion: buy two, get one free." A young attendant with a smiling face stepped forward. "Please don't underestimate these blocks of ice. If used in the right place, they can bring a steady flow of wealth."
Jia Zhiyong had originally come just to join the bustle and enjoy the cool air, but upon hearing "a steady flow of wealth," he immediately looked over.
Seeing that many people's attention was captured, Meng Ling'er grew even more expectant.
Huo Zhizhang took the opportunity to ask loudly, "Why do you say it brings a steady flow of wealth?"
The young attendant smiled and explained, "For instance, placing a basin of ice in a restaurant, tea house, or silk shop during summer, and having an attendant fan the air behind it—wouldn't that make the shop pleasantly cool? As long as customers are willing to linger, why worry about not having business?"
Jia Zhiyong was stunned, then had a sudden moment of enlightenment.
Yes, on such hot summer days, if his shop were cooler than others, customers would definitely prefer to visit.
"Half a tael of silver for one jar of ice. But this half tael spent can earn back far more than half a tael. Moreover, there's a promotion today: buy two, get one free," the attendant said.
Many were tempted, but still, no one spoke up.
Meng Ling'er glanced towards a "customer" in the corner, who understood her cue and spoke up, "Half a tael isn't cheap. Besides, the weather isn't unbearably hot yet. Buying ice now seems a bit unwise."
Several people chimed in agreement.
"That's right, the heat isn't intolerable yet."
"It doesn't seem very cost-effective to buy today."
The attendant then announced clearly, "Our shop offers ice reservations! During these promotional days, if you reserve ice for future purchase, you can also enjoy the 'buy two, get one free' offer."
Upon hearing this, many in the crowd exclaimed in surprise.
"Then I want to make a reservation! I'll reserve three jars of ice to be delivered around the Summer Solstice," Jia Zhiyong was the first to say.
With the promotion, he only needed to spend one tael of silver to get three jars of ice.
Jia Zhiyong calculated in his mind: he could place the ice jars in the main hall of his tea house then... no, better to place them in specific private rooms. If customers wanted to use an "ice-cooled room," they'd have to pay extra.
Hearing someone wanted to reserve, the attendant's smile widened. "Honored guest, a reservation requires a deposit, which is one-third of the total price."
Getting money out of merchants' pockets wasn't easy. Hearing about the deposit, Jia Zhiyong quickly asked, "Ice is a rare commodity and hard to preserve. If we pay a deposit but you can't deliver the ice later, what then?"
"Right, what if you can't provide the ice?"
"You can't just hold onto our money for that long without good reason."
At this moment, Meng Ling'er spoke up clearly, "Everyone, please calm down and listen to me."
A young lady's voice is somewhat sharper. As soon as she spoke, many people looked over.
"Who are you?"
"Why is a young lady speaking here? Where's the proprietor? Let the proprietor come out."
Meng Ling'er announced, "I am the proprietor's daughter. I can address your concerns. Our 'Pei's' has a renowned reputation in Chang'an, worthy of being called a gold-standard brand. On the day of ice delivery, if 'Pei's' cannot provide the goods, we will compensate you double your deposit."
The crowd was astonished.
Double the deposit?
That meant if Pei's couldn't deliver, they could actually make a profit?
"Customers wishing to place an order, please come over here to register," Meng Ling'er seized the moment to guide people towards the counter.
Meng Ling'er took out a stack of mulberry paper forms, with many blanks to be filled in.
Such as the customer's name, deposit amount, number of ice jars reserved, order date, and scheduled ice pick-up time.
Once a form was completed, a red seal with the 'Pei's' trademark was stamped on it. Then it was torn in half down the middle—one half given to the customer, the other kept on file at the Pei's Ice Shop.
On the delivery day, by presenting this slip and paying the remaining balance at the shop, one could collect the ice.
If one changed their mind and no longer wanted the ice, cancellation was also possible. Canceling one day before the delivery date resulted in a full refund of the deposit. Canceling on the delivery day or later meant half the deposit would be deducted before the remainder was refunded.
After canceling, one could place a new order. However, if the deadline was exceeded, the "buy two, get one free" promotion would no longer apply.
Hearing that the deposit could even be refunded, those who were already tempted instantly had their reservations disappear.
They queued up one after another to place orders.
Might as well order now. If they didn't want it later, they could just cancel in advance. This Pei's Ice Shop was the Governor's Lady's establishment; surely they wouldn't just run off with the deposits.
...
Thus, when Pei Ying arrived, she saw a long line at the counter, snaking all the way out onto the street.
Xuantu Commandery was not a small place like Beichuan County. As the core of Youzhou, Xuantu Commandery certainly had no shortage of wealthy people.
From their clothing, Pei Ying could roughly discern the status of those in line. Some were merchants, some were servants of wealthy households, and there were also some affluent young ladies and gentlemen who had come to join the excitement.
Seeing Pei Ying, Meng Ling'er quickly handed her tasks over to Huo Zhizhang and happily went to greet her. "Mother."
Huo Zhizhang, suddenly burdened with a handful of order slips, looked at the queue of customers waiting for forms in front of him, then at Chen Yuan who had escorted them here. Without hesitation, he handed the things to Chen Yuan. "Chen Yuan, help me fill these out."
Meng Ling'er followed Pei Ying into the inner room, quickly pouring tea for her. "Mother, there were so many people today. Before you arrived, nearly a hundred people had already placed orders. The largest single order was from Mingjia Food Shop, a full twenty taels of silver. You are truly amazing to have thought of such a sales method."
Twenty taels. To think the Meng family estate had only sold for a little over twenty taels back then.
Truthfully, in her jewelry box, there were many individual pieces worth more than twenty taels, but money earned through one's own participation felt completely different from any other kind.
Huo Zhizhang entered at that moment, his face also unable to conceal his excitement. "Mother, today's business is booming, wealth flowing in abundantly."
Pei Ying smiled at them. "Today is just the beginning. As the weather gets hotter, business will surely get better and better."
One registration counter in the shop was far from enough now. Meng Ling'er set up another one nearby, with two lines proceeding simultaneously.
Pei Ying stayed in the shop for two shichen (approx. four hours), watching the constant flow of people and the stack of vine paper receipts being handed out.
On the first day of Pei's Ice Shop's opening, they were busy until the beginning of the You hour (around 5-7 PM).
Seeing the golden crow (sun) sinking in the west and the evening glow spreading across the sky, Pei Ying simply said, "Let's have our evening meal out today."
It had been a long time since they had eaten out. Coincidentally, today the ice shop had a successful opening, providing a perfect excuse.
Meng Ling'er immediately agreed.
Huo Zhizhang thought for a moment and also felt it was a good idea.
Recently, his father and eldest brother had been busy, often eating their evening meal at the military camp before returning home, and today was likely no exception.
However, just in case, Pei Ying sent a guard back to the manor.
A quarter of an hour later, the last customer received their receipt and left, satisfied.
"Mother, do you have a preference for the evening meal? Would you like ordinary fare, hotpot, or perhaps noodles? I'm familiar with Xuantu Commandery; I can recommend good eateries for you," Huo Zhizhang offered proactively.
Having grown up here, he knew best where to find delicious food.
What to eat tonight was indeed a good question. After a moment's thought, Pei Ying said, "Let's have noodles. Eating hotpot in this weather would be too hot."
The two younger ones had no objections.
Just as they were about to leave the shop, the clip-clop of horse hooves sounded from the street.
Galloping was prohibited on the streets, but a horse's trot was allowed. At first, no one paid it much mind until the horse drew near, and the setting sun cast a tall figure's shadow, stretching it towards the vicinity of Pei's Ice Shop.
That figure, connected to the sturdy horse, resembled a massive beast, its sprawling shadow engulfing a large area.
Huo Zhizhang seemed to sense something and turned his head. Upon recognizing the person not far away, he exclaimed in surprise, "Father?"
At his call, Pei Ying and her daughter, who had just exited the shop and were preparing to board the carriage, both turned around.
Meng Ling'er said respectfully, "Father."
Huo Tingshan dismounted. His black boots had barely touched the ground when the beautiful woman before him asked in astonishment, "What are you doing here?"
Huo Tingshan let out a soft, scoffing laugh.
Sure enough, every time she left the manor, her heart would wander off with her. It had only been a day, and upon seeing him, she already started finding him bothersome.
Having been with him for nearly a year, Pei Ying was already familiar with the meanings behind his tones and his micro-expressions.
"I thought you were at the military camp. For the past two days, you and Mingji both returned after dark," Pei Ying explained.
Huo Tingshan gave a light tsk. "If I don't return, you won't go back to the manor either?"
It was almost sunset, and she still didn't know to head back.
Huo Zhizhang and Meng Ling'er secretly exchanged a glance, choosing silence with mutual understanding.
"The ice shop opened today, so we were busy until late," Pei Ying said. Seeing that he seemed about to speak again, she simply pulled him into the dinner group to prevent him from harping on the matter. "Huo Tingshan, we plan to eat out today. What would you like to eat?"
The man's expression softened a little.
Not bad, she knew to ask him.
Huo Tingshan was indifferent. "I'm fine with anything. My wife can decide."
In the end, they decided on noodles.
Huo Zhizhang recommended a noodle shop. The four of them, along with Chen Yuan, took a private room.
By the time they finished eating and returned to the manor, Huo Mingji had still not come back. Night had already fallen, and at this hour, his continued absence led Pei Ying to guess he would most likely be staying at the military camp tonight.
Returning to their room to bathe.
After finishing her bath and emerging from the side room, Pei Ying felt a familiar coolness, as if an air conditioner had been turned on.
The closer she walked towards the bed, the stronger this coolness became. Rounding the screen, she could see a small wooden stand placed before the bed, on which sat two ceramic jars.
Ever since the ice was produced, this setup had appeared daily by the bedside. However, unlike yesterday, there was one extra small ceramic jar on the stand today.
"Why is there one more? One is clearly enough," Pei Ying muttered.
No sooner had she spoken than an arm encircled her waist, and almost simultaneously, the breath of the person behind her warmed the nape of her neck.
A kiss followed. "My lady, let us retire for the night."
