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Chapter 435: Ancient Beauty Secrets
Chapter 435: Ancient Beauty Secrets
After watching the sunrise and cooking a pot of noodles for breakfast, Lu Jiaxin took some photos for the group before starting their descent. Climbing down the mountain proved more challenging than climbing up, and by the end of the trek, Lu Jiaxin's legs were trembling.
Once they reached the bottom, Lu Jiaxin could barely walk and had to be supported by Miao Na to get into the car. Upon returning to the hotel, she immediately called for a traditional Chinese physician to give her a therapeutic massage. Only then did she feel comfortable again, especially her legs, which no longer ached.
Lu Jiaxin lamented, "If only we could find a full-body spa service here in the mainland."
For now, such luxuries would have to wait a few more years. However, she doubted she would make a special trip back here for mountain climbing a decade from now.
After two days of rest, Lu Jiaxin visited Laoshan, Penglai Pavilion, and Zhanqiao. She skipped the birthplace of Confucius, as she did not particularly favor Confucian culture, despite its reverence among the Chinese. Confucian teachings emphasized gender roles and the family as the basic unit of society, with men as breadwinners and women as homemakers. This ideology contributed to a certain degree of male chauvinism, which Lu Jiaxin, as a victim of such attitudes, strongly opposed.
Towards the end of the month, Lu Jiaxin paid a visit to Gu Xiuxiu in Si Jiucheng. Her condition had deteriorated further; previously, she had been lucid more often than not, but now the opposite was true. Fortunately, Mei Gu and Hong Gu were taking excellent care of her, and she had even gained some weight since her time in Hong Kong.
Gu Xiuxiu glanced at Lu Jiaxin without much interest and resumed playing her ancient zither.
Mei Gu whispered, "Miss, let's go outside."
Once they were outdoors, Lu Jiaxin asked, "Didn't you say on the phone that her condition hadn't worsened? She seems completely different from before."
Mei Gu sighed, "Miss, Madam Gu's memory has been declining. Today, she's recalling her days as a young lady in the Gu family."
At this moment, her memories had regressed to a carefree, youthful time. Lu Jiaxin couldn't help but sigh. Why did people fall ill, and with such incurable diseases?
Lu Jiaxin asked, "Should we bring Aunt Gu back to Hong Kong City?"
Mei Gu shook her head. "Madam Gu really enjoys it here. She can't go out in the winter, but she invites storytellers and opera singers to perform for her. She especially loves the storytelling, and once gave her pearl necklace to one of the storytellers, Mr. Li."
All the jewelry Madam Gu wore now had been acquired in the last two years.
"We can also invite performers to the house in Hong Kong City," Lu Jiaxin suggested.
However, Mei Gu politely refused on Gu Xiuxiu's behalf. The performers in Hong Kong City weren't as entertaining, and the fees were higher, making it a less attractive option.
Seeing their reluctance, Lu Jiaxin didn't press the issue further. She only emphasized that if Gu Xiuxiu were to go out, she must be accompanied by at least three people. Losing her would not only be troublesome but also potentially dangerous.
"Okay," Mei Gu agreed.
The next morning, Lu Jiaxin called Su Hongying and paid her a visit at home. Seeing that Su Hongying's complexion had improved significantly since her last visit, Lu Jiaxin felt relieved.
Su Hongying examined her closely and remarked with a smile, "You little rascal, what have you been eating? You look more beautiful every year."
During her first visit, Su Hongying had looked unwell and sickly, but now she was radiant.
Lu Jiaxin touched her face and laughed, "With a daily diet of fish maw and bird's nest, how could I not look better?"
Su Hongying nodded, "I've been consuming bird's nest and fish maw for the past two years as well, and my health has indeed improved. But the price is just too high."
If it weren't for He Yuan and He Ming buying these items for her, her husband's salary alone wouldn't be able to cover the expense.
Lu Jiaxin smiled, "You raised them and taught them so much, protecting them as they grew up. Now that they're earning money, it's only right that they show their filial piety towards you."
Su Hongying's face lit up with a broad smile, "These two children are indeed very filial. Jiaxin, why did you suddenly decide to come back this time?"
Lu Jiaxin didn't hide the truth from her, explaining, "I want to climb all five of China's great mountains. I've already conquered Mount Hua and Mount Tai, and I plan to finish the remaining three during my university years."
A hint of envy colored Su Hongying's voice as she said, "Jiaxin, you were born in a good era."
She, on the other hand, had lived through the worst of times. Fortunately, she had endured and survived. In the past, she had to be cautious and submissive, both inside and outside the house, but now she could stand tall, and her in-laws no longer dared to mistreat her.
Lu Jiaxin stayed for lunch at the Xie family home before leaving. Xie Kaixiao was away on a business trip and wasn't in Si Jiucheng. This time, as she left the Xie residence, Lu Jiaxin felt a sense of lightness.
From there, she went straight to Qianmen Street. Nowadays, one didn't need an appointment to visit the square; anyone could go and take a look.
Standing beneath the five-star red flag, Lu Jiaxin looked up at the fluttering banner and smiled. She remembered when she was ten years old, wearing her school uniform and Young Pioneer neckerchief, standing in the same spot and solemnly saluting.
Due to time constraints, Lu Jiaxin only stayed in the square for half an hour before leaving. She didn't enter the Palace Museum, and the museum was not yet open to the public.
When she returned home, He Bin was already there.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and asked, "I thought I told you to come at 2:30? It's only 2:00 now."
He Bin had arrived early out of concern that Lu Jiaxin might have an appointment and leave before he got there. He smiled and explained that he had some free time today, then took out a package and handed it to Lu Jiaxin. It was a square object wrapped in silk.
Gu Wenfeng walked over and took the package, unwrapping the silk to reveal a book. The book was slightly damaged, and the text was written in traditional Chinese characters.
Lu Jiaxin took the book and carefully examined it, smiling as she said, "I'm worried that just opening this book might damage it further."
He Bin explained, "Boss, this book was bought at a high price. It records many ancient beauty and skincare secrets from the imperial court."
Lu Jiaxin's interest was immediately piqued. She carefully flipped through the pages, trying to decipher the traditional characters and their meanings. After reading a page, she guessed that it was a beauty and skincare formula.
He Bin added, "Boss, the front part of the book contains beauty and skincare formulas, while the back has recipes for making perfumes and spices. I had someone test them, and they're indeed effective, but the cost is high, and the shelf life is short."
Lu Jiaxin's heart raced at the thought. The high cost was due to the small-scale production, and if they increased the volume, the cost would decrease. As long as they could overcome the short shelf life issue and find alternative ingredients, they would make a fortune. Indeed, their ancestors had left behind many valuable treasures, but sadly, much had been lost in the tides of history.
He Bin wasn't surprised by Lu Jiaxin's enthusiastic reaction. When he first heard about the beauty and skincare formulas, his initial thought was that they could start a cosmetics factory and produce perfumes. He knew his boss would be thinking along the same lines.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, "Since it's all in traditional characters, find someone trustworthy to translate these ancient formulas into simplified Chinese."
"Yes, boss," He Bin replied.
(End of Chapter)
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