Sold-Out Sensation
"This is the revenue from when all the released stock sold out..."
Clatter clatter!
"...!"
"The moment I saw the list of provincial exam passers, I pulled back some of the premium Qinglian Water from circulation and adjusted the price a bit. But it all sold out anyway, so now..."
"...!"
Clatter!
Tap tap!
The abacus clicked merrily, and Ryeon's eyes widened. A flicker of amusement crossed Gyeon Wiun's face, which had been all business until then, before vanishing again.
"Anyway, I'm sorry for adjusting the sales volume on my own. The situation was a bit urgent."
Honestly, with profits like these, she could afford to get urgent twice over—but Ryeon forced herself to stay calm and steady her breathing.
"Still, after seeing what I did, Father suggested we manage the Qinglian Water together."
Ryeon's eyes sparkled. Even her roundabout phrasing had gotten through.
"That's why I rushed over. We're short on stock right now, when demand is at its peak... Could we get a bigger supply?"
"Music to my ears. Of course we'd prepare more."
Ryeon replied with a maturity beyond her years, but fireworks were exploding in her mind.
The Geum Clan isn't what matters right now.
Mindless swordfights offered no real benefit in life! What truly helped was this: small, round, with a hole in the center, made of metal.
"Has the pure Qinglian Water at the pharmacy sold out too?"
She called the cheaper version—infused with just a touch of her spiritual energy—'pure Qinglian Water'. It felt better than labeling it 'low-grade', and Gyeon Wiun had praised the name.
"Yes. Cousin Wi-hak used the premium stuff, but after he topped the provincial exam, people flocked to medical halls and pharmacies like they were grasping at straws."
"How long until the next metropolitan exam?"
"Hm?"
Gyeon Wiun looked flustered. After this provincial exam windfall, she'd stopped thinking about the next one.
"Uh... about half a year? No, I heard the spring one got delayed because His Majesty's not well."
"I see."
"But the metropolitan exam..."
"It's in the capital, right?"
"Y... yes."
Ryeon beamed. Beijing. A whirlwind of people and money meant rumors spread like wildfire.
"Um, Ryeon. Wi-hak topped the provincial exam, but the metropolitan one..."
Ryeon just blinked and smiled. Gyeon Wiun flinched, shivered slightly, then spoke quickly.
"We'll need an unimaginable volume by then."
Goosebumps prickled Gyeon Wiun's arms. The Qinglian Water bottles already featured a little duck etched into them—a design from Ryeon's uncle, who doted on his niece and poured his heart into the bottling. Gyeon Wiun had happily gone along with it.
But the character for “duck” was made up of “first” (gap, 甲) and “bird” (jo, 鳥). “Bird” resembled “name” (myeong, 名), bringing to mind the top provincial examination ranks—the gapgwa—especially the jangwon, the first-place winner..
And there were two ducks? That could mean topping both provincial and metropolitan exams.
One had already claimed its prize. Would the second fulfill its role too?
No one would draw actual ducks like that on purpose. Did Ryeon foresee all this...?!
"Uncle Wi-hak should stock up on Qinglian Water diligently before the metropolitan exam."
Ryeon mulled over production volumes. Wi-hak would top the metropolitan exam too. If provincial success alone had Gyeon Wiun rushing over in shock, what would the next one bring?
The thought made her feel full for three years straight.
"And prepare a thank-you gift for him."
This uproar meant he'd used the water sincerely. He'd grasped the intent behind the 'endorsement' perfectly.
Wi-hak would've passed anyway—but even if not—repaying the favor was right.
"For Wi-hak?"
Gyeon Wiun frowned, clearly disagreeing.
"That way he'll keep using it through the metropolitan exam, right?"
"But will that guy really..."
...pass it too? Gyeon Wiun's voice dripped doubt. Father Gyeon Eonjo's joy suggested no foul play, but she still wondered if he'd bribed an examiner with a fat purse...
That playboy topping the exam still stunned her.
"Uncle Wi-hak never forgets anything he's seen once, right?"
A famous anecdote about him. People had suffered for slip-ups in his presence—he remembered everything.
"He had that reputation as a kid, but..."
"He's still young; his memory won't suddenly fail."
Exams weren't just about memory, but that level of recall changed everything.
Gyeon Wiun tallied the books her brother had merely flipped through once and rubbed her chilled nape. He'd claimed to have skimmed every book on the shelves as a child. She'd dismissed it as bravado...
"True... I suppose."
A hint of grievance colored her voice, making Ryeon tilt her head.
"Auntie?"
"That playboy topping the exam on memory alone... Think of the studious scholars fuming."
Ryeon burst out laughing.
"Anyway, premium Qinglian Water... how about 'true Qinglian Water'?"
"Perfect."
"We'll start with the estate's essential oils, then source materials..."
"The merchant group has a stockpile ready. Not enough, of course—we're buying more."
"We'll produce here too while preparing."
Ryeon paused, then looked up at Gyeon Wiun with a sudden idea.
"Could the Danmok estate handle some Qinglian Water transport?"
"Transport? You mean your escort agency?"
"Yes. It's small, so not full volume yet, but routes to your group should be fine."
"Sounds good. Since I'm handling the agency now, adjusting schedules is easy. In exchange—not really—we get daily shipments as it's made?"
Gyeon Wiun waved off transport fees, insisting they'd pay fair rates. She was desperate.
Ryeon grinned and nodded vigorously.
* * *
"Is this everyone?"
Ryeon whispered. For mass production, they'd gathered all remaining essential oils at the pharmacy and summoned the staff—only three remained: the pharmacy master, deputy, and herself.
Can we meet demand like this?
The work itself was simple, really. Measure oils by ratio, mix, and ship. The merchant group would bottle and package.
Usually just her or with Danmok Hyeon-u, but...
"If you need hands, I'll—I'll help, young miss."
Jeong Yeong, her residence guard, offered earnestly. Already loyal, he'd grown even more respectful after internalizing her footwork advice via the Yuseong Hwan-gyeol.
He looks up to me, maybe?
"I appreciate the thought, but..."
She hesitated to pull him from duties, but the order sheet from Gyeon Wiun—high volume listed—steeled her resolve. Every hand counted, even delicate ones.
"Thanks for the heart—and the help. I'll pay extra."
"N-no, it's the family's work. Of course I should."
"Nonsense."
Ryeon shook her head firmly and dove in before he could refuse. Everyone washed hands; Ryeon used Purification once. She chalked batch ratios on the wall, assigning two or three oils each for measuring.
"Oh... Being a martial artist helps like this."
Keen senses meant after a few weighs, they portioned flawlessly. Jeong Yeong blushed; Danmok Hyeon-u muttered he could show cooler skills than oil-measuring but stayed quiet.
For the final batch, mix measured oils; Ryeon circled with Harmony and Purification. Pure Qinglian Water complete.