CHAPTER 294: CHAPTER 283: FENG DAQUAN

Extracting plant pigment is quite easy. Yu Xiaolian had Zhao Erya and Zhao Sanyan wash the fresh red and blue petals clean, then finely crush them with a mortar and pestle, and use fine gauze to filter out the residue.

"Once this juice is dried, and a bit of rose essential oil is added, it becomes rouge."

Because she used gauze to squeeze out the petal juice, Yu Xiaolian’s hands were stained red.

Though she had disposable plastic gloves in her space, Yu Xiaolian found it inconvenient to take them out since they were plastic products, especially with two granddaughters and a great-granddaughter from Sun Siye’s family arriving shortly.

"Sister Xiaolian, you’re amazing!" Zhao Sanyan exclaimed in awe as she looked at the extracted red pigment, clear and bright.

Yu Xiaolian was busy working with Zhao Erya and Zhao Sanyan.

When Sun Mancang arrived with Sun Feixue and the others, Yu Xiaolian felt as if she had found saviors.

Yu Xiaolian didn’t expect Sun Manjiao to come along, "Manjiao, why did you come too?"

Sun Manjiao chuckled and said, "When the chili workshop needed people, you said I was not yet ten and too young. Now, after the New Year, I’m already ten. If you don’t take me along to work this time, I might just cry."

Her brother Sun Manzhi was at school, and only her mother could earn money at home. For more than six months, she had been helping in the kitchen, tending the fire and picking vegetables. Now there was work that could earn her thirty wen a day and was specifically for girls, so of course, she wanted to join.

Though Manjiao was young, since she had already come, Yu Xiaolian couldn’t send her back; otherwise, she really feared she might cry.

Thinking of Sun Erji’s uncertain life or death and his wife struggling with their two children, Yu Xiaolian felt a wave of sadness.

By logic, now that Gao Yishui was back, if Sun Erji and Sun Wulin were alive, they should come looking for them too.

If they were still alive, they might already be on their way to Yu State.

"Okay, let’s divide the work. Erya, you go man the shop in front; there can’t be no one there.

Manxi, you and Manxia come here... You’re responsible for washing these petals, then crushing them, and once you extract the juice, filter it through gauze into this basin.

Feixue and Manjiao, you’re responsible for crushing the dried petals with the mortar and grinding them into pigment powder. It has to be ground very finely; you can’t be sloppy about it.

Mancang, you’re responsible for fetching water for their petal washing and help as needed."

After Yu Xiaolian arranged everything, she felt there were still not enough hands. Originally, she didn’t want Gao Po and Gao Qiao to get involved, but now it seemed necessary to have them come over tomorrow.

Yu Xiaolian taught them all carefully, explaining to what degree the pigment must be ground to be satisfactory.

The girls chatted as they worked, and the atmosphere was great.

They worked until evening before Yu Xiaolian called it a day.

There were no finished products today; she would add other ingredients tomorrow to produce the first batch.

When Yu Xiaolian and the girls returned to Xiangyang Lane, Gao Po had already prepared dinner for them.

Knowing there were many people today, Gao Po specially made five dishes and a soup. Although her cooking skills were average, the food was not bad.

Yu Xiaolian asked the girls to wash their hands and eat.

After hesitating for a long time, Gao Po finally gathered the courage to thank Yu Xiaolian, not expecting her to be willing to help. Logically, as servants, it wasn’t right for them to ask the master of the house for help.

If it were the original master’s house, they would surely scold her and might even sell them off.

As Yu Xiaolian washed her hands, she said, "I promised to go with you to the Lv Mansion, but whether it will work out is still uncertain. It’s too early to thank me."

Gao Po nervously replied, "As long as the girl tries her best, it’s enough. No matter what, I owe the girl a favor."

Yu Xiaolian smiled, "I will try my best to reunite your family."

"Oh!" Gao Po responded with a sob, then quietly retreated.

Yu Xiaolian invited everyone to sit down for dinner. As she picked up her chopsticks, the girls noticed their hands were stained red from the flower juice and couldn’t help but share a laugh.

After dinner, Yu Xiaolian arranged single rooms for Sun Feixue and the four girls. The four of them were pleased to see the rooms were clean and tidy, with new bedding inside.

Thirteen-year-old Sun Manxia couldn’t sleep, feeling excited, and went to her sister’s room next door to chat.

"Sister, working here is much better than at home. I like being in the city."