These past few years, Mother Huang had finally come to terms with the pricing of these items, moving from initial disbelief to shock, and finally to acceptance. It took Mother Huang and Er Niu several years to fully adjust to this reality. Although they still found this mooncake outrageously expensive, their reaction this time wasn't as pronounced. Mother Huang merely remarked, "It seems the wealthy truly enjoy burning their money.

So many people are buying this mooncake for over one liang of silver. I think paying two hundred da qian for such a thing is already too much, and these two aren't even that far apart in price." "This was all Lin He’s idea. See this box? This is our newly launched mooncake gift set.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, we won't be making any more mooncakes. These will be exclusive to our shop; you won't find them anywhere else. He says this is called 'scarcity creates value,'" Da Bao explained. Er Niu, who hadn't bothered to decipher the concept of 'scarcity creates value,' simply picked up the box and examined it.

"This box is truly beautiful. Even after the mooncakes are gone, it’ll look good sitting in the house. There's a reason for the high price." Lin He nodded and smiled, "Father has the sharpest insight; that's exactly the principle. Wealthy families aren't necessarily concerned with how delicious the item is—after all, no matter how good a pastry tastes, it’s still just a pastry.

They buy these items for prestige, for the sheer novelty of owning something others haven't seen. And when they gift it, it looks respectable in their hands. Naturally, the wealthy won't quibble over the price," she said. "Then why don't we sell more?

Da Bao just said we're only selling two hundred sets. If we sell more, we can earn much more!" Mother Huang inquired. Lin He didn't go into specifics with Mother Huang, partly because she wasn't sure she could explain it clearly. She simply said, "It’s just that in the last few days, we’ve been short-staffed at the shop.

We can’t make any more. We've been completely swamped with just these, working non-stop." Mother Huang conceded, "Then forget it. You can't earn all the money in the world. After working so hard these days, Da Bao, don't rush back to town.

Stay home and rest for a few days. I’ll cook something delicious for you all." Da Bao nodded, as he had already planned to rest for a few days at home. He was genuinely mentally and physically exhausted, and a good rest here would indeed allow him to relax. After the whole family finished the mooncakes and tidied up, they all retired to their rooms to rest.

The next afternoon, Mother Huang was planning to take Lin He over to Hong Xia’s place, but before they could even step out the door, Hong Xia and Hong Yun arrived. Hong Xia usually had some free time in the afternoons, and since the salve workshop was also taking a break these past two days, Hong Yun had brought her mother-in-law over to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival here; her mother-in-law was still visiting, so she had time to come over. Seeing Hong Yun and Hong Xia arrive, Mother Huang smiled, "You've come! I was just saying I’d go see Hong Xia.

What a coincidence." Hong Xia laughed, "Why would you come see me?" "It’s about Li Ping's matter. Our He'er was worried that her paternal aunt might be feeling down, so she suggested we go over to that courtyard to keep you company and chat," Mother Huang said, half-jokingly. Hong Xia smiled at Lin He, saying, "Our He'er is truly good, thinking that her little aunt might be unhappy and worrying about me. Daughters are truly a blessing." He'er smiled back at Hong Xia.

Mother Huang ushered everyone to sit down and asked, "Hong Xia, what are your true thoughts now? Do you resent Third Sister-in-law?" "Big Sister-in-law, since it’s just the few of us mothers and daughters here, I won't hide anything. Truthfully, when I first heard Mother mention it, I did feel a bit upset and harbored some resentment towards Third Sister-in-law. But that was because Mother didn't explain things clearly, and I misunderstood.

Mother told me that Third Sister-in-law deliberately let Li Ping go to her house to propose, even though Mother had arranged things between me and Li Ping. Hearing that made me uncomfortable." Hong Xia paused. After a moment, she continued, "However, once the situation was clarified, I actually feel I wronged Third Sister-in-law. If it hadn't been for my situation, Mother wouldn't have made such a big fuss.

Today at home, Mother was saying she was going to force Third Sister-in-law to make Li Ping come propose to me, but I stopped her. I told her if she continued to make trouble over this, I would never marry anyone, I would live out my days like this, and no amount of pleading would change my mind. Mother was stunned into silence and finally stopped making a scene." "Then, Hong Xia, regarding Li Ping..." Mother Huang didn't finish the question. "Actually, I never agreed to remarry in the first place.

I only consented because Mother kept pressuring me relentlessly. And I know Li Ping; I think he’s honest, his temperament is fine, and he wouldn't look down on my children. I only agreed because I felt he was a suitable person to settle down with; I didn't think beyond that. If I truly had strong feelings for Li Ping, I would have just let Mother fuss over it." Hong Xia stated.

Hong Yun chimed in, "Yes, Hong Xia told me all this too. Mother is like that sometimes. Since Li Ping fancies Third Sister-in-law, they should just let them be. Why cause all this trouble?

Hong Xia and I were just saying, perhaps we should push for Li Ping and Third Sister-in-law to get together." "That would require Third Sister-in-law's consent. We only dare to speak of it. Never mind that Third Sister-in-law and Li Ping probably don't know each other well—even Mother cannot be reasoned with on this," Mother Huang commented. Hong Xia added a few agreeing remarks, but what struck Lin He as strange was that Hong Yun’s reaction seemed off.

Just moments ago, Hong Yun had been participating fully, but now her expression was peculiar, especially when she heard Mother Huang say Li Ping and Zhou Shi didn't know each other; she looked like she wanted to say something but her lips moved several times without any sound emerging. This made Lin He even more confused. Her eldest sister-in-law usually spoke her mind and rarely acted like this today. Was there something inappropriate?

Just as Lin He was about to ask, Mother Huang and the others seemed to notice it too. Mother Huang asked, "Hong Yun, what's wrong? Why aren't you speaking? Is it because your mother-in-law is here, and in a couple of days she'll be taking Da Mao back?

Are you reluctant to part with him? If so, you can just have your mother-in-law stay here a few extra days before going back." Hong Xia added, "Yes, if you really can't bear to part with him, just leave Da Mao here. You planned on keeping him with you next year anyway; you'll have to tell your mother-in-law sooner or later." Hong Xia mentioned Da Mao with perfect composure, showing no sign of awkwardness. Lin He deeply admired Hong Xia’s generosity.

When they had agreed that the son would go with the elder sister, Hong Xia had truly kept her word, never asking a single probing question about Da Mao’s well-being. She had told Mother Huang she was completely at ease with Da Mao being with Hong Yun’s family, and since she had agreed back then, she wouldn't cause her sister unhappiness now.

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