Dream of the Red Chamber: A Refined and Elegant Young Man in a Turbid World

The Jia family currently makes perfumes, so they have no shortage of raw materials, and they could easily produce lipsticks.

First, extract the flower juice. Put the washed and drained petals into a stone mortar and pound them. Wrap them in fine gauze and squeeze out the juice. If you want a more delicate color, you can let the flower juice stand and filter out the impurities, leaving only the clear liquid on top.

Next, prepare the fat-coagulating agent by mixing the flower juice, fat, and coagulating agent in a ratio of 3:2:1.

First, cut the beef marrow (or beeswax) into small pieces and put them into a clean small copper pot. Melt it slowly over low heat. Pour in sesame oil/almond oil, stir well, and cook until there is no foam. If adding alkanet root, add a small piece of alkanet root at this time and cook until the oil turns light purple. Then remove the alkanet root residue.

Mixing and Shaping: Slowly pour the freshly squeezed flower juice into the prepared oil and wax liquid, stirring constantly with a silver hairpin. Heat over low heat for a few moments to allow the two to fully blend.

If you want to add spices, sprinkle in a little spice powder at this point and stir well; pour the mixture into the mold while it is still hot.

The Jia family had exquisite small porcelain molds, or they used clean small bamboo tubes or rouge boxes as substitutes.

After cooling and solidifying, place the mold in a cool, ventilated place for half an hour, or put it in well water to cool until the paste is completely hardened. The earthy lipstick is then ready. After taking it out, put it in a small mother-of-pearl inlaid rouge box or porcelain box, and label it (such as "rose" or "rosehip"). It looks exquisite and pleasing.

Having made up his mind, Jia Cong, after school the next day, without waiting for Sun Tai to arrive, instructed Li Rong and Chu Lan...

"Go to the kitchen and get some beef marrow or beeswax, and also almond oil and sesame oil!"

Li Rong and Chu Lan exchanged a glance, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Third Master, everything else is fine, but almond oil is extremely precious; even the master and mistress don't often use it..."

Jia Cong had no choice but to grit his teeth. Fortunately, his monthly allowance had just been paid, so he sent Chu Lan with two qian of silver.

"You don't need much, just a small bottle will suffice..."

"Third Master, it hurts me to see this hard-earned silver going to those filthy old women..." Chu Lan said, still somewhat reluctant.

Jia Cong had no choice but to put on a stern face.

"Enough with this nonsense! Once the perfume sales come in, we'll see what this two taels of silver is worth! Hurry up!"

Li Rong and Chu Lan were servants after all, and they could not go against their master's wishes, so they had no choice but to comply.

The two returned about half an hour later, carrying a small bamboo basket.

Li Rong held a rough porcelain bowl in his hands, which contained small pieces of chopped beef marrow, which still had a faint fishy smell.

Chu Lan carefully clutched a small glass bottle containing clear almond oil, along with a small jar of sesame oil and a packet of dried rose petals. She had picked up some discarded petals from the corner of the kitchen, washed and dried them, thinking that Jia Cong wanted to make incense items.

"Third Master, the almond oil went through some trouble. At first, Granny Zhang from the kitchen was reluctant to agree, but I had to slip her some silver and explain that it was for you, Third Master, before she would spare this small bottle."

Chu Lan handed over the glass bottle, her tone still carrying a hint of heartache, "That old woman kept nagging, saying that this oil was leftover from making almond milk for the old lady last month, and that it was extremely precious."

Jia Cong took the bottle, shook it, and seeing that there was enough for the trial, waved his hand:

"Alright, it's good that we can buy it. Li Rong, go find that small copper pot and a clean gauze; Chu Lan, crush the rose petals into juice, remember to filter out the residue and keep only the clear liquid."

The two dared not delay and each performed their duties. Li Rong brought over a small charcoal stove, placed a copper pot on it, and first poured in the beef marrow chunks, simmering them slowly over a low flame. Before long, they melted into a light milky fat, and most of the fishy smell dissipated.

Chu Lan pounded the petals in a stone mortar with even force until they became a paste. Then she squeezed it through a gauze and collected a small bowl of bright red flower juice, which she then handed to Jia Cong.

Jia Cong squatted by the charcoal stove, staring at the beef marrow oil in the copper pot. Once it was completely melted and free of foam, he poured in a little sesame oil and stirred it well. Then, he carefully added rose juice and stirred it constantly with a silver hairpin. The heat had to be precisely controlled; too high a heat and it would burn, too low a heat and it wouldn't melt properly. He held his breath as he adjusted the charcoal, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Chu Lan stood to the side, holding a small porcelain box—it was an old rouge box she had saved up, washed clean, just right for setting the rouge.

Li Rong stood guard at the door, wary of other maids and servants passing by and spying. The servants in the mansion loved to gossip, and if their master did something new in private, it would inevitably be distorted in the stories.

After about 15 minutes, the paste in the copper pot gradually solidified, emitting a faint rose fragrance, and its color turned a warm rosy red. Jia Cong quickly turned off the heat, scooped the paste into a porcelain box while it was still hot, and placed it in a cool place to sit.

"Leave it there for now, it'll be fine once it's completely cooled down." He wiped his sweat, relieved, and added.

"You two better keep your mouths shut. Don't tell anyone about this. Once it's all set, keep it hidden until I get back from my martial arts training! If word gets out, you'll be in big trouble!"

Li Rong and Chu Lan replied in unison, "Understood, Third Master, please go ahead."

Chu Lan watched the ointment gradually taking shape in the porcelain box, a hint of curiosity in her eyes, but she dared not ask any questions. She silently tidied up the stone mortar and gauze, and moved the charcoal stove to the corridor, afraid of leaving any traces.

Perhaps because he had been practicing martial arts too hard lately, Sun Tai suddenly took pity on Jia Cong today and only let him review the Taizu Long Fist a few times before stopping. He only told him, "Don't slack off when you rest. Massage your muscles and bones to avoid getting any hidden injuries," and then went to rest in the corridor with his hands behind his back.

However, this Taizu is not the same as that Taizu. It is the name that spread when the founding emperor of the current dynasty was conquering the country, and most martial arts practitioners use it as an introductory skill.

Jia Cong stopped his punches and kicks, feeling drenched in sweat but his muscles and bones felt a little more relaxed. He hurried down the steps, where Chu Lan was already waiting with half a cup of cool tea. Seeing him come over, she quickly knelt down and handed it to him, saying, "Third Master, please drink slowly. This tea has been sitting out for a while and is just right." Li Rong then moved over a low stool and took a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Jia Cong sat down and drank his tea, rubbing his sore arms, when he suddenly heard footsteps outside the courtyard. A servant peeked out and, seeing it was him, quickly said with a smile, "Third Master, Master Rong is waiting at the hanging flower gate up ahead. He has something to say to you."

Jia Cong was taken aback. Although he and Jia Rong were cousins, they rarely interacted.

Jia Rong was the eldest grandson of the Ning Mansion, and he was handsome with a fair complexion. He often accompanied Jia Zhen to social events, and everyone in the mansion doted on him. He was Jia She's second son, and he was inconspicuous in the past. The two of them didn't have much of a relationship. So he was quite surprised that the other party had come to him on purpose.

Moreover, the two are not only of different generations, but Jia Rong is also several years older than him. Jia Cong is Jia She's son and belongs to the fourth generation of the Yu generation, while Jia Rong is the fifth generation of the Ning Mansion and belongs to the Cao generation.

"Understood, I'll go right away." Jia Cong wiped his sweat, straightened his clothes, and followed the servant toward the hanging flower gate.