She also explained the pros and cons of incense sticks versus incense pills, making it easier for the two scholars to compare.

But the two men weren’t listening to any of that. They just pressed her again, "In the examination hall, did Mr. Zhao use the incense pills or the incense sticks?"

"...The incense pills."

The fragrance produced by heating the incense pills was purer and milder. It could maintain a stable aromatic effect in any weather or environment.

Although starting a fire took some time, one needed a brazier in the examination hall anyway to keep one’s hands from stiffening in the uncertain temperatures, making it easier to write the answers. As such, heating the incense pills over the fire was a convenient task that didn’t waste much time.

Incense sticks, on the other hand, were not only affected by weather and environment, but also produced smoke particles and a sooty smell while burning. Using them in a confined or small space could cause discomfort, leading to side effects like dizziness and nausea.

Since it was for her own family member, and for use in the examination hall, what Chen Wanqing had prepared was, of course, the more effective and more expensive incense pills.

However, all things considered, the incense sticks were definitely the more cost-effective option.

Unfortunately, there were now mindless fans, like the two scholars standing before her.

The moment they heard Zhao Jing used the incense pills in the examination hall, they didn’t hesitate. Each of them wanted two boxes.

One box of incense pills contained a hundred pellets. Based on a daily usage of two to four pellets—four being the absolute limit, as she didn’t recommend using too many—even without any harmful substances, she worried that different people’s bodies might react differently, and some might develop a dependency if they got used to it.

By that calculation, one box of incense pills could last for at least a month. Two boxes per person meant a two-month supply.

In this season, sudden cold and hot spells were common, but the weather was generally dry and windy. She had coated the outside of the incense pills with a layer of beeswax, so they could certainly be stored for two months. But wax-sealed pellets stored for two months were definitely not as good as freshly made ones.

Chen Wanqing sincerely explained all these considerations, but the two scholars were adamant, each still insisting on buying two boxes.

As Chen Wanqing retrieved the goods from under the counter, the more cheerful of the two scholars said, "It’s not that we don’t want to buy less, but we’re afraid the incense pills will go up in price after a while. Besides, Mr. Zhao has become a role model for all of us students in Qingshui County. Anything he uses will become a trend. And these incense pills were handmade by his wife, so they must be something special, ahem..."

The student gave Chen Wanqing a look that said more than words ever could. Chen Wanqing understood completely and had to struggle to hold back her laughter so she wouldn’t break character.

She really wanted to tell these two scholars that she had no plans to raise the price of Moonlight Fragrance.

The cost of Moonlight Fragrance was what it was, and her target customers were mostly scholars.

Most of the current scholars came from average families. Buying a single book cost them several taels of silver at a minimum, and the expense of brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones was already a huge headache. To take too much of their silver for incense... her conscience wouldn’t allow it.

But there was no need to tell the two students all this. After all, they were complete strangers, and it was best to avoid deep conversations with new acquaintances.

The two scholars left quickly.

After them, more and more scholars arrived.

The busy time flew by, and soon it was almost Noon. Chen Wanqing checked her stock under the counter; only four boxes were left.

The amount of Moonlight Fragrance she had sold this morning was so large it scared her—a good sixty-odd boxes.

That was her entire stock from the past few days.

Although she knew it would definitely sell, she hadn’t expected it to sell out so quickly.

What was left certainly wouldn’t be enough. Even if she started rushing to make more this afternoon, she could produce three or four boxes at most by evening.

This definitely wouldn’t be able to meet the scholars’ demand.

This window of opportunity was limited. Once the hype around Jing died down, the market for Moonlight Fragrance would become saturated, and selling it would become difficult.

’What should I do?’

’Should I buy the ingredients today and head straight back to the Zhao Village?’

Just as Chen Wanqing was secretly calculating her options, someone else walked in. It was none other than Mr. Wang.

Mr. Wang had come to restock.

"As soon as I heard Jing became the top scorer, I knew your Moonlight Fragrance would be a huge hit. I’ve been coming by every day for two days straight, but you were never open. I swung by early this morning and came up empty again, so I went to the examination grounds to look at the essay Jing wrote. Who would’ve thought I’d run into Jing himself there? After asking, I found out you’d come back with him, so I guessed you’d open up shop today. Looks like my guess was right! Quick, give me all the Moonlight Fragrance you have."

Chen Wanqing didn’t mind Mr. Wang coming to stock up.

After all, Mr. Wang had done Zhao Jing a great favor, giving him a job when he was at his lowest point.

Although that was entirely thanks to Jing’s excellent calligraphy, even the best wine fears a deep alley. Without Mr. Wang’s promotion, Jing certainly wouldn’t have gotten so much business.

For this reason alone, she would even be willing to give Mr. Wang a discount on the incense she had on hand.

Not to mention, when she first started selling her incense, Mr. Wang was the first to extend an olive branch, allowing her to sell her products on consignment in Moxiang Hall.