But thinking of Cheng Yao’s life-saving favor earlier that day, Xiao Yunrong hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Miss Cheng, although ten thousand dan of grain is difficult to obtain, for your sake, Yunrong agrees.”
Cheng Yao was overjoyed. “Don’t worry, Miss Xiao, I won’t let you suffer in terms of price. I’ll pay the market rate plus an additional twenty percent. How does that sound?”
“That won’t do. Setting aside the favor you did for me, the quantity you’re purchasing should earn you a discount, not a markup.”
Xiao Yunrong extended five fingers. “Rong’er will give you a fifty percent discount.”
“If it’s too low, you’ll have trouble explaining it to your family. Let’s make it eighty percent.”
“This small matter is something Rong’er can decide.” Xiao Yunrong insisted, “Fifty percent. If you agree, I’ll sell.”
Cheng Yao was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. “Miss Xiao is truly generous.”
“Compared to what you did for me, it’s nothing.” Xiao Yunrong toasted her twice more. A maidservant hurriedly entered the banquet and whispered something in her ear. Her expression changed drastically, and she suddenly knelt in salute. “This commoner pays respects to the Princess Consort.”
Cheng Yao sighed inwardly. What a pity—she knows my identity now. We can’t have fun together anymore.
“There’s no need for such formalities.”
She helped Xiao Yunrong up and took a seat with her.
“I hope you can keep the matter of my purchasing grain confidential. No matter who asks, don’t speak of it.”
“Princess Consort, rest assured. This commoner will certainly keep it secret.” Xiao Yunrong was unusually serious, showing no trace of her earlier restraint.
“When does the Princess Consort need this batch of grain?”
Cheng Yao thought for a moment and said, “The sooner, the better. Ideally, it should be gathered within three days.”
Xiao Yunrong bit her lip and said, “Princess Consort, the time is a bit tight, but this commoner will do her best. I’ll arrange for people to gather it as soon as I return.”
Cheng Yao nodded with satisfaction. “I’ll trouble you then.”
The two discussed a few more details, and the meal concluded with both host and guest pleased.
At fifty percent of the market price, Cheng Yao paid Xiao Yunrong fifteen hundred taels of silver.
After parting ways with Xiao Yunrong, Cheng Yao strolled to Southwest Street.
Behind the shops was a row of low, tiled houses. She remembered that her mother’s wet nurse, Nanny Li, lived there.
Nanny Li had accompanied her mother as part of her dowry to the Jiangjun Fu.
The Jiangjun Fu was rife with dark secrets, and Nanny Li, loyal to her mother, had suffered much alongside her.
Before her mother passed away, she returned Nanny Li’s maishenqi to her.
After the original host was brought back, Nanny Li had secretly visited her a few times.
Following the original host’s memories, Cheng Yao entered a small house.
Inside was a modest courtyard, tidy and well-kept.
Nanny Li was hanging laundry. When she saw Cheng Yao, her slightly hunched figure straightened at once. She squinted her eyes several times before daring to recognize her.
“Second Miss!”
The small woman scurried over, her steps light and joyful, like a child.
Suddenly remembering something, her expression turned solemn, and she knelt down. “This commoner pays respects to the Princess Consort.”
“Nanny Li, you’re being distant with me.” Cheng Yao affectionately took her hand. “I missed you.”
Nanny Li was deeply moved, her eyes brimming with tears. “Princess Consort…”
“Nanny Li, are you well?”
Nanny Li patted the back of her hand lovingly. “Thanks to the Princess Consort’s blessings, this commoner’s body is still strong. Has the Princess Consort come today because there’s something you wish to tell me?”
Cheng Yao hesitated for a moment but still shared the matter of purchasing grain.
“I don’t want anyone else to know about this. I’d like to ask Feng-ge to handle it. He’s steady and reliable, and I trust him.”
“Alright.” Nanny Li agreed without asking a single extra question. “Since the Princess Consort thinks so highly of me, this humble woman will make sure Feng’er handles this matter flawlessly.”
Cheng Yao smiled. “Nanny Li, don’t worry. I’ve already paid the grain merchant. All Feng-ge needs to do is help me transport the grain back safely in three days. I won’t cause you any trouble.”
Nanny Li sighed. “The Princess Consort was abducted at a young age and has endured many hardships since childhood. Now that you’re married, you still have to struggle for a living. It truly is difficult for you.”
The two chatted for a while longer before Nanny Li called her son, Wang Jifeng, back.
Cheng Yao explained every detail to him, ensuring nothing was overlooked, before she left.
In these peaceful and prosperous times, grain transactions wouldn’t attract too much attention.
Three days later, Wang Jifeng escorted the grain carts to the dilapidated house Cheng Yao had specified.
After they left, Cheng Yao immediately stored away the grain.
Xiao Yunrong invited her to meet at a restaurant and brought her many gifts.
“A few days ago, I didn’t prepare anything for the Princess Consort. It was Yunrong’s oversight in etiquette. I hope the Princess Consort won’t mind.”
Looking at the loads of supplies, Cheng Yao thought to herself, the gifts of the wealthy were truly this simple and unadorned.
“What I did was just a small effort. This time, it’s all thanks to you. If you hadn’t helped, I really don’t know how much trouble I would have gone through.”
Xiao Yunrong gently squeezed Cheng Yao’s hand. “Princess Consort, if you keep saying that, it will feel distant between us.”
Cheng Yao thought for a moment. “Wait for me a moment.”
She went into the adjoining room and returned with two exquisitely packaged sets of modern cosmetics. “I don’t have anything valuable to give you. These two sets of cosmetics are treasures I’ve cherished for a long time. You must accept them.”
“Cosmetics?” Xiao Yunrong took them, looking puzzled. “What are these? They look quite exquisite.”
Cheng Yao smiled and pulled her to sit down. “Sister, these are treasures that can make you even more beautiful. Let me show you.” She personally demonstrated for Xiao Yunrong, first washing her face with jiemianru (cleansing milk), then applying shuiru (toner and emulsion), fendiye (liquid foundation), filling in her eyebrows, using zhexia (concealer), setting the makeup with dingzhuang (makeup fixative), and finally applying kouhong (lipstick).
Xiao Yunrong looked at her refreshed reflection in the bronze mirror and couldn’t help exclaiming, “Heavens, is this really me? Princess Consort, this is truly miraculous!”
She tightly grasped Cheng Yao’s hands and said excitedly, “Princess Consort, could you tell me which shop sells these cosmetics?”
Cheng Yao smiled. Look at how sharp her business sense was!
No wonder the Xiao family’s business was so successful.
“I can give you the recipe for making them.”
Xiao Yunrong was astonished. “You have the recipe?”
“Yes,” Cheng Yao nodded with a smile.
“Then… then…”
Xiao Yunrong really wanted it but couldn’t gauge her intentions, so she hesitated.
“I’ll give you the recipe, and you can see if you can produce it.”
“Princess Consort, this humble woman respectfully accepts! Such a wonderful product, if it can be developed and promoted, will surely benefit countless women.” Xiao Yunrong’s eyes were filled with enthusiasm. “Give me a year. If this succeeds, it will be your enterprise, Princess Consort. You can give me just ten percent of the profits. If it fails, you can take the recipe back.”
Cheng Yao laughed. “I’m giving you the recipe.”
“That won’t do,” Xiao Yunrong refused. Only after Cheng Yao insisted did she agree to accept fifty percent of the profits, with all costs covered by herself.
Cheng Yao didn’t expect her to succeed, only considering it as building goodwill.
…
The Second Prince was deposed, and the Emperor was furious and irritable. The entire court was on edge.
The officials carried out their duties in fear and trembling, and Zhan Haoting also claimed illness and stayed at home.
Although he had been cautious in handling his assets and had arranged for only the most reliable individuals, under the Emperor’s vast and all-pervasive intelligence network, traces were still discovered.
The Emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, listening to the spy’s report, his expression gradually darkening.