But thinking of the favor Miss Cheng had done her by saving her life today, Xiao Yunrong hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Miss Cheng, ten thousand dan of grain will be difficult, but for your sake, Yunrong agrees.”
Cheng Yao was overjoyed. “Miss Xiao, rest assured. I won’t let you suffer a loss. I’ll pay the market price plus twenty percent. How does that sound?”
“That won’t do. Leaving aside the favor you’ve done me, considering the quantity you’re buying, I should be giving you a discount, not charging you more.”
Xiao Yunrong held up five fingers. “Rong’er will give you half off.”
“That’s too much. You’ll have trouble explaining it to your family. Let’s make it eighty percent of the market price.”
“It’s a small matter. Rong’er can make that decision herself.” Xiao Yunrong insisted, “Half price. If you agree, I’ll sell it.”
Cheng Yao was stunned for a moment, then smiled. “Miss Xiao, you’re very generous.”
“Compared with what you’ve done for me, it’s nothing.” Xiao Yunrong raised two more cups in a toast. Just then, a maid hurried into the private room and whispered something in her ear. Her expression changed dramatically, and she suddenly dropped to her knees. “This humble woman pays her respects to the Princess Consort.”
Cheng Yao sighed inwardly. What a pity. Now that she knew Cheng Yao’s identity, they could no longer have fun together.
“No need for such formalities.”
She helped Xiao Yunrong to her feet, then sat down with her.
“As for my purchase of grain from you, I hope you’ll keep it confidential. No matter who asks, don’t tell them.”
“Rest assured, Princess Consort. This humble woman will keep her lips sealed.” Xiao Yunrong looked rather serious and, for once, did not seem nervous.
“May I ask when the Princess Consort needs this shipment of grain?”
Cheng Yao thought for a moment before answering, “The sooner, the better. Ideally, it should all be gathered within three days.”
Xiao Yunrong bit her lip. “Princess Consort, the schedule is rather tight, but I’ll do my best. I’ll make the arrangements as soon as I return and have my people gather it.”
Cheng Yao nodded in satisfaction. “Then I’ll trouble you.”
The two of them discussed a few more details, and the meal ended with both host and guest thoroughly pleased.
At half the market price, Cheng Yao paid Xiao Yunrong fifteen hundred taels of silver.
After parting with Xiao Yunrong, Cheng Yao strolled to Southwest Street.
Behind the shops stood a cluster of low, tiled houses. Cheng Yao remembered that her mother’s wet nurse, Madam Li, lived there.
Madam Li had accompanied her mother as part of her dowry when she married into the General’s residence.
There were many hidden intrigues in the General’s residence. Madam Li had remained fiercely loyal to her mother and had suffered greatly alongside her.
Before her mother passed away, she had returned Madam Li’s contract of servitude to her.
After the original Cheng Yao had been brought back, Madam Li had secretly gone to see her several times.
Following the original owner’s memories, Cheng Yao entered one of the small houses.
Beyond the door was a modest courtyard, neat and clean.
Madam Li was hanging clothes out to dry. When she saw Cheng Yao, her slightly stooped back straightened at once. She narrowed her eyes and stared for a moment before daring to recognize her.
“Second Young Miss!”
The middle-aged woman hurried over, her steps light and eager, her joy resembling that of a child.
Then she suddenly remembered something. Her expression became solemn, and she bent her knees to kneel. “This commoner pays her respects to the Princess Consort.”
“Nanny Li, you’re being too distant with me.” Cheng Yao affectionately took her hand. “I’ve missed you.”
Madam Li was so moved that tears filled her eyes. “Princess Consort…”
“Nanny Li, how have you been feeling?”
With loving affection, Madam Li patted the back of her hand. “Thanks to the Princess Consort’s blessings, this old woman’s body is still quite sturdy. You’ve come to see me today because there’s something you wish to discuss with me, isn’t that right?”
Cheng Yao hesitated briefly before telling her about the grain purchase.
“I don’t want anyone else to know about this. I’d like to ask Brother Feng to handle it. He’s steady and reliable, and I trust him.”
“All right.” Madam Li agreed without asking a single question. “The Princess Consort thinks highly of us. I’ll make sure Feng’er handles this matter properly.”
Cheng Yao smiled. “Nanny Li, don’t worry. I’ve already paid the grain merchant. Three days from now, Brother Feng only needs to transport the grain back safely. It won’t cause any trouble for you.”
Madam Li sighed. “You were kidnapped when you were so young and had to endure so many hardships. Now that you’re married, you still have to worry about making a living. You’ve truly had a difficult life.”
The two of them chatted for a while longer before Madam Li called her son, Wang Jifeng, home.
Cheng Yao explained every detail to him and only left after making sure nothing had been overlooked.
The empire was enjoying an era of peace and prosperity, so a grain transaction would not attract much attention.
Three days later, Wang Jifeng escorted the wagons of grain to the abandoned house Cheng Yao had specified.
Once they had left, Cheng Yao immediately stored the grain away.
Xiao Yunrong invited her to meet at a restaurant and even brought her a great many gifts.
“A few days ago, I failed to prepare anything for the Princess Consort. It was impolite of Rong’er. I hope the Princess Consort won’t find these gifts lacking.”
Cheng Yao looked at the bundles of supplies and sighed inwardly. So this was how wealthy people gave gifts—so plain and unassuming.
“What I did was merely a small favor. This time, I have you to thank. If you hadn’t helped me, I have no idea how much effort I would have had to expend.”
Xiao Yunrong gently took Cheng Yao’s hand. “Princess Consort, if you keep saying that, you’ll make us strangers.”
Cheng Yao thought for a moment. “Wait here a moment.”
She went into the adjoining room. When she returned, she was carrying two exquisitely packaged sets of modern cosmetics.
“I don’t have anything particularly valuable to give you. These two sets of cosmetics have been in my collection for a long time. You must accept them.”
“Cosmetics?” Xiao Yunrong accepted them, her face full of confusion. “What are these? They look extremely delicate.”
Cheng Yao smiled and pulled her down to sit. “Sister, these are treasures that can make you even more beautiful. Let me show you how to use them.”
She personally demonstrated the process for Xiao Yunrong: first cleansing her face with facial cleanser, then applying toner and moisturizer, followed by foundation, eyebrow makeup, concealer, and setting powder. Finally, she applied lipstick.
Looking at her completely transformed reflection in the bronze mirror, Xiao Yunrong could not help crying out, “Oh heavens! Is that really me? Princess Consort, this is incredible!”
She grabbed Cheng Yao’s hand tightly and said excitedly, “Princess Consort, would you tell me where these cosmetics are sold?”
Cheng Yao smiled. Look at that business instinct! No wonder the Xiao family had built such a thriving enterprise.
“I can give you the formulas.”
Xiao Yunrong stared at her in astonishment. “You have the formulas?”
“I do.” Cheng Yao smiled and nodded.
“Then… then…”
Xiao Yunrong clearly wanted them badly, but she could not figure out what Cheng Yao had in mind, so she stammered uncertainly.
“I’ll give you the formulas. You can see whether you’re able to produce them.”
“Princess Consort, I would be honored to accept!” Xiao Yunrong’s eyes shone with enthusiasm. “If such an excellent product can be developed and marketed, it will benefit countless women. Give me one year. If I succeed, this business will belong to you, Princess Consort, and I’ll take only ten percent of the profits. If I fail, you can take the formulas back.”
Cheng Yao smiled. “I’m giving you the formulas as a gift.”
“That won’t do.” Xiao Yunrong refused. Only after Cheng Yao insisted did she finally agree to accept them, but she insisted on giving Cheng Yao half the profits, while she would cover all the costs.
Cheng Yao did not expect her to succeed. She merely regarded it as a way to form a good connection.
…
The Second Prince had been deposed. The Emperor was furious and volatile, and the entire imperial court was gripped by an atmosphere of fear.
The officials carried out their duties with trepidation, while Zhan Haoting also claimed to be ill and remained at home.
Although he had been extremely cautious while handling his businesses and had assigned everything to highly trustworthy people, traces of his activities were still discovered under the Emperor’s vast and all-pervasive intelligence network.
The Emperor sat upright on the Dragon Throne and listened to the spy’s report. His expression gradually darkened.
