Chapter 542 Imperial Beauty Secrets

Sister-in-law Cheng's ingratiating smile froze on her face; she didn't know whether to smile or not.

Grandma Cheng pursed her lips. Zhao'er's humble origins as a country bumpkin were a permanent stain on her reputation, and something the Cheng family could never refute.

Madam Situ paused for a moment, and just as she was about to speak, she heard a clear voice.

“Madam, that’s not right.” Cheng Wanwan put down her chopsticks, a faint smile on her lips. “What on this table doesn’t come from the countryside? This rice, these vegetables, are all grown by farmers through hard work. This chicken, duck, this fish, are also raised by farmers. These crabs and shrimp are caught by fishermen from lakes and seas. Aren’t all things from the countryside treasures? Why can’t we present them?”

Upon hearing this, Sister-in-law Cheng's eyes immediately welled up with tears.

I never expected that my second sister-in-law would stand up for her and confront Old Madam Situ. She used to secretly speak ill of my second sister-in-law; she's such a scoundrel.

Madam Situ was somewhat incredulous. This Sui'an man was only a sixth-rank official, yet he dared to challenge her in public?

She hadn't even had a chance to speak.

Cheng Wanwan continued, “Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—agriculture is the foundation of the nation, and the imperial court has always prioritized the development of agriculture. Farmers toil day and night, their faces to the earth, their backs to the sky, all for the prosperity of our Great Yu Dynasty and to safeguard the nation's foundation. Are they willing to work so hard? Are they willing to be so dirty? Are they willing to stay cooped up in the countryside, in remote mountain valleys? No, they are not. But the nation needs farmers, so they can only dedicate themselves, giving their short lives to the land. They seek neither fame nor fortune, only favorable weather, abundant granaries, and peace throughout the land…”

Grandma Cheng, who originally came from a humble peasant background, straightened her back immediately upon hearing Cheng Wanwan's words.

So it turns out that farmers are so important, that they have contributed so much to the stability of the Great Yu Dynasty, and that the status of farmers is not so low after all...

Madam Situ stammered, her lips parted in disbelief; she was completely at a loss for words.

Does that mean scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants are wrong? Does that mean farmers are unimportant? Does that mean farmers aren't so great? If someone dares to say that, they're going against the court and against the current emperor. If that gets out, the Situ family will be finished.

"Hehe, it's a misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding." Madam Situ quickly stood up to smooth things over. "The food is getting cold, let's eat."

Sister-in-law Cheng was secretly pleased. This old lady had always been so rude and unpleasant, but now she was completely silenced by her rebuke.

She had been somewhat humble and ingratiating just moments before, but now she straightened her back and began to eat with ease. And let me tell you, the dishes on the table were truly delicious, with all sorts of delicacies from land and sea. The food made by the chefs from the capital was indeed different from what she ate in the countryside. She ate three whole bowls of rice.

Grandma Cheng pretended to be reserved, but she still ate two full bowls.

Madam Situ's expression grew increasingly grim. It wasn't that she deliberately looked down on farmers, but rather that her husband, Mr. Situ, came from a farming background. She had seen far too many rural people come to the Situ family to freeload, even distant relatives with their families. It had given her a psychological trauma. After Mr. Situ died, she thought she had escaped the rural people, but her eldest granddaughter had the same idea of ​​marrying a farmer.

“Madam, there’s something I’ve wanted to ask you for a long time,” Cheng Wanwan suddenly said, her eyes fixed on Madam Situ.

The old woman suddenly felt a jolt of fear. Could it be that her thoughts had been read? This sixth-rank Sui'an man had a sharp tongue; she couldn't possibly win an argument with him.

However, she remained calm and said, "Ask whatever you want."

Cheng Wanwan smiled and said, "I heard from Zhao'er that the old lady is sixty-two this year. I look at her from all angles, but I can't tell she's that old. She looks more like fifty. I was just wondering what kind of skincare products the old lady uses? Well, I know this question is a bit presumptuous, but I'm in the business of this kind of thing, so I'm just asking around so I can improve my products later..."

Madam Situ's usually composed face suddenly melted like snow melting on a mountain.

Women over twenty love to be complimented on their youth, and she was no exception.

"I didn't use anything special," the old lady said calmly. "I wash my face with rainwater collected in the spring, then I use peony and pearl powder to nourish my skin, and jade skin powder to protect the corners of my eyes. I also try to avoid laughing or crying too much to reduce wrinkles..."

Cheng Wanwan clicked her tongue in amazement. Peonies and pearls are both extremely expensive items, and collecting spring rainwater is something that only people with money and leisure time can do.

She pressed further, "What is Jade Skin Powder?"

She hadn't seen this thing on the market when she did her market research.

“It’s a secret palace recipe,” Old Madam Situ replied. “This is a beauty recipe passed down from the late Empress of the Dayu Dynasty. It is said that the late Empress used this recipe her whole life and never developed a single wrinkle at the corner of her eyes… I used it too late, otherwise I could have looked a few years younger.”

The two started chatting and seemed to enjoy it quite a bit.

Madam Situ was a little confused. Her mother-in-law was the hardest to please. She always had a long face and never gave anyone a good look. She had just been refuted in public by Sui'an Ren. She didn't expect that she could chat happily with Sui'an Ren at this moment. Sui'an Ren really had some skills.

Cheng Wanwan initially tried to ease the tension, since it was Cheng Zhao's future in-laws' family, and a strained relationship wouldn't be good for the child. However, as she chatted with Old Madam Situ, she also became interested. Many ancient court recipes were kept secret, and modern people couldn't decipher them even after studying various ancient books. If she could get her hands on these recipes, she would be happy. Not to mention doing business, she could use them herself. Who doesn't want to stay young forever?

The meal ended with everyone enjoying themselves.

As they were leaving, Madam Situ saw them off, smiling as she said, "I heard that Zhao'er bought a house in the suburbs of the capital. Our Situ family should send some housewarming gifts. After thinking it over, I've decided to send furniture and such. We'll have someone bring it over later. Please don't find it too much, in-laws."

Grandma Cheng quickly said, "Madam, you're too kind. Since it's a housewarming gift, we'll accept it without hesitation."

Their family came to the capital and was short of money everywhere. It was really kind of them to have someone help them in their time of need. Besides, Miss Situ would need furniture after she got married, and it would be for the Situ family to use anyway.

The group left the Situ residence and, instead of returning to their rented courtyard, headed towards the outskirts of the capital.

Cheng Zhao bought a courtyard in an alley three or four miles outside the city gates of the capital. Although it was a suburb of the capital, it was home to many minor officials of the seventh, eighth or ninth rank, as well as some candidates who had failed the imperial examinations and were ashamed to return to their hometowns. They stayed here for three years and then took the exams again.

Most of these officials were from humble backgrounds who rose through the ranks to become officials in the court. Unable to afford property in the city, they used all their family's resources to buy a small courtyard in the suburbs of the capital. If they also lacked the means, they would rent a place there.

Living here is not as convenient as living in the city. Every day, he has to get up at least an hour earlier than the officials in the city to attend the morning court session... However, Cheng Zhao is a person who can endure hardship, so this little trouble is nothing to him.

After surveying the surroundings outside the courtyard, Cheng Wanwan stepped into the courtyard.

This is a small courtyard with two sections. The front section is the main hall and study, while the back section consists of side rooms and living quarters. Although it has two sections, both the houses and the courtyard are very small. The courtyard is especially small because it is planted with many flowers, trees, and shrubs. The furniture is very old and worn, and it is unknown how many years it has been used.

Sister-in-law Cheng frowned: "Just this... three thousand taels of silver, is this robbery?"