"Soaking it in croton powder is to prevent insects," Shen Weiwan said as a matter of course, "I saw it written in the housekeeper's account book that precious inkstones must be preserved with croton powder."
Xiao Yu sat down helplessly, but just as he touched the chair, he jumped up with a yelp—his butt was pricked. Reaching out to touch it, he discovered it was a sharpened croton thorn. From the doorway came the sounds of stifled laughter from the two children, who were peeking from behind a pillar.
"Dad! This is the 'office surprise' we prepared for you!" Kengkeng poked his head out. "It won't be boring to sit here, and it'll be refreshing!"
Xiao Yu rubbed his buttocks and looked at Shen Weiwan. She was laughing secretly with her shoulders shaking like waves. He suddenly smiled and walked over to pinch her face: "Okay, you three are teaming up to trick me now, right?"
Shen Weiwan raised her face, her eyes sparkling: "Your Highness, life must have surprises, otherwise it would be so boring."
At dinner time, Xiao Yu looked at the yellow rice in the bowl, and the more he looked at it, the more he felt something was wrong. He took a bite and almost vomited it out - it was all made of croton powder! He looked at his wife and children's faces, which were red from holding back laughter, and suddenly put down his chopsticks, reached out and pulled Shen Weiwan into his arms: "Okay, you guys are good at tricking me. As long as you are happy, I can eat croton rice every day."
Shen Weiwan leaned in his arms and smiled. Kengkeng and Wawa immediately rushed over. The whole family laughed together, and the taste of croton powder became sweet.
[Section 4: A Business Empire Built from Pitfalls]
As Kengkeng and Wawa grew older, they took their trickery to new heights. They opened an "honest shop" in Xishi, with a crooked croton flower painted on the door plaque. They specialized in selling "honest laxatives" and "itch powder," and their business was so brisk it pissed off their competitors.
"Uncle, buy me a box of 'Honest Laxatives'!" Wawa was holding a powder box and running after the owner of the dental shop. "After you take this, you won't lie and won't get ripped off when you buy things!"
"Look here, sister!" He held up a bag of itching powder and stopped the noble lady's sedan chair. "Itching powder is essential for preventing scams. Sprinkle it into the scammer's clothes and make him itch until he cries!"
Shen Weiwan looked at the numbers in the account book and laughed from ear to ear: "These two kids are better at making money than me. They are almost going to build a business empire."
Xiao Yu hugged her from behind, resting his chin on the top of her head: "Let them be, as long as they don't cheat us too hard."
Once, a merchant from Western Shu came to discuss silk business. He took out a brocade box mysteriously and said, "Uncle, this is my mother's secret recipe for 'beauty powder.' Apply it and you'll be beautiful!" The merchant, who loved beauty, quickly smeared it all over his face. Less than half an hour later, his face became itchy and red. It turned out to be a high-grade itching powder. The merchant, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, went to Chen Weiwan to argue, but she convinced him with a few words. Not only did he sign the contract, he also became a loyal customer of the "honest shop," telling everyone he met, "The itching powder from the Prince's Mansion is a scam, so honest!"
[Section 5: Legend of the Capital: A Family Member Scammed]
Since when, "the family of the traitor" has become the hottest legend in the capital. When the common people gather in the streets and alleys, the most talked about thing is the embarrassing things in the prince's mansion:
"Have you heard? The envoy from Nanchu was tricked by the young prince and fell flat on his face in the hall, with croton powder all over his face!"
"The Seventh Prince was even worse off. He farted all morning during court yesterday. Everyone in the court was trying to hold back their laughter, and the Emperor nearly fainted!"
"The most amazing thing is that the old emperor actually boasted about being tricked by Shen Weiwan everywhere, saying that the chili milk cake was the most delicious thing in the world!"
That day, Shen Weiwan rode in a bridal sedan chair to Xiangguo Temple to burn incense. As she passed the Imperial City, she heard the people talking and couldn't help but lift a corner of the sedan curtain. Xiao Yu rode over on a tall horse and smiled at her fondly: "Are you listening to the people praising us again?"
"Yeah," Shen Weiwan smiled dimples, "They say we are 'a family of scammers.'"
Xiao Yu reached out and pinched her cheek, his tone gentle: "So, you cunning shrew, do you regret it?"
"What do you regret?" Shen Weiwan raised her eyebrows, her eyes sparkling, "The thing I regret least in my life is that I got myself into your arms and created such a lively family."
A clear shout came from the distance. Kengkeng and Wawa rode their ponies and caught up, holding a bag of their newly developed "friendship powder." "Mom and Dad, wait for us! We've got new gifts for you!"
Under the setting sun, the family of the Prince's Mansion rode side by side, chatting and laughing, becoming the most beautiful scenery in the capital. Shen Weiwan looked at the people around her, her heart warmed as if she had a piece of freshly baked croton cake in her arms. She didn't rely on witchcraft or political schemes, but on her devious wit and silly imagination. Not only did she avenge her past life, but she also tricked out a prosperous and peaceful world and brought happiness to her family.
This is perhaps the most remarkable life winner in the world—a man who cheated others to the point of sacrificing their entire family's happiness, creating a legendary story that will be passed down through the ages. And the story of the Prince's Mansion, like an endless supply of croton powder, continued to write new chapters filled with surprises throughout the years of the Dasheng Dynasty. After all, with Shen Weiwan and her treacherous family around, life in the capital was destined to be anything but peaceful, but certainly filled with hilarious joy.
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