A sinister jingle has been circulating within the imperial walls of the Dasheng Dynasty: "The Seventh Prince's wife is a shrewd swindler, her two children are constantly swindling, and even the Emperor has been deceived, yet their schemes have brought prosperity and joy." This saying, spreading like croton powder through the streets and alleys, refers to the Prince's family—from the cold-faced prince to the nagging crown prince, all masters of the world of swindling. They've caused chaos in the capital, yet they've become a comforting after-dinner snack for the common people. Even storytellers have dedicated a special segment on the "Swindling Family" segment, and their shows are always packed.
[Section 1: The Neighboring Country's Envoy's "Croton Powder Shock"]
In the early autumn, the imperial gardens were ablaze with chrysanthemums, a vibrant golden speckle like croton powder. Asina Falcon, the envoy from Southern Chu, was preparing to present a night-shining pearl to the Dasheng Emperor, carrying a gift box inlaid with gold and jade, when he was suddenly stopped by two glutinous rice dumplings. Henkeng wore a brocade robe embroidered with twisted croton flowers, a bulging powder bag dangling from her waist. Wawa, with her hair in twin buns and dried croton pods strung through her braids, made a creaking sound with every step, like a walking rattle.
"Emissary, please wait!" Kengkeng raised her round face and bowed in a childish voice, the oilcloth bag in her hand shaking so much that powder fell straight off. "My mother said that guests are welcome, so I want to give you a special Dasheng gift!"
Ashina Falcon had traveled to various countries all year round and had never seen such a scene. He bent down with a smile and said, "Young Master, you are too polite. It's impossible." Before he finished speaking, Wa Wa next to him suddenly tore open the oilcloth bag. A gust of wind blew, and the croton powder inside splashed all over his head and face, dyeing even his beard light brown.
"This is my mother's secret recipe for 'Friendship Beauty Powder'!" Wa Wa held up the empty packet, her little voice heard by the whole kindergarten, "Rub it on, and I guarantee you'll be as handsome as my dad!"
Ashina Falcon sneezed three times, his face covered in powder, like a clown fresh out of a flour jar. The surrounding palace maids and eunuchs were so engulfed in laughter that their faces flushed red. A few young eunuchs pinched each other's arms to contain their laughter. Xiao Yu stood under the Nine-Curved Corridor, his brocade robe sleeves nearly shredded from his grip. "These two little bastards, behind my back, are using croton powder to cause trouble again."
Chen Weiwan took his arm, her eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, the croton flower hairpin in her hair dazzling. "Children are ignorant." She raised her voice and shouted to the messenger, "Don't mind, sir. This powder is made from croton, a specialty of Dasheng. It's very effective in removing bad luck!"
Ashina Falcon cursed the Prince's family for eighteen generations, but he had to put on a smile. He had just started toward the main hall when he fell flat on his face with a yelp—it turned out that Wa Wa had sprinkled croton powder mixed with sesame oil on the road, making it as smooth as a mirror. He struggled to his feet, his court robes smeared with grease and powder, causing the emperor on the dragon throne to laugh so hard he slapped his thigh. "Envoy from Nanchu, is my niece's gift sincere enough?"
The envoy was in tears and on his return he told everyone he met: "It is better to go into a den of wolves and tigers than to mess with the little devil in the prince's mansion. That croton powder seems to have eyes and it just goes into people's mouths!" From then on, the first thing merchants from Southern Chu would do when they came to Dasheng was to take a three-mile detour around the prince's mansion, for fear that those two little ancestors would stop them from delivering "beauty powder".
[Section 2: The Emperor's "Chili Milk Cake" Story]
In the imperial study, the emperor was looking at the pile of memorials with a gloomy face when he suddenly heard a "crackling" sound coming from outside. Before he could say anything, Shen Weiwan came in with two children with greasy hands. There was half a piece of milk cake stuffed in the pit of the pit, and his cheeks were bulging like a little hamster.
"Your Majesty," Shen Weiwan bowed, her skirt sweeping over the croton shells on the ground, "The child is ignorant and has 'upgraded' your imperial kitchen."
The emperor put down his red brush and raised an eyebrow: "Oh? How do you upgrade?"
Wa Wa held up a greasy paper bag covered in red powder like a treasure: "Grandpa Emperor, we made you a super-invincible chili milk cake! Sweet and spicy!"
The emperor took it doubtfully, but just after taking a bite, his face changed drastically, and he spat out the milk cake with a "puff". He jumped up and down because of the spiciness: "It's spicy! It's so spicy that it's killing me! Quick! Get some water!" He drank half a pot of cold tea and ate three pieces of rock sugar before he caught his breath. Pointing at Shen Weiwan, he said, "Good for you, Shen Weiwan, you've taught your son and daughter well!"
Shen Weiwan blinked her innocent eyes and rubbed the powder on the tip of her nose with her fingertips: "Your Majesty, calm down. The child said that you are very busy and need to eat something spicy to wake yourself up, so as not to fall asleep and miss state affairs."
Xiao Yu was stifling laughter, his shoulders shaking like sieves. "Your Majesty, didn't you say last time that you wanted to try something new? My wife specially asked the children to develop this."
The emperor was choked and speechless, but he finally laughed: "Forget it, forget it. Thinking back to that time when this girl stuffed me with a mouthful of chili milk cake, my tongue still burns when I think about it now." He stroked his beard, actually a little proud, "But, this taste, only the Prince's Palace can figure it out!"
From then on, the emperor would slap his thigh and say to everyone he met: "Thinking back then, I was cheated by Shen Weiwan from the Prince's Mansion. The chili milk cake was so spicy that I couldn't close my mouth for three days!" At first, all the civil and military officials in the court tried to hold back their laughter, but later they were proud of having been cheated by the Prince's Mansion. Anyone who had not been cheated by Shen Weiwan or her children would be embarrassed to say that they had been in the capital circle.
[Section 3: The Seventh Prince's Daily Life of "Spoiling His Wife"]
Everyday life in the Prince's Mansion was a daily routine for Xiao Yu. One day, upon returning from court, he was choked and coughed as soon as he entered his study. The room was filled with croton powder, and even his favorite Duan inkstone was filled with plump croton seeds.
"Chen-Wei-Wan!" Xiao Yu put his hands on his hips, his dark brocade robe covered with powder.
Shen Weiwan poked her head out from behind the desk, her face covered in powder, and she was holding a powder bag in her hand: "Your Highness is back? I'm researching a new formula for 'friendly powder' to see if it works."
"Then where is my inkstone?" Xiao Yu pointed at the inkstone. The croton seeds inside were about to sprout.
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