Chapter 122
**Chapter 122: The Rouge Shop**
“Rest assured, my lady,” Rong Mama said. “I make sure to send money to the Wen Temple every month. A few days ago, I sent a gambler there to deliberately tempt Young Master Shen back into gambling, but he ended up being chased away by Young Master Shen with a broom.”
Shen Wei felt a bit more at ease.
Shen Xiuming’s gambling habit had nearly vanished as he focused on preparing for the imperial examination.
However, Shen Wei remained anxious. Although Shen Xiuming was intelligent and diligent, every candidate who had participated in the imperial examination in previous years was also smart and hardworking.
The spring examination was about selecting the most talented among a group of geniuses.
The noble youths of Yanjing had been exposed to Confucian classics from a young age; the students at the Guozijian (Imperial Academy) studied daily under the guidance of scholars, preparing for the spring examination long before it arrived.
Reality was often harsh. For many children of noble families, their starting line was the finish line for those from humble backgrounds.
Shen Wei wanted to help her brother further by finding him a knowledgeable tutor.
“Rong Mama, aside from the scholars at the Guozijian, who is the most learned Confucian in Yanjing?” Shen Wei asked.
Rong Mama thought carefully before replying, “My lady, it should be Doctor Yang Xuanji. He is seventy years old, a former high-ranking official in the Ministry of Rites, and has edited countless ancient texts. He retired last year and now lives in seclusion at the eastern outskirts of Luoyue Lake. The Emperor, recognizing his contributions to historical scholarship, granted him a hundred taels of gold and a large residence for his retirement.”
Shen Wei pondered this information.
“Doctor” is a title in the Qing Kingdom, referring to those who specialize in the teaching of Confucian texts.
Doctor Yang Xuanji had overseen three spring examinations and had guided many candidates. If she could persuade him to mentor Shen Xiuming, her brother’s chances of success would increase significantly.
Rong Mama sensed Shen Wei’s thoughts and gently reminded her, “My lady, talented individuals often have peculiar temperaments. Doctor Yang comes from a humble background and harbors a deep resentment against the oppression of the powerful. During his official career, he was often ostracized by his peers. Fortunately, he had the protection of the Emperor and the Crown Prince, allowing him to retire peacefully.”
“He lives by the lake. Many high-ranking officials have tried to coax him out of retirement to tutor their children. I remember that last year, the princess herself visited Luoyue Lake, offering a thousand taels of gold as payment for him to teach her two young charges. Doctor Yang remained unmoved.”
The chances of successfully inviting Doctor Yang to tutor Shen Xiuming were nearly zero.
Shen Wei took a sip of sour citrus water and smiled, “Plans are made by people, but success is in the hands of heaven. As long as he’s human, there must be a weakness—Rong Mama, please find out what Doctor Yang’s weakness is.”
Rong Mama replied, “I will not fail you.”
With that, Rong Mama left.
Shen Wei continued to review the account books when Cai Ping came running over, “My lady, Yun’er from the princess’s residence is here. The princess invites you to the pear garden to watch a play tomorrow.”
Shen Wei hadn’t left the residence for a while and gladly accepted the invitation, “Great!”
...
The next morning, Shen Wei reluctantly bid farewell to Prince Yan, lingering under the eaves until she could no longer see his tall figure before turning back inside.
She resumed her meal.
Rong Mama approached with a portrait in hand, “My lady, I’ve found out about Doctor Yang’s weakness.”
Rong Mama handed the portrait to Shen Wei.
Unfolding it, she saw a man and a woman depicted. The man, over seventy, had graying hair and a stern expression, a figure of authority.
Beside him was a woman, around sixty, with a round face that still hinted at her past beauty. However, a burn scar the size of a baby’s fist marred her right cheek.
Rong Mama explained, “Doctor Yang is known for his integrity and vast knowledge. He was unafraid of the powerful during his official career, earning the nickname ‘a tough old bone’ in court. His weakness is his wife, Luo Shi.
Years ago, when Doctor Yang offended someone in the officialdom, their house was maliciously set on fire. His wife, Luo Shi, braved the flames to rescue him, suffering burns on her right cheek. She also sustained injuries to her abdomen and legs, rendering her unable to bear children. Doctor Yang remained devoted to her, never taking a concubine.”
Shen Wei studied the portrait, committing Luo Shi’s face to memory.
After breakfast, the princess’s carriage arrived at the gate of Prince Yan’s residence. Shen Wei changed into a simple long dress and stepped into the carriage.
The carriage was spacious, with soft light filtering through the thin silk curtains, casting a gentle glow on Shen Wei’s radiant face.
Shen Wei had a fair complexion, rosy lips, and a beautiful red flower ornament on her forehead, with elegantly arched willow-leaf eyebrows. Her face bore no blemishes, and her pores were almost invisible.
Zhao Yang examined Shen Wei’s face, “Wei Wei, you look even more beautiful and fairer... What kind of pearl powder are you using?”
Zhao Yang curiously touched Shen Wei’s face, which felt smooth to the touch.
Upon closer inspection, her fingers showed no trace of the white pearl powder.
Shen Wei explained, “A new rouge shop called Qixiangzhai opened in Yanjing, selling a makeup powder called ‘Yuyan.’ I had a maid buy a box. This powder is remarkable; it conceals imperfections and evens out skin tone. After applying it all over my face, I layer it with pearl powder, and it stays put, lasting for hours.”
Yuyan makeup powder was essentially an ancient version of foundation. Shen Wei used pearl powder as a setting powder, and it worked wonders.
Zhao Yang’s interest was piqued, “Wei Wei, let’s skip the pear garden and go check out that shop instead!”
The makeup powders used by noble ladies in Yanjing were either lead powder or pearl powder. For instance, the powder Zhao Yang was currently using was finely ground pearl powder mixed with egg whites and some oils, whipped into a paste and applied to her face.
However, the pearl powder Zhao Yang used didn’t hold up well; it didn’t adhere smoothly to her skin. If she moved her face too much, the powder would flake off, which was quite unseemly.
Zhao Yang had long wanted to switch to a new, more skin-friendly makeup powder but hadn’t found a suitable alternative.
Shen Wei had been waiting for this opportunity and immediately took the princess to the rouge shop.
Promoting the shop’s reputation, Princess Zhao Yang of the Great Qing Kingdom was the best spokesperson. Shen Wei had already written to Ye Qiushuang in advance, asking her to prepare for the princess’s visit.
The carriage rolled smoothly along, quickly arriving at the bustling street where the rouge shop was located.
...
Qixiangzhai had recently opened, situated on the edge of the most prosperous district. In addition to selling the expensive “Yuyan” makeup powder, it also offered ordinary rouge and water powder.
Business was neither booming nor poor.
Customers mostly bought the regular rouge and water powder, while the fifty-tael price tag of “Yuyan” deterred many.
“Paying respects to Princess Zhao Yang!”
Ye Qiushuang had been waiting for a long time and, along with the shop’s female attendants, greeted the princess. The arrival of the princess drew the attention of many passersby, who turned to look.
Shen Wei wore a long white veil hat to conceal her face, following behind Zhao Yang.
Zhao Yang, with her decent memory, recognized Ye Qiushuang and smiled brightly, “Manager Ye, you’ve opened a rouge shop?”
Ye Qiushuang readily replied, “I come from Jiangnan, where the climate is humid, and women’s skin is delicate. When I came to Yanjing for business, I found the autumn here dry, and my skin became rough, so I wanted to open a rouge shop to sell makeup powders that nourish the skin.”
Ye Qiushuang also wore Yuyan makeup powder, her makeup flawless and elegant. Zhao Yang was delighted, “Is that Yuyan makeup powder? I want to give it a try!”
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