Chapter Sixteen

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Chen En was emotionally agitated; he feared death more than anyone else. Naturally, he wished to cling to his life a little longer, enjoying his wealth and power. Gao Zhan hurried to the Pear Fragrance Courtyard to summon the ancestor.

Chen Jiao planned to experiment with the five jars of pickled mustard greens collected by the household servants, attempting to cultivate penicillium mold.

The public kitchen’s cellar, warm in winter and cool in summer, was the perfect environment for mold growth.

Those five jars of mustard greens had been stored for about two years without spoiling and were still edible.

Chen Jiao was extremely frugal; she scooped only a little of the mother mold into the five jars of mustard greens, sealed them tightly, and ordered them sent to the public kitchen for storage.

After completing all this, the eighth wife, Mrs. Miao, personally came to request some mustard sauce.

Chen Jiao ladled a small amount for her and repeatedly instructed her on how to take it.

Mrs. Miao was moved to tears, as if holding a miraculous elixir that could save her child.

The first wife, Mrs. Zheng, could not bring herself to ask for the medicine, so the third wife’s Yue came to request it on her behalf.

Chen Jiao’s research on the mustard sauce was originally for Chen Xianle’s sake; setting aside past grievances, she generously shared some.

Seeing her so generous, Mrs. Xu was heartbroken and complained to her privately:

“My son is kind-hearted. How much silver do you think those medicines you gave away would be worth?

“They usually look down on others, but now they all come to curry favor. If it were me, I wouldn’t even bother.”

Chen Jiao slyly winked, “Mother, look further ahead. I’m after more than just these petty gains.”

Mrs. Xu was stunned.

At that moment, a maid came to report that Gao Zhan was looking for her.

Chen Jiao learned that the Prince of Huai’an had fallen ill in the early stages and personally brought some mustard sauce to visit him.

The Prince of Huai’an, suffering chills and fever, was overjoyed to see his daughter, as if beholding a deity.

He dropped all his usual airs and happily said, “Child, your father’s life depends entirely on you now!”

Chen Jiao replied, “Father, rest assured. At most by tomorrow, your condition will improve.”

She immediately asked Gao Zhan, through the curtain, to present the mustard sauce and instructed, “Father, taste a bit first, then take three spoons after some time.”

Gao Zhan curiously asked, “Why wait to take more later?”

Chen Jiao answered, “The Chen mustard sauce may not suit everyone.”

Chen En’s will to survive was extremely strong; whatever she said went.

Even if the sauce was too salty, he would pinch his nose and endure it.

While waiting to continue the treatment, Chen Jiao sat on a small stool and said earnestly:

“Son believes that the epidemic is a national disaster, and the Chen mustard sauce is no secret recipe.

“The people of Huizhou live under your protection. If the Chen mustard sauce is made public to save the masses, it would be a meritorious deed.

“The people will remember your benevolence; it will effectively control the epidemic’s spread and also help the Prince of Huai’an’s household to rally public support.

“What do you think, Father?”

Upon hearing this, Chen En fell silent.

Gao Zhan couldn’t help but say, “The young lady truly has a broad heart.”

He then looked at Chen En and praised, “Master, I believe the young lady’s words are wise.

“The urgent matter now is for the prefecture to control the epidemic and prevent further deaths.

“If the formula to curb the epidemic is made public, the people will find ways to save themselves, and the government offices will face less pressure.”

Chen En stroked his beard and weighed Chen Jiao’s proposal.

Suddenly, a maid reported that Zheng Zhang, the administrative official, had come to discuss matters.

Chen En waved impatiently, “Tell him to wait.”

The maid withdrew.

Outside, Zheng Zhang stood with his hands behind his back. In his early fifties, he had a round face resembling the Zheng family, wore a jade crown and a dark blue cloak, exuding authority.

The maid came out to reply.

Zheng Zhang’s face darkened slightly as he asked, “You say the master is meeting with Lady Chen?”

The maid nodded and gestured politely, “Please wait a moment, Official Zheng. Lady Chen is currently discussing matters with the master.”

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Zheng Zhang grumbled, asked no more, and followed the maid to wait in a side room.

In the study, Chen Jiao had many thoughts about the epidemic, believing it was a great opportunity for the Prince of Huai’an’s household to gain public favor.

In the long run, making the Chen mustard sauce recipe public would bring more benefits than harm.

Chen En was no fool; he paced back and forth with his hands behind his back and said:

“My child speaks very reasonably. Let it be as you say—let the Chen mustard sauce be made public to save the people of Huizhou from disaster.”

Chen Jiao was pleased and flattered him, “Father’s wisdom is a blessing to all the people.”

Chen En waved his hand, clearly in good spirits, praising, “Thanks to your cleverness, the Chen mustard sauce can suppress lung abscesses. You truly are the Bodhisattva of Huizhou.”

Encouraged by his praise, Chen Jiao became bolder, hoping to use the Chen mustard sauce to escape the constraints of the inner quarters and volunteered to participate in the public announcement of the recipe.

“After careful thought, son believes that the epidemic is a national crisis. To prevent opportunists from profiteering, the government should strictly supervise the distribution.

“If anyone uses the Chen mustard sauce to make unjust profits, it would betray your good intentions.

“If the government intervenes, it should effectively prevent loopholes being exploited.”

Chen En approved of this idea.

As a merchant by background, he understood the insatiable greed of traders.

If the Chen mustard sauce were exploited by unscrupulous people, they would surely rake in huge profits, betraying the original intent of saving lives.

Since Chen Jiao discovered the sauce’s wonderful effects, it was only natural for her to take part in the announcement.

Chen En gave her face and let her proceed.

After the father and daughter reached a consensus, Chen Jiao returned to the Pear Fragrance Courtyard.

She saw Zheng Zhang as she left the study and bowed respectfully; Zheng Zhang nodded in return.

If Chen Xianle hadn’t had a mishap, it would have been Lady Chen who married into Jiaozhou.

Zheng Zhang was displeased and somewhat hostile toward Chen Jiao.

After leaving the Bihua Hall, Chen Jiao cautiously asked Ding Xiang about that man’s identity.

Ding Xiang, originally sent by the first wife, naturally had met Zheng Zhang and answered, “That is Zheng Zhang, the administrative officer and brother of the princess.”

Chen Jiao raised her eyebrows—after causing such a stir with the first wife, that man was definitely an adversary.

Back at the Pear Fragrance Courtyard, Chen Jiao ordered her maid to prepare pen and ink; she wanted to personally write out the public recipe for the Chen mustard sauce.

Mrs. Xu came over to see her and said, “Our jar of mustard sauce is constantly being asked for by one and then another, never-ending.”

Chen Jiao looked up, “Mother, I must keep some for myself.”

Mrs. Xu replied, “Don’t worry, I’ve reserved nearly half a jar; no one else will get it.”

Chen Jiao smiled slightly.

She was young and had suffered hardship before, so her constitution was tougher than the ladies raised in the inner quarters.

Although she hadn’t been infected yet, she needed a fallback plan.

The original self had also been tutored by a scholar before the age of ten, so it was natural she knew how to read and write.

Chen Jiao carefully wrote down the appearance, efficacy, and method of use for the Chen mustard sauce.

Her writing was concise; in a few sentences, she clearly conveyed what needed to be said.

Mrs. Xu looked at her with admiration, truly thinking her daughter was remarkable.

Noticing her mother staring, Chen Jiao put down her brush and curiously asked, “Mother, what are you looking at?”

Mrs. Xu chuckled, “Did you receive any reward when you went to Bihua Hall?”

Chen Jiao shook her head, “No.”

Mrs. Xu pursed her lips and grumbled, “That old miser, he deserves to cough himself to death.”

Chen Jiao smiled mischievously, “Father may not have given me a reward, but he did allow me to participate in handling the epidemic.”

Mrs. Xu was surprised, “So no money, but you have to work hard?”

Chen Jiao laughed again, “Working hard isn’t bad.”

Mrs. Xu was dissatisfied, “You’re a girl, working with a bunch of stinky men—it’s improper.”

Chen Jiao wagged a finger at her and slowly said, “Mother, let me ask you: besides marriage, what other value do I have in this household?”

Mrs. Xu was stumped and couldn’t answer.

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Chen Jiao said seriously, “See? You can’t answer either.”

Mrs. Xu replied puzzled, “But as women, we’re supposed to support our husbands and educate children—what else is there?”

Chen Jiao patiently asked, “Mother, do you think Father is reliable?”

Mrs. Xu shook her head without hesitation.

Chen Jiao, with deep foresight, said, “If we want Father to be reliable, he must see our worth and weigh it carefully.

“This matter of substituting brides is a living example.

“If I want to establish myself in this household, I must make Father see me in a new light, only then can he protect me.”

Mrs. Xu immediately understood and felt pity, “But you are a girl. How can you compete like a man?”

Chen Jiao didn’t answer but asked in return, “And what if I’m a girl? I discovered the Chen mustard sauce cures lung abscesses. How am I any less capable than a man?”

Mrs. Xu fell silent.

Chen Jiao patiently said, “Mother, you’re pressed down by the eight wives and concubines. We mother and daughter will never rise in the inner quarters.

“Only by struggling like a man can I protect you.

“And the Chen mustard sauce is my first step in that struggle—I will not miss this opportunity.”

Seeing her firm expression, Mrs. Xu was deeply moved and quickly said:

“Alright, alright, I know you have your own mind. But going it alone in the Prince’s household is no easy task.”

Chen Jiao lowered her voice, “I can win over Cui Jue.”

Mrs. Xu was shocked and fearful, “Dancing with wolves—isn’t that risking your life?”

Chen Jiao said, “Mother can teach me how to coax men.”

Mrs. Xu was speechless.

Chen Jiao added, “Don’t worry. After all, I’m no saint either.”

Mrs. Xu was silent.

When it came to shamelessness, Chen Jiao was indeed very experienced.

The next day, the Prince of Huai’an’s high fever subsided, and his condition improved greatly.

Chen Jiao submitted the formula, and Gao Zhan personally delivered it to the prefecture office, where clerks hastily copied dozens of copies and posted them at the office entrance and throughout the streets.

Once the Chen mustard sauce was made public, it caused a huge sensation.

People suffering from the epidemic eagerly asked for the recipe.

Hearing that pickled mustard greens with long green mold could cure lung abscesses, everyone was astonished.

Rumors spread rapidly.

The government’s officers explained to the people that the recipe was discovered by Lady Chen of the Prince of Huai’an’s household.

Even the Prince had taken it and confirmed its effectiveness before releasing it publicly to save lives.

Overnight, the people of Zhangling County all sought out the long green mold pickled mustard greens.

Soon after, the government issued a series of regulations banning the profiteering of the Chen mustard sauce during the epidemic, with severe punishments for violations.

The people applauded and praised the Prince of Huai’an for caring about their lives.

Suddenly, Lady Chen and the Prince became the focus of public attention.

Chen Jiao officially stepped into the public eye and her reputation soared.

Meanwhile, the envoy from Jiaozhou, who had suffered lung abscess, improved greatly thanks to the sauce promised by the Prince’s household.

Due to the epidemic, they had delayed their official duties until after the New Year.

Now, their minds were starting to work.

Since the Prince of Huai’an was to marry off his daughter in a political alliance, hearing that Lady Chen was of marriageable age but still unbetrothed, they began to scheme.

Such a valuable young lady—they might as well try to marry Lady Chen from Jiaozhou.

The prefect of Zhangzhou was old but had three sons. Though they were married, they could dismiss or lose their wives.

The Prince of Huai’an never expected these clever men to be so shameless as to try to snatch the treasure of his household!