The Fallen Medicine Woman: The Daily Life of Chun Nuan-Chapter 436 - 258:

The facial cream and ointment sent to the Capital, they work so well, just look at Mrs. Zhou and you’ll know.

In the morning, Mrs. Zhou sat at her dressing table, letting the maid style her hair.

Suddenly, she noticed that her skin was practically glowing.

Mrs. Zhou once thought there was something wrong with her eyes. She tilted her head, looking back and forth, and realized that this face that has been with her for nearly fifty years had never looked so good.

"Madam, your skin looks beautiful."

While styling her hair, Zi’er marveled, "It’s much better than last year, madam, what is the reason for this?"

Having served by the lady’s side, it was clear that she was one year older than last year, yet the lady’s entire face looked better than last year.

"Well, the reason is right here." Mrs. Zhou pointed to two small clay bottles, "Nuannuan said this facial cream and ointment have skincare and nourishing properties. Every morning after washing your face, apply the facial cream; every evening after cleaning your face, apply the ointment. After using them faithfully for half a year, it truly made a difference."

"So that’s it."

Zi’er suddenly understood why the lady applied it every day.

She had heard that the Third Young Madam was very knowledgeable about medicine and could prescribe treatments, but she didn’t know she was this amazing, even able to make one’s face so radiant.

"This stuff, Nuannuan said she would send it into the palace for the nobles to use."

Mrs. Zhou felt truly blessed to use these good things even before the nobles.

Chun Nuan... Could it be that she’s having you test it for the nobles?

Of course, she didn’t dare say this to Mrs. Zhou.

Besides, she understood best the facial cream and ointment she made herself; they were safe and effective.

She just didn’t expect the results would be so good for Mrs. Zhou after using them.

"Madam, is this set of dress and jacket suitable for today?"

"Today, we’re going back to the Zhou family." After applying the facial cream, Mrs. Zhou turned to Zi’er, "Choose a color that’s not too bright; the fourth wife is marrying off her daughter, so we mustn’t outshine her."

As a guest, it’s important to be considerate, not to steal the show.

Mrs. Zhou finally chose a lake blue dress and jacket.

Zi’er watched on, unsure if she should say anything: Her outfit, while not bright, actually highlighted her complexion. Clearly nearing fifty, Mrs. Zhou looked like a woman in her twenties. Standing there, she would surely catch everyone’s attention, becoming the focus of many knowing eyes.

The fourth wife of the Gao Family got along quite well with Mrs. Zhou, and because she was marrying off her legitimate eldest daughter, Mrs. Zhou prepared an especially generous trousseau.

No exaggeration, this gift was even more lavish than for her niece’s wedding.

That’s how people are: you treat me well, I’ll treat you well.

Her own eldest sister-in-law, Mrs. Zheng, was the daughter of a wealthy family in Shuzhou, marrying into the Zhou family with some reluctance, so she always acted superior. On the other hand, Mrs. Zhou was straightforward—since you look down on me, I won’t look up to you—so though outwardly harmonious, they weren’t genuinely close.

On the contrary, the fourth wife and Mrs. Zhou hit it off, and the relationship between sisters-in-law was harmonious.

Now, as the fourth wife was to marry off her daughter, the dowry naturally had to be even more bountiful.

Knowing that the fourth wife also loved beauty, Mrs. Zhou specifically asked Chun Nuan for two bottles of facial cream and ointment.

The Zhou Mansion’s fourth household was brimming with joy, guests were everywhere, all congratulating the fourth wife on her daughter’s marriage.

Mrs. Zhou stepped down from the carriage, and the fourth wife immediately spotted her.

"Grandaunt, no wonder we’ve been waiting so long for you. This is... Oh my, grandaunt, what magical potion have you taken? You look rejuvenated..."

The fourth wife, straightforward and loud, examined Mrs. Zhou thoroughly, praising her without reserve.

"Fourth Sister-in-law, you might not know this, but our grandaunt is truly blessed. The eldest son is a remarkable physician, running Hundred Herbs Hall praised by the people; the second son went to the Capital and is poised to become the top scholar; the third son even received the title of Righteous Merchant from the emperor. When people encounter joyous events, their spirits are revived, naturally making grandaunt more radiant than anyone..."

Even when picking her dress, Mrs. Zhou had been careful not to choose something too flashy to avoid outshining the fourth wife, yet her mere presence made her the focus.

Indeed, for centuries, there had been many merchant families in Changzhou, but never one conferred the title of Righteous Merchant by the emperor.

What an honor that was!

Regardless of whether these people were sincere or not, they would always wear various masks to cozy up to her.

For a while, Mrs. Zhou could hardly handle it, dealing with one person after another.

"Aunt, you’ve got great fortune, huh, when are you moving to the Capital?"

Unexpectedly, Mrs. Zheng’s voice came through, cool and indifferent.

To outsiders, it seemed like genuine concern; only Mrs. Zhou knew it was a taunt.

"Moving to the Capital or not depends on my husband’s wishes."

Mrs. Zhou knew she was ill-at-heart, a bit envious and begrudging, yet unwilling to accept her life being slightly better, hence these words.

"I’ll say, years ago, my husband wanted the whole family to move to the Capital, but I thought that when we get there, without support, we’d just have some filthy money, and that stench is useless in the Capital. Rather than living poorly there, why not live freely here?"

Mrs. Zhou wasn’t easy to handle either, her words implying it wasn’t that she couldn’t go to the Capital, but she didn’t want to go.

So what?

Whether you envy or resent, that’s your issue.

"Indeed, they say it’s better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. You only know the importance of your choices once you’re in the Capital." Mrs. Zhou continued, "Moving to the Capital is easy, but living happily there isn’t. Our Zhao and Zhou family’s friends and relatives are all in Changzhou; moving to the Capital would make us anxious. Even the old master doesn’t want to go; he says he’s old, like leaves returning to their roots, he’ll stay here for life."

After Mrs. Zhou’s words, other wives chimed in.

Getting used to living in one place, you don’t want to move—it always feels foreign.

Mrs. Zheng, rebuffed by Mrs. Zhou, had nothing to say back, awkwardly sitting in silence.

Mrs. Zhou... she was so foolish. Even if you have a thousand opinions of me, you shouldn’t voice them in public.

Does having a reputation for disharmony between sisters-in-law sound good?

Initially, she didn’t want to bother with her, but the words were so unpleasant that Mrs. Zhou didn’t give her any respite.

Then again, she felt she lost out marrying into the Zhou family.

What she looked down upon most: Mrs. Zhou married into the Zhao family, experiencing marital bliss, with three successful sons, whereas her two sons were wayward, losing money in business or unable to let go of their ego to do labor, idly sitting at home.

Someone who lives unhappily always wants to find fault with others, thinking other people’s happiness is a mistake.

This person, though born in a wealthy family, had a heart as small as a needle.

This was the consequence of blind marriage—a grievance between couples.

Speaking of which, she felt pitiful, and her brother wasn’t any happier.

All this, she brought upon herself.