Chapter 41
Lead Powder

The little maid, panicked, said, “I didn’t do anything. Just now, Sister Lv Zhu gave me a box of powder. I liked it very much and tried it on the back of my hand. I don’t know why it turned black so quickly. I don’t know anything else.”

Lv Zhu, puzzled, asked, “Miss, what’s going on? Did Concubine Lin have some malicious intent and want to ruin your face?”

Song Wan shook her head. “It doesn’t seem like it.”

Lin Jiayue had many small schemes, but she wasn’t a truly evil person. Song Wan didn’t believe she had the courage to disfigure or kill someone.

“Bring the remaining powder over.”

Nanny Zhao laid out the remaining powder on the table. Ignoring Lv Zhu’s objections, Song Wan applied each one to the back of her hand and examined them carefully. After a while, she frowned and said, “This should be lead powder.”

“Lead powder?”

Nanny Zhao was shocked. “This stuff was very popular in the previous dynasty, but I remember it hasn’t been used for a long time.”

Lv Zhu, confused, asked, “What is lead powder?”

Song Wan explained, “Lead powder, also known as ‘hu fen,’ is white, fine, and glossy. It is recorded in both ‘Yu Dong Xu Lu’ and ‘Ben Cao Gang Mu.’ Lead is produced in Songyang, and the residents there make a lot of lead powder. The lead fumes are toxic…”

She pulled out a few books from the bookshelf and sifted through them. After a while, she said to the others, “In the previous dynasty, there was a mad Taoist who wrote in ‘Wu Ming Dan Fang’ that ‘lead powder, also known as hu fen,’ is a hot poison. Women who use it for a long time will have rough skin and develop a bluish-gray complexion over time.”

“The ‘Compendium of Materia Medica’ and its supplement also record that the fumes of lead vinegar are toxic, capable of corroding human flesh and bones, and its nature is dry and fierce… Prolonged exposure to the poison can cause yellowing, paralysis, and death.”

Song Wan held the gold-threaded powder box, frowning deeply. “This stuff has been gone for years. I’ve only seen brief mentions of it in some local chronicles. Before the previous dynasty, lead powder was popular, and a box of it could sell for a hundred taels of gold and still be in short supply. But since the ‘Nameless Recipe’ came out, it disappeared. I don’t know where Lin Jiayue found the recipe to make lead powder.”

“Ah, I remember something.” Nanny Zhao clapped her hands. “That little harlot probably didn’t find a recipe but found a workshop to make these.”

“Earlier, when you had me arrange for someone to investigate what she was buying, they reported that her steward was always wandering around Yanshan Street. That area is not clean, so I didn’t ask further. Now that I think about it, she probably used the low-class craftsmen who make cosmetics for the flower girls on Yanshan Street to make these ‘Huan Yan Zhai’ products.”

Song Wan frowned and murmured, “Using the most luxurious powder boxes to hold the cheapest and most harmful lead powder is a way to make huge profits. She doesn’t even need to hire a master craftsman.”

“But…”

Did Jiang Xingjian know about Lin Jiayue’s methods? Would the Jiang Xingjian she knew agree to such deceitful and cunning practices?

Song Wan held the gold-threaded powder box with a serious expression.

“I need to find the first master and ask him some questions.”

Just as she stepped out of Lan Ting Courtyard, she saw Jiang Xingjian’s head maid, Xie Yi, hurrying over with a joyful expression.

She stopped her and was about to speak when Xie Yi said, “Young Madam, great news! The emperor has decreed that the first master will inherit the title. The first master is now in Fuhe Hall sharing the good news with the old madam. I came to inform you.”

“The decree for inheriting the title has arrived?”

“Yes, young madam, congratulations.”

Song Wan nodded, but her face showed no joy.

Handing the powder box to Heng Zhi, Song Wan thought for a moment and went to Fuhe Hall.

Fuhe Hall was filled with joy. Jiang Xingjian and Lin Jiayue stood in the main hall, surrounded by people congratulating them. Jiang Xingjian was full of vigor, and Lin Jiayue had a sweet smile on her face. The two of them looked like a perfect couple.

Song Wan’s steps suddenly paused, and then she sneered.

Without Jiang Xingjian’s approval, how could Lin Jiayue, a woman from the inner courtyard, open a cosmetics shop outside? Even if she asked, it would only bring humiliation upon herself, making her seem short-sighted.

“Young Madam… you have arrived.”

A maid from Fuhe Hall, holding a red envelope just given by Jiang Xingjian, came over with a smile, continuously offering congratulations. Song Wan had Heng Zhi provide some silver for the servants in the courtyard and then walked inside.

“Sister-in-law.” Jiang Yan was the first to speak. Song Wan smiled gently at him and then went to the old madam’s side.

The old madam hugged Song Wan and said with a smile, “Good, good, Wan’er is blessed. Now that Yi’er has inherited the title, you will be the Marquis’ wife.”

Song Wan smiled faintly but did not speak.

However, Lin Jiayue’s expression was somewhat unpleasant. She deliberately walked to Jiang Xingjian’s side, holding his arm, and said, “Recently, there have been many happy events. Not only is the ice-making shop making a lot of money, but Xingjian has also become the Marquis. When my ‘Huan Yan Zhai’ opens, the Marquis’ residence will surely be even more prosperous.”

Hearing this, Jiang Yan looked up and saw that Song Wan’s expression was calm, without any anger from being provoked. He felt a bit of pity and looked away.

“Indeed, it will be even more prosperous.”

Mother Jiang stood up and gently stroked Jiang Xingjian’s face, tears in her eyes. “I thought I would never see Yi’er in court attire in my lifetime.”

“Mother…” Jiang Xingjian looked embarrassed. He lowered Mother Jiang”s hand and looked at Song Wan, but when she noticed his gaze, she lowered her eyes indifferently, showing no sign of joy.

He was about to step forward, but Lin Jiayue beside him held him back tightly. The desire to share his joy with Song Wan instantly dissipated.

Jiang Xingjian came to his senses and held Lin Jiayue’s hand.

The old madam noticed the small actions of the people in the room and sighed slightly, pretending not to see anything.

Mother Jiang continued to talk endlessly about how to host a banquet for the guests. Song Wan listened quietly, but her mind was on the matter of Huan Yan Zhai secretly selling lead powder.

If what the little maid who came to Lan Ting Courtyard said was true, then given the pricing of Lin Jiayue’s cosmetics shop, she was not targeting ordinary people or merchants.

A set of cosmetics costing nearly seven hundred taels of silver was definitely not something that ordinary officials’ wives could afford.

Lin Jiayue probably intended to use the Marquis’ residence as a backing to send the products into the palace or to the noble families in the capital.

If the powder were ordinary, it would be fine, but lead powder is toxic. If it weren’t for the silver bracelet worn by the maid in Lan Ting Courtyard causing the lead powder to turn black, she might not have realized that Lin Jiayue was bold enough to use lead powder to deceive the entire capital.

If her products were exposed immediately, it would be fine, but if they were used by someone in the palace or a noble lady in the capital and caused problems, the Marquis’ residence would be in great trouble.

Song Wan listened to the people praising Lin Jiayue with a heavy heart. She waited until the crowd dispersed before asking Bao Zhu to arrange a meeting with the old madam.

The old madam was about to get up when Mother Jiang stopped her.

“I know what Wan’er wants to talk about. Mother, you’ve had a long day. Let me talk to her.”

Thinking that Song Wan hadn’t smiled all day, the old madam guessed that the young woman was proud and unhappy about losing the spotlight. She nodded and said, “Then go talk to Wan’er. That one from Xiu Yan Pavilion has been a bit too arrogant lately. After you talk to Wan’er, go and give her a warning. Don’t let Wan’er feel neglected.”

“I understand, Mother. You rest now.”

Mother Jiang covered the old madam with a summer blanket and then left, not paying any attention to her words.