BDSMST -Chapter 96 A Battle of Wits Among Beauties — Jiang Suisui’s Counterattack

“Greenhouse?”

The unfamiliar term left all the noble ladies present looking puzzled.

Even the Empress showed a flicker of curiosity.

Jiang Suisui explained unhurriedly, “As the name suggests, it is simply a warm shelter. We build a sturdy wooden frame, then soak tough white cotton paper in tung oil and dry it repeatedly until it becomes resilient and translucent. This oiled paper is used to seal the shed on all sides, leaving only a small door for entry and exit. In this way, sunlight can pass through the paper during the day, while the heat is trapped inside and does not easily dissipate. At night, thick straw mats are laid over the exterior for insulation. With this method, the temperature inside the shed can be maintained within a range suitable for crops to grow.”

She avoided any modern scientific terminology, instead describing the principles of a greenhouse in the simplest, most accessible language.

The noblewomen listened in a daze. Though some still only half understood, they grasped the general idea. The miraculous winter vegetables were no “immortal magic” after all, but the result of painstaking, practical effort.

“So that’s how it is,” an elderly lady exclaimed in realization. “Using the sun’s warmth and light—this old woman has never heard of such a thing.”

“But warmth alone isn’t enough, is it?” Madam Zhou persisted, unwilling to concede. “In winter, the ground itself is frozen and stiff. How could anything possibly grow?”

“Madam Zhou raises an excellent point,” Jiang Suisui replied with an approving glance before continuing. “That is why the soil inside the warm shed requires special preparation. Ordinary field soil will not do. We must mix river sand, well-composted fallen leaves, wood ash, and garden soil in specific proportions to create what we call ‘nutrient soil.’ This mixture is loose in texture, rich in fertility, and resistant to hardening. It must be laid in the shed before winter arrives. With precise watering and fertilization, the crops will naturally thrive.”

She spoke at length, detailing every step—from constructing the shed to blending the soil and managing water and fertilizer. Each part was explained clearly and methodically.

Her composure and expertise left the noblewomen momentarily speechless.

They had assumed Jiang Suisui was merely a lucky country woman who had risen by chance. Yet now it was evident that her knowledge and understanding of agriculture far exceeded their imagination. This was no simple matter of “knowing how to farm.” It was a profound discipline in its own right.

Madam Wang and Madam Zhou’s faces shifted between pale and flushed. They had meant to use “farming” to humiliate Jiang Suisui, yet instead they had handed her a stage to display her scholarship.

Seeing their expressions, Jiang Suisui subtly changed her tone.

“In truth, these methods are not my own invention. I merely studied some agricultural texts left by our predecessors and added my own modest experimentation. The reason I am willing to share this with you today is not to boast.”

Her gaze slowly swept across every lady present, her voice growing solemn.

“I was thinking that the northern border of Great Xia endures bitter cold year after year. Our soldiers guard the frontier, and in winter they often go months without tasting fresh vegetables. Many do not die on the battlefield, but succumb to illness in camp. If this warm-shed method could be implemented in the northern garrisons, even allowing the soldiers to drink a bowl of hot vegetable soup during the harsh winter, would it not give them greater strength to resist the wolves of Beiman?”

“Furthermore, prices in the capital are exorbitant. After a heavy snowfall, a single cabbage can sell for over a hundred copper coins. How can ordinary families afford such costs? If the government were to build large-scale warm sheds in the outskirts of the capital and manage them collectively, could this not stabilize vegetable prices? Would it not spare the city’s common people some of the suffering of cold and hunger?”

“I am but a woman with shallow knowledge. Perhaps these thoughts are mere daydreams. Yet the success of Woniu Village has shown me hope. This small warm shed may not turn stone into gold, but it can breathe life into the land in winter. And the land is the foundation of Great Xia. The people regard food as heaven; the nation takes agriculture as its root. This—this is the ‘immortal art’ I dare to discuss with you.”

When she finished, Shufang Pavilion fell utterly silent.

Everyone was stunned by Jiang Suisui’s words.

They had believed this was nothing more than a petty exchange among women of the inner quarters—an argument over face and favor.

Yet in a single turn of phrase, Jiang Suisui had elevated the topic from “a strawberry worth one tael of silver” to “border soldiers” and “the welfare of the nation.”

Her vision, her breadth of mind, her perspective—had already surpassed everyone present.

Those noblewomen who had merely come to watch the spectacle now looked at Jiang Suisui differently. In their eyes were shock, admiration… and even a trace of shame.

In their daily lives, these noblewomen concerned themselves with which family’s rouge worked best, whose jewelry was most novel, and whose husband had recently been promoted. Yet this woman before them, while farming in the countryside, had been thinking about soldiers at the frontier and the common people of the capital.

The contrast was unmistakable.

Madam Wang and Madam Zhou’s faces had turned the color of pig’s liver. Their mouths opened and closed, but not a single word came out. In the face of lofty principles like “the welfare of the nation and the people,” any rebuttal they might offer would seem pale and laughable.

Seated above, the Empress gazed at Jiang Suisui with eyes sparkling in astonishment.

She had once believed the Emperor’s decision to bestow upon Jiang Suisui the title of Protector of the Nation Lady was largely out of consideration for the Marquis of Yongning and perhaps some credit for her fortunate role during the epidemic. But after witnessing her today, she finally understood—this woman possessed true talent.

Her worth was far more than that of merely “a marquis’s wife.”

In the silence, a clear, melodious female voice rang out.

“Madam Jiang’s words are deeply thought-provoking.”

All eyes turned toward the speaker. It was the Crown Princess.

She rose from her seat and walked gracefully into the center of the hall, giving Jiang Suisui a slight nod.

“I have heard that Madam is not only proficient in agriculture, but has also authored a Handbook on Epidemic Prevention and Control. The methods of ‘isolation’ and ‘disinfection’ recorded therein were unheard of before, yet proved vital. His Majesty has already ordered the Imperial Medical Bureau to print and distribute it throughout the realm. Such achievements—meritorious to the state and beneficial for generations—cannot be measured by idle gossip.”

The Crown Princess’s words struck like a heavy hammer against Madam Wang and the others.

She was plainly reminding everyone that Jiang Suisui’s accomplishments were acknowledged by the Emperor himself—worthy of being recorded in history. To judge her by the petty standards of inner-court squabbles was nothing short of absurd.

Turning to the Empress, the Crown Princess curtsied. “Mother Empress, your daughter-in-law believes Madam Jiang’s talents set an example for the women of Great Xia. Affairs of state may be borne by the men of the court, but if those of us in the inner quarters could have more women like Madam Jiang—who hold the nation in their hearts and possess broad vision—and fewer who delight in slander and sharp tongues, perhaps we too could lighten His Majesty’s burdens.”

Her words were severe—nearly tantamount to scolding Madam Wang outright.

Madam Wang’s face drained of all color.

The Empress gave the Crown Princess a long, searching look, then glanced at Jiang Suisui before slowly nodding.

“The Crown Princess speaks rightly.” Her authoritative gaze swept across the hall. “The title Protector of the Nation Lady is well deserved. If anyone hereafter dares to speak improper words about her, do not blame this palace for showing no mercy.”

It was the final verdict.

Madam Wang and the others hurriedly dropped to their knees, repeatedly declaring, “We would not dare.”

Watching the dramatic turn of events before her, Jiang Suisui felt a quiet clarity settle in her heart.

She knew that in this first battle within the capital’s inner circles, she had not only won—she had won brilliantly.

She had secured her standing and gained the most formidable ally she could hope for.

She cast a grateful glance toward the Crown Princess.

The Crown Princess returned it with a gentle smile—one that seemed to carry deeper meaning beneath its warmth.

Jiang Suisui understood.

The flower-viewing banquet was not yet over.

Perhaps the true drama had only just begun.