Song Xizhi thought it through very clearly. Now that he didn't know what had happened to his mother back then, it might be dangerous to carry the incense recipe his mother had developed.
The Prince Xiu sent a letter to the Su family. If the younger uncle represented the Su family and brought her to the Prince Xiu with the incense she had made herself, it would ensure that nothing went wrong, and at the same time, he could get close to the Prince Xiu and test the waters.
Without hesitation, Song Xizhi wrote a letter to Su Mingli, asking him to go to the Prince Xiu's residence with her after he finished his official duties that day.
After reading Song Xizhi's letter, Su Mingli hesitated for a moment, but ultimately agreed to her idea.
After the court session ended, he took a carriage to the Marquis's residence to pick up Song Xizhi, and the two went to the Prince Xiu's residence together.
As the carriage arrived at the entrance of Prince Xiu's mansion, the sky gradually darkened, and the evening glow burned red on the horizon.
Song Xizhi brought incense and stepped down from the carriage. Upon seeing her land, Su Mingli notified the gatekeeper:
"May I ask if His Highness Prince Xiu is at home? Su Mingli of the Su family and his niece have come to visit His Highness Prince Xiu, bringing with them the incense His Highness desired. His Highness is aware of this matter, so please go and inform them."
The gatekeeper of the Prince Xiu's residence's eyes lit up when he saw Su Mingli, and a smile appeared on his face. His attitude was also very good: "It's just in time. His Highness is in the residence right now. Please wait a moment, Lord Su and Madam He. I will be right there."
Sensing the gatekeeper's respectful attitude, Song Xizhi and Su Mingli exchanged a glance, feeling no surprise that they would be able to see Prince Xiu today.
But when the gatekeeper brought the news to the study, there was another person in the study.
After finishing his official duties today, He Yunze didn't even go home. Instead, he brought the incense given to him by Song Ruoan to visit Prince Xiu.
He wore a polite smile, and his every move, in the eyes of the Prince of Xiu, was not obsequious, but rather elegant and noble.
This made King Xiu narrow his eyes, feeling somewhat surprised.
He Yunze took out one of the incense sticks from the exquisite wooden box. The box wasn't originally there; he had bought it specifically to match.
"Your Highness, this is the incense I wish to present. It is unique in the world, and there is only one ounce of it. Even the gods could not make more than that. This incense has a woody fragrance and is called 'Human World of Grass and Trees,' which is to express the sentiment of 'Having seen the vastness of the universe, one still cherishes the green of grass and trees.'"
He Yunze spoke politely, handing the incense to Prince Xiu: "You can experience the scent first, and then put it in the incense burner. It's a completely different feeling."
As soon as he finished speaking, he sensed the Prince's admiring yet curious gaze. He smiled slightly and asked, "What kind of look is that, Your Highness?"
“You have surprised me greatly,” King Xiu replied, his eyes fixed on him.
As he spoke, he felt the fragrance wafting into his nose, so he put the incense in his hand to his nose and smelled it carefully.
However, after just a light sniff, Prince Xiu's eyes lit up instantly, and he shifted his gaze from He Yunce to the incense in his hand:
"This incense is extremely rare! I have never smelled such incense before. It is as if I am really in the forest hunting, and I can even smell the moisture on the grass and trees, making me feel like I am there. This incense is different from the strong incense of ordinary incense, and it makes me feel refreshed in an instant."
The Prince Xiu's reaction was within He Yunze's expectations. After all, Ruo An's craftsmanship was not to be underestimated. He had the same reaction when he first smelled this incense.
However, Ruo'an said that the raw materials for this incense are extinct, making it impossible to produce on a large scale, and it can no longer be provided to him anytime and anywhere as it was in his previous life.
"Does Your Highness also find this incense, like this humble servant, to be unexpected?"
He Yunze respectfully took the incense back from Prince Xiu's hands and placed it back in the incense burner to burn, his movements as smooth as flowing water.
"But this incense is not only surprising at first whiff, but when you burn it and savor it carefully, you will find three different scents in the top, middle and bottom, from large to small, from macro to micro, each time making people feel like they have opened their eyes."
"And that's not all. This incense also contains special herbs that are good for the body. It can not only soothe emotions and help you fall asleep, but also strengthen your body and make you feel powerful."
Upon hearing He Yunce's introduction, Prince Xiu stood up directly from his desk.
His previously calm demeanor was now tinged with excitement: "This fragrance is so unique? You just said it's one of a kind, absolutely unique in the world?"
"It can even help you fall asleep and is good for your health?"
He Yunze nodded affirmatively. He knew that Prince Xiu had been secretly searching for incense, hoping to find a calming incense to present to the emperor.
So he smiled and replied, "Yes, this incense was painstakingly researched by my wife. It contains many secret calming ingredients that no one knows about. If this incense is released, it will surely amaze everyone."
Prince Xiu listened to his words, staring intently at him, his narrow eyes swirling with turbulent emotions. He tentatively began to speak:
"Five days later will be the traditional poetry gathering. This gathering is not only a competition of literary talent, but also an appreciation of incense. Many people will come to watch, and if you have this incense..."
He Yunze followed up, adding what he hadn't finished saying: "With this fragrance, you will surely amaze everyone. All the literati and scholars in the world will notice you. It will be the beginning of your rise to prominence."
"If Your Highness would grant me a chance, I will offer this entire incense to Your Highness."
"If you desire other fragrances or other effects, my wife will do her utmost to develop new products."
Prince Xiu stared intently at him: "Is what you're saying true?"
He remained in hiding, not because he enjoyed hiding, but because his maternal family was too humble to provide him with any assistance, and he had no suitable opportunity to let his father see him.
At this moment, incense is the best choice.
It's just an incense burner; it won't be too flashy and arouse the suspicion of Prince Su and Prince Yu, yet it can let everyone see him without leaving a trace, allowing him to secretly build connections.
The medicinal properties contained in this incense are even more impressive. It not only heals his body, but also, if he were to offer this incense, which strengthens the body, to his father, it would represent his filial piety.
Just like the person in front of you.
He couldn't let this opportunity slip by.
He Yunze nodded, his eyes full of sincerity: "Yes, this incense is the best one that Madam has developed. No one else in the world knows about it except you and my husband."
Prince Xiu nodded, his gaze fixed on He Yunze: "Why did you choose me?"
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