Chapter 47 Zhang Liangyuan Makes a Fool of Herself
East Palace · Qinghui Pavilion
"Miss! Master has done a great service!" The maid Cuiliu rushed in, carrying a letter from home. "His Majesty praised him personally in the Golden Palace, and His Highness the Crown Prince was also present!"
Zhang Liangyuan and Zhang Yuyao snatched the letter, their fingertips trembling. Their father's handwriting was strong and clear: "...His Majesty has hinted to the Crown Prince to look after you; this is a golden opportunity..."
"Quickly! Get ready!" She slammed the letter shut and paced back and forth in the room. "His Highness the Crown Prince will definitely be coming soon!"
Cui Liu was also happy for her mistress: "Miss, we must prepare well. We'll prepare whatever His Highness the Crown Prince likes!"
Zhang Yuyao bit her nails, deep in thought. What did the Crown Prince like? She suddenly remembered that every morning the freshest flowers from the Imperial Garden were always delivered to the Liuli Pavilion; Consort Su always carried a faint floral fragrance when she passed by; the palace servants all said that the Crown Prince loved watching Consort Su make fragrant dew...
"Flowers!" She slammed her hand on the table, making the teacups clatter. "The Crown Prince must love the scent of flowers on women! Quickly, gather the freshest roses and jasmine, the more the better! I want a petal bath!"
Cui Liu hesitated and said, "Miss, you haven't used flower petals to make this before, I'm afraid there's a risk..."
"Shut up!" Zhang Yuyao glared. "What's there to be afraid of in order to please His Highness?"
That night, a thick layer of flower petals floated in the bathtub, the rich fragrance making one dizzy. Zhang Yuyao gritted her teeth and soaked for a full hour, even her fingernails were soaked with flower juice. Her nightgown was scented, and the bed was covered with flower petals, determined to marinate herself in the fragrance.
The next morning—
"Ah! Miss! Your face!" Cui Liu's scream shattered the silence.
In the bronze mirror, Zhang Yuyao's heroic face was covered with red rashes, and large bumps appeared on her neck, which were itchy and painful, a pitiful sight.
"How could this be..." She scratched her face in alarm, then suddenly remembered something, "Quick! Go and fetch the imperial physician! No, wait—don't make a sound! His Highness might come today..."
Xiao Jingzhan was applying makeup to Su Jingyu's eyebrows. He Yong quietly entered: "Your Highness, it seems there's been some trouble with Consort Zhang."
"Hmm?" The prince's pen continued to move.
"I heard...his face is covered in red rashes, and he's urgently seeking out the imperial physician."
Xiao Jingzhan paused, a smile playing on his lips. She was indeed in a hurry. Su Jingyu looked up: "Is Sister Zhang ill? Should we ask Physician Sun to take a look?"
"No need." Xiao Jingzhan finished the last stroke, gently stroking her cheek. "I'll go see for myself."
Upon hearing that the Crown Prince had arrived, Zhang Yuyao panicked and knocked over her rouge box. In the end, she could only cover her face with a light veil and force herself to come out and pay her respects.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Her voice, muffled behind the veil and nasal, continued, "I have caught a cold and fear that I might pass it on to Your Majesty..."
Xiao Jingzhan glanced at her heavily wrapped figure, his gaze lingering for a moment on the red rash on her exposed wrist, and he understood. He sat down calmly: "Since you're ill, take good care of yourself. Has the imperial physician come to see you?"
"Your Highness, I...I've already seen it, and they say it's...rubella..." Zhang Yuyao stammered, wishing she could disappear into a crack in the ground.
Xiao Jingzhan picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, chatted for a few moments, and then stood up, saying, "In that case, I won't bother you any longer. Take good care of yourself, and I'll come again another day."
Watching the Crown Prince's departing figure, Zhang Yuyao regretfully tore off her veil—this face covered in red rashes would probably take at least ten days to half a month to heal!
He Yong jogged to catch up with the Crown Prince: "Your Highness, shall we invite Chief Physician Sun..."
"No need," Xiao Jingzhan dusted off his sleeves. "Go to the Imperial Workshop and send a few boxes of Jade Complexion Cream to General Zhang's residence, saying it's a gift from me."
He Yong understood immediately. Your Highness had both saved General Zhang's face and given Consort Zhang a warning—I know exactly what you're thinking.
Su Jingyu was preparing fragrant hibiscus syrup when she saw the Crown Prince return. She looked up and smiled, "How are you feeling, Sister Zhang?"
Xiao Jingzhan wrapped his arms around her from behind, inhaling the natural fragrance of her hair: "It's nothing, just a minor ailment." He casually picked a hibiscus flower and tucked it behind her ear, "My dear, you smell so good today."
"Your Highness is good at coaxing people." She smiled lightly, pursing her lips.
"I only want to comfort you." He whispered in her ear.
In early summer, the hibiscus in the Liuli Pavilion were in full bloom. Su Jingyu had been busy making fragrant dew recently, picking the freshest petals every day in the fragrant room that Xiao Jingzhan had specially set aside for her.
That afternoon, Xiao Jingzhan returned after handling government affairs. As soon as he stepped into the palace, he smelled a delicate and unique hibiscus fragrance, unlike the sweetness of ordinary flower scents, which carried a hint of dewy coolness.
"What is my little darling up to now?" He approached with a smile and saw Su Jingyu carefully dripping something onto a white porcelain bottle, her focused profile gleaming in the sunlight.
Su Jingyu looked up at the sound, raising the porcelain bottle as if presenting a treasure: "Your Highness, please smell this. It's my newly made hibiscus-scented dew, with added mint and citrus. Is it refreshing?"
Xiao Jingzhan gently inhaled the scent from her hand, feeling a cool, refreshing fragrance that instantly dispelled much of the irritability brought on by days of official duties. His eyes darkened as he took the porcelain bottle and examined it closely: "This fragrance is special. My goodness, where did you get the recipe?"
"It was something I came up with myself," Su Jingyu said, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "Summer is so hot and humid, and ordinary floral scents are too sweet, so I thought I'd add something refreshing. If Your Highness likes it, may I have it with you?"
Xiao Jingzhan felt a surge of warmth in his heart and pulled her to his lap: "My dear, you have a clever idea; this fragrance suits my taste perfectly." He lowered his head and gently sniffed her neck. "However... your scent is still the best."
As he spoke, a lingering kiss landed on her lips. Su Jingyu blushed and pushed him away, saying, "Your Highness! We're talking about serious matters! I was thinking that the Dragon Boat Festival palace banquet is quite hot and stuffy. If we dripped this fragrant dew into the palace lanterns or sprinkled some in the corners of the hall, perhaps it would make things a little cooler..."
Xiao Jingzhan played with the porcelain vase, lost in thought.
Three days later, the Dragon Boat Festival banquet will be held.
The banks of Taiye Pond were filled with the sounds of music and revelry. Although it was nearing dusk, the summer heat had not yet dissipated. The Emperor sat regally on his throne, occasionally covering his face with a fan. The concubines were drenched in sweat, their makeup slightly smudged.
After several rounds of drinks, the emperor frowned and said, "The summer heat came early this year, and this muggy heat has really dampened our spirits."
The Empress also fanned herself and sighed softly, "Yes, it wasn't this hot at this time of year in previous years..."
Xiao Jingzhan stood up at the opportune moment: "Your Majesty, I recently obtained a refreshing fragrant dew, which may be helpful in relieving the summer heat. He Yong—"
Several eunuchs carried a gilded crane-shaped incense burner into the hall. No fire or smoke was visible inside, only a faint white mist rising from it. As the mist filled the air, a refreshing lotus fragrance wafted on the breeze, instantly dispelling the summer heat of the hall!
"Huh? This fragrance is so refreshing!" The emperor exclaimed in surprise as he put down his fan.
The Empress took a deep breath and smiled, saying, "This fragrance is elegant; it clears my mind considerably."
Xiao Jingzhan cupped his hands in greeting: "This is Hibiscus Dew, personally prepared by Consort Su. It is made with more than ten kinds of medicinal herbs, including mint and citrus, and has the effect of refreshing the mind and relieving summer heat."
"Oh? It was made by Consort Su?" The Emperor was overjoyed. "I've heard you say that the Su family is skilled in the art of incense, but I didn't expect them to have such ingenuity!"
The entire room was stunned. The concubines gritted their teeth in secret—this Lady Su, not only is she beautiful, but she also knows everything!
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