Chapter 15, Chapter 15: Joyful Fragrance
The plain silver hairpin that Mingwu was holding between her fingers jingled as it slipped from her hand and fell onto the cold dressing table. It rolled a few times before finally coming to a shaky stop.
The sound, amplified infinitely in the stagnant, still room, was piercingly sharp, violently breaking the suffocating silence.
Falling out of favor? Being rejected? Or will Qi Lan be promoted to the position of official wife?
Every word was like a poisoned needle, piercing straight into the softest part of her heart.
Chunnan saw that her face was so pale it was almost transparent, and her eyes were blank as she stared at herself in the mirror. She looked so thin and fragile that a gust of wind could blow her away.
Chunnan felt a deep pain in his heart, regretting that he shouldn't have brought those unsavory rumors to Madam's presence.
He was about to say something comforting.
Outside the wall, a deliberately hushed voice could be heard clearly inside the house.
"...Last night, I saw with my own eyes two old women dragging that person out of the Prime Minister's room like a dead dog."
"More than that! I heard that when he came out, he was unconscious. He was just wrapped in a black cloth and stuffed into a small carriage to be brought back. The Prime Minister didn't even lift his eyelids, and just waved his hand to have him dragged away."
"Huh? Wrapped in black cloth? That's not like taking it off..."
"She usually puts on such a gentle and refined act, but behind your back she's so shameless..."
"Tch, what face does someone from a merchant family have? If she hadn't shamelessly drugged the Prime Minister back then, would she even be worthy of entering the Prime Minister's residence?"
"Alas, poor Miss Qi Lan, she was truly a perfect match for the Prime Minister, both in love and social standing. She was cruelly betrayed by this vixen..."
Chunnan was so angry that she trembled all over.
"shut up!!"
She rushed to the window frame near the outer wall, pushed it open, and her sharp, piercing voice lashed out angrily at the outside of the wall.
"Which despicable bastard with a rotten tongue is spouting nonsense?! If you dare to utter another word about the master, I will immediately report to the head maid, tear your mouths apart, and sell you to the lowest brothel!"
The discussions outside the wall abruptly ceased.
Then came the sound of hurried, chaotic footsteps, which quickly disappeared into the depths of the courtyard.
"Bang!"
Chunnan slammed the window shut in a fit of anger, making the window frame vibrate.
Her chest was still heaving violently as she gasped for breath. Suddenly, as if remembering something, her expression changed drastically. She turned around abruptly and quickly returned to Mingwu, her voice urgent and trembling slightly.
"Madam, please don't listen to those vile scoundrels' nonsense! The Prime Minister... he definitely has you in his heart..."
Even she herself felt that these words were weak and powerless.
Does he have her in his heart?
Mingwu's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, forcing a smile that was more like a grimace.
In the six months since their marriage, he has often stayed at her place.
In those nights of flickering candlelight and tender whispers, his occasional, intensely focused gaze, which made her heart flutter, and his refreshingly pleasant scent…
All of these things made her feel like a fool, giving rise to inappropriate and humble illusions.
She thought that perhaps, even a tiny bit, he still cared about her.
Mingwu slowly closed her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a small, fragile shadow beneath them, trembling slightly.
Tear apart the last bit of self-deceiving illusion in your heart and trample it into the mud.
The room suddenly became quiet, with only the dripping of the water drain on the low cabinet.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door, and the little maid hurriedly lifted the curtain and came in.
"Madam, the matriarch of the Ming family has arrived."
Mingwu suddenly opened her eyes, the pain in her pupils still lingering, when she saw Lin Shi rush in like a gust of wind.
She was dressed in a brand-new bright red and gold spring dress, and her hair was styled in the most fashionable peony bun among the noblewomen of Lin'an at the time.
As she walked, the three wide gold bracelets on her wrists jingled together.
However, his face was so gloomy that it seemed as if water was about to drip from it, which was completely out of place with his festive attire.
As soon as he entered, he glared at Mingwu with eyes like knives and began to interrogate her.
"I heard that you were kicked out by the Prime Minister last night?"
The word "赶" was pronounced heavily and loudly.
Mingwu lowered her eyes, concealing the bitterness in them, and slowly rose to her feet, curtsying to Lin Shi.
"The daughter has met her mother."
Without any hesitation, Ms. Lin walked straight to the head seat and sat down. Her finely drawn eyebrows furrowed in displeasure.
"Alright, enough with the formalities! I'm asking you, what exactly happened? Do you know what's going on outside? You've completely disgraced the Ming family!"
Mingwu didn't reply, but turned around to take the warm tea that Chunnan handed over, presented it to Lin Shi, and asked indifferently.
"Why is Mother here?"
Lin slammed the teacup away, splashing a few drops of tea onto Mingwu's hand, scalding her and making her wince.
"Didn't I tell you last time? I told you not to be willful, to humble yourself, and to serve the Prime Minister properly. Look at what you've done?"
"The Prime Minister has already brought that woman back to his residence. You yourself are about to lose even your position as the Prime Minister's wife. Are you trying to drive me crazy?"
"How could I have given birth to such a useless daughter!"
That last sentence was practically shouted through gritted teeth.
Mingwu had heard these words since she was a child, and was already used to them.
That's just Lin's personality. If the other party listens obediently when she gets angry, that's fine. But if they argue back, it's like stirring up a hornet's nest.
Inevitably, another suicide attempt will occur.
We have to win no matter what.
Mingwu understood this, so she simply stood to the side with her head down, keeping her eyes down and her mind at ease. As for what Lin said, it went in one ear and out the other.
After an incense stick had burned, Madam Lin finally tired herself out with her scolding, and seeing Mingwu's obedient demeanor, the anger in her heart finally dissipated.
“Awu knows that her mother has a bad temper. Some of her words were a bit harsh, but her mother did it all for your own good, for the good of our Ming family.”
“Your father’s title was bought with money, so he was looked down upon. You finally managed to climb up to the Prime Minister and become a first-rank imperial consort.”
"This is an incredible stroke of luck. It is the only chance for our Ming family to break free from our status as merchants and step into the true elite class of Lin'an."
She stared intently at Mingwu.
“Your father and brothers, as well as the honor and future of our Ming family, all depend on you. Ah Wu, you must not be foolish and ruin all of this.”
As Mingwu listened to this all-too-familiar "family responsibility," she felt a heavy sense of exhaustion weighing her down, making it hard to breathe.
She sighed almost imperceptibly.
"My mother knows that I am unworthy of the Prime Minister's favor; all my honor and disgrace depend on his whims..."
"The Prime Minister... doesn't like me, so what can I do?"
His voice was filled with helplessness and bitterness.
She hoped her mother could show her even a little understanding.
“My silly daughter, you are still too young and don’t understand men. As long as a woman is beautiful, knows how to flatter and please, and is gentle and considerate, then status and virtue are all meaningless.”
"Besides, my A-Wu is so beautiful that even the most beautiful courtesan can't compare. As long as you're willing to put aside your useless arrogance, why are you afraid of not being able to capture the Prime Minister's heart?"
"No matter how high your position and how great your power, you're still a man. And men are animals that think with their lower bodies. You just need to..."
Lin winked at Mingwu, the meaning of which was self-evident.
Mingwu frowned uncomfortably.
"By the way, did you look at that booklet I asked you to bring back last time?"
Mingwu was stunned for a moment before she realized that Lin was referring to that obscene erotic picture book.
Her face flushed red, a wave of shame washing over her, and she quickly lowered her head.
Seeing this, Madam Lin knew that Mingwu had not learned anything from the book. She frowned in displeasure and scolded her with disappointment.
"Serves you right for not listening to your mother! Now look what's happened! The Prime Minister's heart is already with another woman. Fortunately, that woman doesn't have a formal title yet, so there's still time to win her back."
As she spoke, Lin quickly pulled a palm-sized blue porcelain jar from her sleeve and shoved it into Mingwu's hand without a word.
"Take this! This is 'Joyful Fragrance,' which your mother spent a fortune to obtain. Light it in the incense, just a little bit, and I guarantee the Prime Minister will stay in your room every night, with only you in his eyes and heart."
Huan Yi Xiang?
Mingwu was struck dumb, her face paling with shock. She felt the cool porcelain bottle suddenly become scalding hot, burning to the touch.
"I don't want to! I... I can never do this again!"
Madam Lin's face suddenly darkened, and her eyes turned sharp: "Awu! Are you disobeying your mother again?"
Mingwu bit her lower lip so hard it almost bled, and persisted.
"I can't do that!"
The scene from last year reappeared before my eyes.
At that time, she learned the identity of her "savior" Lu Yuan and realized the vast difference between them. She sealed her feelings for him deep in her heart.
I want to go and say thank you to him.
So she went to the banquet, but she never expected it.
Her mother would sprinkle a fragrance of joy on her clothes.
Even now, she really wants to ask: Did her mother ever think of her when she did all this?
If he hadn't noticed her odd behavior and promptly pulled her inside that time, she probably would have already...
I have no face to live anymore.
She was grateful for his help at the time, and even after learning it was a scheme, he still married her. Even after marriage, he treated her coldly.
She was also grateful.
"Mother, have you ever regretted what you did back then?"
Just then, a servant came to report that Xu Ming was requesting an audience.
Before Mingwu could say anything, Madam Lin instantly put on a warm and attentive smile and went out to greet her with a beaming smile.
"Oh dear, it's Commander Xu! Does the Prime Minister miss my Ah Wu?"
Xu Ming's voice came from outside the door.
"Madam Ming is right. It's just that the Prime Minister misses the medicinal dishes you make, so he sent me down to ask if you would have time to make some more..."
Lin hurriedly agreed on behalf of Mingwu.
"I'm free, I'm free. If Your Majesty wants to eat, A-Wu is always available."
Upon hearing this, Xu Ming breathed a sigh of relief and bowed respectfully towards the direction inside the room.
"In that case, I'll leave you in your care, Madam. I'll take my leave now."
Xu Ming bowed to the people inside the room and said, "Then I will trouble you, Madam."
When she came in again, Lin had a smug smile on her face, and her steps were much lighter.
"Look! The Prime Minister is using the pretext of medicinal cuisine to try and see you. What a clever way to offer a way out."
She turned back to Mingwu's side and spoke earnestly.
"Ah Wu, this time you must seize the opportunity, prepare carefully, and show your utmost gentleness and tenderness to win the Prime Minister's favor. Don't make a foolish mistake again."
"How does Mother know that this wasn't something Xu Ming did on his own?"
Lin glared at Mingwu with annoyance, her tone resolute.
"That's why I say you're naive. Men all care about their pride, so women have to be gentle and considerate, giving them plenty of room to save face. Look at your father, wasn't he completely bewitched by those vixens who are good at being subservient and using despicable methods?"
As she spoke, Lin turned her attention to the head of the Lin family, her tone filled with resentment and venom.
"Your mother has no hope in this life. Your mother hopes that you will not repeat your mother's mistakes."
"Mother knows you don't like some of what I'm saying. But Ah Wu, you are my own daughter. Would I ever harm my own flesh and blood?"
"Your mother is incompetent and can't do anything for you. I can only use my past experience to help you avoid some wrong paths."
"You may not understand now. But when you get older, you'll realize that everything your mother did was for your own good."
As she spoke, her eyes even reddened slightly.
From a young age, Mingwu longed for her mother's genuine care, and even though her mother had drugged her, Mingwu never hated her.
Hearing her say this now, Mingwu's heart softened.
“I…I have never blamed my mother.”
Mrs. Lin nodded with satisfaction.
“I knew it. My Awu is an obedient and sensible child.”
Under Lin's repeated urging, Mingwu had no choice but to have Chunnan pick out the medicinal herbs that had been put into the small storeroom last time.
Fortunately, it's still early.
After soaking the medicinal herbs, boil them into a thick medicinal soup.
Because Lin needed to return to the Ming Mansion before the inner city gates were locked, she did not wait for the medicinal food to be prepared.
Before she left, she repeatedly gave her detailed instructions: Mingwu must seize the opportunity to serve the Prime Minister well and win his heart.
Finally, as if mentioning it casually, he added another sentence.
"By the way, your brother failed the imperial examination again this spring. He's very heartbroken and has locked himself in his room for days, refusing to eat or drink. As his sister, you can't bear to see him so dejected, can you?"
"I've heard that the Ministry of Revenue is a leisurely and lucrative place. Here's what you do: find an opportunity when the Prime Minister is in a good mood, and bring it up so that he can help your brother get a position in the Ministry of Revenue. It doesn't have to be a big or small job, as long as it's a respectable position."
Mingwu frowned.
My mother is also confused. How could they possibly have any say in matters of the court?
“Mother, this is…”
"Alright, alright!" Madam Lin interrupted her impatiently. "You must take this matter to heart. Now that your brother is better, won't you have more confidence in the Prime Minister's residence? Your mother is going back now."
He turned around and walked out in a hurry.
Mingwu's lips twitched a few times, but she ultimately swallowed back the rest of her words.
My mother has never been one to listen to advice. If she were to say that she couldn't help my brother obtain an official position, we would definitely start arguing again.
Never mind, it's better to avoid trouble.
Exhausted, she instructed Chunnan to take her mother to school.
Outside the Prime Minister's residence, just before getting into the carriage, Madam Lin suddenly called Chun Nan to her side and quickly stuffed the blue porcelain jar into Chun Nan's hand.
Lowering his voice, he commanded, "Tonight, find an opportunity to put this in the incense burner. Don't let A-Wu know."
Chunnan was shocked: "Madam, this servant cannot..."
Lin interrupted her, her gaze sharp: "You know that A-Wu likes the Prime Minister, don't you?"
Chunnan had no choice but to nod.
“You are A-Wu’s maid, and I know you are loyal. But have you ever thought,” Madam Lin took a step closer, her voice icy, “that if one day that woman from Lan Courtyard truly takes over, will she allow A-Wu’s existence? What will become of you, mistress and servant, then…”
Chunnan's face turned deathly pale, and her lips trembled.
“Awu is thin-skinned and soft-hearted; there are many things she can’t do. If it weren’t for me back then… how could Awu have had the opportunity to marry into the Prime Minister’s mansion and become a first-rank imperial consort? She rose to the top in one step.”
She put on a friendly face and patted Chunnan's hand hard, the force carrying a hint of coercion.
"As her personal maid, you know her heart best. You should know how to truly help her. Remember, your mistress's future is your future."
Chunnan held the cold porcelain jar, feeling as if it weighed a ton, her palms were covered in cold sweat.
Watching the Lin family's carriage rumble away into the distance, she stood there, her mind in turmoil.
-
The dark color gradually spread, like ink dripping into clear water, slowly encroaching on the entire Prime Minister's residence.
The lanterns on the eaves lit up one after another, their dim yellow glow struggling in the night, adding to the sense of loneliness.
Inside the East Courtyard dining hall, Lu Yuan looked at the medicinal dish placed on the dining table. He lifted the lid, and the familiar, sweet aroma of herbs wafted out.
He picked up the jade spoon, scooped up a spoonful, and slowly put it into his mouth.
Inside the East Courtyard dining hall, Lu Yuan looked at the medicinal dishes laid out on the table, smelling that familiar sweet aroma. He scooped up a spoonful and put it in his mouth.
Soft, sticky, sweet, and flavorful, just like before.
It's her craft.
Her fingertips gently caressed the rim of the bowl, the delicate and warm touch just like her fair skin in the night.
His eyes darkened slightly, and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly, though restrained.
A moment later, he dropped the jade spoon, stood up abruptly, and strode out.
Xu Ming was startled. Was the medicinal cuisine not to his liking?
But this was clearly made by the lady herself.
He hurriedly followed, and when he saw the direction Lu Yuan had gone, his heart skipped a beat.
That's the road to leaving the hospital.
A note from the author:
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