King Qi then probed, "This incense can soothe the mind at night, allowing one to fall into a deep sleep, and during the day it can invigorate the spirit and enable one to concentrate. In addition, it can also treat chronic diseases of the internal organs. It is said to be a medical incense passed down by the immortal Ziyang."
Qin Yuan exclaimed in amazement: "Is this really true? Master Ziyang is the founder of the Southern School of Taoism. Is this the incense recipe he left behind? That is indeed a rare fragrance. It is something I have never heard of or seen before."
She had heard about the King of Qi's search for this rare fragrance when she first visited Ranxiangju, and knew that he was after her, so her conversation was flawless.
King Qi sighed, “Indeed, this incense is quite peculiar. My mother obtained it from the late Empress Dowager and benefited greatly from it. In recent years, I have been feeling unwell and have been looking for this incense to regulate my body, but I have been searching everywhere and have not been able to find it.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Yuan carefully examined the face and physique of the King of Qi.
In his previous life, this prince, who was a man of great talent and integrity and was deeply loved and respected by his ministers, also suddenly passed away not long after the death of the crown prince, shocking the world.
Could it be that there are already signs of trouble?
The Prince of Qi was somewhat puzzled, but he didn't ask. Gu Jinghui noticed this and his expression turned sour.
Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Gu Baozhu took a great risk and asked, "Sister-in-law, is this Master Ziyang really that powerful?"
Qin Yuan turned to look at Gu Baozhu and said, "Of course. It is said that Master Ziyang was learned from a young age, and was well-versed in the classics of the three religions, medicine, divination, military strategy, and mathematics. After failing the imperial examinations many times, he became a Taoist priest and traveled the world in search of the Golden Elixir. Later, in the Sichuan and Chongqing region, he met a master who taught him the method of the Golden Elixir. After diligently cultivating, he achieved great success in the Golden Elixir and gathered many disciples at the Chongdao Temple in Tiantai County, Taizhou Prefecture to spread the teachings. He passed away at the age of ninety-nine and is known as the founder of the Southern School of Taoism. Isn't that amazing?"
Gu Baozhu clicked her tongue in amazement and said, "Wow, that's amazing! Is this incense really passed down from Master Ziyang?"
The King of Qi remained silent.
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Many good things in this world are sometimes attributed to immortals or great scholars in order to spread them far and wide. How can we know if they are truly passed down by the descendants of the True Man Ziyang? However, according to His Highness Prince Qi, this incense is so peculiar that it is naturally extraordinary. It is possible that it was indeed passed down by the True Man Ziyang."
Gu Baozhu sighed, "It's such a pity that such a fine incense is no longer available."
King Qi nodded in agreement: "Indeed, it is extremely regrettable."
Qin Yuan also sighed, "That's why there's the saying that the best things in the world are not durable. It's truly a pity. If only I could smell it."
King Qi's eyes were full of anticipation as he asked, "If Third Sister-in-law were to smell it, could she recreate it? I heard Manager Leng say that Third Sister-in-law has an exceptional talent for blending fragrances, far beyond his reach. Perhaps she could even smell the formula and reproduce it exactly as it is."
Old Madam Gu looked over with a probing gaze, while Rong Mama, who was serving behind her, looked nervous, and Gu Jinghui had a cold face.
Qin Yuan saw this and laughed, "It's not as good as Manager Leng says. I learned some perfume-making techniques when I was young. Later, when I was reading perfume recipes, I had some insights and made two kinds of perfume pills, which I sold at Ranxiangju. To be honest, it's not all my skill. I just added and subtracted from the perfume recipes of the ancients."
King Qi laughed and said, "Sister-in-law, you are too modest. I have heard that the art of blending incense is like cultivating the Tao, which also requires a certain fate and destiny. If one has a high talent and understanding, one can achieve great success without the effort of an ordinary person. Sister-in-law, you have only had a few insights and yet you can blend such good incense. You are obviously a person with a high talent and understanding. Why don't you give it a try?"
Gu Baozhu suddenly interjected, "My third sister-in-law's incense is really good. My sixth sister-in-law was seriously ill and couldn't sleep well at night. She would often wake up in a fright for no reason and couldn't catch up on sleep during the day. She was drowsy all day. It was only after using the calming incense that my third sister-in-law made that she was able to sleep well."
King Qi was overjoyed and said, "In that case, please give it a try, Third Sister-in-law."
Qin Yuan sighed, "His Highness Prince Qi has done me such a great favor, it would seem unreasonable for me not to give it a try."
King Qi smiled faintly.
"It was just a small favor for me to help my third sister-in-law lower the price. It wasn't a big deal. Even if I didn't do it, with my third brother's help, the price could have been lowered. It's just that the censors and others heard about it and reported it to the authorities, which caused some trouble."
Qin Yuan sighed, "Then I must try even more. My husband is in charge of the capital inspection by imperial decree, and the censors are also among those being examined. I might offend someone if I'm not careful. Let's avoid troubling the censors if possible."
The coldness on Gu Jinghui's face melted away immediately, and he said, "Madam, don't worry, those censors can't do anything to me."
Qin Yuan said, "My husband is away from home all year round and doesn't know how troublesome those censors in the Censorate are these days. My father often talks about them at home, and I've heard a thing or two about it. It's best not to provoke them if possible."
Offending an imperial censor is worse than provoking a vicious dog.
Vicious dogs can fight and kill.
The censors are responsible for impeaching the emperor, and the emperor has to listen with a heavy heart. He cannot kill them, and if he punishes them without cause, he will be ridiculed by everyone for being petty.
Even the Emperor was helpless against them, let alone a military officer like Lord Gu.
As for why the King of Qi was not afraid, it was obviously because he had his own people in the Censorate.
Qin Yuan thought to herself, she was not afraid that the Prince of Qi would not help, but she was afraid that the Prince of Qi would do something bad in secret. It was just a matter of smelling it. If she said that she could not smell it, what could the Prince of Qi do to her?
Having made up her mind, Qin Yuan stood up, bowed to Prince Qi, and said, "Then I'll leave this matter to Your Highness."
King Qi quickly stood up, returned the greeting, and said with a smile, "It's just a small matter, nothing to mention. Third Sister-in-law, you're being too polite. Just treat me like family from now on."
Qin Yuan smiled but didn't reply.
Who would dare to treat the King of Qi as one of their own?
Wouldn't that mean trying to establish a kinship with the emperor?
King Qi said, “Since Third Sister-in-law has agreed, I will have someone send the incense pills over later. There are only two left. I have been reluctant to use them and dare not open the wax seal. I have been carefully inquiring about them, afraid of wasting them. Meeting Third Sister-in-law is Heaven’s mercy on my sincerity. The incense pills have finally had a chance to see the light of day.”
Qin Yuan said, "I will follow Your Highness's arrangements. However, I have something to say beforehand: if I do not know the complete recipe and am unable to recreate this unique fragrance, Your Highness, please do not blame me."
King Qi immediately said, "Sister-in-law, please don't worry. If you can't smell it, then no one else in the capital will be able to smell it. It's just that Heaven is not on your side. How could I blame you?"
That's a really thoughtful and considerate thing to say.
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "That's wonderful. I know I lack talent, but I was afraid that His Highness Prince Qi would misunderstand that I was unwilling to help. Besides, I also had some selfish motives. I wanted to see the wonderful fragrance made from the elixir recipe, so I shamelessly accepted His Highness Prince Qi's favor. Fortunately, His Highness Prince Qi is kind and benevolent by nature and will not blame people for such trivial matters. This is my good fortune."
Gu Baozhu: ...
Madam Gu: ...
Gu Jinghui: ...
Even Rong Momo secretly gave a thumbs up: ...
The two of them flattered each other with beautiful words, and both were pleasing to the eye. Neither of them gave in, which made the other person admire them to the point of prostration.
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