Jiang Cangyue was still in her room, using a needle to drain the blisters on her hands, when she received word that Consort Shu had summoned her. She made her way to the inner chamber of Huayang Palace.
Man Chu, who had been hiding in her room during some spare time, couldn't help but roll her eyes indignantly. "She really knows exactly who to fawn over when she wants something."
Jiang Cangyue said nothing to this remark and followed Mammy Gui.
"This servant greets Consort Shu."
Shu Qing swept a glance over her. "Are your hands still painful?"
The imperial physician she had called had insisted that since the skin was rubbed raw, it would require a period of rest. Even with medication, it couldn't possibly heal in the blink of an eye, and if it didn't recover well, there was a risk of scarring. Upon hearing this, Shu Qing was absolutely livid, yet the incense still had to be made.
Several times, she had wanted to smash something, but remembering that if she broke something else and ended up unable to produce the incense, she would be the one to suffer, she held back.
Shu Qing looked at the maid’s face, which was lowered in submissive obedience.
The young girl was barely fifteen, dressed in the standard plain green gown worn by those in the palace. Her dark hair was tied back with a simple ribbon, and her snow-white skin seemed to have a faint, frost-like sheen under the sunlight. Though she possessed nothing of value, she carried an air of calm tranquility.
Jiang Cangyue bowed again. "This servant’s body is lowly; it is of no consequence."
Shu Qing had someone offer her a seat, forcefully insisting she sit down before raising an eyebrow. "His Majesty and the Empress Dowager both think highly of that 'Mist of the Forbidden Palace' incense. Now that your hands are injured, can you still produce it?"
Jiang Cangyue lowered her eyes. "Your Ladyship, I fear I am powerless to do so."
Incense making was no simple task. The process was cumbersome, and the control over every single spice had to be precise to the extreme. If even a small error occurred during the process, the resulting product would either lack fragrance or be something entirely different.
As soon as she finished speaking, Mammy Gui used the opportunity of serving tea to directly remove the fine fruit preserves and snacks that had been placed before Jiang Cangyue.
Shu Qing set her teacup down heavily, her expression turning icy in an instant. "Is it truly impossible to make the incense? Or must I have your hands chopped off for you to understand what I am saying?"
"Your Ladyship, please forgive me."
"Jiang Yue, I am not an unreasonable person," Shu Qing said, feigning indignation. "You know full well that His Majesty and the Empress Dowager are waiting for this..."
"Your Ladyship might as well cut off this servant’s hands," Jiang Cangyue replied, seeking punishment. "I cannot produce the incense alone."
Shu Qing was so angry she was struck speechless. Mammy Gui’s face also grew long and sour.
Shu Qing quickly gathered her thoughts, and a moment later, she seemed to have arrived at a realization. She leaned back, her tone indifferent. "Since you cannot make the incense alone, what if I provide you with assistants? Whether it be gold, silver, or treasures, I can give you whatever you need."
Jiang Cangyue stroked the wounds on her palms and lowered her head. "Your Ladyship, since my hands are injured, I only need one person to assist me."
Shu Qing finally let out a sigh of relief. "One person is enough? You may command anyone in my inner palace. Xiao Tao and Xiao Hong are both very attentive—can they produce the incense?"
The personal maids in her palace had been hand-picked; they were far more nimble and capable, and they suited her tastes perfectly.
Jiang Cangyue bowed again.
Shu Qing frowned. "What, that won't work?"
Jiang Cangyue paused, appearing to have some hidden difficulty. After hesitating for a long moment, she finally spoke. "Your Ladyship, incense making is not a task for a single day. The person I need is not Xiao Tao or Xiao Hong. They have never handled spices; furthermore, some are even allergic to them and must not come into contact with them at all."
Upon hearing this, Shu Qing’s expression, which had just begun to soften, turned ugly in an instant. Her patience was nearly worn thin. "Jiang Yue, my tolerance has its limits."
Jiang Cangyue replied, "I have a younger sister in Lanxi Pavilion who often helps me blend incense."
"Lanxi Pavilion?" Shu Qing’s face twisted, and she snapped, "That is Consort Yue’s territory."
Jiang Cangyue lifted her gaze toward the table.On the table, a white porcelain jar had tipped over, scattering fine, fragrant powder. It was a bright day, and the sunlight caught the particles like mist, filling the room with a hazy glow.
Jiang Cangyue rose to tidy up the white porcelain jar, then lowered her head to offer a suggestion. "My Lady, does His Majesty favor this fragrance?"
Consort Shu frowned. "Even if he does, you cannot produce it, can you?"
"But if Your Ladyship were to bring my sister to me, the incense could be made, and His Majesty would have eyes for no one else but Huayang Palace."
Consort Shu suddenly froze.
Jiang Cangyue’s eyes flickered with hidden currents. Gao Xian was currently preoccupied with Gou Dequan and would have no time to trouble her. For now, she was crafting incense for Consort Shu, and if the Consort desired exclusive favor, then Jiang Cangyue would grant her that wish.
"I have heard Your Ladyship mention that His Majesty is often too busy with state affairs to rest well, and that the Empress Dowager is frequently troubled by the same. My incense can soothe the spirit and aid sleep, yet it exists only here with you. Once His Majesty experiences it, he will naturally frequent Huayang Palace. And there is more to my craft than just this."
Consort Shu’s heart skipped a beat. Was the exclusive devotion she craved truly within reach?
Jiang Cangyue remained silent. If Consort Shu wanted eternal favor for Huayang Palace, she would never let this opportunity go. When a person possesses two hearts and can no longer contain their greed, sin is born.
Consort Shu struggled to calm her surging emotions. She stared intently at Jiang Cangyue. "It is merely incense. If the imperial physicians were to take your formula, they could surely replicate it."
Jiang Cangyue smiled and explained, "My Lady, the method of crafting this incense has been passed down through my ancestors; no one else can master it. The ingredients react with one another in specific ways—of that, I can assure Your Ladyship."
Consort Shu glanced at Mammy Gui.
She then spoke, "Can truly no one else learn it? I must see the value in it before I know if you are worth the favor I would have to beg from Consort Yue."
Jiang Cangyue leaned in and whispered into her ear.
Consort Shu understood, but soon her face betrayed a look of conflict and hesitation. She gripped her handkerchief until it was crumpled before speaking in vexation, "Consort Yue is no good, either. Every time His Majesty bestows a gift upon me, she must come and flaunt hers. If I go to her to ask for someone, she will surely be insufferable about it!"
At the mention of Consort Yue, Mammy Gui offered a cold, mirthless smile—truly, the servant reflected the mistress.
Once the venting had subsided, Jiang Cangyue spoke, "My Lady, I am a servant of Huayang Palace; naturally, I wish only the best for you."
Consort Shu looked at her, then toward the direction of Lanxi Pavilion.
"I have one more request."
Consort Shu felt a headache coming on the moment she heard this. She could only say, "What else do you need me to do for you?"
"Even with help, I can only craft one type of incense every ten days."
"One type?" Consort Shu asked, puzzled.
"One every ten days; ten varieties in one hundred days."
Consort Shu held her tongue.
Mammy Gui, displeased, scolded, "You wretched girl, Her Ladyship feeds and clothes you well, yet you still think of ways to slack off. Do you have a death wish?"
Consort Shu waved her hand languidly, dismissing the matter. "Mammy Gui, there is no need to be so harsh. Crafting incense is not a task that can be rushed. I allow it."
"My sister is quite young, and I wish for her to live with me."
Consort Shu sat up straight upon hearing this, not understanding. "Huayang Palace has plenty of rooms. Are you afraid I might devour her?"
Jiang Cangyue shook her head. "That is not what I meant. It is simply that by working together, we can become more proficient and produce the finest incense."
Consort Shu felt her head spinning with all this talk. "Fine, fine, I grant it all! If there is anything else, speak it now."
"Since this incense is vital to Your Ladyship’s favor, it must remain unknown to others."
"I am willing to move to Anle Palace to craft the incense," Jiang Cangyue added.