MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 36

Glossary

· Qin Yuan: The female protagonist, Marquise of the household.

· Gu Jinghui: The male protagonist, the Marquis.

· Cold Manager: Manager of the Gu family's spice shop, Ranxiang Ju.

· Hongye: Qin Yuan's loyal maidservant.

· Cuiming: Qin Yuan's other maidservant.

· Gu Shiliu: Gu Jinghui's personal attendant.

· Rong Mama: Old Madame Gu's trusted attendant.

· Prince Qi: A royal prince.

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Chapter 36: Merely Prince Qi's Whimsical Ideas

There were many noble and influential people in the capital, but for Cold Manager to speak of a guest with such gravity and importance to her face meant this person was absolutely no ordinary individual.

Qin Yuan nodded and said, "Perhaps Manager Leng could call a clerk instead? I only wish to ask about some trivial matters and will be on my way."

Manager Leng hurriedly dissuaded her, "Ranxiang Ju is the Marquis' household's shop, and I am considered half a member of the household myself. How could we possibly wrong the proprietor? The guest today is Prince Qi. He is only coming to inquire about incense and will leave shortly."

Seeing his apprehension, Qin Yuan did not insist further.

Ranxiang Ju's shop front was very large, three or four times that of an ordinary shop. The interior was spacious, with many cabinets made of nanmu wood erected against the walls, reaching from the floor to the ceiling, neatly divided into numerous small drawers. Each drawer had a light-colored wooden tag indicating the name of the spice.

Just from this setup, one could tell that Ranxiang Ju dealt only in top-quality spices.

As far as the eye could see, the variety of spices was comprehensive, and their storage was methodical, preventing cross-contamination of scents or spoilage.

Noticing her look of approval, Manager Leng said with a smile, "Ranxiang Ju has a complete inventory of spices, including varieties from the Western Regions and overseas. If you wish to compound incense, Madame, you need only point to items on the shop's list, and I guarantee we can prepare it for you."

Qin Yuan asked, "Manager Leng, you manage Ranxiang Ju very well. May I ask where the shop's incense compounding master was recruited from?"

For a spice shop to succeed, it firstly needs ample spice reserves, and secondly, a skilled compounding master who can create popular, sought-after incenses. Otherwise, it must be able to meet the eccentric demands of noble guests.

Although Qin Yuan was skilled in compounding incense, her expertise lay mainly in medicinal incense. Seeing the complete range of spices at Ranxiang Ju, her fingers itched to try, and she wanted to ask about the compounding master's background for future reference and discussion.

Manager Leng gave a dry laugh and said, "We haven't found a suitable compounding master yet. I handle that duty concurrently."

Qin Yuan immediately felt a desire to befriend him.

A manager who could both compound incense and handle shop affairs—such individuals were probably few and far between in the entire capital.

Following Manager Leng into the private room, a clean, subtle fragrance filled the air, instantly dispelling the summer heat and stuffiness, refreshing the spirit.

"What a wonderful scent," Qin Yuan praised with a smile.

Hongye and Cuiming also couldn't hold back exclamations of admiration.

Manager Leng smiled with reserved pride.

A clerk served fragrant tea and pastries, then stood to the side and said, "Manager, the Chief Steward from Prince Qi's residence has arrived."

After Manager Leng excused himself, Qin Yuan sat waiting slowly in the private room. The room's decor was simple yet not crude. Several calligraphy and painting works by famous contemporary figures hung on the walls, and the shelves displayed a few elegant potted landscapes for appreciation.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"Why did Manager Leng say he is half a member of the Marquis' household?" Qin Yuan asked.

Gu Shiliu said, "Manager Leng is Rong Mama's son-in-law. Isn't that tantamount to being half a member of the household?"

"Oh?"

Qin Yuan was somewhat surprised.

Gu Shiliu continued, "Rong Mama is the most trusted person by the Old Madame's side. Her son is also highly regarded. No one in the household dares to disrespect her. Rong Mama was originally the Old Madame's personal maid. After marrying, she became a stewardess. After being widowed, she returned to continue serving the Old Madame—though 'serving' now is more about being a companion."

Qin Yuan nodded, committing this to memory.

Gu Shiliu said, "If you have time, Madame, you should interact more with Rong Mama. She has a complete mental ledger of all the relationships within the household."

"Hmm," Qin Yuan lifted her eyelids and glanced at Gu Shiliu.

Meeting her clear, bright gaze, Gu Shiliu felt inexplicably awkward and said, "The Marquis instructed this lowly one to tell you this."

Qin Yuan chuckled. "I know the Marquis means well. He's worried that I'm young, have never managed a household before, and might make a fool of myself, so he's giving me pointers."

Gu Shiliu said in amazement, "Madame, you are truly exceptionally clever. You understood everything without this lowly one having to explain."

This wasn't entirely flattery.

The Marquise was beautiful, had a good temperament, was skilled in handling people and situations, and her speech was impeccable. She was excellent in every way.

Qin Yuan fell silent, tilting her head to listen to the noises outside.

The private room was partitioned separately but not very soundproof. A clear male voice could be faintly heard, seemingly complaining about something.

Hongye, with her sharp ears, whispered, "Young Mistress, the speaker must be His Highness Prince Qi. He says although the incense Manager Leng compounded is good, it's not the scent he wants."

Hearing Hongye address the Madame as 'Young Mistress,' Gu Shiliu couldn't help but glance at her.

Hongye, engrossed in listening, didn't notice at all.

Cuiming, however, saw it.

Qin Yuan couldn't help but wonder what rare incense Prince Qi was actually seeking.

In her previous life, this Prince Qi had had a chance to ascend the throne but, for unknown reasons, fell ill, grew increasingly frail, and passed away before reaching thirty.

She had met him once when he toured Jiangnan, accompanying Lin Ziqi as an official's wife to pay respects.

He was truly a handsome, graceful gentleman like jade, with a presence as refreshing as a clear breeze after rain.

Lin Ziqi had also praised him profusely in private, saying Prince Qi was clear and bright like a breeze, resembling a jade mountain about to lean, a gentle and refined gentleman with the bearing of a wise ruler.

Who would have thought such a person would meet such an end?

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Truly, the beautiful things in the world are not durable; colored clouds scatter easily, and glass is brittle.

Hongye's voice interrupted her thoughts: "The incense Prince Qi seeks must help one sleep peacefully with few dreams, yet also invigorate the spirit and refresh the mind. Manager Leng says he cannot make such an incense, and he is afraid there are few in the entire capital who can."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yuan's heart skipped a beat.

Among the Chen family's ancestral medicinal incense formulas, there was precisely such a incense, one not easily compounded nor allowed to be passed on to outsiders.

She didn't know where Prince Qi had heard of it.

In her previous life, she had tried to inquire about the Chen family's descendants and had also attempted to reopen her maternal grandfather's case, but had to abandon it later, which she deeply regretted.

Before long, Prince Qi took his leave.

When Manager Leng re-entered the private room, his expression was displeased. He bowed in apology, "I've kept you waiting, Madame."

Knowing he was upset about being unable to compound the incense Prince Qi wanted, Qin Yuan smiled and asked, "It's no trouble. May I ask what rare incense Prince Qi was actually seeking?"

Manager Leng, his emotions still unsettled, couldn't help complaining: "His Highness Prince Qi has heard from somewhere about a medicinal incense that can soothe the mind at night, inducing deep and peaceful sleep, while during the day it can invigorate the spirit and aid concentration. The scent must also be subtle, diffuse, and lingering. The fragrance itself can be compounded, but these effects... I truly cannot achieve."

Qin Yuan sighed and said, "This is the first time I've heard of such an incense."

Manager Leng immediately said, "Yes, I simply cannot make it. I'm afraid no one in the capital can. Spices can be used in medicine, but most incense compounders only have a basic understanding of medical principles, rarely mastering them. Those proficient in medicine may not necessarily know the Way of Incense. It's truly difficult to compound."

His implication was that it was merely Prince Qi's whimsical idea.

Qin Yuan echoed his sentiments with a few sighs. After Manager Leng's mood settled, she finally brought up the matter of purchasing pepper.

Manager Leng was indeed well-informed. "The shop has some, but not much in stock, far from the quantity you require. Although pepper has become increasingly expensive in recent years, several major merchants have already pooled funds intending to sail overseas to trade pepper. They can make three voyages a year. It would be best if you bought only a small amount, Madame. If you buy a large quantity, you might not be able to sell it quickly."

His implication was that she would certainly lose money.

Qin Yuan only requested that if he heard of anyone looking to sell a large quantity, he should inform her.

Manager Leng could only agree.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

By the time Qin Yuan returned to Wutong Yuan, the lunch hour had long passed. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw the Marquis, who usually avoided her, leaning against the railing of the long corridor, looking at them with a displeased expression.

(End of Chapter)

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