Chapter 128: The Grand Princess
Yuzhen Temple is on Bowang Mountain. The Grand Princess has lived here in pure cultivation for many years, her Taoist name being Miaoxuan.
This mountain, along with the Taoist temple on it, was bestowed upon the Grand Princess by the Emperor. Ordinary people are not permitted to enter.
Therefore, this place is not like other Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries in the Capital City, which are often bustling with people.
Besides the Taoist nuns who reside on the mountain, only those whom the Grand Princess has summoned are allowed to visit.
Wen Mingqian and the Marchioness Changrong traveled from the city by horse carriage. Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, they each boarded a bamboo sedan chair to ascend.
It was already autumn. Along the mountain path, numerous osmanthus and maple trees displayed vibrant colors, their fragrance subtle and pure. Mountain streams gurgled melodiously, making the journey a delightful spectacle.
Wen Mingqian couldn’t help but marvel inwardly, thinking the Grand Princess was truly someone who knew how to enjoy life.
Upon arriving at the entrance of Yuzhen Temple, the two alighted from their bamboo sedan chairs. The maids who had followed behind then caught up and escorted them inside.
From afar, a melodious sound of a zither could be heard.
Madam Zhong whispered to Wen Mingqian, “That’s the Princess playing the zither. She dislikes being disturbed when she plays, so let’s wait outside for now.”
At this moment, a Taoist nun approached, placed two prayer mats under the corridor, and invited them to sit.
It took about the time it takes to drink two cups of tea before the zither music from inside ceased.
“Please wait a moment, ladies. I will go in and inform the Grand Princess,” the Taoist nun said before entering.
She emerged shortly after, stating, “The Grand Princess invites you both in.”
Wen Mingqian respectfully followed Madam Zhong into the quiet room where the Grand Princess practiced pure cultivation.
The world knows the Grand Princess prefers tranquility, but it’s hard to imagine she has only one or two attendants serving her year-round.
The Taoist nun from before was a palace maid who had served her since childhood. When the Princess came to the mountain for pure cultivation, she also changed into a Taoist nun’s attire.
Additionally, there was a maidservant about ten years younger than her. Although she did not wear the attire of a nun, her clothing was extremely simple and plain.
The Grand Princess sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, with a guqin placed before her.
She was dressed in secular attire, a Yao Huang palace gown with a moon-white shawl. Her hair ornaments were few, just a jade hairpin and a coral comb and hairpin, but they were all priceless treasures.
She was well past forty, but her face showed no signs of age.
She possessed a pair of clear, phoenix-like eyes and a delicate, upturned nose, exuding a nobility and aloofness unique to royalty.
The quiet room she occupied was unlike ordinary rooms for pure cultivation; every object was meticulously chosen, appearing not extravagant but undeniably precious.
Wen Mingqian followed Madam Zhong in paying respects and greeting the Grand Princess.
“There’s no need for formality, please sit,” the Grand Princess said, her voice calm. Upon seeing Wen Mingqian’s face clearly, a hint of scrutiny entered her gaze, “Is this the Second Madam of Ru Yang Bo Mansion?”
“Yes, your humble servant Wen Mingqian, is honored to behold the Grand Princess’s imperial countenance,” Wen Mingqian replied obsequiously.
“Speak with your head up. I dislike adhering to strict rules in this place,” the Grand Princess stated. “It was Madam Zhong who repeatedly told me you were not a common mortal, which is why I agreed to see you.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Madam, and even more so, thank you, Grand Princess, for granting me an audience.” Wen Mingqian said, slightly lifting her head, but her eyes still did not meet the Grand Princess’s directly.
“What a beauty!” the Grand Princess exclaimed. “How could your husband bear to send you back to Shuangxi for so many years?”
“It is only natural for men to favor their new wives. This is human nature,” Wen Mingqian replied, not deliberately evading the question.
Her return to her hometown of Shuangxi was itself a peculiar matter. The Grand Princess was not foolish; even if she didn’t know the full story, she wouldn’t believe a mere superficial excuse.
Furthermore, it would make her seem too perfunctory.
Wen Mingqian knew that the higher a person’s status, the more they valued sincerity.
“Indeed! New wives enter through the door, old ones depart through the gate. Men are indeed frequent visitors to the new and old,” the Grand Princess sneered. “So, you can be considered a heartbroken person.”
“I dare not say heartbroken; perhaps it is a tribulation of my fate!” Wen Mingqian sighed softly. “For those seven years in Shuangxi, I also lived a life of pure cultivation. Unfortunately, it was not for the pursuit of wisdom and tranquility as you do. Mine was merely to pass the time, enduring the days and months.”
“You are indeed an honest person,” the Grand Princess smiled. “Madam Zhong mentioned you are skilled in making fragrances. Have you brought any today?”
“I have brought a few,” Wen Mingqian said. “My maid is carrying them!”
Following this, she instructed Sang Er to bring in a box.
Sang Er entered and bowed gracefully. Her beauty was too striking to go unnoticed.
“What a beautiful young maid!” the Grand Princess’s eyes lit up. “When your mistress and servant stand together, you are like figures from a painting.”
“Your Ladyship is too kind; this servant is humbled,” Sang Er replied, though a smile couldn’t help but grace her lips. “Princess, you are so noble and pure, like the moon in the sky. Compared to you, this servant is merely a wildflower on the ground.”
“You are not only beautiful but also clever, truly excellent,” the Grand Princess said. “Your mistress must be very fond of you to have brought you to see me.”
“I truly didn’t expect this maid to win your favor; she is actually quite mischievous and playful,” Wen Mingqian said. “I repeatedly cautioned her when we came, fearing any mistakes might occur.”
Then, Sang Er opened the box, and Wen Mingqian took out the face cream and scented paste one by one.
“Truly exceptional,” the Princess nodded after examining both items. “Even the current Imperial Household cannot produce such things.”
“I have made these many times, but this bottle of scented paste is my first attempt. I wonder if the Grand Princess will like it?” Wen Mingqian said, picking up a celadon porcelain bottle. As she opened the stopper, a very subtle and lingering fragrance wafted out.
“This scent…” The Grand Princess paused for a moment, “It’s so ethereal!”
“The name of this scented paste is ‘Cliff Pine Bearing Snow.’ It combines the bitter fragrance of pine needles with the cold essence of new snow. Most people in the mortal world do not favor this scent,” Wen Mingqian explained. “However, it was not easy to make; it took dozens of attempts to finally succeed.”
“I absolutely adore this fragrance. From now on, you will make it only for me,” the Grand Princess said, holding the porcelain bottle. “You are truly a remarkable person.”
“Mingqian, you have truly won the Grand Princess’s favor,” Madam Zhong said with a smile from the side. “Try letting the Princess sample your Jade Dew Cream as well. No one who has used that product can put it down.”
Although the Grand Princess practiced pure cultivation, she had not entirely severed ties with the mortal world; she remained a woman who loved beauty.
Therefore, she had no resistance to the items Wen Mingqian had made.
In the end, all the items Wen Mingqian had brought were left behind. The Grand Princess also arranged for her to visit the mountain once every half month.
The Cliff Pine Bearing Snow scented paste was a must-have, and several other items would also require regular replenishment.
Wen Mingqian specifically mentioned that these items were difficult to produce and could only be made in small quantities each time, precisely to ensure she could visit the Grand Princess frequently.
