Chapter 212: No Other Fragrance
The eunuchs rushed about frantically to catch cicadas, but by the time they had killed the troublesome insects, the Empress had not woken up, nor had she even turned over.
“This incense is truly miraculous,” Chun Ying said to the chief eunuch. “But why is it that only Her Ladyship the Empress can sleep, while we, smelling it nearby, only feel calm and not sleepy?”
“That’s why this is considered good incense,” the chief eunuch couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up. “It’s not the kind of knockout drug or soporific incense. If it were that sort of thing, would we dare to use it on Her Ladyship?”
As the sun gradually shifted from the south to the west, the palace maids serving under the corridor, having stood for too long, couldn’t help but start dozing off.
From the Imperial Garden in the northwest corner, intermittent cicada chirps could be heard again, but this time no one went to catch them, as if the cicada song itself could induce sleep.
The Empress opened her eyes, dazed for a while.
She scanned the bedchamber with some bewilderment; only Chun Ying was kneeling by her bed, her body hunched over, clearly asleep.
There was no one else.
Sunlight fell on the east wall, and she suddenly felt a chill in the room.
“What time is it?” the Empress asked, her voice slightly hoarse. She then realized she had napped for a long time.
Chun Ying woke up with a start and quickly rubbed her eyes: “This servant deserves death for falling asleep.”
“What’s there to say? I seem to have slept for a long time too,” the Empress felt a light fatigue in her body, but this fatigue made her feel extremely comfortable.
Her body had not been this relaxed for a long time, as if it had been bound for a long time and was suddenly freed.
“It’s almost past the hour of Wei,” Chun Ying said as she got up. “I saw Her Ladyship sleeping soundly, so I sent everyone else away. I’ll have them prepare tea now.”
“I actually slept for so long,” the Empress was both surprised and delighted. “No wonder I feel so energetic.”
“Yes, Her Ladyship’s phoenix eyes are clearer than ever!” Chun Ying was also exceptionally happy. “It’s clear that the incense sent by the Princess Consort is truly effective.”
One sentence reminded the Empress: “Is there still some of that incense? Let’s use some again tonight and see if it works for a few days.”
“There’s still quite a bit, enough for about seven or eight days,” Chun Ying said. “I must put it away carefully.”
The Empress’s spirits were better than usual, and her appetite had also improved.
She ate a little more dinner than usual, so she took a long walk in the palace before returning to her bedchamber.
To be honest, those who followed her were also a little worried, thinking that since the Empress had slept for a long nap, she might not sleep well at night.
Who would have thought that after bathing, she would light the incense and fall asleep again so quickly.
She woke up at the fifth watch the next day, having slept for nearly four hours, which was unprecedented in recent years.
“Her Ladyship is awake. How are you feeling now? Are you refreshed?” The chief eunuch had not slept all night and had been waiting outside.
“Oh, I slept so well last night,” the Empress stretched lazily without realizing it. “In the past, I always felt as if my body was filled with lead, heavy and tired, but now I feel light and refreshed all over. It’s more effective than taking an elixir.”
“Her Ladyship can finally have a good night’s sleep,” the chief eunuch was so moved that he even cried. “What have these years done to you? This servant felt so heartbroken watching you, yet I couldn’t take your place.”
“Alright, stop crying. It seems this incense is effective now, but I wonder if its efficacy will diminish after some time,” the Empress couldn’t help but worry faintly.
Her insomnia had lasted for many years. At first, medication or acupuncture still worked, but gradually, these methods became less and less effective.
“In this humble servant’s opinion, this incense is more effective than anything else,” the chief eunuch said. “In the past, whether it was medicine or acupuncture, I never saw you sleep this well.”
“That’s true. The imperial physicians always told me not to dwell on it, that the more I cared, the less I could sleep,” the Empress sighed. “Let’s not worry about whether this incense will be effective long-term. We’ll use it as long as it works!”
“Yes, yes, no matter what, we must keep an open mind. Does Her Ladyship want to lie down for a while longer, or are you getting up now?”
“I actually feel a little hungry. Have them bring the morning meal,” the Empress said.
“Your Ladyship, would you like to have a bowl of bird’s nest porridge first?” Chun Ying asked quickly.
The Empress frowned upon hearing this: “No to that nonsense. I’ve been drinking it for so many years, and I haven’t seen any benefit.”
“Then this servant will directly go and order the morning meal,” the chief eunuch said happily. “Let’s have more variety than usual.”
Due to her sleep issues, the Empress was prone to irritability and had a poor appetite.
She rarely had anything she wanted to eat, nor did she feel hungry.
However, after a night of deep sleep, her appetite seemed to have recovered somewhat.
When the palace concubines came to pay respects in the morning, they were all surprised that the Empress had not yet finished her morning meal.
The Empress was in a very good mood today, smiling as she said to everyone, “Please come in and sit down! Those who haven’t had breakfast can also join us.”
One of the quick-witted palace concubines tentatively asked, “Her Ladyship’s complexion is exceptionally good today. Is there any good news?”
“What good news? It’s just that I had a good night’s sleep,” the Empress laughed. “This morning meal is well-prepared, you shall be rewarded.”
She also rewarded everyone who was serving her.
Thus, everyone in the palace knew that the Empress had slept well and was in high spirits.
At lunch, the Emperor specially came to dine with the Empress, and the Empress was more gentle than usual.
Wen Mingqian was still at Prince Zhao’s Mansion, grinding incense and mixing face cream with a few clever maids in the mansion.
Since it was for the Empress, no effort was spared.
Princess Consort Zhao could not yet get out of bed, but she was extremely concerned about this matter, fearing any mistakes.
Although she and the Empress were sisters, they had not grown up together. Moreover, the Empress held the position of Empress, and compared to sisters in ordinary families, they always lacked intimacy, and this intimacy was filled with awe.
“Madam Wen, do you think this pearl powder I ground is fine enough?” a maid asked, holding up a mortar.
Wen Mingqian looked at it and then pinched it with her hand: “First, sift it through fine gauze. Then grind the coarser parts again. After sifting everything, you must sift it again with soft silk.”
“Madam Wen, the sheep fat has been melted with silver ear water. Should we add snow grass oil?” another asked.
“Not yet. Wait until it cools to seventy percent. I’ll do it myself then,” Wen Mingqian said.
Although it was just a small box of face cream, the effort and concentration required were no less than building a house.
Furthermore, any slight mistake in the process would require starting all over again; it was not just a matter of trivial details.
But Wen Mingqian handled it with ease and composure.
“I wonder if Her Ladyship the Empress has used your incense?” Princess Consort Zhao mentioned this again when Wen Mingqian came to pay her respects.
Wen Mingqian merely smiled slightly and said nothing. She knew that unless the Empress didn’t try it, she would definitely become dependent on it once she did.
During her seven years in Shuangxi, she had done many things, but the one she poured the most effort into was making this incense.
The Empress would never have imagined that someone would spend seven years preparing this unique incense for her.
