Chapter 8: Secrets Unveiled, Murderous Intent Awakened

Scare her? Bai Huan decided to try frightening her instead.

She wagered everything on the consort’s fear of losing favor, her dread of never bearing a son again.

“I am but a lowly commoner, a mere ant beneath Your Grace’s feet. If Your Grace wishes me dead, how dare I live? Yet Your Grace’s health is paramount. The current ailment stems entirely from improper convalescence and the overlapping, excessive use of incense, which has harmed Your Grace’s body. If this continues, it will hasten premature aging and impair fertility.”

She bowed her head to the floor with a heavy thud. “I beg Your Grace to trust me this once. Allow me to nurse Your Grace back to health before you see fit to take my life.”

The Consort arched a willow-like brow and offered a faint smile. “So young, yet you do not fear death.”

Bai Huan confessed honestly, “I am afraid of dying. But I fear more that the Bai clan will perish unjustly.”

“You mean your father was wronged because of me?”

Bai Huan caught the chill in her voice. “I dare not argue on my father’s behalf. I only surmise he failed in his duty because he could not see Your Grace in person, which led to a misjudged dosage that inadvertently caused harm.”

She bowed again, more solemn than before. “My only wish is for Your Grace’s peace and long life. If I cannot achieve this, then let me die in my father’s stead, to atone for his error.”

The Consort raised her brow. “Sharp-tongued and quick-witted.”

“As a woman, I better understand the hardships and silent suffering women endure.”

Bai Huan knocked her head against the floor with such force that the sound echoed, drawing a soft laugh from the Consort. “In Tian Sheng, filial piety is revered above all; His Majesty treasures it, as do I. Your filial devotion moves me.”

Joy surged in Bai Huan’s heart, and she choked back tears as she prostrated herself. “Your Grace is as kind as she is beautiful.”

The Consort lazily shifted to a more comfortable position, resting her jade arm beneath her head, peering through the gauzy canopy at the audacious young girl.

“Come, tell me—how do you intend to nurse me back to health?”

“I have brought ‘Goose Pear Bedchamber Incense’ to help Your Grace sleep for now. However, the main ingredients—agarwood and sandalwood—make it essential to replace the carved sandalwood bed and wardrobe, as well as every item made of agarwood: the screens, tables, chairs, even the incense used for the canopy, clothes, and bedding. The cumulative effect of so many fragrances is harming Your Grace.”

Zhi Yuan suddenly realized, “Of course, all of these furnishings are made from scented woods.”

“Yes, and as Your Grace has been weak and fatigued, confined to bed in a tightly sealed room with no ventilation, the heavy scents accumulate, leading to overdose. Excess always breeds disaster—a vicious cycle.”

The Consort’s eyes grew clearer, and she glanced at Zhi Yuan.

Zhi Yuan whispered, “Rise and speak.”

“Thank you for Your Grace’s mercy.”

Bai Huan stood, steadying her trembling legs, and surveyed the room. “Musical instruments, ink, and ambergris are all damp and must be removed during Your Grace’s convalescence.”

“Ambergris?”

Zhi Yuan was startled, exchanging a loaded glance with the Consort.

Bai Huan pretended not to notice.

Only the Emperor has the right to use the finest ambergris in the realm. If the Consort wishes to avoid favor without displeasing His Majesty, Bai Huan would provide a plausible reason.

She continued, “Next, I will substitute the agarwood with Siamese rokhuk incense, which is lighter and less overpowering. The auxiliary ingredients—storax and cypress seed—must be steamed and sun-dried nine times to temper their potency and prolong their effect, so they can truly calm the spirit. Thus, the blend will suit Your Grace best.”

Her eyes shone brightly. “The ancient recipe for the ‘Qiong Chrysanthemum Pillow’ uses three types of incense, five flowers, and over thirty medicinal herbs, all ground together to make a fragrant pillow for those who suffer from insomnia. Unfortunately, my knowledge is limited; I will consult my father to adjust the blend to Your Grace’s constitution and craft a pillow designed just for you.”

The Consort and Zhi Yuan stared at her in growing amazement.

Speaking of incense, Bai Huan’s tone grew ever more confident. “The ‘Goose Pear Bedchamber Incense’ I brought must only be burned half an hour before sleep. Each time of day requires a different incense. For example, the hour of Chou marks the shift from yin to yang; then, a classic blend of ‘Silent Curling Incense’ and half a pellet of ‘Goose Pear Bedchamber Incense’ is needed, melted with morning dew in a porcelain dish, gently smoked with peach blossom candles, to avoid an excessive sedative effect that would leave Your Grace lethargic in the morning.”

“Noon is when the sun is at its zenith—the moment of yang’s climax as yin begins to grow. The hour of Mao marks new life, while the hour of You signifies maturity and descent. Each period requires its own incense…”

Silence fell around her. The two women before her stared, wide-eyed and breathless. Suddenly Bai Huan halted, bowing anxiously. “I have spoken out of turn.”

The Consort clapped her hands in delight. “Zhi Yuan, this young lady is remarkable! I have never heard such things—how novel.”

Zhi Yuan smiled too. “I never knew incense held so many subtleties. My eyes have truly been opened.”

Bai Huan blushed. “If Your Grace were in perfect health, none of this would be necessary.”

She flaunted her knowledge, intentionally so.

The more complex her mastery of incense, the more the Consort would need her and her family to live.

Zhi Yuan quickly asked, “Did you bring ‘Silent Curling Incense’?”

Bai Huan shook her head. “That incense is exceedingly rare. It is made from the finest sunken agarwood from the southern seas, frankincense from Dashi, and the morning dew from peonies in season. Not only are the ingredients difficult to gather, but the blend must be steamed and dried nine times, then cured for two months in summer. Even a fingernail-sized piece is worth a hundred gold coins—only the truly elite can afford it. My family dares not keep much; we have but a little left.”

She added, “I need only fetch the ‘Silent Curling Incense’ from home at the hour of Chou.”

If she could reach home before midnight, bearing the Consort’s token, there might be a chance to prevent their house from being raided—a slim hope for the Bai family.

Zhi Yuan pressed on, “According to you, Your Grace’s treatment must be especially cautious at first, with a different incense for every hour?”

Bai Huan nodded. “More than that, the blend must be adjusted according to Your Grace’s physical response. It is not enough to simply burn the prepared incense. The indirect fumigation method requires particular attention to the thickness and firmness of the ash, and the flame must be watched constantly, so the fragrance is smokeless but pervasive—warm, not dry; fragrant, not harsh.”

Zhi Yuan was astounded, exchanging a glance with the Consort. “I fear no one in the palace possesses such skills.”

Exactly.

That was the line Bai Huan had been waiting for.

She bowed respectfully. “If I may serve Your Grace for forty-nine days, I am confident Your Grace will be free from insomnia thereafter.”

The Consort smiled brilliantly. “But what if your husband’s family objects? I recall you are to wed the eldest son of the Gu family today, yes?”

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Bai Huan’s face. “Your Grace, I am to marry the fourth son of the Gu family today. But I was worried for my father, so I slipped away in secret.”

“The fourth son of Gu?” The Consort’s tone rose sharply, then quickly softened. “You slipped out? Quite bold.”

“Your Grace is the Emperor’s most beloved. Even if it means defying the rules of the Marquis of Ruyang’s household, I did not hesitate.”

Bai Huan deliberately lowered her voice. “Tomorrow, allow me to consult with the imperial physicians and the Department of Imperial Diet together. Your Grace’s condition can be treated as a woman’s ailment.”

The Consort smiled. “A clever girl indeed. The fourth son of Gu is fortunate to have you. Zhi Yuan, give her my token.”

Zhi Yuan quickly fetched a white jade token, carved with the character ‘Cui’, and whispered, “With this, you may freely enter and exit the palace. Do not lose it.”

Bai Huan accepted it with both hands. “Thank you, Your Grace, and thank you, Aunt Zhi.”

Suddenly, she dropped to her knees, tears in her eyes. “Please, Your Grace, grant an imperial physician to treat my father. My skills are not a tenth of his; only he can blend ‘Silent Curling Incense’, and I need his guidance for the medicinal pillow as well.”

The Consort’s smile deepened. “Granted. Zhi Yuan, send someone for Physician Zheng. He will accompany her to the Bai household shortly.”

“Yes.”

At last, Bai Huan’s anxious heart could settle.

Zhi Yuan asked, “Is it all right to change the furnishings tomorrow?”

“It is, Aunt. Let Your Grace sleep in comfort tonight, and we’ll make the changes tomorrow, so as not to disturb her rest.”

Zhi Yuan was relieved. “You may prepare the incense now; Her Grace is ready to sleep.”

“Yes.” Bai Huan took out her incense box, preparing to light it.

Qing’er stepped lightly inside, announcing from behind the screen, “Your Grace, His Majesty has come to see you.”

The Consort and Zhi Yuan hurried to draw the curtains. In a flash of bright yellow, the Emperor strode in like a gust of wind.

Bai Huan retreated to the side and knelt without a word.

The Consort tried to rise, but the Emperor quickly said, “Beloved, don’t move—lie down.”

A gentle, melodious voice came from within the canopy. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern.”

The Emperor sat at the bedside, casting a cold glance at the girl kneeling in the corner, his voice suddenly sharp. “You are Bai Huan?”

Startled by being singled out, Bai Huan bowed in terror. “This lowly woman, Bai Huan, greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live a thousand, thousand years.”

The Emperor’s face remained icy. “You dared to answer the imperial summons. Are you not afraid of being punished as your father was?”

Before Bai Huan could reply, the Consort spoke sweetly, “Xuan Lang, don’t frighten the young lady. She is most skilled in the art of incense.”

The Emperor’s demeanor softened instantly. He took her outstretched jade hand, his tone gentle and affectionate. “Beloved, may I see you?”

Bai Huan lowered her eyes. Since she was serving the Consort, she must do her part. Gathering her courage, she spoke, “Your Majesty, for the sake of Her Grace’s health, I implore you not to visit Chaohua Hall for the next ten days.”

The Emperor’s face darkened, his voice cold as a blade. “Give me one reason not to kill you.”