Chapter 9: Clinging to Power, Saving Father

Since Bai Huan had resolved to be the voice for the Noble Consort, she was no longer afraid.

“Your Majesty, Her Highness’s insomnia is caused by lingering discomfort and excessive worry. The more concern Your Majesty shows, the more anxious she becomes about her health, making it even harder for her to sleep. Moreover, Your Majesty’s Dragon Imperial Fragrance is not quite suitable for Her Highness’s recovery.”

The Emperor laughed in exasperation. “So, according to you, it is my fault my beloved cannot sleep?”

“Not so, Your Majesty. Your deep love for Her Highness only breeds anxiety. She, too, loves you dearly—your worry makes her all the more uneasy. It is but the chaos born of care.”

At these words, the Emperor was genuinely amused. “What a saying, 'chaos born of care.' Such a young girl, yet you understand so well the twists and turns of emotion.”

Bai Huan forced a bitter smile. She did not truly understand; it was only after giving and hurting herself time and again that she came to realize it.

But the Emperor’s tone shifted, growing stern. “Both the Dragon Imperial Fragrance I use and the Official Fragrance for the Noble Consort are produced by your Bai family. Does this not prove that the Bai family harbors ill intent?”

Bai Huan replied unhurriedly, “The Dragon Imperial Fragrance Your Majesty uses contains as its core the Bai family’s treasured South Sea dragon musk. The scent is grand and profound—at first, it surges like the rivers and seas, then mellows into the deep resonance of pine smoke, finishing with a gentle, milky sweetness. It perfectly matches the majesty and breadth of Your Majesty, who rules the world.”

If a little flattery could resolve the issue, Bai Huan was not stingy with her words.

Hearing this, the Emperor straightened his back, the coldness on his face softening somewhat.

Bai Huan pressed on, “In combination with agarwood, it calms and soothes the spirit, alleviating Your Majesty’s fatigue. The added dragon brain and musk are cooling in nature, clearing the mind and invigorating the senses. However, Her Highness has recently been frail and weary—such scents are unfit for her now, but only for ten days.”

The Emperor’s brows rose, his eyes brightening.

“Xuanlang, just ten days. Once I am restored, I can devote myself wholly to serving you,” the Noble Consort’s sweet, gentle voice was more rousing than any fragrance.

The Emperor sighed, “Ten days only?”

Bai Huan responded, “Your Majesty may refrain from visiting in person, but your concern can always be present.”

The Noble Consort laughed, a sound the Emperor had not heard with such joy for a long time. His expression relaxed, and he arched a brow. “Who would have thought that the tight-lipped Bai Chongyi would have a daughter with such a clever mind?”

Then, his tone shifted. “How old are you? Are you married?”

Bai Huan replied calmly, “Your Majesty, I am sixteen. Today, I married the fourth son of the Marquis of Luyang. But, worried for my father, I slipped away in secret and answered the imperial summons.”

The Emperor was briefly stunned. “A bride on her wedding night, sneaking out like this? That’s grounds for dismissal in seven instances, you know.”

The Noble Consort interjected playfully, “Your Majesty, our dynasty values filial piety above all. The young lady’s concern for her father is understandable, and besides, was it not also for my sake?”

The Emperor sighed. “Since the Noble Consort pleads for you, if you can ensure her peaceful sleep, I will pardon your transgression.”

Bai Huan was overjoyed and pressed her luck, “May I be so bold as to ask Your Majesty to retire to the outer chamber, so that I may prepare the incense for Her Highness?”

Zhi Yuan watched the Emperor’s expression with alarm and worry.

“Your Majesty, forgive me,” Bai Huan knelt on the floor like a tortoise, not daring to move.

From behind the curtains, the Noble Consort’s laughter tinkled. “How rare, Xuanlang being sent away.”

The Emperor was half exasperated, half amused. “Ha! A mere common girl dares to send me away? Incredible!” He patted the Noble Consort’s jade hand. “Well, for your sake, my love, I can endure a little grievance.”

Bai Huan caught a glimpse of the dragon-patterned boots pausing by her feet, making her so nervous she hardly dared to breathe, her heart pounding.

Fortunately, he left soon enough.

Zhi Yuan helped her up. “Miss, get up, the Emperor has gone.”

Bai Huan rose, her face pale, patting her chest. “I was scared half to death.”

A laugh rang out from within the curtains. “Little girl, you’re bold indeed, thinking you can send His Majesty away.”

Bai Huan replied in panic, “I had no choice but to do so for Your Highness’s sake. Please do not hold it against me.”

The Noble Consort, with gentle reproach, said, “I do not blame you.”

Zhi Yuan also smiled. “Don’t worry, it’s fine. Go and prepare the incense.”

“Yes.”

A young palace maid brought a basin for washing hands and incense utensils. Bai Huan cleansed her hands, took the tools, and sat at the table, carefully preparing the incense.

The Emperor, meanwhile, drank three cups of tea with a companion in the east warm pavilion on the first floor. Bai Huan entered with Zhi Yuan and immediately spotted Dong Yi sitting opposite the Emperor.

Why was he here?

Dong Yi leisurely fanned himself, his gaze resting lightly on the swelling on her forehead.

Bai Huan bowed low.

Zhi Yuan, beaming, curtsied to the Emperor and reported softly, “Her Highness is asleep, sleeping soundly.”

The Emperor paused, teacup in hand, and asked in delight, “Truly?”

Zhi Yuan nodded, smiling. “I dare not lie. The young mistress of the Bai family is remarkable—within half a cup of tea after lighting the incense, Her Highness was yawning incessantly.”

She then explained Bai Huan’s regimen as best she could, summarizing that for the next forty-nine days, the Noble Consort would be inseparable from Bai Huan.

The Emperor surveyed the demure girl before him with interest. “To think you surpass your father.”

Bai Huan bowed. “Your Majesty flatters me. I am not a tenth of my father’s worth. It is only more convenient for a girl to serve Her Highness closely and adjust the prescriptions as needed.”

“Well done.”

The Emperor was pleased. “What reward do you desire? Speak freely.”

Bai Huan replied respectfully, “The Bai family is deeply indebted to the imperial grace. It is our duty to relieve Your Majesty’s worries—I dare not ask for reward. I am grateful for Her Highness’s trust, but I still need my father to prepare the Deep Curling Incense for her and to guide me in making therapeutic pillows.”

Her voice grew choked. “My father has always been careful. The Bai family has never erred in crafting incense. There must be something amiss with the incident that caused Her Highness to fall unconscious. I beg Your Majesty to grant me the chance to investigate and clear my father’s name.”

The Emperor glanced at Dong Yi, who sat across from him, looking wholly unconcerned, and snorted.

“Very well, the Incense Commissioner must take responsibility for this.”

Dong Yi widened his eyes, tapping his nose with his fan, but before he could speak, the young woman, already in tears, pleaded, “Your Majesty is wise. The Bai family has long been under the Incense Commissioner’s guidance. It was you who selected the Official Fragrance for the Noble Consort and allowed me to enter the palace to serve her. Yet I was nearly beaten to death without so much as a question. To frame the Bai family is to implicate you as well.”

Dong Yi’s playful expression vanished; his face darkened. “Who tried to kill you?”

The Emperor frowned, turning to Zhi Yuan. “Huaijin personally brought in the one who answered the proclamation. For someone in Chao Hua Hall to dare attempt murder—do they not wish the Noble Consort well?”

Zhi Yuan hurriedly knelt. “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Jing Ying mistook her for a fraud and feared for Her Highness’s safety. She did not mean any harm.”

Bai Huan held out her hands. “I dare not lie, Your Majesty. My hands were nearly broken by two matrons. I mentioned the ancient ‘Goose Pear Chamber Incense’ to help Her Highness, but Nanny Jing immediately ordered my death.”

Her slender fingers, curved like new lotus leaves catching dew, were marked with deep bruises. Her arms were mottled with blue and purple, a fresh abrasion on one, oozing a bead of dried blood.

From her crying, the swelling on her forehead was all the more prominent.

Dong Yi’s fan fluttered rapidly. “Your Majesty, I do not wish to be this Incense Commissioner—there’s no salary, only endless trouble, framed and wronged with nowhere to appeal.”

The Emperor glared at him. “You rascal, enough with your sarcasm. Guards! Take Jing Ying and the two matrons to the Palace Justice for strict investigation.”

Several Imperial Guards immediately entered Chao Hua Hall and dragged the three away, covering their mouths.

Bai Huan sobbed as she prostrated herself. “Long live Your Majesty.”