Chapter 190: Beating the Heat

Chapter 190: Beating the Heat

After resolving the affairs with the Huns and Jinzhou, the emperor immediately took his officials and consorts to Qining Mountain Villa for a summer retreat.

The young prince was summoned by the emperor, while Huayang, the fourth and fifth princes, and a group of noble children went hunting in the mountains. Jiang Hui sat in front of the loft window, lost in thought while holding a bamboo dragonfly.

Wisps of white smoke rose from the lotus-petal-shaped Boshan incense burner, carrying a crisp and cool fragrance, dispelling the afternoon's drowsiness and clearing the mind.

"So, this is Yuhua fragrance."

Yuhua fragrance, a compound incense, is made from agarwood, sandalwood, golden-faced fragrance, shadow-back herb, cinnabar, borneol, musk, cloves, and shellac, processed through over a dozen steps, known for its mind-awakening and intellect-stimulating properties.

Liu, the Imperial Physician's words echo faintly, confirming it as just a new ordinary incense formula from the Imperial Medical Bureau, particularly favored by the Emperor.

"Mind-awakening, intellect-stimulating..." Jiang Hui murmurs, instructing the attendant behind her, "Wan Song, check if the lotus seed soup and plum juice are ready."

"Yes," Wan Song responds softly, stepping out of the room quietly.

Jiang Hui's gaze shifts to the window, overlooking the small courtyard below, drifting to the further Líu Bō Lake.

On Líu Bō Lake, amidst the sprawling lotus leaves, lotuses of white and pink rise and fall in an elegant dance. A black-canopied boat drifts on the water, occupied by two palace-dressed ladies - it's Gao Zhao Yi and Rou Pin.

For this summer retreat at Qining Mountain Villa, due to space constraints compared to the imperial city, apart from Jiang Hui, Shu Fei, De Fei, and Jing Fei having separate residences, others inevitably share spaces.

Gao Zhao Yi and Rou Pin were arranged by Jiang Hui to stay together at Wen Lian Xuan, conveniently neighboring Yi Jie Yu and Fu Gui Pin.

From the looks of it, they seem to be getting along quite well.

After a brief glance, Jiang Hui withdraws her gaze as Qiu Kui enters, reporting softly, "My lady, Yi Jie Yu requests an audience."

Jiang Hui nods, "Let her in."

Yi Jie Yu has come to return the marriage list of the second princess's consort.

The final choice was not a scion of any prominent family, but this year's spring imperial examination's top scorer, whose ancestors were all honest farmers.

This top scorer, young and unmarried, would typically be snatched away by families looking for a son-in-law under the imperial examination merit list. However, being marked by the emperor for his daughter, the officials hesitated to act, leaving him available until now.

"Is it settled?" Jiang Hui was not surprised, knowing that if the Second Princess chose for herself, given her nature, she would indeed prefer someone from a simpler background. After all, she's a princess; if she's dissatisfied with the consort, she could always replace him, which would be more complicated if he were from a prominent family.

"It's settled," Yijieyu smiled, "I was supposed to send it to you immediately, but Yanyan and I were overwhelmed by the choices, delaying it these days."

"No matter," Jiang Hui was unconcerned, handing the list to Qiu Kui behind her and sipping tea from a celadon plum blossom cup.

Yijieyu tactfully rose to leave.

She descended from the loft, glanced at Gaoyao Yi and Roufei by Liubo Lake as she left the courtyard, then nonchalantly headed to her quarters.

Wan Song then entered, whispering, "My lady, the lotus seed soup and plum juice are ready, already packed in the food box."

Jiang Hui nodded, "Let's go, we'll see His Majesty."

She then stood up.

Just as she was about to descend the stairs, she seemed to remember something and instructed Qiu Kui, "Tell Qingfeng to make things easier for Roufei."

"Yes," Qiu Kui responded.

Jiang Hui, accompanied by her entourage, continued towards the Suiyi Tower where the Emperor was. Wan Song held a silk umbrella beside her, shielding her from the intense sunlight.

The cicadas' persistent chirping added to the quietude of the afternoon. Jiang Hui walked in the shade of trees until they reached their destination, where a young eunuch respectfully welcomed them inside.

As Jiang Hui approached the main house, An Jing, stationed at the door, promptly greeted her with a bow, then turned to inform someone inside of her arrival.

Just as Jiang Hui reached the eaves, An Jing emerged, beaming, "Empress, His Majesty invites you in."

Jiang Hui nodded slightly and, accompanied by Wan Song, stepped inside.

Upon entering, a noticeable drop in temperature greeted her, the cold air from the ice basins accentuating the chilly scent of Yu Hua incense.

Wan Song placed the food box she carried on a table by the screen, meticulously wiped the sweat off Jiang Hui's nose with a handkerchief, adjusted her appearance, then, carrying the food box, followed Jiang Hui around the screen to greet the Emperor and the Crown Prince.

The Emperor sat behind his desk, with Xiao Lang seated beside him, leaning in to examine a clearly annotated memorial.

Both lifted their heads upon Jiang Hui’s arrival; Xiao Lang stood to greet her, while Xiao Sheng smiled, "Why are you here, Hui'er?"

"It's unusually hot today, so I brought some refreshments for Your Majesty and Nian'er," Jiang Hui said, bypassing their discussion, "Made lotus seed soup from seeds picked this morning, and plum juice cooled with well water, perfect for this heat."

Sheng An, already aware, took the food box from Wan Song and placed it on a small table by the window-side Arhat bed.

Xiao Sheng closed the memorial in his hand, stood up, and led Jiang Hui to the Arhat bed, speaking softly, "The sun is harsh outside, Hui'er, you're delicate. Send someone next time, no need to come yourself."

Xiao Lang, following them, paused his stride towards the Arhat bed, then casually turned to wash his hands in a corner.

"I've spoken to An Jing," Jiang Hui addressed Xiao Sheng, "You've been suffering from summer heat recently, so I personally brought these cooling drinks for peace of mind."

Xiao Sheng’s expression remained unchanged as he sipped the lotus seed soup.

He preferred less sweetness, so the bitter-tasting cores of the lotus seeds were not removed, balancing the sweetness and giving a slightly astringent taste.

After a sip, he assured, "I'm fine, Hui'er, you needn't worry."

Jiang Hui gazed at Xiao Sheng's usually sharp features and then, after a moment, lowered her eyes, acquiescing softly, "Alright, I understand."

Xiao Sheng, however, smiled and beckoned Xiao Nian to sit beside him, asking, "Nian'er, of the three ladies we and your mother mentioned, have you taken a liking to any?"

This summer retreat to Qingning Mountain Villa saw many officials accompanying the court. Naturally, the selected ladies from the grand selection, following their fathers and brothers, were also present.

During these days, the Empress Dowager eagerly hosted two flower-viewing banquets, hoping to closely scrutinize candidates for her son in Jinzhou. Xiao Nian, under Jiang Hui's arrangements, had met the three ladies, albeit to varying extents.

Xiao Nian, devoid of the usual shyness of youths discussing marriage, stated earnestly, "Father, Mother, I find the lady from the He family to be more agreeable."

"Oh?" Xiao Sheng raised an eyebrow but didn't inquire further, simply stating, "In that case, let's settle on the lady from the He family."

——

Note: The formula for Yu Hua incense is derived from the Xuanhe Imperial Incense, a renowned fragrance created by Emperor Huizong of Song.