tallest building

Chapter 128 The Eldest Princess

Yuzhen Temple is located on Bowang Mountain. The eldest princess practiced asceticism here for many years and was known as Miaoxuan.

This mountain, along with the Taoist temple on it, was bestowed upon the eldest princess by the emperor; ordinary people are not allowed to visit it.

Therefore, unlike other Taoist temples and monasteries in the capital, this place is not always bustling with people.

Aside from the Taoist nuns who reside on this mountain, only those whom the eldest princess orders to be seen are allowed to come.

Wen Mingqian and Lady Changrong Marquis came out of the city by carriage, and when they arrived at the foot of the mountain, they took two bamboo sedan chairs to go up the mountain.

It was autumn, and the mountain road was lined with many red osmanthus, maple, and maple trees, their colors vibrant and their fragrance delicate. There were also mountain streams flowing, their waters gurgling and clear, making the whole journey a delightful experience.

Wen Mingqian couldn't help but sigh inwardly, thinking that this princess really knew how to enjoy life.

Upon arriving at the entrance of Yuzhen Temple, the two alighted from the bamboo sedan chair, and the maids who had been accompanying them caught up and helped them inside.

From afar, one could hear a melodious piano tune.

Madam Zhong whispered to Wen Mingqian, "The princess is playing the zither. She doesn't like to be disturbed when she's playing, so let's wait outside!"

At this moment, a Taoist nun came over, took two prayer cushions and placed them under the eaves, and invited the two girls to sit down.

The music inside finally stopped after about two cups of tea's time.

"Please wait a moment, ladies. I will go in and report to the Princess." The nun said as she went inside.

A moment later, she came out and said, "The Princess invites you both inside."

Wen Mingqian followed Madam Zhong respectfully as she entered the quiet room where the eldest princess was practicing her meditation.

Everyone knows that the eldest princess prefers quiet, but it is hard to imagine that she only has one or two people serving her all year round.

The nun from earlier was a palace maid who had served her since childhood. When the princess came to the mountain to cultivate herself, she also changed into the attire of a nun.

In addition, there was a maid who was more than ten years younger than her. Although she did not dress as a nun, her clothes were extremely simple and plain.

The eldest princess sat cross-legged on a futon, with an ancient zither placed in front of her.

She was dressed in commoner's attire, in a yellow palace dress and a moon-white shawl. Her hair was adorned with few ornaments, just a jade hairpin and a coral comb, but both were priceless treasures.

She was well over forty, but her face didn't show it at all.

She has a pair of clear, bright phoenix eyes and a pert, elegant nose, exuding a unique royal nobility and aloofness.

The quiet room where she lived was also different from ordinary houses for quiet cultivation. Every item was extremely exquisite. It did not seem luxurious, but it was incredibly valuable.

Wen Mingqian followed Madam Zhong in bowing and paying respects to the Princess.

"No need for formalities, please sit down." The princess's voice was also indifferent, but after seeing Wen Mingqian's face clearly, a hint of inquiry appeared on her face. "This must be the second wife of the Marquis of Ruyang?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I, Wen Mingqian, am honored to have the pleasure of seeing the face of the Princess." Wen Mingqian replied respectfully.

“Speak with your head held high. I don’t like to follow the rules here,” the princess said. “It was Madam Zhong who repeatedly told me that you are not an ordinary person, which is why I agreed to see you.”

"Thank you for your kind words, Madam, and even more so for the audience with the Princess." Wen Mingqian said, slightly raising his chin, but his eyes remained fixed on the Princess. "What a beauty!" the Princess exclaimed. "How could your husband bear to send you back to Shuangxi for so many years?"

“It’s only natural for a man to love his second wife,” Wen Mingqian said without trying to avoid the topic.

Because her return to Shuangxi's hometown was a suspicious matter in the first place, and the Princess wasn't stupid. Even if she didn't know the whole story, she wouldn't believe it if she only gave a high-sounding reason.

It also makes me seem too perfunctory.

Wen Mingqian knew that the higher a person's status, the more they valued sincerity.

“Yes! New brides enter through the door, old friends leave through the gate. Men are indeed frequent visitors who are fickle and easily bored,” the princess sneered. “So you must be a heartbroken person.”

"I dare not say I am heartbroken, but perhaps it is my destiny to suffer!" Wen Mingqian sighed softly. "During those seven years in Shuangxi, I also spent my days in seclusion, but unfortunately, unlike you, I did not seek wisdom and tranquility. I was merely killing time and enduring the days in vain."

"You're quite an honest person," the princess smiled. "I heard from Madam Zhong that you're skilled at making incense. Did you bring any with you today?"

“I brought a few things,” Wen Mingqian said, “and they are being carried by my maid.”

Then Sang Er brought in the box.

Sang Er entered and greeted everyone with great poise. Her striking beauty made it difficult for her to go unnoticed.

"What a beautiful young girl!" The princess's eyes lit up. "Your mistress and servants standing there are like figures from a painting."

"Your Highness flatters me. I am humbled." Sang Er said with feigned humility, but couldn't help but smile. "Your Highness is so noble and pure, like the moon in the sky. Compared to you, I am but a wildflower in the mud."

“You are not only beautiful, but also clever, which is really good,” the princess said. “Your master must like you very much, which is why he brought you to see me.”

"I never expected this girl to be so kind to you. In fact, she is quite mischievous," Wen Mingqian said. "When I came, I repeatedly reminded her to be careful, for fear that something might go wrong."

Sang Er then opened the box, and Wen Mingqian took out the face cream and perfume one by one.

"Indeed, it's quite remarkable," the princess nodded after looking at the two items. "Even the imperial palace today can't produce anything like this."

"These are all things I've made many times before, but this bottle of perfume is the first time I've made it. I wonder if the Princess will like it?" Wen Mingqian said, taking a celadon bottle and opening the stopper. A very delicate and lingering fragrance wafted out.

"This flavor..." The princess was stunned for a moment, "It's so ethereal!"

"This perfume is called 'Cliff Pine with Snow,' which combines the bitter fragrance of pine needles with the condensed scent of fresh snow. Most people in the mundane world don't like the smell," Wen Mingqian said. "However, it's not easy to make. It took dozens of attempts to finally get it right."

“I absolutely love this fragrance. From now on, you shall only make it for me.” The princess held the porcelain bottle in her hand. “You are truly a wonderful person.”

“Mingqian, you’ve really won over the Princess.” Madam Zhong said with a smile. “Try giving the Princess your Jade Cream to try. No one who has used it can put it down.”

Although the eldest princess practiced asceticism, she did not completely sever herself from worldly affairs; she was still a woman who loved beauty.

Therefore, they have no resistance to the things made by Wen Mingqian.

In the end, Wen Mingqian left behind all the things he had brought, and the Princess also made an agreement with him to go up the mountain once every half month.

That cliff pine snow fragrance balm is a must-have, and there are a few other items that need to be ordered regularly.

Wen Mingqian specifically mentioned that these things were not easy to make, and only a small amount could be produced each time, so that he could visit the Princess more often.