tallest building

Chapter 156 Cold and Warm Fragrance

The day after moving to Wuqiu Nunnery, Wen Mingqian took Sang Er to Yuzhen Temple on Bowang Mountain.

The day agreed upon with the Princess arrived, and Wen Mingqian dared not delay.

"It hasn't been long, and all the leaves on this mountain have fallen. I remember when I first came here, it was still a beautiful autumn day!" Sang Er said, leaning on Wen Mingqian's sedan chair and looking around. "Time really flies."

The trees in the mountains were withered and covered with remnants of snow.

“Yes, a month or two will pass in the blink of an eye,” Wen Mingqian said. “When you reach my age, you’ll understand what it means to live a short life, like grass and trees in autumn.”

When they reached the top of the mountain, and there were still dozens of steps to go before the temple gate, Wen Mingqian got off the sedan chair.

The wind was strong and it was especially cold on the mountain.

Sang Er hurriedly put the hood of Wen Mingqian's cloak on: "Mother, please be careful of the wind, the mountain wind is very strong!"

The incense burned in the princess's room was a gift from Wen Mingqian.

"You must be tired from climbing the mountain. Have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up!" The princess was wearing a long robe of honey-dyed silk with a dark floral pattern, and a lambskin shawl, a tribute from beyond the Great Wall, around her neck.

Her slender figure made her appear even smaller as she sat there, making her look much younger than her actual age.

"Thank you, Princess. This tea is so fragrant and refreshing, it really calms the mind." Wen Mingqian picked up the teacup. It was a Jian kiln rabbit fur teacup, a precious vessel for drinking tea.

"It's a tribute from Nanyue, and I think it's just so-so. If you like it, I'll have Yuhu bring you a jar later," the princess said, stroking the lion cat curled up at her feet.

Yu Hu was the little palace maid who served her.

Wen Mingqian thanked her again and asked Sang Er to present the things she had brought.

The princess picked up the still-cool porcelain bottle with her slender fingers, inhaled the fragrance, and casually said, "I heard that your son has become Master Zhuge's last disciple. What a great honor that is."

"Your Highness is too kind. This child was just lucky," Wen Mingqian said modestly.

“Other things can be obtained by luck, but this is something that cannot be achieved, which shows that your son is an outstanding person.” The princess smiled, picked up some perfume with her jade hairpin, and lightly dabbed it on the inside of her wrist. “Like mother, like son. You and your son are both very talented.”

"I am but a foolish woman, but today I have received praise from the Princess, which is as if I have been granted an imperial decree. I will probably become more and more clever in the future," Wen Mingqian said with a smile.

The eldest princess is the only bloodline of the late emperor, and the current emperor has granted her the special privilege of bestowing imperial titles upon officials of the fifth rank and below, so what Wen Mingqian said is true.

The princess laughed when she heard her refer to herself as a commoner: "I heard you've divorced Gong Er. Where do you live now?"

“Living at Wuqiu Nunnery is quite peaceful,” Wen Mingqian said.

She only got divorced two days ago, and even from the day she proposed the divorce until now, it's only been five days.

The fact that the princess, who sought seclusion and spiritual cultivation, knew everything clearly shows that she had not truly severed herself from the secular world.

"Could you tell me why you want a divorce?" The princess looked up at Wen Mingqian, her eyes scrutinizing him.

"Please don't laugh at me, Your Highness," Wen Mingqian remained frank with the Princess. "In my heart, I've long since severed all ties with him, but I couldn't bear to part with my son. Now that my son has a place to stay, I have nothing to worry about. I've felt quite wronged all these years, but what new tricks can be played by repeatedly bringing up old stories? It's better to part amicably and go our separate ways." "You've been quite decisive," the Princess said. "Most people would probably think that staying in the Gong family is much more respectable than living in a nunnery. I'm sure many would say you're a fool."

"I can't control what others say. All I can do is follow my heart," Wen Mingqian said. "I know what I've done may not be wise, but even birds know that it's better to sing than to die in silence. In the end, it's hard to go against one's nature."

“There are fewer and fewer people with backbone these days.” The princess shook her head. “I never expected to see such pride in a young woman like you.”

"I am terrified, how can I bear the title of 'proud woman'?" Wen Mingqian blushed.

“Your ancestors were renowned loyal ministers, and although their power has waned, their spirit remains strong,” the princess said. “Let me try what you brought.”

The maidservant brought the tea again, the amber-colored tea soup exuding a noble aroma.

"This perfume seems slightly different from the last one; the scent is even more intriguing." The princess lowered her head and sniffed her wrist.

“Your Highness is wise. I’ve added a little bit of spikenard to it,” Wen Mingqian said. “I only made this one bottle this time; the rest are made with the original recipe. I wonder if you like it?”

"The original is crisp and refreshing, this one is mellow and rich. Both are good, it just depends on when to use them," the princess commented.

"I think so too. The previous one was suitable for the early morning, rainy or snowy weather, or after a bath. This one is more suitable for enjoying tea and playing the zither, or for sleeping at night," Wen Mingqian shared his opinion.

“The first two times were a bit rushed, and I didn’t have time to give you a detailed evaluation,” the princess said. “A master perfumer like you would naturally have a very high level of skill; otherwise, what you would have made would have been nothing more than ordinary perfumes.”

"Your Highness flatters me. These are just some simple thoughts. I was thinking that it's colder up in the mountains, and although Your Highness prefers cool fragrances, you should have some warm fragrances to keep you warm in winter." Wen Mingqian lowered his head slightly and said respectfully, "Of course, these are just my foolish ideas."

“You don’t need to be so self-deprecating. The fragrance you make suits my taste perfectly,” the princess said. “For so many years, I have only used cool fragrances and never warm fragrances. It’s just because I don’t like those frivolous and sweet scents, which are so strong that they only leave me feeling lonely and weary in the end.”

The eldest princess had a faint melancholy between her brows; a spring dream from many years ago was so beautiful and sweet.

She was so engrossed in it that she didn't want to wake up for a long time.

But dreams must eventually end. When the bitter wind and rain break through the window, even the most beautiful spring dream vanishes like a bubble.

Moreover, the more beautiful the dream, the deeper and more intense the pain upon waking.

Wen Mingqian watched as the princess fell into deep thought, not daring to disturb her, and quietly knelt there.

The princess only awoke from her reverie when a mountain breeze broke off a branch and landed on the window frame.

He couldn't help but chuckle, "The incense you make is enough to make people lose their minds."

"This humble woman only wishes to make Your Highness's dreams sweeter," Wen Mingqian said. "Since this humble woman herself has a fondness for green plums, I made green plum wine. Smelling it before bed makes one feel exceptionally relaxed."

“Yes, fragrance, though invisible, can penetrate the heart. I’m tired of being surrounded by people, but I don’t like living like a withered tree.” The princess took a sip of tea. “At least with a zither, a cat, and fragrance, things are more interesting. It’s a pity that there’s no one to play chess with. Do you know how to play chess?”

"I know a little bit, but it's rather clumsy, and it might not meet Your Highness's standards," Wen Mingqian said humbly.

“You are good in every other way, but your name is just like your personality; you are too modest,” the princess said. “Someone as intelligent as you cannot be bad at chess.”