tallest building

Chapter 212 The Fragrance of No Two

The eunuchs rushed to catch the cicada, but even after they killed the troublesome cicada, the Empress still hadn't woken up, and hadn't even turned over.

"This incense is truly magical," Chunying Xiaosheng said to the head eunuch. "But why is it that only Her Majesty the Empress can sleep soundly, while we feel calm but not sleepy just from smelling it?"

“That’s why this is truly a fine fragrance,” the head eunuch couldn’t help but give a thumbs up. “It’s not some kind of sleeping potion or sleeping incense. If it were that kind of stuff, would we dare give it to Her Majesty?”

As the sun gradually shifted from due south to the west, the young palace maids serving under the eaves, having stood for so long, couldn't help but doze off.

The intermittent chirping of cicadas came from the Imperial Garden in the northwest corner again, but this time no one tried to catch them; it was as if the sound of the cicadas could also induce sleep.

The empress opened her eyes and remained dazed for a long while.

She glanced around the bedchamber with some surprise. Only Chunying was kneeling by her bedside, her body hunched over, clearly asleep.

There was no one else besides him.

Sunlight fell on the east wall, and she suddenly felt a chill in the room.

"What time is it?" the Empress asked, her voice slightly hoarse. Only then did she realize that she had taken a long nap.

Chunying woke up at the sound and quickly rubbed her eyes, saying, "I'm so sorry, I actually fell asleep."

"What's wrong with that? I think I've been sleeping for quite a while too." The Empress felt a slight fatigue, but this fatigue also made her feel extremely comfortable.

Her body hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time, as if it had been bound for a long time and suddenly released from its restraints.

“It’s almost past noon,” Chunying said as she got up. “I saw that Your Highness was sleeping soundly, so I sent them all away. I’ll have them make tea right away.”

"I've slept for so long!" The Empress exclaimed, both surprised and delighted. "No wonder I feel so energetic."

"Yes, Your Highness's phoenix eyes are even brighter than before!" Chunying was also exceptionally happy. "It's clear that the incense that the Princess sent in is truly effective."

A single sentence reminded the Empress: "Is there any incense left? Use some more tonight, and try it for a few days."

“There’s still quite a bit left, enough for about seven or eight days,” Chunying said. “I’d better keep it safe.”

The Empress is in better spirits than usual, and her appetite has also improved.

I ate a little more for dinner than usual, so I took a long walk around the palace before returning to my bedchamber.

To be honest, those who followed were also a little worried, thinking that the Queen had taken a long nap and might not sleep well at night.

Who would have thought that after the incense was lit after her bath, the Empress would quickly fall asleep again.

I woke up at dawn the next day, having slept for nearly four hours, something that had never happened in recent years.

"Your Majesty is awake. How are you feeling now? Are you feeling refreshed?" The head eunuch, who hadn't slept all night, was waiting in the outer room.

"Oh, I slept so well tonight." The Empress stretched unconsciously. "I used to feel as heavy and tired as if I were filled with lead, but now I feel light and refreshed. It's even more effective than taking an elixir of immortality."

"Your Majesty can finally get a good night's sleep," the head eunuch said, even crying with excitement. "Look at how you've been tormented all these years! It breaks my heart to see you like this, but I can't take your place."

"Alright, stop crying. It seems this incense is still working, but I wonder if its effectiveness will diminish in a few days." The Empress couldn't help but feel a little worried.

She had been suffering from insomnia for many years. At first, medication or acupuncture worked, but gradually, these methods became less and less effective.

"In my humble opinion, this incense is more effective than anything else," said the head eunuch. "I've never seen you sleep so well before, whether it was medicine or acupuncture."

"That's true. The imperial physicians always tell me not to worry about it too much, because the more you worry, the less you can sleep," the Empress sighed. "Let's not dwell on whether this incense will last long. Let's just use it as long as we can!"

“Yes, yes, you must keep a cheerful mood no matter what. Does Your Majesty wish to lie down a little longer, or should you get up now?” “I’m actually feeling a bit hungry. Tell them to bring breakfast.” the Empress said.

"Your Majesty, would you like to have a bowl of bird's nest porridge first?" Chunying asked hurriedly.

The Empress frowned upon hearing this and said, "I don't want that nonsense. I've been drinking it for years, and I haven't seen any benefit from it."

"Then this servant will go and serve breakfast directly," the head eunuch said happily. "There should be more variety than usual."

Because of sleep problems, the empress became irritable and lost her appetite.

I rarely have any cravings, and I hardly ever feel hungry.

But after a good night's sleep, her appetite seemed to have returned somewhat.

When the concubines came to pay their respects early in the morning, they were all surprised to find that the Empress had not yet finished her breakfast.

The Queen was in a good mood today and said to everyone with a smile, "Please come in and sit down! Those who haven't had breakfast can come and have some with us."

A quick-witted concubine tentatively asked, "Your Majesty looks especially radiant today. Is there some good news?"

"What good news? It's just that I had a good night's sleep," the Empress said with a smile. "This breakfast was well prepared; there will be a reward."

He also rewarded all the servants who were serving him.

So everyone in the palace knew that the Empress had slept well and was in a great mood.

During lunch, the Emperor came over to dine with the Empress, who was gentler than usual.

Wen Mingqian remained at the Prince Zhao's residence, grinding spices and mixing face creams with several clever maids there.

Because it was made for the Empress, it could not be done carelessly in the slightest.

Princess Zhao was still unable to get out of bed, but she was extremely concerned about the matter, fearing that something might go wrong.

Although she and the Empress were sisters, they had not grown up together since childhood. Moreover, the Empress held the position of Empress, and compared to sisters from ordinary families, they always lacked some intimacy, which was filled by reverence.

"Madam Wen, do you think my pearl powder is ground fine enough?" a maid asked as she approached, holding a mortar and pestle.

Wen Mingqian looked at it and then pinched it with his hands: "First, use fine gauze to separate it, then grind the coarse gauze. After separating it all, you need to use soft silk to separate it again before it's done."

"Madam Wen, the mutton fat has melted in the tremella water. Would you like some snow grass oil added?" another person asked.

"Not yet, it has to cool down to about 70% before I can do it. I'll do it myself then," Wen Mingqian said.

Don't underestimate this small box of face cream; the effort and energy required is no less than building a house.

Moreover, if there is even the slightest mistake in the middle, you have to start all over again; it's not just a matter of being extremely meticulous and tedious.

But Wen Mingqian did it with ease and composure.

"I wonder if Her Majesty the Empress has used your incense?" When Wen Mingqian came to pay his respects to Princess Zhao that day, Princess Zhao brought up this matter again.

Wen Mingqian simply smiled and remained silent. She knew that unless the Empress refused to try, once she did, she would be unable to leave.

During her seven years in Shuangxi, she did many things, but the one she devoted the most effort to was making this incense.

The Empress would never have imagined that someone would spend seven years preparing this for her—this unique fragrance.