Chapter 17: All for Profit

Bai Huan suddenly grabbed Zhi Yuan’s arm. “Aunt Zhi, I never meant for Aunt Jing to be blamed by His Majesty. I suspect someone tampered with the incense, and since she blocked my investigation, perhaps I misunderstood her.”

Zhi Yuan was surprised that Bai Huan mentioned Jing Qing, and lowered her voice. “Are you saying someone interfered with your father’s incense prepared for the Noble Consort?”

Bai Huan nodded. “My father’s incense has never harmed anyone, especially not the Noble Consort. He would never dare.”

Zhi Yuan lowered her eyes for a moment before continuing. “Very well, I understand. When Her Highness awakens, I will report this.”

Realizing she was still holding Zhi Yuan, Bai Huan quickly released her, bowed shyly, and thanked her. Zhi Yuan smiled warmly. “No need for such formalities. You’ve already exhausted yourself running errands for Her Highness. Go on with your tasks.”

Bai Huan nodded with a smile, but as she turned, her expression grew serious.

She hadn’t mentioned Jing Qing out of guilt. By deliberately raising the issue of her father’s incense being tampered with, she ensured that even if the Noble Consort wished to use her father as a scapegoat, she would have to reconsider. At the very least, they would know she wouldn’t let it go so easily!

If the Noble Consort truly wanted to recover and keep her secret, she would have to find a way out, clarify matters before His Majesty, and clear her father’s name.

Bai Huan presented Yu Zhu with the incense, explaining without reservation the principles of blending, the strengths and weaknesses of each ingredient, the effects when combined with other common scents, and how to burn the incense so it released fragrance without smoke.

She also detailed the necessary implements for incense burning, which vessels best suited which methods to maximize the scent’s effect.

Yu Zhu’s eyes grew wide with astonishment. “I’ve never heard any of this before.”

Bai Huan seized the opportunity to inquire, “I heard the Imperial Incense Master is your teacher? She also manages incense affairs in the Palace Ritual Bureau, so her instruction must be excellent. I’m just a humble artisan from outside the palace, and as a woman, I’m not even eligible for the Ministry of Works’ artisan examinations.”

Yu Zhu shook her head. “The Incense Master only teaches us how to burn incense, how to store it, and a little about distinguishing the main ingredients. Nothing more.”

She glanced behind her, making sure no one was near, then lowered her voice. “Yu Lu is different. She’s the Incense Master’s goddaughter and has learned much more. All incense matters in the Chao Hua Hall are managed by Yu Lu; I only assist with menial tasks.”

Bai Huan nodded. “How many Incense Masters and palace maidens responsible for incense are there in the palace?”

Yu Zhu tilted her head and counted on her fingers. “There’s only one Incense Master. As for incense maidens, there are three by His Majesty’s side, two in each of the Empress Dowager’s, Empress’s, and Noble Consort’s palaces, one each for the three Consorts and nine Ladies, and fifteen in the Ritual Bureau for all Ladies below ninth rank. Altogether, thirty-seven incense maidens. More than fifty lower-ranking attendants, all under the Ritual Bureau.”

Bai Huan clicked her tongue in amazement at the extravagance.

...There was actually one Incense Master in the palace?

Yu Zhu looked embarrassed. “I’m one of the lower-ranking attendants, not yet qualified as an incense maiden. Yu Lu is the official palace incense maiden.”

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Bai Huan rolled the incense pellet between her fingers and casually asked, “Is there another incense maiden on duty in Chao Hua Hall?”

Yu Zhu’s expression changed, and she hesitated without answering.

A question arose in Bai Huan’s mind.

She smiled. “If you study diligently, you’ll surely become an incense maiden one day.”

Yu Zhu’s round face lit up with joy. “Do you really think I’m capable, Sister Bai? Yu Lu always says I’m stupid.”

Bai Huan nodded. “You’re not stupid at all. Next time I come to the palace, I’ll bring you a beginner’s book on incense. Study it well, and ask me if anything confuses you. I’ll be in Chao Hua Hall for dozens of days anyway.”

Yu Zhu was stunned, then suddenly stood up, took a step back, and gave Bai Huan a formal squat salute. “Thank you, Sister Bai.”

Bai Huan quickly pulled her up. “Don’t dare make such a formal bow. I’m new here and need your help. You know my father is in trouble; all I want is to save him and the Bai family.”

Yu Zhu looked at Bai Huan’s reddened eyes and bit her lip, wanting to speak but remaining silent.

Bai Huan guessed Yu Zhu knew something but didn’t press further. The palace was a web of intrigue, and a lowly person like herself could easily be crushed if she was careless. She couldn’t afford to fail before even starting.

In Tian Sheng, incense culture was prevalent, woven into every moment, yet no independent bureau existed for it. Only the Ministry of Works had a Perfume and Medicinal Bureau, managing imported ingredients, overseeing manufacturing and sales of medicinal scents, with dedicated staff for procurement and inspection to ensure quality. Currently, Dong Yi controlled the bureau.

All incense matters in the palace fell under the Ritual Bureau, where the Incense Master and her incense maidens managed the key ingredients and implements. Medicines and food were handled by the Food Bureau, so medicinal incense wasn’t treated as a specialized affair — unsystematic and lacking depth, mostly relying on finished products.

Bai Huan’s mind stirred.

The more loopholes, the easier it was for people to confuse the truth and profit. If rivals could exploit that, so could she.

-

At dawn, the sun rose slowly, bathing the already splendid palaces in warm light, which, filtered through morning mist, seemed to cloak everything in golden feathers.

Bai Huan wrapped a freshly crafted ‘Goose Pear Chamber’ honey pellet in gold foil and placed it in the fragrance box, handing it to Yu Zhu.

“Wrapping incense pellets in gold foil prevents the scent from escaping. Especially when freshly made, the foil helps the aromas blend further, becoming richer and smoother. So, whenever you burn incense, any unused pellets must be sealed immediately, never left exposed.”

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“Mm, mm.” Yu Zhu’s ears pricked up, eager to memorize every word Bai Huan said. She carefully took the pellet. “Will we use this one tonight? Should we add Chen Niao incense at the second watch?”

“Yes, tonight before burning, I’ll come to the palace. During the day, just burn the regular incense as I instructed; don’t worry.”

Until she found the person who framed her father and cleared his name, Bai Huan had no intention of making the incense process any easier.

Only she could solve the Noble Consort’s dilemma.

As for the Incense Master, Bai Huan wasn’t concerned. If she was so skilled, why couldn’t she resolve the Noble Consort’s distress?

Yu Zhu relaxed, no longer so anxious.

Bai Huan cautioned her again. “Guard it carefully. Don’t let anyone else touch it. If something goes wrong, you’ll be held responsible, won’t you? Isn’t the Palace Directorate known for being intimidating?”

Yu Zhu’s face went pale, clutching the box tightly to her chest and nodding hard. “Yes, I’ll keep the incense safe and let no one near it.”

Bai Huan asked in detail about what incense was burned during the day, what scents were used to perfume the Noble Consort’s garments, and which procedures involved incense. Once she understood, she advised which scents to avoid for now and explained precisely which incense to burn in the morning, during noon rest, and in the afternoon.

Yu Zhu carefully recorded everything in her notebook, asking detailed questions, to which Bai Huan replied thoroughly.

Qing’er approached with another palace maiden, carrying a set of court attire. “Lady Bai, please change clothes so you may meet the Six Attendant Officials.”

Bai Huan remembered she was wearing Zhi Yuan’s nightclothes. She quickly changed into the same palace maiden attire as Qing’er and the others, then followed Qing’er to the inner chamber, where Zhi Yuan was reclining on the couch, eyes closed. The moment she heard footsteps, she woke.

The two exchanged a glance and, in silent accord, looked toward the screen, behind which there was still no movement.

Zhi Yuan signaled the maidens to stand guard, then pulled Bai Huan away.

“In a moment, the Imperial Physician, Ritual Bureau, and Food Bureau will send people. Let’s have breakfast first.”

Qing’er and the maidens served them breakfast. Bai Huan wanted to ask if her father had met any of these people upon entering the palace, but had no chance. Before they finished eating, the Imperial Physician, Ritual Bureau, and Food Bureau officials arrived.

Bai Huan quickly composed herself and followed Zhi Yuan to meet them.

Among this group, who was the one determined to ruin her father?

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