The white mist in the bathing chamber gradually dissipated, and the air grew cooler.
Tanxiang had already glanced at Jiafu several times. The girl had sunk deep into the camphorwood tub, her damp hair loosely pinned at the nape with a hairpin. Her forehead rested lightly against the tub's edge, eyes closed with lashes lowered as if she'd fallen asleep.
Fearing Jiafu might catch a chill, Tanxiang couldn't help but gently urge, "Young mistress, wake up."
Jiafu slowly opened her eyes and rose from the tub, hands gripping its wet edges.
Her snow-white skin glowed radiantly, droplets clinging to her jade-like complexion, her figure resembling a tender orchid just beginning to bloom.
Tanxiang wrapped Jiafu's shoulders with a soft towel as Dingxiang presented the prepared clothes. After drying herself and dressing, Jiafu stepped out while several maids entered to clean up. Among them was Wang Pozi, who had recently joined the household. Catching the lingering fragrance from the bathwater, she couldn't resist asking, "What scent does the young mistress use daily? It's quite lovely. My granddaughter's getting married next month—I'd like to buy some for her dowry."
The amiable Tanxiang smiled in reply, "Mother Wang, this is called kapur, also known as frozen borneol. It's transported from Southern India. The young mistress mentioned it costs little there, but after crossing oceans to reach us, just one qian weight costs a tael of silver."
Wang Pozi gasped in shock. "Heavens! That's far too expensive! How could ordinary folk afford it? If the young mistress adds this to her bath daily, the monthly cost must be staggering! This isn't fragrant water—it's liquid silver!"
Another maid snorted with laughter. "Old Wang, keep such talk to yourself. Don't embarrass us outside. What family do we serve? Even the rarest spices are mere dirt to the Zhen household. Whether it's one tael or ten per qian, if the young mistress desires it, it's but a simple command."
Quanzhou's maritime trade flourished, with countless ships entering and leaving its ports daily—from nearby Champa, Siam, and Sulu to distant Arabia, Malindi, and Berbera. Exotic goods filled the markets, spices being a major commodity. As one of Quanzhou's wealthiest families with top-tier fleets, even the rarest spices were commonplace in the Zhen household. Though the maid's words carried some boastfulness, they weren't untrue.
Wang Pozi nodded vigorously like a pecking chick, laughing awkwardly. "Yes, yes, my ignorance speaks..." She stretched her neck for one last deep inhale of the fragrance before helping carry out the bathwater.
Emerging, Tanxiang saw Jiafu opening a spice box and scooping some with a jade spoon. Knowing she meant to add it to the phoenix-head incense burner, Tanxiang hurried to lift the lid.
"Let me handle this, young mistress. Be careful not to burn your fingers."
Jiafu dropped the spice into the burner. As it touched the flames, pleasant crackling sounds accompanied rising wisps of blue smoke. She bent slightly, fanning the smoke toward herself before closing her eyes to inhale deeply.
Tanxiang watched, perplexed.
The young mistress had never favored room fragrances, preferring fresh flowers instead. Yet inexplicably, since returning from West Mountain Temple that day, her preferences had changed—not only did she now burn this frozen borneol indoors, but she even added its powdered form to her bathwater.That was all. Having been with the Zhen family for many years and serving the young lady, Tanxiang had learned a thing or two about the varieties and qualities of incense. Frozen borneol was naturally a high-grade incense, with a light, elegant, and warm fragrance, carrying a sweet aftertaste, and was quite expensive. Yet, among the resin-based incenses of its kind, it wasn’t the top tier. The best was ambergris. Because the two incenses resembled each other in appearance and color, and their scents were also similar, only experts could tell them apart. Hence, unscrupulous merchants often passed off frozen borneol as ambergris.
Although ambergris was rare, the Zhen family did have some in storage. Since the young lady had switched to using incense, why didn’t she take ambergris instead of this slightly inferior frozen borneol?
Tanxiang couldn’t help but ask.
Jiafu stared at the wisp of blue smoke rising from the phoenix’s mouth and said indifferently, “Ambergris is a tribute for the imperial court. It’s not suitable for me to use.”
Tanxiang suddenly understood. “The young lady is always thoughtful.”
“Remember to bring it tomorrow when we go out. All my clothes must also be scented with this frozen borneol, and for a long time. Nothing else is to be used. Don’t make a mistake.”
Tanxiang smiled. “Rest assured, young lady. I’ve prepared everything and won’t make a mistake.”
“Madam is here!”
Jiafu turned and saw her mother, Meng Shi, arriving with Liu Momo by her side. A smile appeared on her face as she went to greet them.
Madam Meng led her daughter to sit on the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling? Are you still disoriented when sleeping?”
The ninth day of the month marked the third anniversary of Jiafu’s father’s passing. That day, she had accompanied her grandmother Hu Shi, her mother Madam Meng, and her brother Zhen Yaoting to Xishan Temple to perform the grand memorial rites. They stayed overnight at the temple, with Jiafu sharing a room with Madam Meng. Early the next morning, Madam Meng woke to find her daughter in tears, startling her. When she asked the reason, Jiafu shook her head and refused to speak, only clinging to her, crying and laughing alternately. Madam Meng was deeply alarmed, suspecting her daughter had encountered something unclean outside the temple. She sought a spiritual tablet and blessed water, bringing Jiafu home that same day. Though Jiafu still seemed disoriented, she had improved over the past few days.
Jiafu said, “I’ve long since recovered. Mother need not worry.”
Madam Meng examined her daughter closely. Seeing her smiling and radiant, her complexion indeed restored, she lovingly pulled her into an embrace. “It’s already been three years since your father left. Your brother is mischievous and disobedient, leaving only you by my side to comfort me. Tomorrow, you’ll…”
She stopped.
Tomorrow, Jiafu would travel north to the capital with Madam Meng and her brother Zhen Yaoting.
On the surface, the Zhen family’s journey north was to celebrate the birthday of Old Madam Pei of Duke Wei’s Mansion. But in truth, it was more for Jiafu’s marriage to the Heir Apparent of the Duke’s mansion, Pei Xiuzhi.
The marriage had been agreed upon a year ago, waiting only for Jiafu’s mourning period to end before arrangements could be made. Though it was a second marriage—with a five-year-old stepson already waiting—the Zhen family, despite their wealth, only had a deceased father who held the modest title of a scholar. For Jiafu to marry into the Duke’s mansion as the wife of the Heir Apparent was already an immense elevation. The arrangement had not come easily.
For the Zhen family, their daughter finding such a match was a tremendous blessing, and Madam Meng was naturally overjoyed. Yet, the thought of her daughter marrying and moving so far away—with the capital and Quanzhou separated by great distances—made her fear they would seldom meet again. Moreover, the Duke’s mansion was a place of high status and deep courtyards, and their own family’s standing was inferior. She worried her daughter might struggle to establish herself there. One worry led to another, and as these thoughts surfaced, tears glistened faintly in the corners of her eyes.Liu Momo quickly offered comforting words: "The young lady isn’t marrying just anyone—the Duke’s household is well-known to us. The Heir Apparent is outstanding in both character and appearance, a true dragon among men. When he visited Quanzhou before, you saw how he treated the young lady, Madam. Besides, the Second Madam there is your own sister, so it’s all within the family. Once the young lady goes over, she’ll be the wife of the Duke’s Heir Apparent. Who knows how much good fortune awaits her in the future? What is there for you to worry about?"
Madam Meng was soothed by these words and managed a smile, dabbing at the corners of her eyes before taking her daughter’s hand. "I’ve been overthinking things. Come, let’s not keep your grandmother waiting."
...
Jiafu’s grandmother, Hu Shi, was the backbone of the Zhen family—shrewd and formidable, no less capable than a man. In the past, she had pinned all her hopes on her son achieving scholarly honors. After her husband passed away, she single-handedly managed the family business to avoid distracting him. Jiafu’s father, however, was carefree and indifferent to fame. After attaining the rank of xiucai, he repeatedly failed the provincial exams. By his thirties, in frustration, he abandoned scholarly pursuits altogether to take over the family trade. Unfortunately, three years ago, when Jiafu was thirteen, he perished in a storm while accompanying a fleet overseas. The grief of a white-haired woman burying her child was unimaginable, but the old woman endured it, transferring her hopes to Jiafu’s older brother, Zhen Yaoting. Two years her senior, he was now eighteen and doted on his sister, but he was far from promising—his studies were a mess, and he showed no interest in the family business, preferring to idle about outside. Even now, with the lamps lit, he still hadn’t returned home.
Jiafu followed her mother to her grandmother’s quarters. The Old Madam had thick eyebrows and a broad forehead, her stern features making Jiafu feel distant from her—she had even been somewhat afraid of her before. Even Madam Meng spoke little in her presence. Together, they paid their respects.
The Old Madam inquired about the preparations for the journey north the next day. Madam Meng promptly replied, "Mother, rest assured. I personally prepared the birthday gifts for the Duke’s mother, as well as the presents for the Song family. Everything has been checked and loaded onto the ship. The house in the capital is also ready—we can move in as soon as we arrive."
This trip to the capital would be Jiafu’s last before her wedding; she would stay there until the ceremony. To facilitate the wedding arrangements, the Zhen family had purchased a house in the capital.
The Old Madam asked a few more questions, and Madam Meng answered each one meticulously, leaving no room for fault. Satisfied, the Old Madam said, "Once you’re in the capital, don’t scrimp on expenses—spend as needed. The Pei family may be prestigious, but with great households come unseen difficulties, perhaps no fewer than ours. Besides, with the recent upheaval in the palace, the Pei family isn’t as illustrious as before. Their willingness to agree to this marriage isn’t for A’fu’s sake—it’s for our money and the means to acquire it."
Madam Meng replied, "Mother, don’t worry. Your daughter-in-law understands."
A faint smile finally appeared on the Old Madam’s stern face. "You’ve had a hard lot too, marrying into our Zhen family. Like me, you were widowed young. But at least you have your children to look forward to. Now that A’fu is marrying well, you’ll have blessings to enjoy in the future."Madam Meng came from an official's family. When her father was posted to Fujian as an official, he made a major mistake. It was only with the financial help of the Zhen family's grandfather that he managed to overcome the crisis. To express gratitude, he married one of his daughters into the Zhen family. Originally, the relationship between the two families was good, but after the successive deaths of Lord Meng and the Zhen family's grandfather, the Meng family's sons fell into decline. Proud of their status, they refused to actively maintain close ties with the Zhen family, and the relationship gradually drifted apart. However, after Madam Meng married into the family, she had an excellent relationship with her husband. Now, stirred by Old Madam's words, her eyes reddened with sorrow, but she dared not shed tears. She merely smiled and said, "Mother is right. That's what I think too."
Old Madam nodded and turned to Jiafu, who had been silent all this while, calling her name.
Knowing she had something to say, Jiafu knelt on a cushion placed before her. "Grandmother, please instruct me."
"Filial piety and fraternal duty are the foundation of all virtues. You know our family's situation well. Though it's noble for a person to stand on their own, your marriage into the Pei family is a good thing. I won't be around forever—this family estate will be left to your brother. In the future, if you rise in status in the Pei family, you must not forget to lend him a hand. Do you remember your grandmother's words?"
Jiafu replied, "Your granddaughter remembers." Her attitude was exceedingly respectful.
Old Madam's gaze held a rare warmth as she looked at her. Nodding, she said, "Rise now. Go back and rest early. Gather your strength, for you must set off early tomorrow morning."
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