Chapter 6 FCADW? IRTBTMOTMM
FlamingoBees
Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)
Favoring Concubines and Destroying Wives? I Refuse to be the Mistress of this Marquis' Mansion
Chapter 6:
Prince Huan
"Madam, do you recognize the distinguished guest of Lady Guo?"
Upon entering the carriage, Ping Ye immediately asked, her curiosity piqued.
Lin Yunwan shook her head, "I have never seen him before."
Tao Ye also wondered, "It seems like we have never heard of Lady Guo having younger relatives or nephews."
Ping Ye earnestly said, "That man looks like the son of an important official from the government or a noble family."
This statement went unchallenged even by Lin Yunwan.
When she left her teacher's residence earlier, the man happened to exit the hall at the same time. Through the floral-patterned window, she caught a glimpse of him wearing a dark, cinched long robe with intricate gold-threaded patterns on the collar, exuding a refined and elegant aura. Although young, his posture was graceful, and his stride was confident and composed, emanating an air of nobility.
In her previous life, managing the Marquis' mansion for twenty years, she had encountered some esteemed men, but none of them could match the charm and demeanor of this man.
After pondering extensively, Lin Yunwan still couldn't recall any impression of him.
Oh yes, Lady Guo was once the teacher of the Empress!
Lin Yunwan suddenly chuckled softly, "It's Prince Huan."
The two maids gasped in surprise. Though they were aware of the man's high status, they hadn't expected it to be this prestigious.
They had never encountered members of the royal family before.
Ping Ye stammered, "Why would Lady Guo be acquainted with Prince Huan?"
Lin Yunwan was genuinely clueless.
Could it be that her teacher's previous life was somehow linked to Prince Huan?
Unlikely.
Her intuition rejected the idea.
Prince Huan was once a student of her father. Although her father fell seriously ill and resigned from teaching him, she remembered her father expressing some exasperation in her presence, "Ah, the Seventh Prince is truly... the most headache-inducing student I've ever had!"
However, her father didn't mean Prince Huan was a bad person.
When her father resigned from his official position, the then-prince, Prince Huan, paid a special visit to inquire about her father. She also had a chance encounter with the young Prince Huan. He was indeed a troublesome young lord.
The carriage gradually approached the entrance of the Marquis of Wuding's mansion.
Lin Yunwan pushed aside the matter concerning Lady Guo and focused on the present.
~
Qi Lingheng was not only troublesome in his childhood but, having just turned twenty, he still posed a headache for the emperor and empress.
"Madam, my mother sent me to collect some of the fragrances you personally concocted," Qi Lingheng stated.
Lady Guo enjoyed working with fragrances, creating incense sticks, coils, and powder. After her parents passed away, she managed to support herself and her servants by operating a shop specializing in fragrances.
When Empress Zhao was her student, she knew of Lady Guo's love for crafting fragrances and appreciated her unique scents. Later, after entering the palace, Empress Zhao found the scents within the palace unsatisfactory. Occasionally, she would send someone to collect fragrances from Lady Guo's shop.
Initially, female attendants were sent for this task, but when Prince Huan refused to marry even after turning fifteen, the one sent to collect fragrances became Prince Huan.
With the frequent visits, Lady Guo could easily guess the reason behind Prince Huan's trips.
Perhaps due to the emperor's urging to marry and Prince Huan's continuing resistance. When the father and son quarreled again, the Empress quickly found an excuse of "collecting fragrances" to send her son out of the palace.
Lady Guo instructed her maidservant, "Fetch two taels of sinking agarwood, two taels of old sandalwood, and five taels of musk-scented powder." She also said to Prince Huan, "Recently, I've followed ancient recipes to create two types of exquisite sweat-inducing incense for clothing accessories and Sheng Lan clothing fragrance. However, the quantity is limited. Take one or two with you for the Empress to try."
Prince Huan smiled and nodded politely. Although courteous, his jet-black eyes carried an inherent nobility and aloofness.
As the maidservant prepared the fragrances, she offered them with hands trembling nervously. The eunuch, A'Fu, accepted the fragrances and expressed gratitude.
Prince Huan said, "Lady, I will take my leave now." Lady Guo escorted him to the second gate of her residence, as she couldn't go further.
Receiving the gentle smile from Prince Huan, he couldn't help but ask, "Earlier, when I first saw you, it seemed like you were troubled. Is it related to the lady who visited you today? If there's anything this prince can assist with, please don't hesitate to mention it."
Prince Huan explained, "I've been receiving fragrances from the Lady for my mother without repaying your kindness. If you have any requests, feel free to mention them."
Before the maidservant could finish mentioning, "Lin... "
"Your Highness, you needn't worry, it's not a pressing matter," replied Lady Guo.
Prince Huan, perceptive as ever, sensed a shift in tone. He solemnly asked, "Is the lady related to the late Grand Tutor Lin?"
Lady Guo, realizing that she couldn't conceal it any longer, nodded and admitted, "Yes, she is Grand Tutor Lin's daughter and now the Madam of the Wu Ding Maquis."
Prince Huan stood with hands behind his back, a hint of contemplation in his expression. Memories of his many teachers flashed in his mind, and along with it, vague recollections of Grand Tutor Lin's daughter surfaced.
"She didn't say much, just bid farewell to Lady Guo and left," continued Lady Guo.
Prince Huan, trailed by the eunuch A'Fu, was asked, "Your Highness, are you returning to the palace to deliver the fragrance to the Empress, or are you heading back to the prince's residence?"
After a moment of contemplation, Prince Huan instructed, "Return to the prince's residence."
Not only did Lin Yunwan see him, but he also caught sight of her. Through the flower-patterned window, though he didn't immediately recognize her, there was a strong sense of familiarity – indeed, Grand Tutor Lin's daughter.
Her extraordinary beauty adorned in the attire of a married woman struck him. She had already entered wedlock.
A'Fu inquired, "Your Highness, should the fragrance be delivered to the palace today?"
Prince Huan responded, "Yes."
A'Fu then ordered to have all the fragrances sent to the Empress' Kunning Palace.
Meanwhile, Empress Zhao Susu was vexed, complaining to her attendants, "Tell me, who at the age of maturity is still unmarried?!"
Since the founding of the dynasty, indeed, there hasn't been such a case. However, isn't it because the Emperor and Empress indulge Prince Huan in his wilful ways? The palace maids consoled her with smiles, "The old immortals say that His Highness's destined time for marriage hasn't arrived yet. When it does, not only will there be a consort for His Highness, but also an imperial grandchild for Your Majesty."
The Empress's expression improved slightly, and she huffed, "If he really lets me hold an imperial grandchild, I'll indulge him in everything!" Yet, she couldn't help but feel that the prospect of holding an imperial grandchild was distant.
The murmurs of criticism from both the court and the public grew louder, and it seemed the Emperor's moments of anger would increase in the future.
She pondered how to advise this father-son duo. The excuse of sending fragrances would not always be effective.
"The fragrances from Prince Huan's residence have arrived, Your Majesty."
The Empress's supply of fragrances was running low, and hearing that there were new fragrances developed by Lady Guo, she immediately had them brought in for a whiff.
The scent of orchids wafted through, bringing a sense of tranquility.
With a calm tone, she instructed the palace maid, "Go to Prince Huan's residence and find out what kind he truly likes! If he's willing to marry, regardless of the status, as long as she is a pure and innocent maiden, both the Emperor and I agree."
~
Upon hearing the palace maid's words, Prince Huan just dismissed her with a cold attitude. She glanced at A'Fu, hoping for his help after she left.
A'Fu nodded and, once the palace maid departed, smiled ingratiatingly, "Your Highness, you've scrutinized the entire city of Kyoto, yet you can't find a suitable lady. Dare I ask, what kind of maiden do you truly fancy?"
How could Prince Huan not understand A'Fu's little thoughts? He wasn't intentionally making things difficult for the palace maid beside the Empress, but indeed, he had no interest in those noble ladies.
Since Emperor Zhaoming had the Empress, he devoted all his favor to her. As the youngest son, Quan Leng was born late, after six elder brothers. Although his talents surpassed them, he grew up without lacking anything.
He never experienced failure.
His future wife, the woman destined to be the most respected and virtuous in this dynasty, couldn't be just any woman.
"Women who can tame men are the most interesting."
After saying this, Qi Lingheng, with his jade-like appearance, revealed a profound smile.
A'Fu stared at Prince Huan's charming face, dumbfounded. Oh my dear God, if even the Emperor and Empress can't persuade you, who under the heavens can ever tame you?
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