Chapter 163

Several people followed and arrived at a guest room on the second floor. As they entered, a warm breeze mixed with fragrance greeted them.

Today is the annual Fragrance Competition Conference at the Fragrance Collection Pavilion. Many noble ladies and young ladies from prominent families in Liangdu like to come and watch the excitement.

It's early winter now, and the weather is cold. The steward of the Fragrance Collection Pavilion had ordered the rooms to be heated with silver thread charcoal and filled with the scent of incense.

Once the Runan Principality Consort entered the guest room, the attendant beside her helped her remove the white fox fur cloak and assisted her in sitting on the highest-ranking concubine's couch. Her every move exuded elegance and nobility.

"Please have a seat, everyone."

"Thank you, Consort."

The few people sat in the lower left corner of the living room, and as soon as they sat down, the servants silently served tea.

The Runan Principality Consort looked at Qin Chuyuan and Gong Xiaohua in front of her. Although Qin Chuyuan appeared aloof to others, whenever he looked at the girl beside him, his eyes were filled with tenderness and affection.

When the male protagonist performed a bow, there was a natural and refined air about him. As someone from a noble family, the Consort knew that such grace and demeanor were cultivated from a young age, as if he were a scion of a prestigious household.

The girl, on the other hand, appeared young in age, sitting there with a straight and heroic posture. When she performed a bow, there was a sense of freedom and naturalness, as if she had a background in martial arts.

"This pair is truly interesting," the Runan Principality Consort thought to herself.

"I don't know the girl's surname?"

"Consort, I am surnamed Gong," Gong Xiaohua stood up and bowed.

"Please sit, no need for formalities."

"Yes." "Gong Xiaohua, do you enjoy reading miscellaneous books in your spare time?"

"When I have nothing to do, I read all kinds of books."

"I see. This ambergris was coincidentally obtained by the Fragrance Collection Pavilion this year. Even we know very little about it. Do you remember where you read about it in which book?"

"When I saw it in the book at the time, I found it interesting, so I glanced at it a few more times. Now, I don't remember which book it came from," she said. However, this ambergris was recorded in Li Shizhen's "Compendium of Materia Medica," a work compiled by the Ming Dynasty physician Li Shizhen over 27 years. Such a work does not exist in this era.

"That's a pity."

"Although I don't know the name of the book, I do know some other information about it. Would you like to hear, Consort?"

"Oh? Please tell me."

"This ambergris, also known as 'dragon's saliva,' is classified by color quality. It is generally gray-black, brown, or white-brown. The closer it is to white, the better the quality. This type of fragrance material that comes from the interior of an animal takes a hundred years to transform from gray-black to white. Like the piece of ambergris in the first-floor hall, which is close to pure white, it has surpassed the top grade. It can be said to be a top-quality item. Apart from the time it takes to form, this 'dragon's saliva' has a varied and enchanting fragrance, akin to a hundred flowers blooming. It lingers for a long time after burning, not to mention its medicinal properties. It is indeed priceless."

"In that case, it seems I sold this piece of ambergris too cheaply."

"Indeed, Consort, if you didn't acquire much, you can keep some for yourself."

Upon hearing this, the Runan Principality Consort looked at her trusted aide next to her, and he understood, then exited the guest room.

"Is there any record of how to use this 'dragon's saliva'?"

"There are indeed two methods of using it: raw dragon's saliva incense and mature dragon's saliva incense. Raw dragon's saliva incense is made by grinding dragon's saliva into a fine powder and blending it with spices. Mature dragon's saliva incense is extracted from dragon's saliva. First, seal one qian of dragon's saliva and two liang of alcohol in a suitable-sized porcelain bottle. Stir it regularly for four to five days at room temperature. After the alcohol and dragon's saliva have fully interacted, filter out the residue. After two or three days of storage, it becomes the dark brown 'mature dragon's saliva incense.' The purity of mature dragon's saliva incense is higher than that of raw dragon's saliva, and it is more convenient to use it for blending spices. It can also be used to make perfumes or as a fragrance fixative, providing a long-lasting aroma."

"What is perfume? And what is this alcohol?"

"Perfume is the liquid form of the fragrance extracted from spices. It can be applied directly to the body or clothes whenever needed, making it more convenient than burning incense. As for this alcohol, it is produced by heating and distilling the white wine we drink daily..."

Among those present, except for Gong Xiaohua, the other three individuals came from prestigious families and had some knowledge of spices. Hearing Gong Xiaohua's explanation of different methods of making incense, they found it interesting and became increasingly fascinated as they listened.

Especially the Runan Principality Consort, who was skilled in blending spices, she was also intrigued by this method of making incense for the first time, sparking her interest.

Lord Shi didn't expect that General Gong, in addition to his exceptional martial arts skills, had such a deep understanding of making incense. He was even more knowledgeable than those who claimed to be experts in the field of incense making.

He really wanted those who criticized General Gong behind his back for lacking the demeanor of a gentleman to see that General Gong was not only capable on the battlefield, in the court, and in the kitchen, but also a treasure.

As for Qin Chuyuan, he was not interested in perfumes or alcohol. He was completely uninterested. But what fascinated him was evident in his eyes.

Everyone only snapped back to reality after Gong Xiaohua finished speaking.

"Miss Gong, by openly sharing the method of making this dragon's saliva incense today, I owe you a favor. This is my token of gratitude. If you encounter any difficulties, I can help you once," he said, taking something from his person and handing it to his attendant, who then passed it to Gong Xiaohua. "Principality Consort, there's no need. I have only read about this method in books and have not actually made it myself, so I cannot guarantee its authenticity," although she was confident that this method would work, she couldn't guarantee that the other party wouldn't blame her for any operational mistakes.

"Miss Gong, rest assured. Regardless of whether this method is effective or not, I owe you this favor because you have caught my eye," said the Runan Principality Consort, who liked this generous, poised, and calm young lady very much.

"With this token, you can purchase spices at 80% of the original price from the Fragrance Collection Pavilion," she said, addressing Qin Chuyuan.

"Thank you, Principality Consort."

"If you want to thank someone, thank her. She is an exceptional young lady, and you must cherish her, young sir," she said, looking deeply at Gong Xiaohua, then responding earnestly, "I will."

"Very well, it's getting late, and the Fragrance Competition Conference is about to begin. Yu Mama, please escort them downstairs."

"We bid farewell," they all said, taking their leave.

The princess waved her hand, and a few people followed Yu Mama downstairs.

When there were only three people left, they found a inconspicuous spot to sit.

"Xiaohua, is there anything you don't know? Throughout this journey, it seems like you know about everything," Lord Shi asked with great curiosity. It was truly astonishing that someone so young knew more than him, who was older than her by a round.

"There are still many things in this world that I don't know. I need to read more and learn more," Xiaohua replied.

"Oh, what do you usually read?"

"I read everything—military books, laws, history books, poetry, medical books, you name it."

"There are so many, do you remember all of them?"

Qin Chuyuan, who was beside them, poured tea for Gong Xiaohua and replied on her behalf, "Lord Shi, you should focus on your own expertise. Xiaohua has an extraordinary memory, which you cannot match."

Lord Shi was shocked, his eyes widened, and he exclaimed in disbelief, "Is it true or false?"

"Lord, please have some tea," Gong Xiaohua didn't directly answer and just pushed the tea toward him.

"Xiaohua, does your family have a sister who is as intelligent and capable as you? I have an unmarried young man in my family. You can consider it," he said, pretending that his own son was worthless.

"Lord Shi, there's no need to think about it. Gong family only has this one talented lady."

"Qin Chuyuan, your insight is as sharp as ever," Lord Shi sarcastically remarked.

"Thank you for the compliment, my lord."