The white mist in the bathhouse gradually dispersed, and the air grew cooler.
Tan Xiang had already glanced at Jia Fu several times. She was sitting low in the camphor wood bathtub, her freshly washed, still-damp black hair loosely pinned to the side of her neck with a hairpin. Her forehead leaned against the tub wall, her eyes closed, eyelashes lowered, as if she had fallen asleep.
Worried that Jia Fu might catch a cold, Tan Xiang couldn’t help but gently urge, “Young Miss, wake up.”
Jia Fu slowly opened her eyes and stood up, holding onto the wet sides of the tub.
Her snow-white skin was delicate and lustrous, with tiny crystal droplets clinging to it. Her figure was like a budding orchid just beginning to bloom.
Tan Xiang wrapped a soft, large towel around Jia Fu’s shoulders, while Ding Xiang handed over the clothes that had been prepared in advance. Jia Fu dried herself, put on her clothes, and went out. Several servant women came in to clean up. Among them was a woman surnamed Wang who had only arrived recently. Smelling the fragrance emanating from the bath water, she couldn’t help but ask, “What kind of fragrance does the Young Miss use every day? It smells wonderful. My granddaughter is getting married next month, and I’d like to buy some for her dowry when I go back.”
Tan Xiang, who was always friendly, smiled and replied, “Madam Wang, this is called Karpura fragrance, also known as frozen dragon brain. It’s brought from Southern India. I heard the Young Miss say that it doesn’t cost much there, but after being transported across the ocean to our place, it costs about one tael of silver per qian.”
Wang was startled and clicked her tongue, “My goodness! That’s too expensive! How could I afford it? If the Young Miss adds this to her bath water every day, how much silver would that cost in a month? This isn’t a fragrant bath, it’s a money bath!”
Another servant woman chuckled, “Old Wang, you can say this to yourself, but don’t mention it outside, or you’ll be laughed at. What kind of family is our master’s? Even the most expensive fragrances are like dirt clods to them. Never mind one tael of silver per qian, even if it’s ten taels if the Young Miss wants to use it, it’s just a matter of giving an order.”
Maritime trade flourished in Quanzhou. Countless ships came and went daily through the large and small ports outside Nanxun Gate and Tu Gate. Goods from foreign lands across the sea were displayed in dazzling variety, from places as near as Champa, Siam, and Sulu, to as far as Arabia, Malindi, and Persia. Fragrances were one of the major categories. The Zhen family was extremely wealthy in Quanzhou and owned one of the largest fleets. Even the most precious fragrances were nothing special to them. Although the servant’s words were somewhat boastful, they weren’t entirely wrong.
Wang nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking at rice and smiled awkwardly, “Yes, yes, I’m ignorant and spoke wrongly…” She stretched her neck and took another deep breath of the fragrance before helping the others carry the water out.
Tan Xiang came out and saw that Jia Fu had opened her fragrance box and was scooping out a spoonful with a jade spoon. Knowing she wanted to add it to the phoenix-headed incense burner, Tan Xiang hurried over to help her remove the lid.
“I can do this. Young Miss, be careful, you might burn your hand.”
Jia Fu dropped the fragrance into the burner. When the fragrance touched the fire, it made a pleasant, subtle sizzling sound, accompanied by a wisp of rising blue smoke. She bent slightly, raised her hand, and fanned the fragrant smoke toward herself a few times, then closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Tan Xiang watched, feeling somewhat puzzled.
The Young Miss had never liked to burn incense in her room before, preferring only fresh flowers. But for some reason, after returning from Xishan Temple that day, she suddenly changed her preference. Not only did she start burning this frozen dragon brain in her room, but she also added crushed powder of it to her bath water.
That was fine. Tan Xiang had been with the Zhen family for many years and, following the Young Miss, knew something about the types and qualities of fragrances. Frozen Dragon Brain was naturally of high quality, with a light, elegant scent, and a sweet aftertaste. It was expensive, but among similar resinous fragrances, it wasn’t the finest. The finest was Ambergris. Because the two fragrances looked similar in appearance and color, and their scents were alike, only experts could tell them apart. Therefore, dishonest merchants often sold frozen dragon brains as ambergris.
Although ambergris was rare, the Zhen family certainly had it in their storage. Since the Young Miss had switched to burning incense, why didn’t she choose ambergris instead of the slightly inferior frozen dragon brain?
Tan Xiang couldn’t help but ask.
Jia Fu stared at the plume of blue smoke rising from the phoenix’s mouth and said softly, “Ambergris is a tribute to the imperial court. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to use it.”
Tan Xiang suddenly understood, “The Young Miss thinks of everything.”
“Remember to bring it tomorrow when we go out. All my clothes should be infused with this frozen dragon brain for a long time. Don’t use anything else, and don’t make a mistake.”
Tan Xiang smiled, “Don’t worry, Young Miss. I’ve prepared everything and won’t make any mistakes.”
“The Madam is here!”
Jia Fu turned her head and saw her mother, Madam Meng, and her attendant, Old Woman Liu, arriving. Her face broke into a smile as she went to greet them.
Madam Meng sat with her daughter on the edge of the bed and asked, “How are you feeling? Are you still having those visions when you sleep?”
The ninth day was the third anniversary of Jia Fu’s father’s death. That day, she had accompanied her grandmother Madam Hu, her mother Madam Meng, and her brother Zhen Yaoting to Xishan Temple for the memorial service. They stayed overnight at the temple, with Jia Fu sharing a room with Madam Meng. Early the next morning, Madam Meng woke up to find her daughter’s face streaming with tears. Frightened, she asked the reason, but her daughter shook her head without answering, only hugging her mother while laughing and crying. Madam Meng was scared, suspecting that her daughter had encountered something unclean outside the temple. She sought a spiritual tablet and blessed water, then brought her daughter home that day. Her daughter still seemed dazed but had been getting better these past few days.
Jia Fu said, “Daughter has been well for a while. Mother need not worry.”
Madam Meng examined her daughter and saw that she was smiling radiantly, indeed looking well. She lovingly pulled her into an embrace, “It’s been three years since your father left us. Your brother is mischievous and doesn’t listen, so you’re the only one who is close to my heart. Tomorrow, you will…”
She stopped.
Tomorrow, Jia Fu will travel north to the capital with Madam Meng and her brother Zhen Yaoting.
The Zhen family’s trip north was ostensibly to celebrate the birthday of Old Madam Pei of the Duke of Weiguo’s mansion, but in reality, it was more about the marriage between Jia Fu and Pei Xiu Zhi, the heir of the Duke’s mansion.
The marriage had been arranged a year ago and was waiting for Jia Fu’s mourning period to end before proceeding. Although she would be a second wife and there was already a five-year-old stepson waiting, the Zhen family, despite their wealth, only had a father with the modest scholarly title of Xiucai. For her to marry into the Duke’s family as the heir’s wife was already a great advancement. This marriage match had required considerable effort to arrange.
For the Zhen family, having a daughter with a secure future was a tremendous blessing, so Madam Meng was naturally happy. But thinking of the vast distance between the capital and Quanzhou after her daughter’s marriage, mother and daughter might not easily meet again. Moreover, the Duke’s mansion was grand and imposing, and their own family’s status was inferior, making her worry about her daughter’s future standing. As these concerns surfaced one after another, tears began to form in the corners of her eyes.
Old Woman Liu quickly offered comforting words, “The Young Miss isn’t marrying into just any family, but the Duke’s mansion, which we know well. The heir is outstanding in character and appearance, a dragon among men. You know how he treated the Young Miss when he came to Quanzhou before. Besides, the Second Madam there is your sister, Madam. They are all one family. Once the Young Miss goes there, she will be the heir’s wife at the Duke’s mansion. Who knows how much good fortune awaits her in the future? What is there for you to worry about, Madam?”
Madam Meng was reassured and began to smile. She wiped the corners of her eyes and, holding her daughter’s hand, said, “Mother is overthinking. Let’s go, we shouldn’t keep your grandmother waiting too long.”
…
Jia Fu’s grandmother, Madam Hu, was the backbone of the Zhen family. She was as shrewd and formidable as any man. In the past, she had hoped for her son to achieve scholarly success. After her husband’s death, to ensure her son could focus on his studies, she managed the family business entirely by herself. However, Jia Fu’s father had a carefree and unrestrained nature, with little interest in scholarly achievements. After passing the Xiucai examination, he repeatedly failed further examinations. By the time he was in his thirties, in a fit of anger, he gave up his scholarly pursuits and took over the family business. Unexpectedly, three years ago, when Jia Fu was thirteen, he went to sea with the fleet and unfortunately perished in a storm. Madam Hu, an elder burying her child, was understandably devastated. But this old woman endured and transferred her hopes to Jia Fu’s brother, Zhen Yaoting. He was two years older than Jia Fu, now eighteen, and was extremely good to his sister. Unfortunately, he wasn’t making much progress. His studies were in shambles, and he showed no interest in the family business, spending his days loitering outside. Now the lamps had been lit, and he still hadn’t returned.
Jia Fu followed her mother to her grandmother’s room. The old lady had thick eyebrows and a broad forehead, with a stern appearance. Jia Fu was not close to her and had even been somewhat afraid of her in the past. Even Madam Meng hardly dared to speak in her presence. She and her daughter greeted the elderly woman.
The old lady inquired about the preparations for tomorrow’s journey north, and Madam Meng quickly responded, “Mother, don’t worry. I’ve personally prepared the birthday gifts for the Old Madam of the Duke’s mansion, as well as the gifts for the Song family. Everything has been checked and loaded onto the ship. The house in the capital is also ready, and we can move in as soon as we arrive.”
This trip to the capital meant Jia Fu would not return to Quanzhou. She would stay there to await her marriage. To facilitate the upcoming wedding preparations, the Zhen family had specially acquired a house in the capital.
The old lady asked a few more questions, which Madam Meng answered one by one, thoroughly and without error. Satisfied, the old lady said, “When you’re in the capital, don’t be stingy with money. Use it as needed. The Pei family may have high status, but with such a grand household, they likely have unseen difficulties, perhaps no fewer than ours. Moreover, now that the palace has changed hands, the Pei family isn’t as glorious as before. The fact that they’re willing to make this marriage alliance shows they’re interested not in Ah Fu herself but in our money and our sources of income.”
Madam Meng said, “Don’t worry, Mother. I understand.”
The old lady’s stern face finally showed a hint of a smile, “You’ve had a hard life too, marrying into our Zhen family. Like me, you became a widow at a young age. Fortunately, you still have a son and a daughter to look forward to. Now that Ah Fu is making a good marriage, you will be able to enjoy some happiness in the future.”
Madam Meng came from an official family. When her father was serving as an official in Fujian, he made a serious mistake. It was thanks to Zhen’s grandfather providing money to help that he overcame the crisis. To show gratitude, he married one of his daughters into the Zhen family. Originally, the two families had a good relationship, but after the successive deaths of Meng’s father and Zhen’s grandfather, Meng’s son fell on hard times. Still, maintaining his dignity, he refused to actively seek closeness with the Zhen family, and the relationship between the two families gradually grew distant. But after Madam Meng married into the Zhen family, she had a very good relationship with her husband. Now, the old lady’s words brought back the sad memories, and her eyes reddened, though she dared not cry. She only smiled and said, “Mother is right, that’s what I think too.”
The old lady nodded and turned to Jia Fu, who had been silent all along and called her.
Jia Fu knew she had something to say, so she knelt on a cushion in front of her, “Grandmother, please instruct me.”
“Filial piety and fraternal love are the foundation of all virtues. You know our family’s situation. Although it’s noble to be self-reliant, your marriage to the Pei family is certainly a good thing. I will pass away sooner or later, and this family business will be left to your brother. In the future, if you rise to prominence in the Pei family, you mustn’t forget to help your brother. Have you remembered grandmother’s words?”
Jia Fu replied, “Granddaughter has remembered,” with great respect.
The old lady’s gaze revealed some rare tenderness as she looked at her. She nodded and said, “You may rise now. Go back and rest early to preserve your energy. We must set out early tomorrow morning.”