“Your Highness, this humble one’s incense has a special use.”

Feng Jiu’er stepped over to Noble Consort Ya’s side.

“Just like the one in your hand now — the red one — it eases the muscles and relaxes the body and mind.”

“The yellow one.” Feng Jiu’er picked up the yellow candle, then set it back down. “Good for sleep.”

“The green one.” She lifted another and put it down. “It makes people excitable.”

“This blue one helps with focus and concentration — good for studying or for martial practice.”

“As for this purple one…” Feng Jiu’er bent at the waist, smiling as she stroked the purple candle.

“How is it?” Noble Consort Ya watched her, eyes narrowing slightly.

“The purple one is for matters of the bedchamber. Whether for a man or a woman, it does good things.”

The corner of Feng Jiu’er’s mouth curved faintly.

“Noble Consort, rest assured — this isn’t medicine, it won’t affect the body in any way.”

“If His Majesty comes to Yaxiang Hall and you use the purple incense, things are sure to be twice the effect for half the effort.”

Noble Consort Ya raised an eyebrow, said nothing, only set down the candle in her hand and picked up the purple one instead. She sniffed it, then turned and walked further inside.

“You two, come in and help me freshen up.”

“Yes.” Gong Xinyue bowed her head, turned. “I’ll have someone bring in the bathwater.”

A quarter hour later, in the bedchamber, Noble Consort Ya soaked in a tub scattered with flower petals, eyes closed. Feng Jiu’er sat behind her, kneading the acupoints on her shoulders. Gong Xinyue stood nearby, testing the water temperature now and then, fanning her now and then.

Not far off, on a stand, the faintly purple candlelight swayed in the breeze.

“Miss Feng, this candle really isn’t going to cause any trouble, is it? Why do I feel like it’s getting hotter and hotter?” Gong Xinyue asked, brow furrowed.

Feng Jiu’er’s hands paused on Noble Consort Ya’s shoulders — a soft laugh escaped her.

“Xiao You is still an unmarried girl, isn’t she? This matter — you wouldn’t understand, and I don’t know how to explain it either.”

Noble Consort Ya, cheeks flushed, raised an eyebrow. “Little Feng is already a married woman?”

“Reporting to Your Highness — yes, I am,” Feng Jiu’er answered with a nod.

“Your Highness, how do you find the effect? If it’s all right, shall we put out the candle first?”

“Granted.” Noble Consort Ya’s eyelids lifted, then fell shut again.

Feng Jiu’er turned back to look at Gong Xinyue. “Miss You, if you would.”

“Yes.” Gong Xinyue nodded and went to snuff out the candle.

“Your Highness, this humble one saw the First Prince today — he looked so imposing!” Feng Jiu’er brought up Feng Jin on purpose.

Sure enough, no sooner had the words left her mouth than Noble Consort Ya’s eyes opened.

“The First Prince has just returned from campaign — he must be exhausted. Your Highness, are you and the First Prince close?” Feng Jiu’er went on.

“I wonder… could you help this humble one send some incense over to the First Prince? If the First Prince likes my incense too, I’ll have made another connection for myself in the future…” Noble Consort Ya closed her eyes again, but she had clearly taken Feng Jiu’er’s words to heart.

“The palace isn’t as simple as you imagine. Leave the incense — don’t get any ideas about anyone else!”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Feng Jiu’er rose, bowed, then sat back down to continue kneading Noble Consort Ya’s shoulders.

“Then what colors of incense does Your Highness need? This humble one will bring extra next time.”

“Bring them all, and tell Xiao You what each one does. Good things — I don’t mind having plenty.” Noble Consort Ya rolled her neck side to side.

“That’s about enough. I still have matters to attend to.”

“Of course.” Feng Jiu’er nodded, her slender fingers landing on Noble Consort Ya’s head to rub it gently, then she stood.

Noble Consort Ya changed into fresh robes, carefully groomed herself, and stepped out of the bedchamber.

“Have someone prepare some pastries the First Prince likes — I’ll go over in a while.”

“Yes.” Gong Xinyue nodded and turned to leave.

Noble Consort Ya looked at Feng Jiu’er. “Get your incense ready — bring everything except the purple.”

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er accepted the order and went to prepare as well.

Two quarter-hours later, Noble Consort Ya went to Jinlai Residence, bringing only Feng Jiu’er and Gong Xinyue with her.

By then, Jinlai Residence already had guests: the Empress, Noble Lady Xin, and someone Noble Consort Ya especially did not want to see — Murong Wanping.

“Noble Consort Ya has come too? What did you bring for Jin’er?” the Empress asked, smiling, looking at the woman in the hall.

“Greetings, Empress!” Noble Consort Ya bowed low.

Behind her, Feng Jiu’er and Gong Xinyue both knelt. “Greetings, Empress.”

“Rise, all of you.” The Empress waved a hand.

“Thank you, Empress.” Noble Consort Ya bowed once more, then turned to face Feng Jin.

She curved her lips slightly and bowed. “Greetings, First Prince.”

“Greetings, First Prince!” Feng Jiu’er and Gong Xinyue shifted their knees and paid their respects as well.

“Sit.” Feng Jin lifted his eyes and waved a hand.

Noble Consort Ya bowed and walked toward him. Feng Jiu’er and Gong Xinyue both stood and followed.

At that moment, the Empress sat in the seat of honor, Noble Consort Xin sat in the first seat to the right, and her sister Murong Wanping sat in the second seat on that side. The first seat on the left was Feng Jin’s; Noble Consort Ya went and sat in the second seat there.

“Xiao You, bring the pastries over.” Noble Consort Ya sat down and looked toward Gong Xinyue.

“Yes.” Gong Xinyue carried the basket toward Feng Jin.

“I brought the First Prince some snacks, and a few things for nourishing health as well.” Noble Consort Ya glanced at the women present.

“I wonder what business the Empress had, bringing these two here?”

Gong Xinyue arranged the pastries neatly on the table in front of Feng Jin, then stood with Feng Jiu’er on either side behind Noble Consort Ya, still holding the basket.

The Empress smiled and looked at Feng Jin.

“Jin’er, did you hear what Mother just said? Wan’er is a rare, good girl. If you don’t yet have someone in mind to marry, you could at least take her as a concubine first.”

“Empress, surely that’s not appropriate?” Noble Consort Ya frowned, shaking her head.

“You know as well as anyone that the First Prince is more likely than the Second Prince to become the crown prince — how can the choice of crown princess be treated so lightly?”

“It’s true it shouldn’t be treated lightly, but I don’t want Jin’er to remain alone and unaccompanied forever.” The Empress sighed softly, then looked toward Murong Wanping.

“The Murong family may not be some grand and powerful household, but they are a family of scholars and refinement. If perhaps—”

“A commoner is a commoner!” Noble Consort Ya swept a glance over Noble Lady Xin and Murong Wanping, cutting off the Empress.

“Since ancient times, how many sparrows have ever flown up to become phoenixes on the high branch?”

“Noble Consort Ya, you go too far!” Noble Lady Xin stood.

“Bullying me is one thing, but bullying my sister too — what are you thinking, imagining you can escape the Empress’s notice—”

“Noble Lady Xin, kneel!” the Empress snapped, glaring at her.

Noble Lady Xin looked at the Empress, her face full of grievance.

“Kneel, and apologize to Noble Consort Ya!” the Empress barked again.

Noble Lady Xin stepped back from the table and knelt.

“Your sister was in the wrong. Please, sister, punish me as you see fit.”

“You deserve to be punished!” Noble Consort Ya glanced at Noble Lady Xin, then turned her gaze back to Feng Jin.

“This is no place for a mere Noble Lady like you to make a scene. Take your sister and get out of my sight!”