When the incense pills arrived, Prince Qi asked, "What is the use of this incense?"
"One is called Sandalwood Dragon Brain Pills, used by ladies when they chant scriptures to calm the mind and refresh the spirit. There is another that can soothe the stomach and calm the nerves, ideal for when summer creates restlessness, preventing sleep and eating well."
Prince Qi nodded, "Let’s head back."
The carriage from the Prince Mansion swiftly turned around, Prince Qi picked up an incense pill, held it under his nose, and sniffed lightly, then asked, "How much does this incense pill cost? Can ordinary families afford it?"
"One tael of silver for ten pills. Ranxiang Inn says they don’t make much, but many ordinary women purchase them since they can regulate the body and have some medicinal use, unlike ordinary incense pills used for fragrance. Ranxiang Inn says it’s made from common materials and is a new product, hence affordable now, but not in the future."
Prince Qi slowly nodded.
Upon returning to Prince Qi Mansion, Prince Qi went to the study first, removed the pocket from his body, and instructed someone to light the incense pill, then quietly sat for a moment.
The scent quickly filled the room.
After a while, Prince Qi stood up, took a small ornamental hairpin from the box on the desk, and played with it attentively, his eyebrows relaxed, murmuring softly, "Seems like the scent left in my carriage last time was also the work of Young Marquis’s wife."
He had carried the memory of that scent for a long time, initially thinking he imagined it, but didn’t expect she truly excelled in blending medical incense.
Once the incense pill burned to ash, Prince Qi called the guard captain, "Go investigate Dingbei Marquis’s wife, be thorough."
...
Gu Jinghui returned to the outer courtyard and heard Sixth Master Gu calling him, "Brother, Third Brother."
"What’s the matter?"
Gu Jinghui frowned.
He was immensely busy and the last person he wanted to deal with was Sixth Master Gu at this moment.
Yet Sixth Master Gu insisted on sticking to him, eagerly presenting a treasure.
"Third Brother, take a look at this, see if what I wrote is good?"
Gu Jinghui took the note and read aloud.
"Now that the illness in the mansion is gone, the hibiscus in the garden blooms brightly, the lotus leaves shade the sky, fish frolic in the pond unable to discern north, south, east, or west. If you can come, we shall welcome you with warm wine, and join in drinking while boating on the lotus pond!"
"Did you write this?"
Gu Jinghui was quite surprised.
"Of course, I wrote it. I want to invite Qin Siyuan to gather at the mansion and discuss the next poetry meeting."
The printing of the poetry collection boosted Sixth Master Gu’s courage, making him eager to strive further.
Gu Jinghui said, "Written well, I think it looks very good, indeed quite literary."
"Really?"
Sixth Master Gu looked suspiciously at his third brother.
Though pleased with the praise from his third brother, he knew his third brother’s scholarly ability fell short, so his praise meant nothing assured.
"Really."
Gu Jinghui contemplated then said, "Why not have someone send it to show your third sister-in-law."
"Alright," Sixth Master Gu agreed readily.
She’s family, so there’s no shame in that.
Qin Siyuan had long said scholarly pursuits require humility in questioning, moreover, his third sister-in-law’s knowledge far exceeded his own, he respected her greatly.
The servant took the note to the second door to find the nanny to deliver the message.
Gu Jinghui asked, "Sixth Brother, how many poetry collections did Shen Changle send you? Spare me some, I’ll give them to General Jin for a look."
"Probably not."
Sixth Master Gu resisted somewhat.
"Why?"
Gu Jinghui was greatly baffled.
Sixth Master Gu said, "General Jin and others aren’t fond of poetry; such things are appreciated by scholars. Giving them to them out of politeness will just be hollow praise, thrown in a corner to gather dust. It’s better to invite them for drinking and feasting."
Gu Jinghui cast him a sideways glance and said, "First bring me a few dozen copies, that’s an order."
Sixth Master Gu: "...Alright..."
Gu Jinghui no longer acknowledged him, instead instructed the servant, "Go to the theater and find a storyteller who can narrate the Three Kingdoms; just say they’re invited to stay at the mansion for a few days to recite to me when there’s time, the payment will be generous."
Since reading is slow, better to hear it told.
He always found a way to finish the book.
His sixth brother’s words awakened him, suspecting his young wife secretly resented him similarly.
The servant hesitated, "Is Marquis inviting the solo storytellers or the new type with musical accompaniment?"
"Get a good one, who can narrate Three Kingdoms clearly, if they can elucidate the Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States, all the better."
The servant dashed off.
Sixth Master Gu perplexedly asked, "Why did Third Brother start listening to the Three Kingdoms, and even invite someone to the mansion to narrate?"
Gu Jinghui was reluctant to admit he struggles to read it and his young wife won’t teach him, so he had no choice but come up with this plan.
"I have my uses," Gu Jinghui said sternly.
Sixth Master Gu: "..."
The note was quickly returned, and the servant said, "Sixth Master, Madam said it’s well written, but, the two young masters have stayed for a long time at the Imperial College, not seeing Sixth Master and Sixth Madam, should we delay a few days?"