Chapter 615: Chapter 615: Investigating Old Affairs

The Empress Dowager was momentarily stunned and said, "With such a frail body, she still guards her food so fiercely."

In the end, she was raised into a wasted state.

The Empress Dowager lightly tapped the long nail guards on the armrest, her interest waning.

Amidst the conversation, a message came from outside: "His Highness Prince Qi requests an audience."

The Empress Dowager knitted her elegant long brows, a vertical line faintly appearing between them; she had no desire to see any bloodline of the late Empress Dowager.

Just as she was about to refuse, she suddenly changed her mind, relaxed her brows, cleared her throat, and said softly, "Why has he come at this time? Let him in quickly for a talk."

Earlier today at Duke Zhen’s Mansion, a rift arose between the Crown Prince and King Jin, what is the purpose of Prince Qi’s visit to her now?

To pledge allegiance? Or to gather intelligence?

A trace of intrigue flashed in the Empress Dowager’s eyes.

Prince Qi entered the hall respectfully, ignoring the chaotic state inside. After offering formal greetings, he sat quietly to one side, seemingly contemplating how to articulate his thoughts.

The Empress Dowager waited and waited before asking, "Why did you decide to visit me at this late hour?"

Prince Qi quickly responded, "After establishing my residence outside, I’ve visited the palace less frequently, but each time I come, I must pay my respects."

The Empress Dowager said nothing more, leisurely toying with the jewelry on her body.

After a pause, Prince Qi said, "Grandma, I wish to request Jade Beauty Cream for Princess Fuyun. She’s recently been betrothed, and it would be a shame if her beauty were marred."

Princess Fuyun and the Ninth Princess had a dispute at Duke Zhen’s Mansion, leaving a deep cut on her face. There had already been an uproar over it at Cining Palace.

Princess Fuyun asked her to discipline the Ninth Princess there, making quite a scene. After much effort to appease her, Prince Qi now appeared.

A truly vexing pair of siblings.

The Empress Dowager sneered coldly, "If I had it, she would have received it long ago."

Prince Qi sighed and replied cautiously, "I am, after all, like a desperate patient consulting any doctor, hoping perhaps to plead with you here, Grandma. If it is unavailable, I must consider other means."

Unable to resist muttering, "It’s said this Jade Beauty Cream originated from a palace formula, and it’s possible it was stored by some elders. Yet, none in my generation possess it. Why did such an effective remedy suddenly vanish?"

At these words, the Empress Dowager said, "This was originally a formula passed down by an Imperial Physician in the Imperial Hospital. The palace once prepared a good amount, but after he committed a crime, it gradually became scarcer and is now a rare item."

Prince Qi sighed repeatedly.

"If Fuyun’s face does not scar, that’s one thing. But if it does... No woman would forgive any harm to her looks. I worry this might cause a rift between her and Little Nine. Father and you, Grandma, above all cherish harmony among us siblings."

The Empress Dowager replied calmly, "There’s nothing to be done. Preparing the Jade Beauty Cream is costly. If you get the formula, have your Ninth Sister or your mother pay for it. But the formula is already lost."

Prince Qi expressed his regret and, after saying a few more words, stood to take his leave.

The Empress Dowager suddenly remembered something and asked, "I heard recently that you’ve been seeking out a peculiar incense for health. Have you found it?"

Prince Qi dejectedly shook his head, "I’ve sought everywhere for years and consulted every incense blender in the Capital City, yet this unique incense remains elusive. Even if the scent is adjusted similarly, its efficacy is not the same."

Now the Empress Dowager cast a proper glance at him, raising her eyebrows with a smile, "Not many can remember this fragrance in the palace. Only a few used it back then, and now, those who could blend it are long gone, of course making it hard to find. His family’s incense formulas and medical incenses were things only those adept in both arts could produce. How could you find it outside?"

Prince Qi sighed, "Indeed so."

He lowered his eyelids, yet the Dingbei Marquis’s wife managed to produce it. Though there are minor differences in scent and effect, the method is not that different...

The Empress Dowager further commented, "It’s peculiar, you see, both things you’re looking for happen to have been made by the same person... What a pity."

Prince Qi replied, "I’ll continue to search for Jade Beauty Cream. After all, unlike incense, with the formula, it can be recreated. Perhaps someone has hidden it away."

"That would be best," the Empress Dowager said no more.

The little eunuch showed him out.

Prince Qi asked quietly, "How was it?"

The little eunuch looked around sharply, feigning a false smile, and squeaked, "The Empress Dowager was tired today. Perhaps His Highness should pay respects another time when convenient."

Then he whispered hurriedly, "The Emperor secretly went to the brothel today. The Empress and the Empress Dowager argued over the selection of the Crown Prince’s consort. Observing coldly, I noticed the Empress Dowager favored King Jin more and mentioned that the You family was no longer useful."

Prince Qi nodded and then turned to leave.

As he passed through the long and tall vermilion corridors, the palace maids and eunuchs he met along the way stood quietly to the side in salutations, enhancing the solemn dragon prestige.

Prince Qi’s lips couldn’t help but form a mocking smile.

The actions and words of his hypocritical father were truly mind-boggling.

He had elevated a foot-washing maid to the position of Empress.

Dug long tunnels to favor two prostitutes shared with the people.

Propped up a sickly heir as the Crown Prince.

Next, he’d commit countless disgraceful acts for this weak heir and his descendants.

Since his mother and brother were gone, this palace truly disgusted him.

From top to bottom, all is so filthy and sordid, yet they occupy the highest positions in the world, donning their masks to stage performances and stir the winds and the clouds.

Is the Da Xing Dynasty coming to an end?

This thought flashed through Prince Qi’s mind, but he immediately shook his head.

Throughout history, prince’s end in defeat often meant their bodies lay in ditches. He wouldn’t fight for the world, nor the nation, but he must fight for his own life.

Even if everything collapses, he intends to be the one who laughs last.

Prince Qi traveled through increasingly dark corridors, exited the palace gates, and before mounting his carriage, whispered to the guard by his side, "Go, find out what crime the old imperial physician who made the Jade Beauty Cream committed and what connections there are to the Dingbei Marquis’s wife."

The old hag was peculiar when mentioning the incense and the Imperial Physician.

Back then, very few could use that incense, and both his dear grandmother and mother used it.

Though the palace has been cleaned out many times, naturally, none who knew about the incense remain.

If not for his illness stirring the memory of the incense, probably no one would have brought it up.

But ironically, the old hag hidden in the deep palace at that time remembers it so clearly...

...

When Qin Yuan awoke, the side of the bed was already cold.

Marquis Gu had gone to court early in the morning, and after, he needed to return to the camp outside the city to handle affairs.

As winter approached, officials from various regions were set to enter the Capital City for duty reports, and the Capital Inspection was soon to conclude.

Overall, it was a busy time.

Qin Yuan lazily combed her hair and asked, "Are Hong Ye and Cui Ming well?"

Her little maid, skilled in speaking, bowed her head and said softly, "I see that after a bit more rest, the sisters will be fine. Perhaps exhausted yesterday, they all seem a bit wilted, but Sister Yang’er is doing okay."

After a pause, she added, "Sister Hong Mian is outside requesting to see the Marchioness and has been standing for quite some time, saying there is an important matter to report."