"One tael of agarwood powder, one qian of sandalwood powder, ten snow pears. Hollow out the pears to make them into jar shapes..."
It was the autumn of the seventh year of the Mingde era. Wind and rain lashed outside. Inside the Qin Ya Pavilion of the Zhong Yong Marquis' residence, warm fragrances lingered in the air. Lu Wanning was flipping through a recipe book on incense when her senior maid Yunxiang hurried in and reported in a low voice, "Miss, Sister Xia He from the Matriarch's quarters just came by. She said the Matriarch wants to see you."
Lu Wanning looked up, her delicate willow-leaf brows slightly furrowing. "At this hour?"
Yunxiang nodded. "I asked Sister Xia He, and she said the Matriarch sent for you right after reading a letter delivered from the palace. The Matriarch didn't just call for you—she also asked for Third Miss, Fourth Miss, and Sixth Miss."
Lu Wanning's brows furrowed even more. Could this have something to do with the palace?
With suspicions in her heart, she changed clothes, took a paper umbrella, and headed to Jifu Hall with Yunxiang.
When Lu Wanning arrived, her cousins—Third Miss Lu Wanqing and Fourth Miss Lu Wanrou—were already there, sitting and chatting with the Matriarch, Madam Lin.
After bowing to Madam Lin, Lu Wanning greeted the others. "Third Sister, Fourth Sister."
Both responded, "Fifth Sister."
Madam Lin studied Lu Wanning carefully, then waved her over. "Ning girl, come sit by Grandmother."
"Yes, Grandmother." Lu Wanning walked over and sat to Madam Lin's right. Seeing the weariness on her face, she asked with concern, "Grandmother, your complexion doesn't look too good. Have you not been resting well?"
"It's nothing," Madam Lin said. "Probably just the change in weather. I've had trouble sleeping these past few nights."
"You must take care of your health, Grandmother," Lu Wanning said. "I happened to come across a calming incense recipe today. Once I make it, I'll bring it over for you to try."
Madam Lin nodded, pleased. "You are such a thoughtful girl."
As they spoke, Sixth Miss Lu Wanyi arrived late.
She immediately threw herself beside Madam Lin, acting spoiled. "Grandmother, why did you call for us at this hour? My skirt nearly got soaked!"
Madam Lin lightly tapped her forehead in mock reproach, though her eyes were filled with amusement. "You're late and already complaining before I've said a word? Your older sisters are all here—why didn't you greet them?"
Lu Wanyi glanced at the others and casually muttered, "Third Sister, Fourth Sister, Fifth Sister."
Before anyone could respond, she turned back to Madam Lin and shook her hand. "Grandmother, why did you call us over?"
Madam Lin shook her head with a smile. "The Noble Consort sent a letter today saying she misses you girls. I called you here to tell you that tomorrow, all of you should dress up nicely. I'll be taking you into the palace to visit her."
"Really? Really? We can go into the palace tomorrow?" Lu Wanyi cried out in excitement.
Lu Wanrou, who had just been quietly sulking over Lu Wanyi's favored status with Madam Lin, instantly forgot her jealousy and looked just as thrilled at the news.
Lu Wanqing kept her head down, her expression unreadable.
Lu Wanning's face showed the appropriate amount of pleasant surprise, though inwardly, her thoughts were spinning.
The Noble Consort they spoke of was their older cousin, Lu Wanyun.
Back when the current emperor was still a prince, Lu Wanyun had been betrothed to him by the late emperor as a side consort. For nearly ten years, she had enjoyed unwavering favor. Thanks to the military achievements of the men from the Marquis's household, three years ago she was promoted to Noble Consort.
Lu Wanning was not close to this cousin—nearly ten years her senior. When Lu Wanyun entered the prince's residence, Lu Wanning was still a child. They never formed any deep relationship.
The same was true for the other three cousins. In all these years, they had seen the Noble Consort only a few times. Could it really be that she missed her family and simply wanted to see them?
After leaving Jifu Hall, a gust of cold wind made Lu Wanning shiver. She pulled her cloak tighter and smiled at Lu Wanqing beside her. "Third Sister, shall we walk back together?"
Lu Wanqing nodded. "Alright."
The two walked in silence to the door of Qin Ya Pavilion. As they were about to part, Lu Wanqing suddenly asked, "Fifth Sister, what color will you wear tomorrow?"
Lu Wanning looked up at her.
"I just don't want to end up wearing the same color as you," Lu Wanqing explained.
Lu Wanning smiled. "A few days ago, I had a dress made from the fabric Grandmother gifted me. It's a dark plum color. I'll wear that."
Lu Wanqing nodded with a smile. "If Grandmother gave it, it must be fine. You should go in now. I'll head back too."
"Take care, Third Sister!"
Not long after Lu Wanning returned to Qin Ya Pavilion, her mother, Madam Tao, came over with a maid's support.
"Mother, it's raining. Why did you come over?" Lu Wanning rushed to meet her. "You're not well—what if you catch a chill?"
"I'm fine. I had an umbrella." Madam Tao patted Lu Wanning's hand and asked anxiously, "What did the Matriarch want with you girls at this hour?"
Lu Wanning helped her sit. "Don't worry, Mother. The Matriarch just wanted to tell us that the Noble Consort wishes to see her cousins. Tomorrow we'll go into the palace with her."
"The Noble Consort wants to see you?" Madam Tao's heart sank. She frowned. "Why would she suddenly want to see you girls?"
All the young ladies in the family were of marriageable age now. Was the Noble Consort thinking of arranging matches?
Given how much the Matriarch valued the Noble Consort, if she did want to get involved in marriage plans, the Matriarch would surely support it.
Not wanting her mother to worry, Lu Wanning smiled. "Mother, don't overthink it. The Noble Consort recently lost a child. Maybe she just wants to chat with her cousins. And even if she does have other plans, there's still Third Sister and Fourth Sister above me. As long as I don't stand out too much, she probably won't pay much attention to me."
Madam Tao looked at her daughter's striking beauty and shook her head.
She and her late husband had both been good-looking, and their daughter had inherited the best of both. When she was younger, her features hadn't fully developed, but in the past two years, her face had bloomed.
A hibiscus-like face, willow-leaf brows, bright eyes, red lips, white teeth—her beauty stood out even without makeup.
With a face like this, even if her daughter tried to downplay herself, it would be difficult not to attract the Noble Consort's attention.