Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 17

“You’re about to meet an important person. It would be best not to cover your face with a scarf; that would be too disrespectful,” the Marchioness said to Wen Zhuojin as they approached the banquet hall. Her tone carried the instructive weight of a matron reprimanding her daughter. Before her words had fully landed, she noticed Wen Zhuojin had already pulled down her scarf.

Even the Marchioness and her family, who lived under the same roof as Wen Zhuojin, rarely saw her full face over the past two years.

Seeing Wen Zhuojin’s face fully revealed, both the Marchioness and Wen Peishu were momentarily stunned.

In their impression, Wen Zhuojin had always been pale and sickly. While her features were undeniably beautiful, she had little vitality, often appearing submissive and unremarkable.

Even during her earlier request for jewelry and money, she looked soft and pitiable. Despite being able to attend the flower-viewing banquet, her marriage had always been controlled by her parents, making her a mere pawn in their hands.

But now, Wen Zhuojin looked completely different.

Her complexion was radiant, her lips full, and her bright eyes sparkled with energy. She exuded an air of vitality that made her seem approachable, healthy, and vibrant.

Such an impression clashed with the previous image of a modest and yielding young woman.

“I understand perfectly, Madam. Let’s head inside before we block the way and cause a scene,” Wen Zhuojin replied with a slight smile, her eyes curving into crescents.

“I’m merely reminding you that when you meet the important guests, be sure to observe proper etiquette. Address them correctly and don’t embarrass the Marquis’ household,” the Marchioness added, her expression slightly stiff. She coughed lightly, adjusting her tone before pulling Wen Peishu forward.

Wen Peishu glanced back at Wen Zhuojin, feeling an inexplicable sense of foreboding. Wen Zhuojin seemed prepared for something significant, heightening her unease.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that if Wen Zhuojin so desired, she could reclaim the engagement with the Duke’s heir at any moment.

No, that engagement was hers!

“Don’t lose focus. The Duchess is here today as well,” the Marchioness whispered a reminder to Wen Peishu, who bit her lip and quickly followed her mother into the banquet hall.

Wen Zhuojin trailed behind at an unhurried pace.

She had heard rumors of toxic incense being used and would have preferred to cover herself more thoroughly. However, she had come to the banquet to connect with certain people, and covering her nose and mouth would be impolite. For now, she would endure until the incense was lit.

The banquet hall was already bustling with guests. Though the formal proceedings had yet to begin, the matriarchs of various families were busy introducing their daughters and exchanging pleasantries.

The Marchioness had frequently brought Wen Peishu to such gatherings, whereas Wen Zhuojin, who found such socializing tedious and insincere, often feigned illness to avoid attending. The Marchioness had been more than happy to leave her behind.

Now, the Marchioness held herself with the poise of a hostess, fully expecting Wen Zhuojin to seek her guidance. She was prepared to lecture Wen Zhuojin harshly if she made a fool of herself, only to magnanimously smooth things over, showcasing her maternal authority and grace.

However, much to her surprise, Wen Zhuojin quickly became the center of attention.

Wen Zhuojin…

She appeared to be well-acquainted with these noblewomen and young ladies, greeting and conversing with them naturally. Surprisingly, they seemed to enjoy talking with her as well.

“My health was indeed poor in recent years,” she said, smiling gently, “but after visiting the Heavenly Xuan Palace to offer sincere prayers several times and using some incense, I started to feel much better. I must thank the Heavenly Goddess for her blessings.”

“In my free time, I also make my own blended incense. The fragrance I’m using now is one of my own creations. It can be placed in a censer to scent clothing.”

“I added Golden Fragrance to sandalwood to make the aroma softer and more elegant.”

“In winter, when the skin gets dry, I use a blend of Fragrant Hand Balm and brain incense to make scented creams for hands and face. They’re both fragrant and moisturizing. I have some in my sachet. Madam, if you don’t mind, you’re welcome to try it.”

“You flatter me, Madam. It’s not that there’s anything special about my health. The effects are simply due to the incense. Before coming here, I used a lozenge I crafted myself. Madam, would you like to try one? It’s just a little trinket, nothing of great value.”

Wen Zhuojin first deliberately emphasized her alignment with the Heavenly Goddess’s teachings, establishing a connection with everyone present. She then tailored her views on incense to suit the interests of each individual she interacted with.

Thanks to the influence of the Heavenly Xuan Palace, the art of incense-making was highly popular among the nobility.

Whether out of genuine passion or a pretense of refinement, most had some understanding of it.

Though buying and selling incense was forbidden, it was acceptable to privately craft it for personal enjoyment.

Many noblewomen and young ladies dabbled in incense-making, but few possessed natural talent like Wen Zhuojin.

The scents Wen Zhuojin wore today were intentionally chosen for their strong diffusion and rich aroma. She had precisely calculated the timing so that the sachet’s fragrance would reach its peak as she entered the hall, warmed by the rising temperature.

Accompanied by the delightful scent of her incense, Wen Zhuojin’s friendly smile, sweet voice, and slow, soothing tone made her the undeniable center of attention. She spoke about topics that fascinated the noblewomen and young ladies, naturally drawing everyone’s focus to her.

Off to the side, Wen Peishu widened her eyes in disbelief.

How dare Wen Zhuojin claim she went to the Heavenly Xuan Palace to sincerely offer prayers?

Every time, she’d sneak off elsewhere! Such shameless boasting!

And when had Wen Zhuojin turned into someone so fragrant, as if she were a peacock suddenly spreading its feathers?

How could she be this ostentatious?!

Seeing even the Duchess of the Duke’s household, who had been speaking with her, turn her attention to Wen Zhuojin, Wen Peishu grew even more irritated. Wen Zhuojin and the Duchess were now enthusiastically conversing, with Wen Zhuojin even recommending specific fragrances for the Duchess’s daily use. She had even pulled out incense balls to gift her as a form of flattery.

Wen Peishu gripped the jade pendant hanging from her waist—a token of her engagement—and shot Wen Zhuojin a sharp glare, fully ready for battle.

If Wen Zhuojin dared to snatch this marriage from her, she would not stand for it!

Before Wen Peishu could take any action, she saw Wen Zhuojin turn away from the Duchess of the Duke’s household and strike up an enthusiastic conversation with the wife of a Prince.

What was she doing now?

Could Wen Zhuojin possibly be aiming to marry into the royal family?!

Impossible!

Royal marriages wouldn’t even consider a family like the Marquis of Jing’an. They wouldn’t care about mere physical beauty either.

As Wen Peishu stood there with a conflicted expression, Wen Zhuojin had already managed to acquaint herself with more than half the noblewomen in attendance.

It was Wen Zhuojin’s first time facing such a large crowd. Though she wasn’t particularly fond of socializing, she found the insincerity of casual pleasantries uncomfortable.

Moreover, the hall’s closed space, combined with the high temperature from the underfloor heating and the mix of unpleasant odors, made the sensitive Wen Zhuojin feel slightly uncomfortable.

Still, she bore with it.

Fortunately, her years of dedicated study in the art of incense-making gave her confidence. When discussing incense, her focus and composure naturally shone through.

In recent days, Wen Zhuojin had been investigating ways to legally and properly sell incense products.

Becoming an Imperial Merchant would allow her to run official stores—a cheaper but exceedingly difficult path.

This was because the title of Imperial Merchant was typically hereditary. New applicants had to go through a complex series of procedures, spend vast sums of silver, and secure influential connections within the court. Even well-established merchant families hesitated to pursue this risky goal.

Another option was to gain the favor of an existing Imperial Merchant and supply goods to them.

Alternatively, she could win the support of a noble patron who could recommend her to an Imperial Merchant with the qualifications to trade incense—or even to the Heavenly Xuan Palace itself.

The Heavenly Xuan Palace was a special kind of Imperial Merchant, offering the widest range of incense products.

For instance, incense sticks used for official rituals could only be purchased through the Heavenly Xuan Palace; other official stores were prohibited from selling them.

Although being a supplier for an official merchant yielded less profit than selling independently, it was far safer and ensured immunity from legal trouble.

Securing a supply contract would open doors to further opportunities in the future.

Thinking of her beautiful older sister, Wen Zhuojin felt a renewed surge of motivation.

“The better she performs today and the more she pleases the Duchess, the sooner the marriage with the Cheng family will be finalized. What, do you think she could defy her parents’ authority and arrange her own marriage? Stop making such an expression; you’ll only draw ridicule from others,” the Marchioness, more experienced and composed, whispered firmly to Wen Peishu, who was on the verge of losing her temper.

Wen Peishu gritted her teeth, still doubting whether the Marchioness truly had the final say.

What if these noblewomen all started vying for Wen Zhuojin?

Father would undoubtedly choose the most prestigious match!

Before Wen Zhuojin could finish mingling, the banquet officially began, forcing her to take her seat.

The hostess, County Princess Yi Shu, entered with her daughter and a young Daoist priestess.

“This is Jing He, an immortal priestess from the Heavenly Xuan Palace and a master of incense artistry. Immortal Priestess, I must trouble you to perform the divine incense ceremony,” the County Princess said with utmost respect toward the priestess.

An incense master’s role was essentially to showcase the fragrance of incense, carefully controlling the timing and heat to bring out its best qualities.

Observing how the County Princess, someone revered by most of the gathered noblewomen, treated this priestess—who appeared to be under twenty—with such deference, Wen Zhuojin sighed inwardly. The status of the Heavenly Xuan Palace truly was extraordinary.

This so-called “divine incense” likely cost an astronomical amount of silver, and it even required a specialist to perform the burning.

Wen Zhuojin watched the priestess’s every move as she held a dust whisk, performing numerous unnecessary motions that resembled an awkward dance.

The prelude alone took nearly half a stick of incense’s time.

Yet everyone watched intently, as if mesmerized.

Finally, the incense-burning began. The priestess struck a fire starter to light the incense, and Wen Zhuojin frowned immediately.

Using a fire starter? How unprofessional—this would already affect the fragrance.

As the aroma spread through the room, the noblewomen and young ladies all displayed expressions of delight, carefully savoring the scent.

Wen Zhuojin’s expression shifted subtly as her hand instinctively moved toward her scarf. In the end, she restrained herself.

This scent—it bore a striking resemblance to the incense she had smelled at the Heavenly Xuan Palace.

But its fragrance was unpleasant, almost unsettling.

The scent seemed to stir emotions, causing Wen Zhuojin to feel a faint sense of agitation herself.

However, lacking any genuine belief in the Heavenly Goddess, her distaste for the current scene only deepened. At the same time, her longing for the beautiful elder sister back in Wujiao Alley grew stronger, making her wish she could leave immediately and return home.

Yet, with her goal of unraveling the mystery of incense poisoning still in mind, Wen Zhuojin forced herself to remain still, carefully analyzing the scent and memorizing its unique characteristics.

Among the ingredients added to the incense, there were likely traces of the so-called “divine flowers” often mentioned by others.

Could the incense poisoning affecting her beautiful elder sister also involve “divine flowers”?

As Wen Zhuojin focused intently on deciphering the scent, an oddly alluring voice suddenly echoed in her mind:

“I am willing… Please show mercy.”

Startled, she glanced down to find a tearful woman, her eyes glistening, leaning against her chest, gasping softly.

Wen Zhuojin’s heart skipped a beat, and she pinched herself to stay grounded.

“Goddess Xuan! Y-You’ve come! Goddess Xuan, please accept my humble bow!”

Someone’s excited shout abruptly pulled Wen Zhuojin back to reality. It was a girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old standing near County Princess Yi Shu.

As the girl dropped to her knees and performed a deep bow, everyone else—whether they had seen anything or not—followed suit and knelt down.

Wen Zhuojin, too, lowered herself to the ground.

The atmosphere was charged with emotion, and many in the room appeared deeply moved.

The young girl, in particular, was in an almost hysterical state, murmuring reverently as though conversing with the Heavenly Goddess and receiving her guidance.

Wen Zhuojin felt a chill run down her spine at the eerie display, but the others looked on with envy in their eyes.