CH 33

The silver fragrance ball looked small and simple, but the craftsmanship of the artisan was extremely demanding. If there was a slight mistake, the herbal ash in the small pellet would spill out, and the leakage of the fragrance would not be small. In case the clothes and bedding got burned, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Zhou Liangyu’s forging talent was high, though not like a real blacksmith. He worked for seven or eight days to make a silver fragrance ball.

The surface of the small ball was outlined with flower and bird patterns. When the herbs were ignited, curls of green smoke along the seams overflowed. If placed inside the sleeve, a slight warmth could be felt, and the body would be enshrouded with fragrance. It was really good.

Holding the gilt silver fragrance ball in her small white hand, Zhou Qing’s eyes shone. She rushed to Zhou Liangyu and said, “Brother has worked hard. Although this thing is not comparable to herbal incense, it could provide emergency aid. As long as this is sent to the Xie Manor, I can visit the place once every few days in the future to avoid frequent visits.”

The Jin Yi guards would kill people as if they were flies. In the eyes of the people of Great Zhou, they were no different from blood-soaked evil spirits. Even if Xie Chong was kind to the Zhou family and did not kill indiscriminately, Zhou Liangyu was still worried and did not want his sister to make further contact with this kind of shadowy people.

Glancing at the fragrance ball rolling back and forth, the man’s gentle and handsome face showed a trace of eccentricity, and could not help but say, “Had I known that this was for that nobleman, I would have left a few air holes. Why bother to carve out the patterns of flowers and birds?”

Zhou Qing disapprovingly looked at him, “You cannot say such a thing. Everything has to be perfect and strive to be the best. The most difficult step to making the fragrance ball is not the engraving on the surface but the rings and hinges connected inside. My eldest brother has done most of it. You cannot start strong and finish weak. You must not destroy things for the sake of nothing…”

“Well, what Qing’er said is right. You quickly send this item to the Xie Manor. Otherwise, if you delay any longer, Xie Yi will be at our door again.” Thinking of the guard who often came to the door of their Herbal Store, Zhou Liangyu only felt a headache. He spread out the rice paper, ready to transcribe the Heart Sutra again.

In recent times, she did not know what was going on. Obviously, the city was very calm, and she had not heard of any corrupt officials being convicted. But Xie Chong often traversed to and from the Imperial Prison. His body was covered with blood, and he evidently did not listen to what Zhou Qing said.

The woman secretly shook her head. When the carriage stopped in front of the Xie Manor, she supported herself against the carriage’s wall. When she raised her gaze, she happened to see Xie Yi.

Astonishment colored the guard’s face, and he couldn’t help but ask, “Why did Madam Luo come over? Such a coincidence. This subordinate planned to come over and pick you up at the Herbal Store.” 

Zhou Qing could not help but frown. There was a faint concern in those almond eyes, “Is the Commander having another headache? Although the soup medicine is useless, and heavenly pig brain and the other ingredients are the most nourishing for the brain. Typically, one can stew some soup. It is not impossible to have some relief with some of them.”

Xie Yi shook his head and complained, “Mrs. Luo does not know. The Commander has the most obstinate nature. Once a decision is made, nine cows cannot pull it back. As subordinates, no matter what we say, he would not listen.”

At these words, Zhou Qing could not help but sigh. So she listened more as Xie Yi continued, “But when you prepare the tranquilizing incense, the Lord’s mind will calm down. If you can take the opportunity and persuade him with a few words, although it is not guaranteed, it still has some use.”

This was not a false statement. As Xie Chong’s confidant, Xie Yi could also guess a few of his thoughts. A quiet and calm woman, like Mrs. Luo, was the most suitable for the Commander. If one did not have such thoughts, it must be a lie.

In this way, as long as Zhou Qing opened her mouth to persuade, the weight must be different from the next person.

After hesitating for a while, she nodded in response. After all, Xie Chong was not only the benefactor of the Zhou family but also Zheng’er’s father, so he should take good care of his health. If something went wrong with the medullary sea, it would be life-threatening.

Raising her hand to knock lightly on the door, Zhou Qing said softly, “Sir, Zhou requests to see you.”

After practicing martial arts for many years, Xie Chong’s perception was very keen. He heard the sound of light footsteps early on. His adam’s apple slid up and down, and his voice was slightly hoarse, “Come in.”

Zhou Qing pushed the door in, bowed to him, then walked to the desk and sat on the futon. She did not rush to mix herbs as usual. Instead, she took out a silver ball the size of a chicken egg and placed it on the table.

With a sense of foreboding rising in his heart, Xie Chong asked, “What is this object?”

“This object is called a Gilt Silver Fragrance Ball. This is an herbal vessel from the previous dynasty, and there is a small pellet inside made of herbs to burn. You can carry it with you. So even if you go to the Imperial Prison, you do not need to worry about blood rushing in.”

The woman’s gentle voice was like a spring, crisp and pleasant, which Xie Chong enjoyed very much. However, today, he did not know what was wrong. It seemed that a malevolent fire had risen in his heart, burning more and more vigorously, with a risk for prairie fire.

Black eyes fixed on the woman in front of him. Xie Chong furrowed his eyebrows and said in a cold voice, “Miss Zhou brought the fragrance ball but did not want to come to my Xie Manor anymore?”

Seeing the veins at the back of the man’s hand bursting, Zhou Qing was somewhat puzzled and did not understand why he was angry.

She took out the blood-soaked tranquilizing herb from her sleeve, lit the herbal cake, and slowly explained, “The fragrance ball is very convenient. But in terms of its tranquilizing effect, it is far inferior to the Xuande furnace. I have to come to your house every few days to disturb you, so how could I not want to come to the Xie Manor?”

“How many days?” Xie Chong asked.

“About four or five days?” Zhou Qing was not sure. After all, the fragrance ball was only recently created. Although she had tried it once at home, she had no problems with the medulla sea. Whether it could bring out the full effect of the tranquilizing herb or not, remained uncertain.

“Put more herbal coals in the small pellet. The aroma can last a whole day. The fragrance ball can be sent back to the Herbal Store before sunset. This small woman will send someone to send it back early in the morning of the next day…”

“It’s too much trouble.” The man said categorically.

Compared to going in and out of the Xie Manor and allowing people to spy on them, Zhou Qing did not find it troublesome, sending a boy to run errands back and forth instead. She lifted the tea cup, gently blew away the thick steam, and helplessly said, “In another month or two, this little child will start showing. In the future, the body will be too heavy to blend herbs for you. The fragrance ball will become the best substitute. Please bear with me.”

When his eyes fell on the woman’s belly, Xie Chong’s body tightened. With gritted teeth, he said, “Miss Zhou did not mention it. This official forgot that you have long been married and even pregnant.”

The scorching gaze was like a burning charcoal fire. Zhou Qing appeared to be a little uncomfortable. Her lips pursed, and her white face had a trace of red. She did not know how to react and simply remained silent, holding the herbal spoon and flattening the herbal ash spread on the herbal cake.

The room fell into silence. After a long time, she suddenly remembered Xie Yi’s instructions and tentatively said, “Lord, you are often disturbed by headaches. Why not eat something to nourish the body, such as pig brains, to make up for your body? Though, I’m not sure if it can benefit you.”

Xie Chong’s face was expressionless as he said, “That thing is the fishiest. This official will not eat it.”