Chapter 8
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Xue Yao’s mother didn’t possess a similar scented pouch, but he made a promise to Consort Xi that he’d bring the pouch to her the following day.
After the recent scare, his mind raced, unintentionally stumbling upon an unusual ability — the power to grasp intricate plot details from the novel.
He had pondered this before. After all, it was just a light novel, so why did he remember the story so well?
Previously, he had tried to recall parts of the plot. The general storyline was easy to remember, but when it came to specific details, recollection proved quite taxing.
Just a moment ago, shaken by the fright, he instinctively delved into the memory of the plot concerning the tragic fate of Consort Xi’s unborn daughter. In his mind, the particulars of this scene surfaced: when Consort Tong’s loyal supporters plotted, they meticulously copied the spice formula inside this scented pouch.
Xue Yao possessed the ability to recall the exact proportions and quantities of the ingredients in the formula from his memory.
Delving into the detailed memories of this scene left Xue Yao feeling lightheaded and overwhelmed.
Perhaps this was a unique ability that drained his mental energy, as he could even retrieve details not explicitly mentioned in the novel.
After bidding farewell, Xue Yao didn’t immediately return to the Xue residence. He intended to craft a scented pouch with the same ingredients based on the formula he had recalled in his mind. He aimed to deliver it to Consort Xi the following day.
The materials for the secret scented pouch’s formula weren’t rare or precious herbs. They were readily available, and it was the specific combination and processing techniques that made them unique. These ingredients could be found at any herbal shop.
He could enlist the assistance of the herbal shop’s assistants for the preparation and processing.
Luckily, the Xue family had a relative who ran a spice shop on the backstreet near the Xue residence. Apart from the secret formula, the spice shop should have all the other ingredients.
This particular scented pouch didn’t require chemical synthesis. It just needed the ingredients to be ground into fine powder and prepared in the right proportions. It wasn’t time-consuming, so Xue Yao could ask the assistants from the family shop to help make it as quickly as possible.
With his plan in mind, Xue Yao headed to the herbal shop.
The assistants at the herbal shop were deft. They ground the herbs as per Xue Yao’s request, followed by mixing, cooking, and drying. The packaging was soon completed.
It took about half an hour, and they didn’t even charge for labor, just three hundred copper coins for the materials. The prices in the local market were truly fair.
Next, Xue Yao took the formula to the spice shop.
The spice shop’s assistant recognized Xue Yao and greeted him with a smile, saying that the spices ordered by the third branch hadn’t been delivered yet and would have to be picked up in a couple of days.
Xue Yao pretended he was running errands for Madam. “Madam has a new spice formula, and all the ingredients are readily available. You should have the necessary components here. Madam is in a hurry, so could you kindly ask the master perfumer to prepare it tonight?”
He handed over the recipe list to the assistant.
The recipe was a careful transcription done by the herbal shop’s assistant, detailing the proportions, weights, and preparation process.
Noticing the frequent use of the term “secret formula” in the recipe, the assistant inquired what Xue Yao meant by it.
Xue Yao handed the prepared herbal package to him and said, “This is a secret formula Madam purchased at a high price. It must be prepared while fresh.”
“No problem, we have all the ingredients listed on the sheet in our shop. Second Young Master, please come back tomorrow. We’ll work diligently to get it ready.”
Xue Yao took out a handful of copper coins and handed them to the assistant, emphasizing once more, “Madam needs it urgently. It must be ready by early tomorrow.”
The assistant gladly accepted the reward, promising to ensure it was done.
Early the next day, Xue Yao picked up the prepared spices. He sniffed the aroma. There was hardly any difference. He left for the palace full of confidence.
Consort Xi smelled the scented pouch and knew Xue Yao hadn’t lied.
She lowered her hand slowly, not displaying anger in her expression, just a bewildered gaze out at the plants and trees beyond the palace.
The only sister she trusted in the palace was the one plotting against her.
Thinking of how Consort Tong had shown her such affection, Consort Xi took a slow breath, her tears falling like broken pearls.
Xue Yao understood why she was sad, but he had to play his part and pretend to be surprised. “Your Highness, what’s the matter? Is there something different about the scent?”
A nearby palace maid shook her head, signaling him to remain silent.
Xue Yao immediately lowered his head and stepped back a couple of paces.
The palace maid took the scented pouch that Consort Tong had given Consort Xi from her hand and exclaimed, “This servant will go burn this deceptive thing!”
Consort Xi, with tears in her eyes, shook her head. “We can’t burn it. This scented pouch must be kept. If she discovers it’s gone, who knows what other schemes she’ll come up with to harm me. Let’s act as if we’re oblivious and just replace the herbs inside.”
The palace maid nodded in agreement. Seeing Consort Xi’s deep sorrow, she offered quiet consolation, “Your Highness, there’s no need to be sad. You have the Emperor’s favor, so why care about the sincerity of that petty person?”
Consort Xi, with a woeful expression, replied, “How long can the Emperor’s favor last? In the end, I am a lonely and helpless soul.”
She took a deep breath, looked at Xue Yao with a troubled expression, and extended her hand. “Good child, come here.”
Consort Xi’s every gesture and movement carried a unique charm. Her eyes were glistening with tears, her expression filled with sorrow, yet exuding an ethereal beauty. With her flawless features and graceful demeanor, Xue Yao truly witnessed the essence of classical beauty.
It was no wonder that even twenty years later, there were still plenty of villains plotting against Consort Xi. This woman was beautiful to her very core.
Xue Yao had lived for over twenty years before his transmigration, and he had never blushed for anyone. But at this moment, he found his heart racing as he gazed at Consort Xi.
However, knowing that those cannon fodders who lusted after Consort Xi’s beauty had all been brutally executed by Prince Ning, Xue Yao immediately became righteous and uninterested, walking forward with a resolute spirit.
Consort Xi grasped his hand and spoke gently, “It’s rare for you to be willing to tell me the truth. This time, you’ve not only helped me but also helped me see through people’s hearts. What reward would you like?”
Xue Yao pretended not to understand her words and exclaimed in surprise, “Help? I only spoke the truth, Your Highness. The scent you use is indeed similar to my mother’s. I really like this fragrance.”
Consort Xi smiled, as if a blossoming spring flower, her eyes glistening with tears. “What is your name? Who are your parents? What do you do for a living?”
Xue Yao answered each question one by one.
After listening, Consort Xi asked him, “Would you be willing to study together with Old Seventh?”
Xue Yao was taken aback.
Was this an invitation to hug the Ultimate Golden Thighs?
Would he be transitioning from a villain to a protagonist?
Did he manage to preserve his ear and tailbone, after all?
After a brief burst of excitement, he regained his composure.
This wouldn’t work.
Before the Seventh Prince came of age, he would face numerous hardships, with almost all the righteous allies around him perishing.
Being the cannon fodder who took the blame for the male protagonist could be as perilous as circling the Earth ten times!
Xue Yao was well aware of the original plot. Before the Seventh Prince came of age, the Third Prince and Eldest Prince were the safest Golden Thighs. He couldn’t change his allegiance for now.
Seeing his hesitation, the palace maid was about to reprimand him but was stopped by Consort Xi’s raised hand.
Consort Xi continued to gaze kindly at Xue Yao and said, “I like children like you who are without deceit. If you’re willing to come to Qingqiong Hall, I can triple your monthly allowance.”
Although Consort Xi was not currently in power, she was, after all, the mother of Long Aotian. Xue Yao couldn’t afford to offend her, so he quickly replied, “I also wish to serve Consort Xi and the Seventh Prince. However, this matter needs to be discussed with my father first.”
A hint of disappointment crossed Consort Xi’s face.
As soon as Xue Yao mentioned that his father was an official in the Ministry of Rites, it was certain he wouldn’t agree to let his son become her Old Seventh’s reader-in-waiting.
In the entire court, who didn’t know that her Old Seventh didn’t have the fate of becoming the Crown Prince? If he were to seek refuge, he would only do so with the most promising Eldest Prince.
Even if they wanted to pull strings, they should opt for the Third Prince. In any case, her Old Seventh didn’t have a role, and she blamed herself as a foreigner for being his mother.
Although Consort Xi was disappointed, she didn’t blame Xue Yao. She even had a palace maid give him a red envelope as a token of gratitude.
After leaving Qingqiong Hall, Xue Yao curiously opened the red envelope and found a banknote inside, with a face value of fifty taels.
Going by the prices in Great Qi, this was equivalent to over thirty thousand Chinese yuan!
The little fairy was indeed generous.
Carrying the substantial amount and preparing to leave the palace, he suddenly heard a notification sound in his mind: 【Whitewashing Points +95】
The palace maid had probably cleaned the spices from the scented pouch.
Xue Yao did the math and realized that 95 Whitewashing Points were 20 more than he had been awarded for saving the Old Madam.
Did that mean indirectly saving a life only earned him 75 Whitewashing Points?
Out of his current 167 Whitewashing Points, Xue Yao would have 37 left to spend on food after opening the Foodmart, which required 130 points.
Xue Yao excitedly wondered if he could exchange for processed foods from his own era, like spicy sticks or something.
He quickened his pace, eager to get back home and try it out.
When he passed by the east gate of Huaxing Court, he saw two familiar eunuchs approaching.
The eunuchs on duty in the palace couldn’t casually exchange greetings, and Xue Yao hadn’t closely identified them. He was about to pass by when those two men swiftly blocked his path.
The taller eunuch greeted him in a high-pitched voice, “Second Young Master Xue, Consort Tong would like to have a conversation with you in the palace. Please accompany us.”
Xue Yao was momentarily stunned. Consort Tong wanted to have a conversation with him?
Consort Tong didn’t even know him, did she?
Could it be that there was a spy among the eunuchs serving Consort Xi?
If that were the case, then all of his actions in Consort Xi’s palace would likely be known to Consort Tong!
Xue Yao’s heart suddenly grew cold.
The formula in the scented pouch was specially crafted by a sorcerer at Consort Tong’s request. It wasn’t available in the common market, and Xue Yao had falsely claimed that his mother had a similar scented pouch that she couldn’t wear during pregnancy.
This was a clear sign of knowledge about the scented pouch’s secret!
How was he going to explain this?
“Second Young Master Xue? Don’t be nervous. Consort Tong just wants to ask you a few questions.”
“Oh… alright.” Xue Yao reluctantly regained his composure.
Regardless of the situation, Consort Tong couldn’t possibly resort to murder. After all, Xue Yao was the son of a government official.
But with this turn of events, his betrayal of Consort Tong likely meant he couldn’t stay by the Third Prince’s side any longer.
With Xue Qiong by the Eldest Prince’s side, Madam Chen wouldn’t allow her husband to pull any strings to help Xue Yao secure a position.
Xue Yao sighed bitterly. It seemed he truly had to become a reader-in-waiting for the Seventh Prince.
His previous efforts in the Xue household, primarily for protecting the Old Madam, had finally earned him a bit of standing. Now, if he went to serve the not-yet-four-year-old Seventh Prince, he would undoubtedly become the subject of ridicule throughout the entire household.
Especially Madam Chen and her son, Xue Qiong, who would probably be grinning from ear to ear…
After all, no one knew that the chubby Seventh Prince would one day ascend to the throne and dominate the world.
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