Chapter 10 The Formula Ma Ting drew back her gaze and studied the carved seal upon the wooden box. Her expression shifted with thought. Tang, who had served Ma Ting's mother from childhood, recognized the mark at once. "Ms. Ting, this incense cannot be purchased in Ming City. Even with wealth, one cannot obtain it." "I am aware." Ma Ting withdrew her hand. "Tang, I recall that my mother once crafted an orchid blend of fine elegance. Send it to House of Lord Zhu as a gift in return." The cool fragrance of the orchid seemed to suit Qi Rong well. When his duties were concluded, Qi Rong returned to his residence. The first sight that met him was Meng Ding grinning foolishly. He lifted a brow and tossed his whip across. "You smile like a wretch." Meng Ding's grin froze, and he pouted before hastily seizing the wooden box set aside. "My lord, this is the gift Ms. Ma gave in return. Shall you view it now, or later?" The words barely left his lips before he felt the chill of Qi Rong's gaze pierce through him. "You appear quite idle." Meng Ding flung up his hands. "No, I am not idle in the least! I shall work at once!" Even so, he placed the wooden box carefully before his master and slipped out, shutting the door behind him. Qi Rong leaned against the couch, polishing a dagger. Yet his gaze strayed often to the wooden box. After a long pause, he used the dagger's tip to pry it open. A delicate fragrance rose at once, and a familiar figure surfaced in his mind. Qi Rong's eyes darkened. He lifted one incense stick to his nose, inhaling deeply. A faint smile touched his lips. "It is quite pleasing." He set the stick into the burner and lit it. The soft fragrance filled the chamber, easing the weariness from his body. Without noticing, he drifted into slumber. When dawn broke, Qi Rong's eyes snapped open. His sharp gaze swept across the chamber, wary and unyielding, before it softened into a mask of practiced indifference. He fixed his eyes upon the pale threads of incense curling upward, his expression deep in thought. He wondered if she had noticed his restless nights, or if it had merely been chance. "Meng Ding, what is the hour?" The door opened at once, and Meng Ding entered with a how "Mulord the laki- "No." Qi Rong rose with steady poise and pointed to the wooden box upon the table. "Keep that. From this day onward, I will use only this incense." At those words, a flicker of unease crossed Meng Ding's face. The words escaped him without thought. "My lord, has the calming incense prepared by Healer Lin lost its virtue?" Qi Rong's cold glance shifted toward the other box. Meng Ding fell silent at once. He hurried forward, seized the old incense, and carried it away. When he was gone, Qi Rong donned a robe of pale violet, embroidered with threads of deep blue. With unhurried steps, he made his way to the lake gathering. Though it was styled as a spring outing upon boats, the season had only just turned, and the air still carried a brisk edge. After some thought, Ma Ting had Ding Jie dress her in a gown of pale violet trimmed with gold. Over it, she placed a soft cloak of fur embroidered with rabbits. The attire softened her sharp features and lent her an almost disarming grace. "Ms. Ting," Ding Jie murmured anxiously within the carriage, "I heard both sons of the Li family will attend today. You must keep your distance from them." Ma Ting's face betrayed no concern. "Ding Jie, tell me, which of the Li brothers do you deem the more distinguished?" Ding Jie thought with care before replying. "Master Guan, I would say. He is more capable. Yet it is a pity he was born of a concubine. If he were legitimate, his achievements might be far greater." A shadow crossed Ma Ting's gaze, though she spoke no further. If even a maid could perceive it, then how could Marquis Sunfair himself not? It was most likely the hand of Lady Chen's family at work. Were it not so, Marquis Sunfair would have already raised his favored concubine, Lady Ke, to the rank of primary wife. And Li Han's treatment of her mirrored that of his father. Indeed, sons so often bore the reflection of their sires. "Ms. Ma?" The carriage halted without warning. A man's voice, calm yet languid, drifted from outside. Ma Ting looked up. Through the thin curtain, she caught sight of a rider. "Lord Zhu, I wish you well." "If you are bound for the gathering, then permit me to escort you." Ma Ting froze, startled by his sudden proposal. The thought of arriving in company with Qi Rong, a man whose presence alone drew every eye in Ming City, made her temples tighten. She refused without hesitation. "My lord, I must first visit the jade shop. You should ride on ahead." Her refusal was clear. 2/4 The orchid blend. I merely ound it pleasing, and I am willing to pay dearly for She did not know his reason for desiring it, but her mother's warning echoed within her heart. The formula must never be shared. "My lord, my late mother left me strict instructions. The recipe for the orchid blend must never be revealed. Should you wish for more when it is spent, you may come to the Ma Residence and purchase it. I ask for your pardon." Qi Rong did not press further. "Very well. Then I shall not intrude. I will ride ahead." The rhythm of hooves faded into the distance. Ma Ting released a quiet breath, though her mind lingered on his sudden interest. She had never heard that the orchid blend held power beyond soothing the mind. And every shop within the city sold incense that promised the same. The formula was hardly unique. She whispered to herself, frowning. "What purpose does he seek in it?" Yet before she could recall the image of her mother mixing the incense, Ding Jie's voice broke her thought. The carriage had reached the lake. Ma Ting stepped down slowly. The moment her feet touched the earth, countless eyes turned toward her. Many were steeped with scorn and mockery. She ignored them and walked with Ding Jie through the crowd until she stood before the Eldest Princess, offering her gift. "Ms. Ma, do not depart so swiftly. Will you not sit and speak with me this day?" Princess Peng Yun's voice carried clear authority, and at once every whisper fell silent. A flicker of surprise stirred within Ma Ting's heart. She had spoken rarely with the princess before. Even so, she stepped forward without delay and took her seat by the princess' side. "I am already aware of everything that transpired yesterday, even if I was in my residence. The Li family is unworthy of you. You appear to be a virtuous young lady. From this day forward, why not address me as Aunt Wen? I do wish to take in a niece like you." The Eldest Princess had reached twenty-eight years of age. Years earlier, she had been grievously injured by a concubine of low birth and had borne only one son and one daughter. Both children had been raised within the palace walls, so she had grown used to a life of serenity. "Your Highness, I would never dare." Ma Ting answered quickly, her tone respectful and steady. She truly could not understand what the princess intended by such words. Her composure pleased the Eldest Princess even further. She cast a glance at the soft lavender figure lingering nearby, then 3/4 reached out and gently rested her hand upon Ma Ting's shoulder. "There is no need for excessive ceremony today. If you will not call me Aunt Wen, then call me Eldest Princess." "Thank you, Eldest Princess." Relief coursed through Ma Ting, and she followed the Princess onto the boat. The instant she entered the cabin, she felt the cutting weight of a stare directed at her. Her eyes shifted, and she met Li Han's glare, seething with malice. Yet in the very next heartbeat, he turned away, as though deliberately refusing to acknowledge her. Although his outward composure remained steady, Ma Ting's chest tightened with an unease she could not dismiss.