Chapter 630: Family Genealogy

Qin Yuan sighed.

The formulas on the soft silk were largely aimed at tricky and difficult illnesses, and indeed, there was a detoxifying incense recipe among them.

If it were in the past life, learning it would just be learning, after all, the Chen family’s bloodline could not be traced, and only she remained.

But now...

Qin Yuan looked at the family genealogy placed on the table.

The graceful script of hairpin flowers in small seal script was evidently her mother’s handwriting, and each name was annotated with tiny characters.

The Chen family originated from Gusu, and the court had a long-standing policy of relocating Southern people to the north and Northern people to the south, with the place of exile being the harsh land of Ningguta.

She had three uncles, her mother being the youngest, often staying in a nunnery due to being young and frail, where the old nun was her grandmother’s old friend, thus avoiding the punishment of exile and growing up in the nunnery.

After growing up, her mother wanted to become a nun and prayed for her parents and brothers before Buddha, hoping for an early reunion, but later, following the abbess’s advice, she married into the Qin Family as a good concubine with the Chen family’s leftover valuables and medical books.

The uncles should have sent messages to the capital previously.

Her mother infused the genealogy with the longing suppressed in her heart, detailing the birth and death dates of the eldest uncle, and there were no records for the second uncle. The youngest uncle should have had a son, born in Ningguta, it’s unknown if he survived.

Grandfather died in the barren wilderness on the way to Ningguta.

Grandmother might still be alive.

Qin Yuan’s fingers trembled slightly as she touched the genealogy, and now that she had seen this genealogy, these incense recipes should logically be left to her uncles’ descendants.

Yet, Yelv Xianyong needs saving too.

After pondering for half a day, she placed several fragrances on the table and began grinding and steaming them.

Even though she couldn’t learn, she had photographic memory, having memorized all the incense recipes and, unknowingly, realized the differences between the two incense recipes’ use of medicine.

Both were Chen family incense recipes.

One subtly harmonized fragrance with pharmacology, fragrance as the ruler, medicine as the minister.

The other combined medicine and fragrance without separating ruler and minister, maximizing medicinal properties.

Although she couldn’t use the incense recipes on the soft silk, she could mix new ones following their principles, less effective than the original but still achieving seventy percent efficacy.

Understanding came quickly, by midday Qin Yuan had concocted two fragrances, made into incense pills, packaged them separately in boxes, and sent them to Renhe Hall for Doctor Li to inspect before having lunch.

Marquis Gu had not returned from the Great Camp, so Qin Yuan ordered Hong Ye and Cui Ming to accompany her, the three chatting over lunch.

Hong Ye said, "On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the city gates are traditionally opened wide, the Emperor celebrates with the citizens, no curfew is imposed, should we go touch the gate nails?"

In folk festivals, touching gate nails fulfills all wishes.

Women wish for children, unmarried girls wish for a satisfactory husband.

Hong Ye didn’t know what she wished for, and Cui Ming couldn’t help but laugh, saying, "Aren’t we going to enjoy the lanterns first? Shen Changle has set up many new things on the street where Ranxiang Inn is; we should go support him. If there’s anything he hasn’t thought of, we can help."

Hong Ye was easy-going: "No worries, everyone will look at lanterns, walk the streets, touch gate nails, cross the long bridge until sunrise, then disperse. Let’s go to Ranxiang Inn to see the lanterns first. Didn’t Shen Changle say he and Manager Leng want to compete with the Book Pavilion, I want to see how they plan to do it."

Qin Yuan said, "This year’s lantern festival will certainly be better than previous years, the Empress Dowager’s birthday, the Capital Governor Mansion is thinking of ways for businesses to decorate, the Five Cities Military Department has been busy early on. Sister-in-law Cheng has complained countless times, saying Lord Assistant Commander Gu is so busy he doesn’t touch the ground, the house has turned into an inn, leaving before the rooster crows, coming back while the dog snores."

The Emperor has asked the Secretariat to assign generals to patrol and guard the city, in case of emergencies, moreover, with the dry weather and lanterns everywhere, fire prevention and theft are crucial.

As Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the Five Cities Military Department, Patrol Camp, imperial guard, and Suburban Camp are all busy with drills, fearing mistakes on the Mid-Autumn night, being remembered by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.

Even Marquis Gu hasn’t been idle these two days.

Mrs. Dai’s complaints were truly amusing, Hong Ye couldn’t help but giggle.

Cui Ming asked, "I wonder if Sister-in-law Cheng is accustomed to the guest room, the Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet isn’t convenient for two families to celebrate together, only those in the guest rooms managing it may feel a bit lonely."

Hong Ye said, "That’s unavoidable, a family banquet shouldn’t be celebrated with another family, Mr. Songshan must also stay alone. It makes little difference, on the Mid-Autumn day Mr. Cheng has work, Mr. Songshan manages the information at Feiyun Pavilion, where can he find time."

Qin Yuan put down her chopsticks, smiling, "Even I can’t find time that day, other arrangements are in place, just making an appearance. The Old Madam also said the palace is hosting a banquet, family sacrifices and our own celebrations must be staggered, do what’s needed, as long as it’s meaningful, a day or two difference doesn’t matter. Since it’s not on the exact day, combining good wishes, celebrating together isn’t impossible."

Hong Ye said, "If we celebrate together, we can’t avoid that pair of twins."

Qin Yuan smiled silently.

How to arrange that pair of twins is up to the Marquis’s orders.

A little maid entered to clear the bowls, cups, and plates, hearing their joy, smiling with pursed lips: "The maid remembers someone mentioned inviting everyone for Mid-Autumn drinks, wonder if it’ll happen; everyone secretly discussed it yesterday."

Hong Ye slapped her forehead, "I forgot," and started planning with Cui Ming.

"Hong Mian bet with that nanny to use her monthly allowance to treat us. Just that day we don’t have to follow Miss to the palace, the girls in Wutong Garden can gather to feast and cheer, once done, we go see the lanterns, play all night and return. Making merry one night a year is worth it."

The little maid was hooked, couldn’t help but add, "Can we go play all night too, two sisters?"

Hong Ye said, "Naturally, not able, we take turns, by the time you grow up it’ll be your turn."

It sounded hopeful, the little maid said, "Alright then, if you go out to play, could you bring back some unusual trinkets?"

Cui Ming laughed, "Whether eatable or playable, always bring something back, you quickly tidy and leave, madam needs to rest."

The little maid shrank her neck and hurried her actions.

Qin Yuan asked Hong Ye, "You’re still thinking about eating Hong Mian’s feast, are you planning to resolve your enmity?"

Hong Ye said seriously, "The enmity with her is unlikely to resolve, otherwise anyone dare to bully me. But since she promised everyone the feast, which partly relies on me, why shouldn’t I partake? Due to me not joining the feast, the girls below would all call me stingy, what if she complains behind my back and fuels rumors, or excludes me for others and leaves me out, then I’d need less bother. In future matters, rely on one’s abilities."

Implying she would eat the feast but hold grudges, yet wouldn’t hinder the master’s business.