The Great Xia dynasty has a thriving incense culture, and the capital's most renowned incense-making families are the Su, Wang, and Xie clans.
One day, after the Su family presented incense to the Eastern Palace, the entire clan was wiped out. Only ten-year-old Su Tang survived, rescued in time. She left through the Jade Gate, crossed the Congling Mountains, and fled far away, all the way to Samarkand.
Six years later, An Juanshi, daughter of a Sogdian incense merchant, returned to Great Xia.
The very first step An Juanshi took toward returning to the incense trade and uncovering the truth brought her face-to-face with a familiar obstacle: Xie Xingzhou, the only son of the Xie family.
Years apart, and the unlucky boy from her sworn enemy's family had become a gifted incense maker. He beckoned to her as if bestowing a great favor.
"Hey, if you want to return to the capital so badly, why not team up with me and make a fresh start? We'll fight our way back together."
The Xie family was highly suspect in what had happened back then. Su Tang gave him a scornful look. "Me? With you? Dream on."
Who knew Xie Xingzhou would be so good at adapting? He quickly changed his tune and wheedled, "I misspoke. The Xie family has already disowned me. I'll have to bask in your reflected glory..."
Su Tang sneered. "How famous am I, exactly, if I'm supposed to be able to lend the young master of the Xie family my reputation?"
"Very famous indeed." Xie Xingzhou winked. "Everyone in the incense trade in Jinling says your nose is more sensitive than a dog's..."
Before he could finish, Xie Xingzhou suddenly let out a scream.
Through swirling winds and drifting snow, through three years of bitter winters and scorching summers, the Sogdian woman An Juanshi had made a name for herself in the world of incense and returned to the capital.
The emperor had been gravely ill for a long time. The Crown Prince's faction and the First Prince's faction were locked in a fierce struggle, and a storm was brewing in the capital.
Su Tang gently ground the incense ingredients with her mortar and said calmly, "Then let me add a new fragrance to the Eastern Palace."
Just then, someone gently took her hand. "Why not bring me along?"
Su Tang looked at him in shock and disbelief. "What are you doing here?"
Xie Xingzhou looked a little aggrieved. "Am I not allowed? Or did you plan to ditch me as soon as you got back to the capital?"
[Reader's Guide]
A spoiled Sogdian beauty and an incense-making genius (nope)
A hot-tempered, career-focused childhood sweetheart and a love-struck childhood friend who never says what he means (yep)
I accidentally opened preorders, but updates will come whenever they come.
P.S. My other novel is being updated regularly. Please add it to your favorites. Sending love!
Theme: Perseverance will eventually be rewarded.
