latelenovela Chapter 132 Incense Making (2)
Chapter 132 Incense Making (2)
After Zhi Xiang ground all the dried orange peels into powder, Su Nuannuan began to process the orange peel powder.
With practiced ease, she picked up a fine-mesh sieve and gently shook it, allowing the orange peel powder to slowly fall through the sieve holes. After this meticulous sifting process, the fine, flour-like orange peel powder was retained, while the relatively coarse particles were ruthlessly discarded.
After completing the sieving process, Su Nuannuan instructed Zhixiang to quickly fetch the prepared nanmu powder. After Zhixiang brought the nanmu powder and accurately weighed it, Su Nuannuan carefully poured it into the container containing the orange peel powder.
Then, she stirred and turned the two powders with both hands until they were completely mixed together, presenting a uniform and harmonious state.
Then, Su Nuannuan slowly poured in an appropriate amount of water and began to knead it repeatedly with her hands, as if she were shaping a precious work of art.
Gradually, the originally loose powder condensed into a soft and moist fragrant mud.
Once the fragrant mud was successfully kneaded, Su Nuannuan divided it into two portions. One portion would be used to make fragrant incense balls, while the other would be crafted into a unique backflow incense.
Making the incense balls is a simple and easy process—just take a small piece from the clay and gently knead it with your skillful hands, and you'll soon have round and cute little incense balls.
However, Su Nuannuan did not rush to work on the clay that was about to be made into backflow incense. Instead, she first found a clean cup, then steadily placed it upside down on top of the clay, as if covering it with a mysterious veil.
Su Nuannuan planned to let the clay "sleep" quietly for an hour, allowing it to fully awaken and achieve a better production result.
During the entire hour-long wait, Su Nuannuan and Zhixiang were not idle. They sat at the table, completely absorbed in making the incense balls.
With rhythmic kneading motions, tiny, exquisite scented balls were continuously produced in their hands, emitting a faint orange fragrance. The entire room was filled with this fresh and pleasant aroma, making one feel completely immersed in it.
"Your Highness, is that fragrant mud meant to be made into incense sticks?" Zhixiang blinked her bright eyes, her gaze fixed on the covered fragrant mud, and asked with a face full of doubt.
Su Nuannuan smiled slightly, gently shook her head, and softly replied, "I won't make incense sticks. This time, I plan to try making a completely new kind of incense—backflow incense." After saying that, she carefully placed a small, round incense ball that she had just rolled into a small round sieve next to her.
Upon hearing the unfamiliar name, Zhixiang's curiosity was instantly piqued, and she eagerly asked, "Backflow Incense? What kind of incense is that? I've never heard of it before!"
Su Nuannuan smiled mysteriously and patiently explained, "This backflow incense is a very unique aromatherapy product. Generally speaking, the smoke produced when ordinary incense burns rises, but this backflow incense is different. Its smoke doesn't rise like usual, but flows slowly downwards like a babbling brook. The scene is simply beautiful, like smoke and mist, like a dream, and it can bring people an unprecedented and unique sensory experience."
Upon hearing this, Zhixiang's eyes widened in disbelief as she exclaimed, "Smoke can flow downwards? How is that possible?" Clearly, she found it difficult to accept and imagine such a novel phenomenon.
Seeing this, Su Nuannuan smiled, reached out and took a piece of incense clay, and began to demonstrate. As she demonstrated, she explained in detail: "Actually, making this backflow incense is not complicated. The key is in the bottom of this incense cone. We just need to use a tool to poke a small hole at the bottom of the incense cone."
However, it's important to be careful; the hole must be made just right—neither too shallow nor too deep. If it's too shallow, the smoke won't be able to flow back smoothly; but if you accidentally puncture it, it will ruin the appearance. Therefore, finding the right balance is crucial.
"This is simply unbelievable. Your Highness, does such a wondrous backflow incense require a specially designed incense burner to be produced?" Zhixiang asked with a face full of curiosity.
Su Nuannuan smiled slightly and replied softly, "That's right. The incense burner that I specially instructed Li Quan to carefully carve out from wood is for holding backflow incense. However, what he has made so far is only the most basic style of backflow incense burner. Those more complex, exquisite, and beautiful backflow incense burners cannot be easily carved in a short period of time."
Furthermore, given Li Quan's current skill level, it's likely that he'd be willing but unable to carve an extremely exquisite and beautiful incense burner. As she spoke, Su Nuannuan gently kneaded and crushed the incense stick she had just finished, then skillfully rolled it into small and delicate incense balls.
Seeing this, Zhixiang looked puzzled and asked, "Your Highness, why are you crushing the perfectly good backflow incense?"
Su Nuannuan patiently explained, "This backflow incense is too small and doesn't quite meet our needs. In addition, the texture of the incense clay we're currently using is not entirely satisfactory and is not entirely suitable for making backflow incense. Once we finish making all these incense balls, the incense clay will be ready."
Just as the two were talking, a child's innocent "ah ah" sound suddenly came from inside.
"Your Highness, judging from the noise, the two young princes must have woken up. Please go and see them! This task of making the incense balls can be left to me alone." Zhi Xiang quickly turned to Su Nuannuan after hearing the children's voices.
"Alright, then I'll go take a look. Sigh, I really didn't get enough sleep today!" Su Nuannuan said as she walked to the basin and gently put her hands in the water to wash them.
After washing her hands, she picked up a handkerchief and gently wiped the water droplets from her hands.
Then, Su Nuannuan turned and slowly walked towards the inner hall. As soon as she stepped inside, a pungent, sour stench assaulted her nostrils. The smell was like fermented food, making her want to vomit.
"Your Highness, please wait a moment before coming in. I haven't finished cleaning the Fifth Prince yet," Su Yueniang said hastily, stopping Su Nuannuan as she spotted her. Su Nuannuan was holding a damp cloth and busily wiping the Fifth Prince's body.
However, Su Nuannuan seemed unconcerned. She smiled and waved her hand, walking straight into the inner hall, saying as she went, "It's just pooping! What's the big deal? Every child needs to poop." With that, she quickly walked to the bedside and looked down at her son who was cleaning up.
"Yaoqin, remember to bring some sandalwood later to properly scent this room," Su Nuannuan instructed Yaoqin behind her.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Yaoqin replied respectfully, then turned and left to prepare the incense.
At this moment, Su Nuannuan reached out a hand and gently tapped her son's rosy cheeks, her eyes full of affection. She smiled and scolded him playfully, "You little rascal! You've only just woken up and you're already causing trouble for your mother." Hearing his mother's words, the little guy blinked his big, watery eyes, and a cute smile appeared on his lips.