Chu Feng Qi's Diligent Apprenticeship

"This robe is so precious. How can I ensure the threads don't get snagged?"

Even when it came to washing clothes, he was so enthusiastic. Wang Xiu couldn't imagine how welcomed Chu Feng Qi would have been if he had appeared in the Miscellaneous Service Bureau from the start.

The young eunuch taught him enthusiastically while washing, "There's a secret to this. The Director's robes are made of top-grade brocade, and each color uses a different material. Take this cloud brocade in your hand; it must be soaked in cold water first, then rubbed in circles with your palm. You must never bunch it up; if you scrub with your fingers, it will surely wrinkle."

Usually, everyone looked gloomy while washing clothes, but Chu Feng Qi was exceptionally radiant, his diligent washing manner no different from someone who had just been promoted. He took the initiative to handle all of Du Chao Gong's laundry, learning as he washed. Wang Xiu watched in amazement and asked, "It's just washing clothes, why are you so excited?"

The youth snapped out of it. "Am I that excited?"

Wang Xiu nodded, and the person next to them, who had been silent, couldn't help but chime in, "Very excited."

Chu Feng Qi's ears turned red. He was too shy to say that while washing the clothes, he was looking forward to the scene after they were dried and scented, when they would be draped over Lord Nine Thousand's body. He only mumbled vaguely, "I get to eat dinner tonight, so I'm happy."

Wang Xiu was filled with admiration, wondering where the Director had found such a "labor saint."

After finishing the washing, Chu Feng Qi followed Wang Xiu's instructions to hang each set of clothes in the ventilated room. Some would be put out in the sun tomorrow, while the rest only needed to be sent for scenting.

Once the laundry work was settled and he had finished his dinner, Chu Feng Qi sought out the incense master in the manor. She was over fifty years old and had a direct disciple under her. They were currently burning incense to scent the rooms in preparation for treating the clothes the next day.

Chu Feng Qi knew that the task of scenting could not be easily entrusted to others, to prevent ill-intentioned people from putting poison in the incense. Therefore, after the master finished the scenting, he waited outside and earnestly asked a few questions.

Because the youth's attitude was so sincere, and he possessed a handsome face that made it hard to harbor ill will, Yu Yan explained the various types of incense to Chu Feng Qi in detail, including the ingredients used...

Seeing that Chu Feng Qi was both clever and eager to learn, she gave him a few simple incense formulas.

Each time he sought guidance, he reaped great rewards. Chu Feng Qi contentedly lit a lamp in his room to study the papers detailing the basic principles of incense making. In the middle of the night, he even ran out to the garden to pick flowers for sachets.

The next morning, Chu Feng Qi woke up early to take the garments for scenting as Wang Xiu had instructed, then clutched a bag of dried flowers to seek guidance from Yu Yan throughout the morning.