Back in the pavilion in the backyard, Junyao picked up a pestle and mortar and imitated her, grinding the flower petals.
Jiang Lanyue’s eyes were glazed over; this scene seemed familiar. How long ago was it that she was preparing spices, and Wei Chi, reading beside her, would take over the work when she looked tired?
“You’re back!”
A deep, slightly magnetic voice rang out, startling Jiang Lanyue from her reverie. She nodded slightly, a smile playing on her lips.
“Yes, how could I trouble you with such rough work, young master?”
The beauty smiled gently, a smile that was breathtaking. A hint of amazement flashed in Junyao’s eyes. His harem was filled with beauties, but none had ever smiled so beautifully.
Approaching the table, Jiang Lanyue noticed that Junyao had already ground the flower petals into a fine powder, far superior to what Wei Chi had done.
“Young Master Yan, you grind it very well. I’m even thinking of hiring you as a worker.”
Jun Yao was taken aback. As the Emperor, when had anyone dared to speak so boldly?
But why did he feel a strange sense of accomplishment?
Realizing what he meant, Jun Yao’s lips curled slightly, and he asked with a light laugh, “Then how much are you planning to pay me, Madam?”
Jiang Lanyue rested her chin on her hand, revealing her exquisite profile, and frowned as she pondered for a moment.
“Grinding powder is hard work, and manpower is worthless. For such delicate work as yours, Young Master, I’ll only pay you one tael at most per month.”
“What kind of money is one tael?”
Jun Yao was surprised, feeling displeased. He was the Emperor, yet he had lowered himself to be a flower grinder. How could he be paid so little?
Jiang Lanyue seemed oblivious to his displeasure, preparing spices while talking to him.
“This is already quite a lot. Workers at my maternal grandfather’s dock only earn ten copper coins a day, and even then, many people are eager to do it.”
Only in the capital, under the Emperor’s nose, with its flourishing prosperity, could wages rise accordingly.
Junyao frowned and remained silent. He had already decreed that all merchants must hire workers for no less than three coins a month. Were those people ignoring his words?
Glancing at Junyao’s gloomy face, Jiang Lanyue’s thoughts drifted far away. In her past life, a tyrant’s downfall meant losing the people’s hearts.
The people, oppressed by merchants for too long, would naturally rebel if deliberately incited. When an emperor lost the people’s support, the imperial relatives, for the sake of the country, would naturally follow the people’s will and remove the tyrant from his throne.
She wanted Junyao as a powerful backer, so she couldn’t let him fall too soon, at least not until she found a better one.
Her words were also meant to remind Junyao to pay attention to the living conditions of the poor in other regions.
If the people’s lives improved, who would want to oppose the emperor?
An hour passed.
The incense was taking shape; once it solidified, it could be used to scent clothes.
Jiang Lanyue held the box of incense and handed it to Junyao with a smile.
“This must be the first incense you’ve made yourself, young master. Whether you take it home to scent your clothes or as a souvenir, it will be very meaningful.”
It wasn’t so much that Junyao made it, but rather that they made it together. She gave it to him as a reminder.
After all, their social statuses were worlds apart, and they didn’t know when they would meet again. She was leaving the incense for him.
Every time Junyao saw the incense, images of their time together would flash through his mind.
Smelling the faint, sweet fragrance, Junyao’s heart stirred, and he suddenly felt reluctant to leave. Being with Jiang Lanyue made him inexplicably at peace; he felt a sense of tranquility and didn’t have to worry about being schemed against.
“Okay, I’ll definitely keep it by my side every day when I get back.”
Jiang Lanyue smiled shyly, returning to the room where the incense was kept, picking through several boxes of different spices.
Facing Junyao’s questioning gaze, Jiang Lanyue looked slightly embarrassed and awkward as she explained.
“I’ve always enjoyed making these things, but unfortunately, I have no friends in the capital to share them with. They’d just gather dust anyway. Seeing that you like them, I thought I’d let you take them back.”
Junyao clearly heard the disappointment in her words, and his nose tingled with a pang of sadness, his eyes filled with heartache.
She had been abandoned by her father at a young age and sent to be raised by her maternal grandparents.
In the first half of her life, apart from her grandmother’s affection, everyone else treated her like a weed.
Yet, she had clearly never done anything wrong…
Junyao took the spices, holding them preciously in his arms, and said in a hoarse voice, “Thank you, Madam. I really like the spices you made.”
After a pause, he added, “If you don’t mind, I’ll come back to buy more when I run out.”
Jiang Lanyue nodded happily, “No need to buy any more. If you like them, please have someone come and get them.”
Having received the emperor’s promise, Jiang Lanyue felt incredibly secure.
If she were to be secretly taken away by Shen Jiaxue again, and Junyao couldn’t find her, he would investigate thoroughly, and she wouldn’t have to suffer five more years of torment.
Her joy, in Junyao’s eyes, meant that someone finally appreciated her, making his heart ache even more.
From childhood, he was surrounded by noble ladies from the capital, pampered by their parents and spoiled by nature.
Jiang Lanyue, with her humble origins, didn’t wallow in self-pity. Despite being abandoned by her ex-husband, she remained strong and lived her life.
This vibrant vitality moved him…
Jun Yao stared blankly at the smiling woman opposite him, a strong urge rising within him. He wanted to protect her, unable to bear seeing her bullied.
Noticing his intense gaze, Jiang Lanyue hurriedly averted her eyes, her cheeks instantly flushing red. She quickly apologized and left.
The intense gaze behind her gradually faded.
…
The next day, as she expected, Jun Yao came to say goodbye.
Jiang Lanyue calmly responded, softly saying, “Young Master Yan, the journey is long. Let me change your dressing one last time.”
Junyao stared straight at her, nodding with a smile. During the dressing change, they remained silent, Junyao simply gazing at her intently.
He escorted her to the door, where a discreetly luxurious carriage had appeared, accompanied by several servants in simple clothes, all tall and strong, clearly not ordinary people.
Jiang Lanyue merely glanced at them before exchanging farewells with Junyao.
Although they had only known each other for two days, they found themselves remarkably compatible.
Junyao took an exquisite square box from the head guard and explained softly, “Thank you for your hospitality these past two days, Madam. This is for the consultation and medicine.”
“Madam, please don’t refuse. My family has some assets; this is nothing to me.”
Having said that, Jiang Lanyue had no reason to refuse and had Ruyi accept the box.
“Then I wish you a safe journey, young master.”
Junyao pursed his lips and gave a soft “hmm,” giving her one last deep look before returning to the carriage.
The head guard beside him glanced at Jiang Lanyue out of the corner of his eye, memorizing her appearance. This former wife of a top scholar was destined for good fortune.
Watching the group disappear into the distance, Jiang Lanyue’s body immediately relaxed.
For the past two days, she had meticulously planned every move to maintain her image.
“Miss, although Young Master Yan is very handsome, he initially wanted to kill us. Why are you being so kind to him?”
Ruyi looked up at Jiang Lanyue, puzzled.
She still vividly remembered their first encounter, when Jun Yao’s sword was held to her young mistress’s neck.
Jiang Lanyue chuckled and tapped Ruyi’s nose: “You’re so young, yet you hold grudges.”
Saying this, Jiang Lanyue’s gaze returned to the road where the carriage had long since disappeared, and she said meaningfully,
“This gentleman must be served well; whether we live to be a hundred depends on him.”