Dozens of spices such as agarwood, frankincense, costus root, scrophularia, and angelica, mixed with dried and ground flower petals, were sifted through fine silk cloth, steamed for a day, then pounded evenly with honey and kneaded into honey pills the size of phoenix tree seeds—thus the fragrant beads were made.
Once Jiang Fu finished making them, Bai Xing helped her string them together with green cord.
These fragrant beads could not only be made into pendants but could also be burned, leaving a long-lasting, elegant, and pleasant fragrance.
“Young lady is truly amazing. The fragrant beads you make smell even better than the ones Second Young Lady bought. If they were sold, noble ladies would surely fight over them.”
Women of this dynasty loved incense, and there were even incense competitions held regularly. Although Bai Xing had never seen one, such lively events were often discussed among the Jiang household servants. She had heard about them a few times, and it seemed Miss Xie Chan won every year.
If before, Bai Xing might have thought Xie Chan was impressive, after seeing her own young lady’s work, she felt no one in the world could compare to her young lady.
“Send all of these to Sister Yun, along with these sachets. They contain medicinal packets to repel insects. Deliver them together.”
With the Dragon Boat Festival approaching, every household was preparing sachets. Previously, Jiang Fu hadn’t had the means, but now that she had bought a pile of spices and medicinal herbs, she couldn’t resist the urge.
Xu Yun had been so kind to her, and she naturally wanted to repay her in some way.
“Alright.”
Bai Xing found a box to pack the fragrant beads and sachets. Although they couldn’t leave the house themselves, they could secretly ask an old servant woman to make a trip to the Xu family.
Xu Residence.
Xu Yun was quite surprised to receive Jiang Fu’s fragrant beads.
That day when she said she believed Jiang Fu could make incense, it was partly to comfort her. A young girl who had long stayed in the inner quarters might not even have seen what fragrant beads looked like.
Moreover, incense-making was a rare skill. Among noble ladies like them, only Xie Chan knew a little.
But what Jiang Fu sent truly gave her a pleasant surprise.
“Did Sister A-Fu make all of these? They smell wonderful.”
She picked up a smooth, round bead and brought it close to her nose. A fresh jasmine fragrance wafted over, and Xu Yun couldn’t put it down.
Smelling the others, she found that each bead had a different scent.
Xu Yun was deeply astonished. Even Xie Chan only knew how to make five types of fragrant beads, but among those Jiang Fu had sent her, there were already more than five.
Was Jiang Fu really just an ordinary orphan girl?
……
Xiao Jing had stayed at the government office for several consecutive days, only finishing his work in the early hours of the morning each day, leaving him no time to dream.
The people at the office watched as Xiao Jing’s face grew darker and darker, their hearts in their throats.
Had some fool recently provoked the lord again?
It seemed another storm was about to sweep through the capital.
Upon returning to the residence, Xiao Jing was summoned by Madam Xiao. Although Old Mrs. Xiao was advanced in years, she was still spirited.
Xiao Jing was her youngest son, born late in her life, and was more doted on than his elder brothers. Yet, for some reason, he had developed a cold temperament, and even she, his mother, felt somewhat intimidated by him.
“No matter how busy your duties are, you shouldn’t exhaust yourself like this. It’s time to marry and settle down.”
His elder brothers had married early, but somehow the third son was proving so difficult.
Old Mrs. Xiao was nearly worn out with worry for this son.
“Third Son, tell your mother the truth—you do like women, don’t you?”
Rumors outside said he avoided women because he preferred men. Coupled with the fact that the young servant attending him had fair features and red lips, Old Mrs. Xiao couldn’t help but believe it a little.
Her scrutinizing gaze fell on the servant, frightening him so much that he nearly spilled his master’s secret.
How could his Third Lord dislike women? He was utterly infatuated with Miss Jiang Fu.
The servant boy trembled with fear, hiding behind Xiao Jing. Madam Xiao’s gaze grew even more meaningful.
“Mother!”
Xiao Jing frowned. What kind of look was that from his mother?
Old Mrs. Xiao snorted coldly, “How dare you talk back to me? When your eldest brother was your age, his eldest son was already running around everywhere. But you—at this age, you still haven’t managed to marry a wife. I don’t care what you say, you must get married this year. While I can still move around, I can help take care of my grandchildren for a couple of years. Otherwise, I won’t be able to close my eyes even in death.”
“Understood.”
Old Mrs. Xiao had said the same thing countless times before. Each time, Xiao Jing would listen and then leave. But this time, he actually agreed.
Old Mrs. Xiao sprang up from her seat, took a few steps toward Xiao Jing, and stared intently at him.
“Third son, do you have a girl you like? Is it from the Xie family or the Lin family? Tell your mother, and I’ll go propose for you right away!”
It was truly rare—her hopeless son finally knew how to pursue someone.
Xiao Jing took a step back, keeping his lips sealed. “You’ll know when the time is right.”
“Oh! Treating your mother like a monster, are you? Keeping it so tightly under wraps—what, are you afraid I’ll scare her off?”
Xiao Jing pursed his lips but did not deny it. “Mm.”
Old Mrs. Xiao: “…”
She was determined to find out which young lady he was protecting so fiercely!
“Fine, just marry her then. I won’t interfere.”
But despite her words, as soon as Xiao Jing left, Old Mrs. Xiao ordered her servants to investigate.
All the young ladies Xiao Jing had interacted with recently were laid out on her desk.
“At the Xie family’s lotus-viewing banquet, he saved the fourth young lady of the Jiang family…”
When she saw Jiang Fu’s name, Old Mrs. Xiao’s expression turned somewhat uneasy. She felt guilty toward Jiang Fu.
Years ago, Jiang Fu’s mother, Qiu Niang, had saved her life. Old Mrs. Xiao had arranged a marriage alliance between the two families. Now that Xiao Yuzhang was insisting on breaking off the engagement, Old Mrs. Xiao truly felt she had wronged Jiang Fu.
Seeing that Xiao Jing had saved Jiang Fu, Old Mrs. Xiao nodded repeatedly. “That’s only right, that’s only right…”
She didn’t pay much attention to Jiang Fu. After all, Jiang Fu had just broken off her engagement with Xiao Yuzhang. Old Mrs. Xiao would never have imagined that Xiao Jing could like her.
Flipping to the end, she saw that Xiao Jing had visited the Xu family. Old Mrs. Xiao’s eyes lit up.
“So Third Son likes the young lady from the Xu family!”
She had met that girl before—plump and blessed with good fortune. Although she was a few years younger than Xiao Jing, their family backgrounds and characters were well-matched.
Old Mrs. Xiao was satisfied.
“Since Third Son wants to keep it a secret, we’ll pretend we don’t know. But from now on, when you see the young lady from the Xu family, be extra careful not to slight her.”
“Don’t worry, Madam. We understand.”
……
As the Dragon Boat Festival approached, the weather grew increasingly hot.
Jiang Fu made many more fragrant beads, filling the entire second household with a sweet aroma.
Even Bai Xing, whenever she went out to fetch meals, encountered maids and elderly servants asking about it.
Bai Xing kept it all a secret. Though she lacked worldly experience, she knew that fragrant beads were extremely precious items.
Her young lady had no one to rely on. If others found out about her skill in making incense, it might bring harm to her.
However, while making her rounds outside, she picked up other news.
“I heard this year’s Dragon Boat Festival dragon boat race will be even livelier than before. When I passed by the main household, I overheard the head maid beside the First Madam say that this year, even the Young Crown Prince will participate. The Second and Third Young Ladies are going to watch. If only our young lady could go too.”
It’s one thing if they had never stepped outside, but having experienced the excitement of the outside world only to be locked away in cold isolation—anyone would find it unbearable.
Hearing this, Jiang Fu recalled Xiao Jing’s words from that day. Would he also be going to watch the dragon boat races?