After leaving the manor, Yun Wan first went to the Fragrance Workshop.
Located in the west of the city, the Fragrance Workshop was originally a courtyard for drying medicinal herbs. After Yun Wan took over Yun Xiang Pavilion and the business began to thrive, she purchased it and converted it into a fragrance workshop.
After spending an hour at the Fragrance Workshop, Yun Wan headed to Yun Xiang Pavilion.
It was the Cold Food Festival, and the streets of Jingdu were bustling with activity, lively and vibrant. Yun Xiang Pavilion also welcomed a large wave of customers, and business was booming.
The sharp-eyed attendant at the door spotted the Lu Family’s carriage and promptly went inside to report. Shortly after, Hu Niangzi came out to greet her, smiling warmly:
“The proprietor is here! Please come in!”
‘Proprietor’ naturally referred to Yun Wan. Although everyone knew she was the Third Lady of the Lu Family, at Yun Wan’s request, all the shopkeepers and attendants managing the business addressed her as ‘Proprietor.’
Yun Wan took her hand and stepped down from the carriage. As she entered the shop, she saw it was packed with people—all customers there to buy fragrances, most of whom were young women.
Hu Niangzi said, “Proprietor, it’s crowded here. Shall we go to the back?”
Her voice was hearty, matching her appearance—a woman in her thirties, neat and dignified, with her hair tied up high and dressed impeccably. Her every movement exuded a spirited and capable air.
Yun Wan replied, “You’ve worked hard. Later, distribute these.”
She pointed to what Yue Jian was holding.
Hu Niangzi took a look and saw they were Qingtuan.
Each one was large, round, and vibrant green, looking utterly tempting. They were stamped with the small characters ‘Duke Lu Manor,’ brought by Yun Wan from the manor.
In households like Duke Lu Manor, the kitchen would prepare batches of festive foods during holidays to be given as rewards or casual gifts to the servants, such as Qingtuan, mooncakes, zongzi, Laba congee… all for the sake of good fortune.
Perhaps freshly made, the Qingtuan were still steaming and fragrant.
Hu Niangzi felt a warmth in her heart and said with a beaming smile, “It seems we’re in for a treat! I’ll thank the proprietor on their behalf!”
Yun Wan chuckled, “Why stand on ceremony with me? Let’s go inside first.”
With people coming and going, some had already begun to notice them.
The two entered the back room, and Hu Niangzi poured tea for Yun Wan.
After sitting down, she looked at Yun Wan with a familiar tone tinged with admiration, “The proprietor still looks as beautiful as ever, just like when I first met you. If I were a man, I’d surely fall for you too.”
Before meeting Yun Wan, Hu Niangzi had been a laborer at the medicinal herb workshop. As the only female worker, she was ostracized by the male laborers and always assigned the heaviest and most exhausting tasks.
It wasn’t until Yun Wan bought the herb workshop and converted it into a Fragrance Workshop, hiring more female workers, that Hu Niangzi stayed on.
Later, she excelled at the Fragrance Workshop and, with her eloquence, caught Yun Wan’s attention. She was then assigned to Yun Xiang Pavilion and gradually promoted to the position of shopkeeper.
Hu Niangzi was deeply grateful for Yun Wan’s recognition. Coming from a poor family and having suffered through a difficult marriage, it was only after meeting Yun Wan that she managed to turn her life around in middle age.
Yun Wan shot her a sidelong glance and raised her hand as if to strike her, “Stop with the sweet talk. Save that clever tongue of yours for persuading customers and boosting our shop’s profits.”
Hu Niangzi widened her eyes, “Heaven knows, these days, waves of people have been coming to buy Yun Yin Fragrance. Though it’s good for business, my voice has gone hoarse from all the talking!”
It hadn’t been noticeable before, but now that she mentioned it, Hu Niangzi’s voice did sound a bit raspy.
Yun Wan glanced over and asked with concern, “Is it serious? If so, why don’t you take some time off to see a doctor?”
Hu Niangzi waved her hand dismissively, downed a cup of tea, and said, “No need. After a few pots of cooling tea, my throat feels much better.”
Seeing that although she looked a bit weary, her eyes still sparkled with energy, Yun Wan felt reassured.
“As long as you know your limits. Business is important, but your health matters more. Don’t fall ill later—people might say I’m a slave driver.”
Hu Niangzi couldn’t help but laugh. “Who would believe such words coming from you? If anyone dares say that, I, Hu Sanniang, will be the first to confront them!”
In her excitement, her voice cracked on the last few words, nearly failing her. Yun Wan sighed helplessly, “You’d better speak less for now.”
Hu Niangzi chuckled awkwardly, then composed herself. “Alright, enough joking. You didn’t just drop by for no reason, did you?”
Yun Wan nodded, her gaze sweeping over the spice shelves against the wall. “You’re right. I’d like to pick out some spices.”
Knowing her well, Hu Niangzi asked, “Are you working on a new fragrance again?”
Yun Wan shook her head. “Not exactly.”
“Just feeling a bit lost, tinkering around.”
She stood up and lingered before the display shelves, carefully examining the items. Hu Niangzi did not disturb her.
After selecting for a quarter of an hour, Yun Wan thought to herself, just as expected, and her face showed disappointment.
Noticing this, Hu Niangzi set down her teacup and asked curiously, “None of these will do?”
Yun Wan sighed softly. “They just feel like they’re missing something.”
Matters concerning the Emperor were truly difficult.
But they couldn’t be ignored either.
Seeing her so troubled for the first time, Hu Niangzi was taken aback. “All the spices in the shop are here. If you need something else, you might have to look elsewhere.”
After a moment’s thought, she added, “How about you write down what you’re looking for? When the new shipment arrives in a couple of days, I’ll have someone deliver it to the Duke’s residence.”
Just as Yun Wan was about to agree, Hu Niangzi continued, “Oh, and this morning I heard that Hu merchant from Anyi Ward has returned from the Western Regions with quite a few rare goods. I wonder if he might have what you’re looking for…”
Hu merchant?
Yun Wan caught on. “You mean Luo Laoban?”
A well-known merchant from the Western Regions in Jingdu, he was quite shrewd in business. Based in Anyi Ward, he always brought back all sorts of exotic items whenever he returned to the capital, including various precious spices.
Yun Wan had not only heard of him but had also visited his shop before. A few of A Sui’s gifts had come from Anyi Ward.
Hu Niangzi confirmed, “Yesterday, the delivery boy passed by and saw carts and carts of goods being unloaded. It seems he made quite a profit on this trip.”
Yun Wan grew interested. “It’s still early. I’ll go take a look.”
Hu Niangzi said, “Then I won’t keep you, Mistress. Take care.”
After leaving Yun Xiang Pavilion and boarding the carriage, Yue Zhi asked, “Madam, are we going to Anyi Ward?”
Yun Wan replied, “Yes, since it’s on the way, let’s check it out.”
The carriage ride from Yun Xiang Pavilion to Anyi Ward took half an hour. With today being the Cold Food Festival, the streets were crowded, so it took a bit longer than usual.
However—
Staring at the tightly shut shop door, Yun Wan felt puzzled.
Yue Zhi stepped forward and knocked. After a moment, the door opened slightly, and a burly servant in coarse clothing peered out.
Yue Zhi said, “Is Luo Laoban here? We’re from Yun Xiang Pavilion and would like to purchase some spices from him.”
The servant waved his hand. “Luo Laoban isn’t here. Come back in a few days!”
With that, he tried to close the door.
Yue Zhi held the door open, a hint of urgency in her voice. “But we heard Luo Laoban returned to the capital yesterday. Has he left again today?”
The servant grew impatient. “Stop nagging! I said he’s not here!”
With that, the gate slammed shut with a bang.
Yun Wan and Yue Zhi exchanged glances, their faces showing helplessness.
As they were about to leave, they suddenly heard sharp, piercing screams: “Murder! Murder!”
Instantly, the gate swung open again. Someone rushed out, face covered in blood, expression panicked and terrified, looking utterly horrifying.
Yun Wan turned back and was so startled by the sight that she quickly dodged aside.
Looking up again, she saw flames shooting skyward behind the gate, thick smoke billowing out.