Nearly one-third of the soap had been used, and Wang Yue’s skin was almost scrubbed raw from soaking.
After dressing neatly, Wang Yue deliberately called two young maidservants to check if she still carried any odor.
At first, the two maids were reluctant. After all, the second madam’s body odor had long been an open secret in the household.
They could never speak of it directly, and especially in the summer, everyone avoided her.
This time, they had intended to hold their breath, approach her, and say some insincere words.
But when they got close to the second madam, something unexpected happened.
Today, the second madam was not smelly at all!
Instead, she was enveloped in a rich floral fragrance!
Although the floral scent was somewhat pungent, it was far better than the previous foul odor!
Seeing the astonished expressions on their faces, Wang Yue was more satisfied than with any verbal response.
Afraid that the fragrance might fade, Wang Yue didn’t linger. She immediately ordered a carriage to be prepared—she was heading to the temple fair!
Wang Yue’s mind was solely focused on redeeming herself at the temple fair. As she passed through the gate, she still didn’t see the first madam.
This time, the first madam (first wife) was truly angry. After all, she was the legal wife!
Wang Yue, relying on the master’s favor, should not act so arrogantly!
After her anger subsided, however, the first madam grew puzzled. “Was that fragrance just now coming from her?”
A breeze blew in through the gate, carrying the rich scent from Wang Yue. By the time it reached their noses, it had softened considerably, leaving only a sweet but not cloying, fresh, and pleasant floral fragrance.
Standing beside her, the eldest daughter of the Chen family also wore an expression of disbelief. “It really seems to be coming from Second Mother!”
What was going on? How did the formerly smelly person become so fragrant today?
What kind of magic had she performed?
Meanwhile,
At the Zhao Family home in Jishui Village.
Zhao Sheng returned home with his grandson, Zhao Xiao’er. His elder daughter-in-law was busy in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up high.
His eldest son, Zhao Qian, had just returned from weeding the fields, his hoe still in hand.
In contrast, the second son’s family had yet to return.
Originally, the entire family had gone to the temple fair together.
The eldest son and his wife had only taken a quick stroll, offered prayers, and left their son, Zhao Xiao’er, with Zhao Sheng.
The couple had hurried to the fields to weed while the sun was still mild.
The second daughter-in-law had run into her elder brother at the temple fair and dragged Zhao Kun and their child, Zhao Da, back to her maternal home.
They still hadn’t returned.
Zhao Xiao’er walked into the kitchen. Seeing his mother’s busy figure and the sweat beading on her forehead, his eyes filled with heartache.
“Xiao’er is back. Go play for a while; we’ll eat soon,” Li Shi said, glancing at her son while wielding the spatula.
Zhao Xiao’er took out a White Rabbit milk candy from his pocket and carefully peeled off the wrapper. The paper was smooth, printed with a white rabbit.
That extraordinary sweet aroma immediately wafted out, even more enticing than the most expensive malt candy at the temple fair.
Zhao Xiao’er held back his drool. He had already eaten one on the way back and given one to his grandfather. This one was for his mother.
Standing on tiptoe, he offered it to Li Shi’s mouth. “Mother, have some candy. It’s very sweet.”
“What is this?” Li Shi scooped the stir-fried vegetables onto a plate.
“Candy. Milk candy. White Rabbit, very sweet. A pretty older sister gave it to me. Mother, try it quickly!”
He held up the candy, straining on his tiptoes.
As Li Shi leaned closer, she caught the enticing sweet scent, infused with a faint milky aroma.
Looking at the candy, whiter than snow, she swallowed her saliva. She couldn’t remember the last time she had eaten candy.
Despite this, she restrained herself and affectionately patted her son’s little head. “Mother isn’t craving it. Xiao’er, keep it for yourself. Your filial heart is as sweet as honey to me.”
“No, Xiao’er already had one, and Grandfather had one too. This one is for Mother. Mother, open your mouth—it’s really sweet.”
Zhao Xiao’er was adamant; today, he was determined to make sure his mother tasted this candy.
“If our son is offering it, you should have it. Weren’t you just saying a few days ago that you wanted something sweet?” Zhao Qian walked over, urging her not to let down their son’s filial gesture.
With both her husband and son insisting, Li Shi hesitated for a moment before obediently opening her mouth.
That sweetness was truly irresistible!
She had only intended to give it a small lick, but Zhao Xiao’er gently pushed with his finger, sliding the entire candy wrapped in rice paper into her mouth.
The rice paper dissolved instantly, as if unlocking the candy’s seal. In an instant, her entire mouth was filled with a milky, sweet flavor!
So delicious!
This was the most delicious candy she had ever tasted in her life!
It wasn’t the sweetness of malt sugar or honey. It was a sweetness she had never experienced before, infused with a rich milky aroma!
The smooth, velvety flavor slowly trickled down her throat.
The candy offered by her son’s own hand tasted even sweeter than what she had eaten on her wedding day!
Tears welled up in Li Shi’s eyes. All the grievances she had endured since marrying into the Zhao family seemed to melt away with this piece of candy!
“Mother? Why are you crying? Is the candy not tasty?” Zhao Xiao’er panicked, tugging at her clothes.
Li Shi crouched down and hugged him tightly, her voice trembling slightly yet filled with laughter. “It’s delicious! It’s just because it’s so good! Mother is happy!”
Just then, the kitchen doorway darkened.
The second daughter-in-law, Zhou Shi, stood there holding a winnowing basket, her face as long and stiff as a freshly plastered wall.
Behind her was her son, Zhao Da.
“Well, well, Sister-in-law, crying so pitifully like pear blossoms in the rain. Did you get to eat some rare delicacy? Or… did Father give Xiao’er some special treatment again?”
She strode in a few steps, slamming the winnowing basket heavily onto the stove, stirring up a small cloud of dust.
Li Shi quickly wiped her face and stood up, her voice still unsteady. “Sister-in-law, it’s not…”
Zhou Shi wouldn’t listen and cut her off directly. “Not what? Don’t think I didn’t hear anything just because I just got back! Zhao Xiao’er! What are you holding in your hand? Candy? Where did it come from? Did your grandfather secretly buy it for you? What about my Zhao Da? Why doesn’t he get any?”
She raised her voice, as if afraid those inside the house wouldn’t hear.
Zhao Sheng, hearing the commotion, came in from the main room, frowning. “Eldest daughter-in-law, what are you shouting about?”
“Father!” Zhou Shi turned sharply toward Zhao Sheng, her voice suddenly rising like a chicken whose tail had been stepped on. “You must be fair! Both are your grandsons. Xiao’er is holding some rare candy! What about my Zhao Da? Not even a shadow of it! This favoritism is just too much!”
Zhao Sheng’s face darkened, etched with exhaustion and helplessness. “Second daughter-in-law! Be reasonable! At the temple fair, you were the one who saw your brother and insisted on dragging Zhao Da back to your maternal home! These few candies were given to Xiao’er by a shopkeeper we passed on our way home because the shopkeeper found Xiao’er well-behaved and likable. Zhao Da wasn’t even there! How could he get any?”
“Father, couldn’t you have just said you had two grandsons and asked the shopkeeper for a few more? I don’t care! My son didn’t get any, and that’s that! You’re just biased!” As she spoke, she secretly pinched Zhao Da’s arm hard.
Zhao Da immediately rushed out, clinging to his grandfather and throwing a tantrum. “Grandpa, Da’er wants candy too! Why does Xiao’er have it but Da’er doesn’t? Grandpa is biased! Da’er wants candy! Da’er wants the candy in Xiao’er’s hand…”
Zhao Da was only a year older than Zhao Xiao’er and had been competitive since childhood.
Zhao Xiao’er tightened his grip on the few remaining candies and moved closer to Zhao Qian.
Zhao Sheng looked down at Zhao Da, then at Zhou Shi, who refused to let it go. He let out a long, heavy sigh.
“Xiao’er, take out the remaining candies and give them to your big brother.”
Zhao Xiao’er shook his head, shrinking into Zhao Qian’s arms.
This candy was given by the pretty older sister! Why should he share it with him!
Zhao Da ate and drank well at his uncle’s house all the time and never thought of sharing any with him!
Zhao Sheng’s voice was hoarse, carrying an almost pleading tone. “Xiao’er, be good. Take them out.”
Zhao Xiao’er pouted, tears welling in his eyes.
Yet, still reluctantly, he stretched out his small hand and opened it, revealing the two White Rabbit milk candies he had been clutching tightly.
Zhao Sheng took the candies and shoved them into the hands of Zhao Da, who was still wailing dryly.
“Here! Are you satisfied now!”