"Older sister! Brother-in-law!" I called out, hurriedly stepping forward to greet them.
They saw and didn’t seem surprised, as if they already knew I was here. The older sister leisurely asked , "You’ve been out for a while. When are you planning to go ho? Mom has cried several tis for you."
Hearing that Mom cried for , I felt deeply guilty and said, "I’ve run into so matters, but once they are resolved, I’ll head back right away."
"What kind of matters have you encountered? Do you need our help?" Brother-in-law asked kindly while holding sister’s hand.
My face flushed slightly; the matter of buying the Fragrance of Temptation could never be known to the older sister and brother-in-law, lest they overthink it. So I declined, saying, "No need, I can handle it myself. I’m curious about how you both ended up here. How long have you been here?"
Sister said, "We ca to visit Juhua and the others, and thought we’d experience what it feels like to have sumr during winter. Yesterday, our capital had a heavy snowfall, freezing the water droplets. Unlike here, it’s vibrant with red flowers and green willows, and butterflies flitting around!"
I was shocked, "Yesterday? How did you know it snowed yesterday?"
Sister coughed and said, "I ant last month; you heard wrong."
I was sure I hadn’t heard wrong, so I argued, "But earlier, you distinctly ntioned yesterday."
"Did I?" Sister turned to brother-in-law, asking.
Brother-in-law calmly said to , "Wei’er ant last month; Wen’er, you heard incorrectly."
But I truly rembered sister saying it was yesterday, yet both insisted it was last month. Perhaps I had indeed heard wrong. Whether right or wrong seed inconsequential. Right now, I only wanted to quickly find the Fragrance of Temptation; otherwise, I’d have no way to clear my na...
After parting ways with sister and brother-in-law, I didn’t bother to eat and continued searching for spice shops everywhere, questioning each shop one by one. Until nightfall, I had gone through all the spice shops large and small in Tongzhou Prefecture but still had not found it.
I was extrely frustrated. A shop assistant noticed my predicant and couldn’t help but say, "Sir, if you’d co a day earlier, you’d be in luck. We had a piece of Fragrance of Temptation previously, but unfortunately, it was bought yesterday. Not just from our shop; the entire Tongzhou Prefecture’s Fragrance of Temptation was purchased yesterday. You won’t find it anywhere now!"
"Erzi, you talk too much!"
An elderly shopkeeper-looking man shouted angrily, glaring at the shop assistant before turning to with a smile, "Sir, don’t listen to him. He was just joking around. Maybe you should try another place?"
Upon hearing that the Dong family had bought all the city’s Fragrance of Temptation, my heart beca restless. The Third Miss was still waiting for to bring the fragrance back for blending. Without the Fragrance of Temptation, how can I reproduce the scent from that day?
Night fell, and I returned to Dong Mansion, dejectedly, approaching my courtyard when a little boy said, "Young Master Mu, our Young Master invites you over for so drinks!"
Dong Qi inviting for drinks?
I reckon he’s pretending to invite for drinks, but really he’s keen on so amusent. I’ve spent the day running all over to buy the Fragrance of Temptation; he undoubtedly caught wind of this. Now that I’ve co back empty-handed, their family must be gloating!
"I won’t go!"
I said coldly, and returned to the room. I casually tossed the materials for crafting Pear account fragrance onto the table.
"Then I’ll bring you dinner!" The little boy said eagerly, grinning from ear to ear, and scurried off.
I lay on the couch, full of remorse, truly uncertain how I’d face the Third Miss later. She’s put her trust in , relying on to save her and her brother from the sea of fire. Because of , she’s even had a falling out with the mansion’s people. And yet, I could not even gather the evidence; it feels utterly useless!
Just as I was reproaching myself, I heard the flapping of wings from near the window. I turned my head back and saw a red-billed, green-feathered parrot flying in from outside, boldly landing on my body.
"Gah—Gah—"
It squawked twice. I recognized this parrot as sister’s Brother Ying. But why was it here?
While I pondered, Brother Ying suddenly raised its claw. That’s when I noticed it was holding a fist-sized paper package, with four tiny, elegant characters inscribed on it—Wen’er personally open.
The handwriting was beautiful and fluid, unmistakably my older sister’s handwriting.
I opened the paper package to find the outermost layer was a letter from sister to , containing only a few lines yet making happier than ever; the gloom weighing on my heart throughout the day instantly dispersed.
"The packet on top is the Fragrance of Temptation you need; the one below is the Pear account fragrance. As for how to blend them, let Miss Lian’er do it. Rember, once finished, hurry ho. Dad and Mom are waiting for you to celebrate the New Year."
Below that, another line of small characters appeared: If you can bring ho a daughter-in-law for Mom, perhaps she’ll forgive you for leaving without a word!
Looking at this warm note, I smiled knowingly, folded it up, and tucked the two packets of spices into my embrace, waiting for nightfall...
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