First-class Jinshi

As soon as the words were spoken, Dan Hong was instantly furious, and she and Sui Chengyu looked Sui Zhixu up and down.

"Young Master, he didn't do anything to you, did he?"

"cousin……"

"Alright, I'm fine." Sui Zhixu grabbed the two people's hands that were groping around and pulled them down to their seats.

"They were only briefly acquainted with us, but they shouldn't be underestimated."

"The third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination, a poor scholar who emerged from among millions of others, is indeed extraordinary." Sui Chengyu gripped Sui Zhixu's hand tightly. "I heard something from those ladies. The playboy comes from Jiannan. His family fell into poverty early on. His parents are gone, leaving behind only a younger sister who just came of age. However, his sister didn't come today. I heard that she is sick at home because she is not used to the local climate."

"He came, but his sister didn't. The reason of 'acclimatization' is certainly plausible. Let's put that aside for now and consider this further. What about Danhong and Liulv?"

"He has been protecting the young master from the shadows."

After pondering for a moment, Xu said, "Starting today, arrange Liu Lü in the open. Also, send a few more people from the Sui family and two more to Cheng Yu's side. Cheng Yu, don't go out unless necessary these days. Let me see what happens in a while."

The rise in fortune is accelerating; Prince Xuanping will soon find out.

I don't know how she and Yueling ended up arguing like this.

Will she still teach her tomorrow?

As Xu lifted the carriage curtain to let in some fresh air, the warm March breeze gently caressed his face, making him feel comfortable.

"Didn't you want to buy spices? The sun is still out, so they should still be open. Drive to the spice shop."

"good."

Sui Chengyu threw herself into Sui Zhixu's arms again. Sui Zhixu brushed the stray hairs off her face and thought to himself that she was like a kitten, always throwing herself into people's arms.

After getting off the bus, Sui Zhixu didn't notice the incense shop's signboard. As she stepped over the threshold, she realized that the shop assistants had been staring at her for a long time.

As soon as Sui Zhixu turned to look, the waiter quickly ran away and whispered to the shopkeeper not far away.

For a moment, Sui Zhixu was completely baffled. Before she could think further, Sui Chengyu pulled her along to pick out the spices.

The shelves were filled with all kinds of spices, bottles and jars were neatly arranged, and a faint mixed fragrance was hidden in the air, causing Sui Zhixu to frown slightly.

"What do you think of this, cousin? It's Qiong Yao perfume powder. The fragrance is rich and mellow, and it also has a calming and nourishing effect. It's very suitable for Aunt."

Sui Chengyu held the incense box to Sui Zhixu's nose, her almond-shaped eyes widening slightly as she looked at her expectantly, "How is it?"

"cousin?"

"As you wish, my wife!"

Two voices rang out at the same time, and the delicate scent of jasmine wafted over. Sui Zhixu subconsciously turned around.

Why are you here?

The fresh scent of jasmine dissipated the mixed fragrance in the room. The jade pendant at the young man's waist jingled. His pale yellow brocade robe accentuated his graceful figure. He was tall and slender, and his gentle and beautiful features made him seem more like a scholar than a businessman.

"This incense shop is mine, I just happened to come and take a look." Fan Lingzhang stepped into the shop, and the colorful glass bottles on the shelves could not hide his elegant demeanor.

"Cousin, who is this young man?"

Sui Chengyu, without anyone noticing, blocked Sui Zhixu's way.

"I met him on my way home, and he gave me a ride."

The woman's voice was clear and cool, concise and elegant. Fan Lingzhang chuckled upon hearing it, "What you say is true, my lady. I did meet you once before. I was quite surprised to see you at my shop just now and called out to you casually. It seems that your return home was smooth sailing."

Sui Chengyu frowned. She knew that the person in front of her was also the owner of Yunlai Tower. Why did she always feel that Fan Langjun was very unfriendly to her? His words and actions seemed to have a deeper meaning. Could it be that he resented her for winning the title of Lantern King of Yunlai Tower for many years, and that he had taken his wife's revolving lantern this year and was now holding a grudge against her? He was too petty.

"What would you two ladies like to buy? There have been many successful candidates in recent days, and the ladies and gentlemen of Chang'an are buying more perfumes and face powders than usual." Fan Lingzhang pretended not to see Sui Chengyu, walked past her, and picked up the calming incense she had placed on the table.

"Qiongyao Fragrance Powder is a good calming incense in our shop, very suitable for Master Sui." Fan Lingzhang moved the fragrance powder in front of Sui Zhixu, his eyebrows curving and his smile unrestrained and bright.

The incense box was engraved with lotus patterns, the petals layered upon each other, pure and beautiful. As Xu's gaze fell on his fingertips, the poem she had read the other day came to mind: "Her beauty surpasses that of this world, even the lotus is ashamed of her jade-like face."

Fan Lingzhang has a really nice face, and even with his flamboyant smile, he's not annoying.

Are all businessmen like him?

I can't figure it out.

"Then let's go with this box." Sui Zhixu turned to look at Sui Chengyu, who nodded in agreement.

Fan Lingzhang casually started a conversation, "My lady, why don't you look at other things? The sister of the third-ranked scholar also likes the perfume powder from my family's incense shop."

Sui Chengyu asked in confusion, "Isn't the actress suffering from acclimatization issues lately? How can she still have the leisure to buy perfumes and face powder?"

"This..." Fan Lingzhang pretended to pause for a moment, "I only care about buying things, I don't know anything else. Perhaps buying some things I like will make me feel better while I'm sick."

"What did he buy? The third-ranked scholar's parade through the streets attracted a lot of attention, so his sister must be doing just as well." Sui Zhixu tapped the wooden board on the table, making a crisp sound.

"It's jasmine scented powder. The new ones aren't in season yet. The actress bought the leftover stock from last year. There's not much stock left, and she's basically bought it all. I've kept a few boxes for her to see."

"I won't take what others want. Let's stop here for today. One box of Qiongyao perfume powder and one bottle of apricot blossom perfume pills, Dan Hong will settle the bill."

Dan Hong took out the sachet and paid.

Fan Lingzhang laughed even more heartily, "My wife has a good eye. The lotus flower, which rises from the mud unsullied, is quite popular in Chang'an. Coincidentally, the Imperial Preceptor is undergoing tribulation at the beginning of the year, and Great Qi will be blessed by the gods thereafter. I hope my little shop under the emperor's nose can also share in the good fortune."

“Of course, I’ll be going now.” Sui Zhixu’s face showed a slight smile, which she quickly suppressed as she realized it.

"My lady, please visit my little shop often. In June, we have all the goods from Lingnan Road, including incense pills, powders, and perfumes. Please remember to come and take a look. You can also have dinner at Yunlai Tower tonight."

Dan Hong: "Young Master, Mr. Fan is quite good at finding business for himself. Now that it's getting late, he says he wants to have dinner. Does that mean he wants to have lunch another day? I think he wants his guests to eat at his Yunlai Restaurant every day."

"We have to take care of our own business. It's getting late, let's get in the car."

"Yes, young master." Dan Hong chuckled and nimbly helped the two ladies onto the carriage.

Fan Lingzhang stood at the entrance of the incense shop watching the group get into the carriage. Dan Hong and Sui Chengyu looked wary, but Fan Lingzhang leaned against the railing and laughed freely.

Dan Hong glanced at Fan Lingzhang in disbelief, which startled her so much that she quickly ordered someone to turn the car around.

Fan Lingzhang raised an eyebrow. Was he that scary-looking?

No way, my wife's favorite thing is his face.

Seeing Fan Lingzhang beaming with joy, the men behind him weighed the copper coins they had been given as a reward. It was worth it for them to inform their husbands as soon as they saw Lady Sui.

A few months ago, near the end of the year, during a busy time, the young master gave them a portrait and told them to remember it well and report to him immediately if they saw it.

Hey, it's all for today's tip!

May your business flourish in the new year!

—

“I think the lady in the play is faking illness. Apart from the Cui family’s wife, I’ve never heard of any other lady in Chang’an who would apply perfume while ill,” Sui Chengyu said.

"Cui Jia's Awan?"

"Yes, there are still people from the Cui family of Qinghe in Chang'an, but the wives of this generation either died young or went missing. There are no wives who haven't grown up. Generally, without making a distinction, we just call Cui's wife 'Cui's wife.' Cui's wife is the only daughter of the Minister of Revenue and Lady Chu. She is deeply loved by her parents and maternal relatives, and her love of beauty is well-known in Chang'an. Why is this 'Xi's wife' here? Although Xi's husband is a third-place scholar, he hasn't taken office yet. He shouldn't have much money. Even if he took office, his salary wouldn't be enough to buy the Fan family's spices. Could it be that she used..." Sui Chengyu covered her mouth with both hands and exclaimed in surprise, her almond-shaped eyes wide with horror.

"The silver bestowed by the Prince of Xuanping shows that the Xi siblings are indeed of great use to him."

Although Xi Yushao was a third-place scholar in the imperial examinations, he was adept at climbing the ranks and enduring hardship in the officialdom. Fan Lingzhang's suggestion regarding Xi Yuzhen's actions suggests that the Prince of Xuanping might be plotting something; what does he intend to do with Xi Yuzhen?

Fan Lingzhang adores jasmine. The scent of jasmine on him has never faded since the first time she saw him. Could it be that Prince Xuanping is trying to arrange a marriage for Fan Lingzhang again?

Sui Zhixu's lips curled up, his sarcasm obvious. Even the Prince of Xuanping couldn't bear to part with Fan Lingzhang's wealth.

A flowing, cyan-colored skirt and a dress adorned with apricot blossoms swept past the carriage's footboard.

Before Sui Zhixu had taken two steps, the gatekeeper's servant spotted him and shouted, "Young Master is back! Young Master is back!"

As dusk fell and the corridor grew dark, servants carrying lanterns rushed to the side of Sui Zhi and Xu.

Sui Zhixu casually said thank you, then looked up to see Sui He and Cong Lan standing hand in hand not far away, with lights shining behind them, illuminating their path.

Knowing that Xu Xin's heart was throbbing, she quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Why did you all come out?"

Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and her lively peach blossom eyes kept glancing at Sui He and Cong Lan, radiating an aura of seeking reassurance.

Sui He felt a strong urge to go home and grabbed Sui Zhixu, gently kneading her delicate face. "Let's go home for dinner. Your father is cooking tonight; he's a good cook."

Cong Lan placed one hand on her abdomen, sitting next to Sui He with a gentle smile.

It's such a warm and homely scene. The sweet and gentle fragrance is unique to mothers. Su Zhixu nuzzles Su He's neck and finally buries her face in his shoulder.

A strange, very strange feeling welled up inside me, a sour, bloated sensation. It was like taking a bite of a juicy citrus. The first burst of juice splashed onto my lips, and my tongue couldn't help but roll it down my throat, only to find it incredibly sour and astringent, making me wince. But as the pulp entered my mouth, a sweet aroma filled my palate, and even my heart felt sweetened.

This prompted Sui He to laugh at Cong Lan and Sui Chengyu, saying, "Look at her, she's becoming more and more like a cat."

Tears welled up in her eyes, and Sui Zhixu opened her eyes wide, struggling to stuff the glistening pearl back into the oyster shell in the shadows.

She didn't cry; it was the sand and gravel carried by the wind that got into her eyes.

She hugged Sui He tightly, her heart pounding like waves crashing against the shore, surging through her body, trying to break free from the restraints in her ribs.

After being home for many days, her heart finally settled down, and the lone boat that had been drifting found its harbor.

Amidst the lights and noise, she enjoyed it all with utter tranquility.

Her destiny lies here; her heart tells her, "Stop here, for your own sake."

After the meal, the warm atmosphere vanished in an instant. Under Cong Lan's dangerous gaze, Sui Zhixu hugged Sui He and said in a calm voice, more like a final announcement, "I want to sleep with Mother."

"No!" Cong Lan's gentle fatherly image vanished.

"I don't want to, I want to sleep with my cousin!" Sui Chengyu was also unhappy. "You've been sleeping with me lately, so how about the three of us sleep together?"

Sui Chengyu rushed forward to join the struggle, while Sui He smiled and patted the back of their necks.

Cong Lan glared at him angrily: "Both of you go back to sleep by yourselves."

"don't want."

“That’s my wife, my wife! Go away, children, don’t disturb a couple’s time together. If you keep arguing, I’ll arrange for a matchmaker to find you two a match.” Cong Lan said as she called for Dan Hong and Liu Lü to help the two away.

"You have no manners, where did you learn this trick of stealing other people's wives?"

"My lord, the patriarch has already assigned us to the young master. We must obey the young master."

Dan Hong shook like a rattle-drum, which fueled Cong Lan's anger, as she looked at Sui He with a mournful expression.

"Okay, okay, three people can't squeeze into one bed. Can I leave after you guys fall asleep?"

With He Yi's decision, Cong Lan had to suppress his dissatisfaction; he was only sleeping with them, and his wife was still his.

Sui Zhixu turned her head away from Cong Lan, recalling how Sui He had stayed by her side all day during her illness, even handling family affairs at Jianjia Pavilion. At that time, Cong Lan wasn't angry; she would even buy her some fresh little things from the street after court each day to cheer her up.

I can't really blame him, considering he brought her things.