Chapter 12 Nobody is allowed to touch it!

Xiao Cui wasn't lying; her swollen, red hands were proof.

She was soaking wet from head to toe. She hadn't even had time to change her clothes when she got back before the Second Madam summoned her.

"You can't even handle this little thing, what use are you! Tomorrow is a banquet, and without this scented soap, who knows what they'll say about me behind my back! It's all because of you!"

Wang Yue is now wearing the coolest outfit possible, thinking that this will reduce her sweating and odor.

As a result of emotional fluctuations, my body became hot and I gradually started sweating.

Soon, she could smell the scent herself.

The long-lost taste evoked not familiarity in her, but disgust!

If she knew that she had gone from being a "fragrant person" to a "stinky person," that little bitch Sun Qiuxiang would probably have ridiculed her even more.

The ladies were fawning over her, but only because of the scented soap she had; they wanted to get a penny or two from her. Wang Yue had given all her savings to Xiao Cui so she could buy more and show off in front of the ladies.

Now that there's no soap, the ridicule from those people will only intensify, making it impossible for her to face their ugly faces.

She has been married into the Chen family for five years and has never gotten pregnant.

Now that the master can visit her room more often, she thought she could seize the opportunity.

Having a son or daughter would solidify their position. But this blissful period lasted only a few days.

If the master knew that her scent had returned, he probably would never come to her room again!

As she thought about it, she buried her face in her arms on the table and started crying.

It's better to have never had something than to have it briefly!

On the fourth day, she went to the auspicious general store herself. It was pouring rain, and she waited all day, but the store still didn't open.

Today is the fifth day, and it still hasn't opened.

What business would stay closed for five days? Why not at least put up a notice?

Did that grocery store never open again?

"Second Madam, if it really doesn't work out, shall we not go tomorrow?" Xiao Cui whispered.

Upon hearing this, the second wife, Wang Yue, cried even harder.

"I can hide for one more day, but can I hide forever?! If that grocery store never opens again, I won't live anymore!"

The rain had not stopped. The sound of rain was continuous.

The Chen family mansion was planted with many green plants, and raindrops fell on different leaves, making different sounds.

If you appreciate it with a calm mind, it is also a wonderful artistic conception.

"What is that little slut Wang wailing about again?" Madam Zhou, the first wife, was patrolling the night when she passed by a side courtyard.

A cool, rainy summer night is usually quite pleasant. Mrs. Zhou has also been in a good mood lately because her daughter has found a good marriage partner.

Upon hearing the wailing sounds coming from the side courtyard, he immediately frowned.

The old woman beside me said, "I heard that the Second Madam recently obtained a kind of scented soap that can wash away body odor. At first, I thought it was just a rumor, but when I met her in the garden these past few days, the fragrance on her body was very elegant and not an ordinary fragrance, so I realized it was true."

"That's right! These days, the master has been in her room every day!" Madam Zhou, the first wife, said with great frustration.

Originally, Wang had not given birth to a child in the five years since she married into the Chen family, and she also had a body odor, so Zhou had never paid much attention to her.

But now that the master is staying overnight so often, it's only a matter of time before she gets pregnant.

Although the Zhou family had a legitimate son, they still had to be cautious!

Which matriarch would want her illegitimate son to inherit the family property?

The old woman spoke up again, "How about I go and find out what kind of scented soap the Second Madam uses, and try to get her a piece... We can't keep letting the Master go to the Second Madam's room. If she gets pregnant, who knows how arrogant she'll become!"

The elderly woman beside her was Zhou's wet nurse, and naturally she was wholeheartedly concerned for her.

Zhou also knew that the master had been extremely cold to her over the years. Although she had secured her position as the mistress of the house, she rarely spoke more than a few words to her.

Which woman doesn't want more care from her husband? Which woman doesn't want a harmonious marriage, growing old together in love?

Not to mention women trapped in their own homes.

"That scented soap...is it really that effective?"

“Madam, to be honest, men crave novelty and love the comforts of a gentle home. Madam is dignified and proper, which is the proper duty of a mistress, and that is excellent. But... sometimes you lack a certain charm that would make the master’s heart flutter.”

She cautiously suggested, "In my opinion, that scented soap... might be a turning point? Madam, think about it. If you use that scented soap, and wash yourself with a pleasant fragrance, then change into some bright clothes, and say a few tender words... your master's heart might just turn back."

"If she can conceive another son or daughter, then no one will be able to shake her position as the wife."

In fact, Zhou was only thirty-two years old. Moreover, having been pampered since childhood, she looked no more than thirty years old.

Many women of that age gave birth in ancient times, and since Zhou was in good health, getting pregnant again would not be a problem.

The lanterns on the eaves swayed, casting flickering light on Zhou's face.

Beneath her dignified face, a long-lost longing began to stir.

Zhou was tempted.

————

Cheng Fang and Zhao Jingxing rode back to their camp.

He had only gone out to find a tinderbox, but he ended up with an unexpected reward.

Throughout the journey, Cheng Fang's heart was firmly captivated by that bag of pastries.

A faint, sweet aroma wafted over, arousing his intense hunger.

He reached out several times to take it, but was stopped by the strange and extremely tough packaging.

Each serving of pastries comes in this transparent packaging, which looks like it's filled with gas and expands, serving as a shield against bumps and jostles. Despite the journey, none of the pastries inside broke.

But it was precisely because of this packaging that he was prevented from trying it out.

He both loves and hates it!

He had eaten good food before; he was tired of the pastries in the capital.

But ever since he went to war with the army, he had to endure wind and rain, and even a decent hot meal was hard to come by.

Upon his return, he encountered flooding again, and before he could even go home, he was assigned to provide assistance.

Naturally, he couldn't eat the pastries he longed for.

The overly sweet pastries that he used to dislike now tantalize him like a tempting worm!

As soon as he reined in his horse, Zhao Jingxing dismounted and said, "You take care of things here first, I'll go check on the disaster victims."

Zhao Jingxing was a year older than him and had been steady and reliable since childhood. He wasn't interested in snacks or desserts; he was more concerned about the disaster victims.

As soon as he dismounted, his personal guards came to greet him. "Captain, have you found a tinderbox?"

Cheng Fang was about to hand the tinderbox to the soldier, but when he touched its icy touch, he refused.

He only has one, what if he loses it?

The other one was in Zhao Jingxing's hands. He was just about to speak when the other person disappeared into the darkness.

This guy!

On one side is a big bag of snacks, and on the other side is a beloved tinderbox. How should one choose?

Finally, he swallowed hard. He handed the large bag of snacks to his personal guard, his tone serious:

"Take this first, I'll deal with it when I get back! Nobody is allowed to touch it!"

He then said to another guard, "Quickly, take me to the kitchen!"