Chapter 48 Taking the Bait
"Miss, please take your time choosing." Upon hearing this, the waiter quickly left Fangzhou to attend to Huiniang.
Lord Yuan's wife was very generous, while the young lady who arrived first only looked and didn't buy anything; it goes without saying which one was more important.
"You've come at the perfect time. We just got some new scented pendants, including one with a rose design. Let me show them to you."
"Give it to me."
The waiter pulled open a drawer, took out a box from inside, and opened it. Inside were two rose-scented pendants.
Hui Niang picked up one and examined it, revealing a satisfied expression: "Not bad, much more elegant than the square and round ones before."
The shop assistant smiled and chimed in, "Our incense masters are all top-notch. Since incense pendants are a relatively new product, we're not familiar with them yet, but we'll definitely get better and better in the future. Your satisfaction is guaranteed."
A cold laugh rang out, and Fangzhou put one hand on his hip: "You little waiter, I was here first, but you went to serve others."
"I'm waiting for you to take your time choosing. I can't just sit here and do nothing all day while you're looking around, can I?"
Fangzhou pointed at the plate of incense and pendants: "Is this all? You're blaming me for taking so long to pick? It would be strange if I could pick out such ordinary stuff."
The shopkeeper was furious. This incense pendant was one of the prized possessions of their Tianxiang Pavilion, and they couldn't allow it to be belittled like this.
"I do have some excellent ones, but I'm just thinking of the young lady's wallet." The waiter's tone became sarcastic.
Fangzhou chuckled, not to be outdone: "The 'good stuff' you're talking about, it wouldn't happen to be the sachet you gave to that lady, would it?"
She took two steps closer and glanced into the box: "Oh, what a coincidence, I also have this rose-shaped sachet. Let's see how it compares to your Tianxiang Pavilion's."
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper and the waiters fell silent, and Hui Niang finally looked at Fang Zhou directly.
Fangzhou reached to his waist and showed everyone the colorful rope with which he tied the incense pendant.
The ancient red rose petals unfolded layer upon layer, and a faint rose fragrance wafted over.
Hui Niang was immediately captivated.
The shopkeeper pushed the waiter aside, practically wanting to stick his eyes to him.
Fangzhou moved the rose-scented pendant to the side, seemingly to avoid the shopkeeper's large hand that wanted to touch her, but in reality, it brought her closer to Huiniang.
As a result, Hui Niang saw more clearly and smelled more distinctly.
"This fragrance—" Hui Niang sniffed, then looked at the pair of rose-scented pendants lying in the box, only feeling disgusted.
It looks rough, and the scent isn't rose at all; it's like the difference between a fake and the real thing.
"May I ask, young lady, where did this fragrant pendant come from?" The shopkeeper bowed to Fangzhou, becoming polite.
Nowadays, incense pendants are still a rare item for ordinary people, and only wealthy families buy them. Any incense shop that has incense pendants of this quality will undoubtedly become famous.
"This was made by Miss Qiu Liu herself," Fangzhou said with a hint of pride.
"Sixth Miss Qiu?" The shopkeeper exclaimed in surprise, then realized, "Is she the noble lady who first made the incense pendant?"
“That’s right. I got a scented pendant made by Miss Qiu Liu herself thanks to a friend. My sister liked it very much, but there was only one, so she came to the incense shop to try her luck.” At this point, Fangzhou shook her head, “Unfortunately, although your shops have scented pendants, they are far inferior to those made by Miss Qiu Liu.”
"You little rascal—"
The waiter couldn't help but argue back, and was kicked by the shopkeeper.
"Young lady, would you be willing to sell this sachet? Our shop is willing to offer a high price."
Fangzhou hurriedly put the sachet away: "The sachet made by Miss Qiu Liu is not something that can be bought with money. Since your shop doesn't have a suitable one, I'll go look elsewhere."
"Young lady, are you really unwilling to part with this? The perfumes from other shops aren't as good as ours..."
The shopkeeper chased after her all the way out, but returned disappointed. Only when he saw Hui Niang did he perk up: "Which one does my lady like? Let the waiter wrap it up for you."
Hui Niang glanced disdainfully at the sachet in the box: "Don't you have one similar to the one that the little girl is wearing?"
The shopkeeper smiled wryly: "You heard it too, madam. That young lady's perfume pendant was made by Miss Qiu Liu. Perfumed pendants became popular in the capital because of Miss Qiu Liu. I've never seen such a rare item before. It's not easy for the incense maker in my shop to have figured it out in such a short time. Of course, we can't compare with Miss Qiu Liu."
"Which family does Miss Qiu Liu belong to?" Hui Niang had completely lost interest in the perfume pendants in the shop, her mind only on the rose perfume pendant that Fang Zhou had just held.
If you asked any random guy this question, they might not be able to answer it. When something becomes popular, people focus on the product itself, and only a few pay attention to its origins.
The incense shop owner remembered clearly: "Miss Qiu Liu is a noble lady from the Yongqing Marquis's mansion."
The perfumer had been pestering him to meet the person who made the perfume pendant, but he only gave up after finding out that she was a noble lady from a noble family.
"The Yongqing Marquis's Mansion..." Hui Niang murmured, leaving the incense shop empty-handed.
"Which shop will you like to visit next, my lady?" asked the maid beside her.
Hui Niang said listlessly, "I'm not going to shop anymore, let's go back."
Back at the Yuan residence, Hui Niang looked through all the treasured incense, her desire growing stronger with each look.
That rose-scented pendant is not only exquisite, but also has a wonderful fragrance; it would be wonderful to wear it.
"What's wrong, my lady?" The one who spoke was a maid who hadn't gone out with her.
The maid accompanying her said, "When Madam went to Tianxiang Pavilion to buy a scented pendant, she saw a particularly elegant one at a young girl's shop. It is said to be made by Miss Qiu Liu..."
Hui Niang sighed, "Indeed, what you can't buy is the best."
The maid who spoke first rolled her eyes and suggested, "Since Miss Qiu Liu is giving away the sachet, why doesn't Madam ask Master? Perhaps Master has dealings with the Yongqing Marquis's Mansion."
Hui Niang's heart skipped a beat.
The beauties around the master come and go; those who stay are naturally favored, but even the most favored have a sense of insecurity. Leaving aside his arch-rival, Li Niang, the fourth concubine the master brought this time is clearly a vixen.
She had heard that the older sister of Nie Si Niang who came to her door had gone to a perfume shop and the like a couple of days ago, which showed that her lack of ambition was just an act, and she was not restless at heart.
A woman's beauty is inseparable from clothes, jewelry, rouge, and perfume. She loves fragrance, not only to please herself, but also to keep her husband's heart.
When Yuan Chenghai returned, Huiniang pulled him into her room.
"Master hasn't come to my room for several days. Has he forgotten about me since he's taken a new concubine?"
Yuan Chenghai smiled and put his arm around Hui Niang's waist: "I may forget anyone, but I will never forget you, Hui Niang."
He was always on guard against assassination attempts and backstabbing people when he was out, but returning home was his time to relax. He loved beauties like Hui Niang and Li Niang, who were beautiful, had few ulterior motives, and whose competitive nature was always on their faces.
It made him proud without him having to do anything.
As for Fourth Sister, he likes her now, oh, actually he likes her even more, but he doesn't know how long this liking will last.
Hui Niang sat down in Yuan Chenghai's lap: "Does Master know anyone from the Yongqing Marquis's Mansion?"
"The Yongqing Marquis's Residence?" Yuan Chenghai frowned and thought for a moment. "Why are you suddenly asking about this?"
He had met the Earl of Yongqing when he was dealing with Fang Xiang, but he didn't give him much of a look.
He was a down-on-his-luck man who soon lost even his title, but he was still quite lively. There were too many people fawning over him, so he didn't need any more.
"I have heard that the sixth young lady of the Yongqing Marquis's mansion is a master of incense making, especially the incense pendants that are currently popular in the capital, which she was the first to make."
"Is it that wooden plaque you were wearing?"
Hui Niang curled her lip in disdain: "That's far inferior to what Miss Qiu Liu made. Master, if you know anyone in the Yongqing Marquis's mansion, could you perhaps ask me for a scented pendant?"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Chenghai's lips twitched.
Such a small matter; women's understanding is truly limited.
"Sir, is this alright?"
Hui Niang wrapped her arms around Yuan Chenghai's neck and swayed, her delicate fragrance wafting into his nostrils.
"Sure, of course."
Yuan Chenghai readily agreed.
He asked Yongqingbo for something out of respect for the old man; there was no difficulty involved.
When Yongqingbo received Yuan Chenghai's invitation, he was at a loss.
Why would this favorite of the emperor suddenly invite him for drinks?
That shouldn't be the case; I couldn't even reach that level before.
Hiss—could it be that he's always facing assassination attempts and wants to find someone to share the burden?
Yongqingbo couldn't help but overthink, and then felt he shouldn't have.
Those wicked people want to kill corrupt officials, but it's never his turn. It's not that he doesn't want to be corrupt, but he simply doesn't have the power.
Uncle Yongqing went to the restaurant with a belly full of questions.
The private rooms in the restaurant were guarded both inside and out, with one guarding the window.
Earl Yongqing tried his best to maintain a calm expression and bowed to Yuan Chenghai, saying, "Lord Yuan."
"Please sit down, Your Excellency."
Yuan Chenghai personally poured a cup of wine for Yongqing Bo.
Yongqingbo hurriedly accepted it and asked politely, "May I ask what business Lord Yuan has with this old man?"
Yuan Chenghai laughed heartily: "There is something I need to trouble you with, Lord. I heard that your granddaughter is skilled in making incense?"
The Earl of Yongqing was stunned, unable to hide his surprise.
What does Yuan Chenghai mean? Has he taken a fancy to Liu Yatou? Did he invite him for drinks today because he wants to take Liu Yatou as a concubine?
This cannot be agreed to. This man surnamed Yuan is frequently assassinated; he might die any day now.
Besides, although this person enjoys imperial favor, he is still inferior to the Prime Minister, and he spends most of his time in the southeast, so he cannot be relied upon much. It would not be worth risking the reputation of the Yongqing Marquis's Mansion for this.
Seeing that Yongqingbo was lost in thought and his expression kept changing, Yuan Chenghai was also puzzled.
No, is it difficult to get a fragrant pendant for a concubine?
"Lord, sir—" Yuan Chenghai called out with a stern face.
Lord Yongqing snapped out of his reverie: "Lord Yuan, please speak."
"That's right. My family greatly admires the incense pendants made by your granddaughter. I, Yuan, would like to trouble you, Lord, to ask your granddaughter for one."
Uncle Yongqing breathed a sigh of relief.
So that's why he had to think of countless ways to refuse, wasting so much of his energy.
Wait, Sixth Sister's reputation for making incense has grown that much?
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