Chapter 169 Where did this incense come from?
Whispers began to spread like ripples on water throughout the room.
Someone in the audience shouted, "The fragrance is coming from Miss Hongxiu!"
In an instant, everyone's eyes were fixed on Hongxiu, and some audience members sitting in the front row couldn't help but stand up and follow the fragrance.
The fragrance was neither as sweet as ordinary face powder, nor as faint as a sachet that required close inspection to detect.
It is enduring yet ever-changing, flowing with the movement of the red sleeves, as if it were the charm emanating from her own body.
When the music ended, the hall fell silent; there was no applause.
Hongxiu's face instantly fell, and her heart sank. She thought she had failed.
She gave a graceful bow, preparing to leave. The movement caused the fragrance of her floral perfume to spread more widely and intensely.
Suddenly, the audience stirred. It wasn't cheers, but questions.
"The girl in red sleeves smells so good!"
"What is that fragrance on you, young lady? I have traveled far and wide, and I have never smelled such a wonderful scent before!"
"This fragrance is so invigorating, it's even more special than the ambergris I have treasured at home!"
"This fragrance has a refreshing scent that invigorates the mind! May I ask where it comes from, young lady? No matter the price, I am willing to buy it!"
In an instant, Hongxiu was surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd at the front of the stage, with questions coming one after another.
Seeing this, the mother was both surprised and flustered, and quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.
"Gentlemen, please be patient. Miss Hongxiu has just finished singing and needs to rest. Let's talk things out slowly!"
At this moment, Ji Wensheng, sitting in the best-looking private room on the second floor, also smelled this unique fragrance.
He put down his teacup, raising an eyebrow slightly, as if savoring the faint fragrance in the air.
"It's truly refreshing and unique!"
Only then did he pay more attention to the red sleeves from which the fragrance emanated.
He originally came to see the most beautiful courtesan in the capital, Eleventh Sister, and never paid any attention to a courtesan from a small place like Hongxiu.
Her looks were considered exceptional in Ping'an County, but even in the capital, she could only rank last among the most beautiful women.
At this moment, this unique fragrance deeply attracted him.
The fragrance can be smelled from this distance, which shows that this incense is no ordinary product.
He beckoned to the servant beside him: "Go and tell Eleventh Sister that we won't be going to her place today."
"Yes, young master."
Hongxiu, surrounded by her mother and servants, left the stage.
Hongxiu felt both proud and somewhat at a loss. Although she might not be able to win first place this time, she would probably be the most eye-catching person at this tasting party.
As for where this fragrance comes from and what it's called, she felt there was no need for too many people to know.
The more mysterious something is, the more it attracts people.
Everyone's curiosity was completely ignited, and they all pressed for details about the source of the fragrance.
This scene was witnessed by Fang Shijie, who was in a private room on the east side of the second floor.
I just wanted to test the reactions of passersby with this floral water, but I never expected it to cause such a frenzy.
He held another bottle of floral water on the table. A deep smile appeared on his lips.
This seemingly ordinary general store could produce such amazing items.
Once this "floral water" is released, it will be enough to create a huge upheaval in the cosmetics and perfume industry of the entire Great Yu Dynasty.
Its value cannot be measured by gold or silver.
He gently swirled the wine in his glass, his gaze becoming deep and unfathomable.
It could easily provide the army with tens of thousands of grains, and the shop also had so many rare and precious treasures.
It seems he needs to pay even more attention to this Miss Jiang.
The Red Sleeve storyline is particularly crucial.
Long after the Fragrance Appreciation Gathering ended, the discussion about the mysterious "floral water" in the Fragrant Beauty Pavilion continued unabated.
Although Hongxiu did not win the first prize this time, her ethereal fragrance shrouded her in mystery, greatly increasing her value.
The commotion inside the Fragrant Beauty Pavilion had not yet completely subsided.
Hongxiu had just returned to her private room backstage and hadn't even had time to remove her makeup when her mother's deliberately raised, solicitous voice came from outside the door:
"Miss Hongxiu, look who's come to see you! It's Young Master Ji!"
The curtain was lifted, and Ji Wensheng, the young man in brocade robes who had been in the central private room on the second floor, walked in with a smile.
After Hongxiu was selected as the top courtesan, she met many high-ranking officials and nobles from the capital.
Ji Wensheng, a talented and romantic man, had long heard of him.
Ji Wensheng is the eldest son of the Ji family.
The Ji family monopolized most of the porcelain business in the capital. Old Master Ji had fought alongside the late emperor in his early years, and although his sons did not hold top positions in the military, they were all powerful figures.
In the capital, no one dared to offend him easily.
Hongxiu recalled how she had once been coerced by her mother into fawning over him.
Unfortunately, the woman in his arms was none other than the most popular courtesan in the capital, Eleventh Sister, and she didn't reciprocate her feelings at all. As a result, she incurred Eleventh Sister's wrath.
They even privately mocked her for being of average looks and talent, yet she dared to walk up to her and stand shoulder to shoulder with her.
Now she sees this high and mighty Young Master Ji actually condescending to come down and see her.
She was pleasantly surprised and understood that this was the effect of the floral water.
As soon as Ji Wensheng entered, he smelled the rich fragrance. His gaze fell directly on Hongxiu, making no attempt to hide his admiration and curiosity.
The mother subtly winked at Hongxiu, signaling her to seize the opportunity. Then she withdrew.
"Hongxiu greets Young Master Ji." Hongxiu curtsied, her voice soft.
Ji Wensheng took two steps forward and strolled slowly around her. His tone was relaxed, and he lightly closed his folding fan.
"The song performed by Miss Hongxiu just now was very impressive. In particular, the unique fragrance on her body was unforgettable. I, Ji, have always loved collecting rare fragrances and have seen many overseas treasures, but I have never encountered one as unforgettable as the one performed by Miss Hongxiu."
As he spoke his last sentence, he leaned forward slightly, greedily inhaling the fragrance emanating from her body.
Hongxiu's heart tightened, and she gripped the hem of her skirt slightly, but she still smiled and said, "Young master, you flatter me. It's just some ordinary incense."
Ji Wensheng stopped in front of her. "Ordinary incense doesn't have such a pure and lasting fragrance. My Ji family deals in porcelain and often deals with merchants from the Western Regions and Southeast Asia, but I've never smelled such a unique fragrance before. I wonder where Miss Hongxiu obtained this fragrance?"
Hongxiu bit her lip, feeling troubled. It was only her first night using floral water, and she didn't want to unveil this mystery so soon.
But given Ji Wensheng's status, she didn't dare refuse directly, and could only vaguely reply:
"Young Master Ji, you flatter me. This incense is a little trinket that I bought by chance from a merchant from out of town. It is not worthy of being presented in a refined setting, but it is already a blessing that it can be of interest to you."
Ji Wensheng raised an eyebrow, clearly disbelieving: "A merchant from out of town? I wonder which merchant guild he belongs to? I'd like to see for myself. A merchant who can acquire such a rare item must be extraordinary."
He spoke politely, but his eyes held a look that left no room for refusal.
Hongxiu felt a sense of pressure, realizing that he wouldn't give up until he achieved his goal.
Having no other choice, she had to tell the truth.
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