Chapter 52 Second Concubine
"My lord, my lord, something terrible has happened!"
Xue Han looked at Hu Si who rushed in and said calmly, "What are you yelling about?"
"My lord, something terrible has happened!"
Xue Han raised his eyelids slightly: "Speak."
Could the Imperial City Guard possibly face anything good? It would be normal for things to turn out badly.
"Sixth Miss Qiu—" Hu Si gasped for breath, pleased that he hadn't blurted out "red bean cake."
Xue Han's expression changed slightly: "What's wrong with Miss Qiu Liu?"
Hu Si was taken aback by Xue Han's reaction.
Who was that so nonchalant just now? Oh, it was their superiors.
"Have you lost your temper?" Xue Han suppressed the urge to kick him.
Hu Si coughed and said, "I was just strolling around the Yuan residence, oh, on patrol. Guess what I saw?"
"Sixth Miss Qiu?"
"Yes, Miss Qiu Liu arrived at the Yuan residence in a carriage! I specifically asked the Yuan family members, and they said she was there to mix incense for some Lady Hui..."
Hongdougao was, after all, a noble lady from the Earl's mansion. No matter how impoverished the Yongqing Earl's mansion was, would they go to make perfume for one of Yuan Chenghai's concubines?
impossible!
"It must be that lecherous Yuan Chenghai who coveted Miss Qiu's beauty and tricked her into coming to his house under the pretense of making incense for his concubine. Once Miss Qiu enters Yuan's residence, it's like a lamb entering a tiger's den—she's doomed!"
Xue Han glanced at his agitated subordinate and strode out.
Hu Si hurriedly followed.
As Yuan Chenghai dismounted in front of his house and was about to go inside, he heard a voice behind him call out, "Lord Yuan, please wait."
Yuan Chenghai turned around, looking at the young man walking towards him with a puzzled expression: "Lord Xue?"
"There has been no progress in dealing with the thugs who attacked Lord Yuan. I would like to have a talk with Lord Yuan; perhaps we can find some clues."
"Lord Xue, you are too kind. Why don't you come and sit in my humble abode for a while?" Yuan Chenghai extended an invitation.
He returned home at this time because he learned that Miss Qiu Liu had returned with Hui Niang, and he wanted to see what Miss Qiu Liu looked like and what she was thinking.
A young girl took the initiative to come to his door; he didn't believe she was aloof and proud. Perhaps Uncle Yongqing wanted to sell his granddaughter for personal gain, and the granddaughter herself was happy to be sold.
But compared to the serious matters concerning his safety, this little thing had to take a backseat.
"There's no need to go to your residence. The Imperial City Guard is different from others; it's easy for people to misunderstand. I hope Lord Yuan will understand."
"Oh, yes, yes. Then let's go sit at a teahouse nearby."
Xue Han nodded and gave Hu Si a wink.
Hu Si indicated that he understood and stayed behind near the Yuan residence.
Qiu Heng had already entered the courtyard where Hui Niang lived, and while waiting for Hui Niang to bathe and change, she silently looked around.
"Sixth Miss Qiu, you've kept me waiting." Hui Niang, dressed in a refreshing outfit, walked over.
Qiu Heng circled around Hui Niang once and said, "Let's go outside again and try to minimize the disturbance."
The more intricate and meticulous the process, the more Hui Niang believed in Qiu Heng's incense-making skills, and was even moved by her dedication.
The two entered the courtyard. Qiu Heng closed her eyes and sniffed lightly, while Hui Niang became inexplicably nervous.
"alright."
"Is that all?" Hui Niang asked, somewhat incredulous.
Qiu Heng smiled and nodded: "I've remembered the unique scent of Lady Hui, that's enough. Does Lady Hui only want the scented pendant, or would she like some scented pills as well?"
"Incense balls used for burning incense?"
"Hmm. Compared to incense sticks, incense has better therapeutic effects. It can calm the nerves and relieve fatigue, soothe the mind and refresh the brain, beautify the skin, and promote blood circulation... Different fragrant herbs make different incense balls with different effects, and they can also be used to scent clothes..."
Hui Niang listened with rapt attention, her eyes shining.
"I want them all!"
Qiu Heng smiled and said, "I'll send the incense to Lady Hui once it's ready."
"Thank you so much, I don't know what to say."
“There’s no need for that, Lady Hui. To me, a true lover of fragrance is a confidant.”
Hui Niang was deeply moved by what she heard.
In everyone's eyes, she was the master's concubine, but in Qiu Liu's eyes, she was a confidante.
Qiu Heng opened the box she had brought: "Making incense takes some time, so why don't you pick out two pieces that you like to wear for fun?"
Hui Niang thanked her again and began making her selections.
Liniang's courtyard was right next door, and news of it had spread ever since Huiniang brought Qiuheng back.
"They specially invited someone to make incense for her?" Upon hearing the news from the maid, Li Niang's delicate brows furrowed deeply.
"Who is that young lady?"
"They say she is the sixth daughter of the Yongqing Marquis's family."
Li Niang's expression changed: "Did you hear that right?"
"That's right, I specifically asked the gatekeeper."
Yuan Chenghai valued his life, so he would always ask outsiders who wanted to enter his residence to confirm their identity.
What's going on? The noble lady from the Earl's mansion came specifically to make incense for Hui Niang?
What right does that bitch have?
Liniang couldn't sit still any longer, so she went to the next room.
"Madam, Lady Li has arrived." The maidservant came to Hui Niang's side and reported in a low voice.
"What is she doing here? Just tell her I'm entertaining important guests and don't have time to see her."
Before the maid could even reach the courtyard gate after receiving the order, Liniang came straight in.
"Oh, is your little sister entertaining guests?"
Hui Niang forced a smile despite her annoyance: "I was just about to see the guests off, I'll talk to you later, sister."
Li Niang glanced at Qiu Heng's face with her beautiful eyes and secretly cursed Hui Niang for being foolish.
How dare you bring such a young and lovely girl home? Aren't you afraid of inviting a wolf into your house?
"Whose daughter is this? I don't think I've seen her before." Li Niang held up her fan and gently fanned herself twice.
Although they were the master's concubines, they would also interact with some of the other wives because of the master's status.
Although those ladies looked down on them, they still had to smile and fawn over them. Therefore, even though Liniang knew Qiuheng's status, she didn't feel the need to show her any respect.
Those who truly deserve respect will not set foot in the Yuan residence.
"I am Qiu Liu." Qiu Heng introduced herself and glanced at Hui Niang.
Hui Niang was secretly annoyed that Liniang had ruined the good atmosphere, but she couldn't show it in front of Qiu Heng, so she said in a restrained tone, "This is Liniang, she lives in the courtyard next to mine."
"Lady Li," Qiu Heng greeted her warmly, then smiled at Hui Niang, "Having made your choice, Lady Hui, I'll head home now."
She reached out to close the box, which drew Li Niang's attention.
Wow, so many fragrant pendants!
Liniang prefers fine clothes to perfumes, but that doesn't mean she doesn't love them.
Beautiful clothes also need nice accessories.
"Miss Qiu Liu, may I take a look?"
Hui Niang's face darkened: "Didn't you say you weren't interested in these things, sister?"
"Who said that?" Li Niang raised her sleeve, and a faint fragrance wafted over. "I've scented every single one of my clothes, so why aren't you interested?"
These exquisite and elegant scented pendants are clearly not available for purchase elsewhere. If Hui Niang can have them, why shouldn't she?
“Of course you can see it,” Qiu Heng said softly.
Li Niang glanced at Hui Niang triumphantly, picked up a fragrant pendant to examine it, then picked up another, liking it more and more with each look.
"Has Lady Li finished reading?"
"Yes, Miss Qiu Liu's incense-making skills are truly excellent," Li Niang praised.
"Then I'll go back." Qiu Heng put away the box and walked out.
Hui Niang almost burst out laughing, and walked beside Qiu Heng: "I'll see Miss Qiu out."
Li Niang, who was left behind, also lost her smile and almost gritted her teeth.
She's going to find the master!
(End of this chapter)
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