Chapter 29 FCADW? IRTBTMOTMM
FlamingoBees
Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)
Favoring Concubines and Destroying Wives? I Refuse to be the Mistress of this Marquis' Mansion
Chapter 29:
Aroma
"Master, this is the madam of our Marquis of Wu Ding's mansion."
The stewardess of the Lu family knocked on the door of the temple. The knowledgeable master, who specialized in receiving incense clients, opened the door, made a gesture of respect, and said, "Amitabha, please come in." He led them into the temple and settled them in a room.
It was still early, and Lin Yunyi wanted to take Lu Chang Gong to play.
Lin Yunwan also wished to stroll around with Madam Lin, discussing some mother-daughter matters.
© translations belonging to flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.
The servants from the Marquis of Wuding's mansion followed along. Lin Yunwan calmly said, "Stay back a bit."
"Yes."
Six or seven maidservants stepped back, but their eyes didn't leave Lin Yunwan. Although she was the mistress of the Marquis's mansion and had the right to go out for incense, unlike unmarried young ladies, the stewardesses of the mansion still had the responsibility to watch over her and prevent accidents.
"I heard you talking to Lady Guo earlier about wanting to learn fragrance blending. Why the sudden interest?" Madam Lin inquired.
Lin Yunwan briefly explained her thoughts, "The shops I own are far outside the capital, not under my watchful eye. They bring in only a small amount of silver each year. I'm thinking of selling those shops and engaging in the spice business in the capital."
Madam Lin frowned and asked, "Do you lack silver?"
"No, Mother, please don't think too much about it."
When she got married, fearing that she might feel wronged in the Lu family, most of the shops, fields, and silver were given to her as dowry. The Lin family's financial situation was already average, and her mother and brother had been living in tight conditions these years. She couldn't let her mother subsidize her further.
Madam Lin said, "You're not short of silver, so why bother with this? Selling the shops, the people managing them might not come with you. You'd have to find new people, causing more trouble. Isn't managing the marquis's mansion enough for you? Why create more problems for yourself?"
© translations belonging to flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.
Seeing that Lin Yunwan seemed to have made up her mind, Madam Lin could only say, "If there's anything you need help with, just come home and talk to me and your brother."
"Mother, don't worry. I'll surely not trouble you and my brother."
"We're family, why talk about being polite... You, this girl."
Suddenly, a pleasant fragrance wafted through the air. Perhaps it was related to the discussion about fragrance blending. Madam Lin became curious, "What is this fragrance? It's quite pleasant."
Lin Yunwan sniffed and replied, "It's not just one fragrance... there are three."
"Madam, you're mistaken; there are four."
From around the corner of the Buddha hall, a young man approached. His voice sounded gentle and pleasant, but his eyes were like an abyss, unfathomable, capable of pulling people in!
Profound and mysterious.
Lin Yunwan immediately felt a strong sense of alertness.
Qi Lingheng approached, offering Lin Yunwan a faint smile. Despite being polite, his gaze still carried a hint of distance. After all, they were not acquainted.
Lin Yunwan pulled her mother aside, making way for him.
Due to the proximity, the fragrance emanating from him became clear. Indeed, there were four distinct scents. Three originated from the gilded small incense ball at his waist, and the last one, which she couldn't identify, seemed to exude faintly from his body, as if he was born with it.
The fragrance, like the man himself, was understated, giving an inexplicable sense of nobility.
What kind of fragrance was this?
Lin Yunwan wondered silently.
Qi Lingheng didn't rush to leave but engaged in conversation with Lin Yunwan. "Forgive my boldness. Madam, do you have a guess about the fourth scent?"
Lin Yunwan looked at him and shook her head with certainty. "It's a fragrance I've never encountered before. I can't guess."
Perhaps due to the man's prestigious appearance, his attendant was also well-dressed.
The servants of the Wu Ding Marquis Mansion, though witnessing the lady conversing with a stranger, dared not interrupt.
Qi Lingheng smiled slightly. "Madam is intelligent."
He nodded gently, signaling his departure without revealing the identity of the fragrance.
Madam Lin commented, "This man is truly peculiar."
However, Lin Yunwan was contemplating—what kind of fragrance was on him?
Lady Guo, skilled in the art of fragrance, had dealt with hundreds of scents. While Lin Yunwan might not recognize every fragrance, the distinctive ones were etched in her memory. The scent from the man's body, though, remained elusive.
Strangely, she also felt a sense of familiarity with the man, as if she had seen him somewhere before, but she couldn't recall.
"Mother, we've reached the Hall. Let's offer our prayers. Be careful on the steps."
Madam Lin lifted her foot, saying, "Help me with the incense."
Mother and daughter paid their respects to the Buddha, offering incense and drawing lots for divination.
~
Lin Yunwan sincerely bowed before the Buddha, murmuring softly, "A faithful devotee does not disappoint the Buddha."
In her thoughts, she suddenly pondered—what was that fragrance?
© translations belonging to flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.
Well, it was a rare and elusive scent. Even if she knew, reproducing it might prove challenging.
Qi Lingheng left the Buddha hall, his expression somewhat complicated, not angry, but rather feeling that things had taken an unexpected turn.
She actually didn't recognize him.
He even initiated a conversation with her.
Qi Lingheng shook his head, not dwelling on it. After all, many years had passed, and when they first met, they were both quite young. It was normal for her not to remember.
"Who is that child?"
Qi Lingheng noticed two older children not far away, both boys, and asked the young novice monk beside him, "There were female visitors for incense today. How come there are male guests as well?"
The novice monk nervously replied, "They came together with the female guest. They are her younger brother and son."
"Son?" Both boys looked quite mature for their age.
Qi Lingheng, with a furrowed brow, seemingly asked casually, "The lady looks very young. How could she have such a grown-up son?"
The novice monk shook his head, "This... I don't know."
Qi Lingheng didn't press further and continued walking towards the exit.
The eunuch A'Fu, accompanying him, handed some money to the novice monk and said, "Master, you've worked hard."
The novice monk received it with both hands, offering a blessing in return.
Back at the Prince Heng's residence, Qi Lingheng didn't make an effort to inquire about Lin Yunwan's affairs.
A'Fu, with keen insight, figured out the situation and reported, "Master, that child is the adopted son of the Wu Ding Marquis, the wife of the Heir of Wu Ding Marquis Mansion. I heard she adopted two, and this one is the older one, almost nine years old."
Qi Lingheng seemed indifferent, merely saying, "Understood."
A'Fu muttered, "He's perfectly fine. Why adopt children? The Madam of the Marquis is still young; she should be able to have her own..."
Qi Lingheng looked at him and smiled, "You're so concerned. Why not just go and serve at the Wu Ding Marquis's residence?"
A'Fu quickly waved his hands, refusing and hurriedly retreated. He had discovered that his Master's lack of expression was not terrifying, but when he smiled, that was when he should be scared. After avoiding the situation, he felt a shiver down his spine.
Qi Lingheng slowly reined in his smile.
~
After Lin Yunwan and Madam Lin parted ways, Lin Yunwan returned to the Marquis's residence. As she arrived at the Chuihua Gate, an envoy from the Old Madam Lu's place came to fetch her, saying, "You are needed for a visit." The messenger also mentioned, "Young Master Lu Zhengjiu is there too."
What does he want now?
Lin Yunwan's expression remained calm as she proceeded to the designated place.
© translations belonging to flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.
•••
Comments
Post a Comment
What did you think of this chapter?