Chen Shiyun did not step out of the carriage, remaining seated inside with an air of composure.
Yue Yao said, "I just came out for a casual stroll."
There was no need to mention the spice shop she was planning to open—it wasn’t a significant matter anyway.
Chen Shiyun smiled and said, "Today, Miss Zhao is hosting a poetry gathering at her residence and invited me to attend. I happened to pass by and didn’t expect to see you here, Madam. Have your injuries improved?"
"They’ve healed quite a bit. Thank you for your concern, Miss Chen," Yue Yao replied politely.
"It’s only natural. After all, we’ll soon be family and should look out for one another," Chen Shiyun said, lifting her chin slightly.
She was already engaged to Ling Xiao and would soon become the Marquise. Though she and Yue Yao would technically be sisters-in-law, their statuses were worlds apart. Once she entered the household, Yue Yao would have to curry her favor to get by.
Yue Yao smiled faintly. "Indeed. I’ve been recuperating lately and haven’t had the chance to congratulate you yet, Miss Chen."
Chen Shiyun was pleased with Jiang Yueyao’s tactful demeanor, and the corners of her lips curled into a deeper smile. "Your health comes first, Madam. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now."
"Take care, Miss Chen," Yue Yao nodded.
Chen Shiyun lowered the carriage curtain, and the luxurious vehicle slowly rolled away.
Yue Yao watched the departing carriage, her brow furrowing slightly. It seemed Chen Shiyun harbored some displeasure toward her.
Was it because she was close to Princess Huaining?
Chun'er couldn’t hide her dissatisfaction. "That Miss Chen didn’t even step out of the carriage to speak to you just now. She’s acting so arrogantly toward you, Madam."
"She’s going to be the Marquise in the future—naturally, she’d put on airs."
Yue Yao didn’t mind such trivialities.
What worried her was whether Chen Shiyun might mistakenly believe she had interfered in her engagement to Ling Xiao and would make trouble for her after entering the household.
But then again, Chen Shiyun was a dignified noblewoman who valued propriety—she probably wouldn’t stoop to anything too undignified.
Chun'er muttered under her breath, "This Miss Chen doesn’t seem very easy to get along with."
Yue Yao replied calmly, "She’s not so bad. Compared to the Marquis, she’s much more approachable."
Chun'er: "..."
From her recent interactions with Chen Shiyun, Yue Yao had gauged her temperament—flatter her a little, and she’d become more amiable.
But Ling Xiao was a different story—unpredictable, temperamental, and impossible to read. Worse still, he was petty, and one never knew when they might offend him.
Yue Yao couldn’t help but frown. It was best to keep her distance from him.
Instead of returning home directly, Yue Yao headed to Xichun Lou, the largest restaurant in Yanjing.
"Welcome, esteemed guest! Would you like a private room upstairs?" The waiter greeted her warmly.
Those who worked in hospitality had sharp eyes—they could tell at a glance whether a guest was wealthy. Though this lady was dressed simply, the fabric of her robes was exquisite brocade, unmistakably befitting a noblewoman.
Thus, the waiter was exceptionally attentive.
Yue Yao nodded. "Yes, a private room, please."
"Right away! Please follow me upstairs!"
The first floor featured a stage, with tables and chairs filling the main hall. Many patrons sat below, sipping tea and enjoying the performance. However, the private rooms on the second and third floors offered greater privacy, making them the preferred choice for dignitaries and high-ranking guests.
The waiter escorted Yue Yao to the second floor, poured her tea, and attended to her with great enthusiasm.
Once seated, Yue Yao glanced at Chun'er, who promptly handed the waiter a silver ingot. "This is for you."
The waiter’s eyes lit up at the sight of such a generous tip. He bowed repeatedly. "Th-this is too much! Thank you, Madam! Thank you!"
Yue Yao smiled. "I have a business proposition I’d like to discuss with your manager. Could you kindly arrange a meeting?"
The waiter hesitated. "What kind of business?"
Chun'er lifted her chin with an air of importance. "A major one, of course! Our Madam could buy ten of your restaurants without breaking a sweat."
Yue Yao blinked. Wasn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?
She straightened her posture. "Please bring someone who has the authority to make decisions."
The waiter, intimidated by the noblewoman’s demeanor, didn’t dare delay. "Right away, Madam!"
Once he left, Chun'er leaned in and whispered anxiously, "Madam, what if we’re exposed when the manager arrives?"
After deducting the costs for purchasing spices and renting a prime location for her shop, her mistress only had two or three hundred taels of silver left—hardly enough to buy even a few antique vases from Xichun Lou.
"What’s there to fear?"
At worst, they’d be thrown out.
After waiting for the time it took an incense stick to burn, the door to the private room finally opened again.
A man in his forties entered, scrutinizing Yue Yao as if assessing her status.
The waiter quickly introduced him. "This is Manager Lin."
Manager Lin maintained a courteous tone. "Madam, what business did you wish to discuss?"
Yue Yao stood. "My surname is Jiang. My family owns a spice shop, and I’ve brought some samples today for you to evaluate."
Manager Lin frowned. "Our restaurant already has sufficient suppliers. We don’t need to purchase from another."
"You don’t need to buy anything. If you find our spices satisfactory, we’re willing to provide them free of charge," Yue Yao said earnestly.
Manager Lin was taken aback, then chuckled and shook his head. "Madam Jiang, are you trying to use our restaurant to promote your shop? Xichun Lou’s reputation is well-established. Your shop, on the other hand, must be relatively unknown. Hoping to supply spices to us is rather ambitious, don’t you think? Countless merchants are already lining up to collaborate with us."
"Those merchants in line can’t offer free supplies, nor can they guarantee exclusivity. As Yanjing’s premier restaurant, Xichun Lou caters to dignitaries and nobles. Using commonplace spices won’t set you apart."
Yue Yao poured the fragrant powder into an incense burner and lit it. A delicate, sweet aroma soon wafted through the room.
Manager Lin inhaled, his expression shifting with interest.
"This is pear blossom incense, infused with pear juice. Unlike ordinary fragrances, it carries a refreshing sweetness—elegant and refined, perfectly suited for Xichun Lou. What do you think, Manager Lin?"
This was a blend Yue Yao had concocted herself. Fond of pears, she had once experimented with using pear juice to create incense. To her surprise, the result was delightful, and even her late husband had praised it, promising to open a spice shop for her the following year.
Boldly entering Xichun Lou today, Yue Yao had hoped to secure free publicity. With countless spice shops in Yanjing, her fledgling business would struggle to compete. Aligning with a prestigious establishment would give her a significant advantage.
It was worth a try. If it didn’t work out, she had nothing to lose.
Manager Lin pondered for a moment but ultimately shook his head. "The fragrance is pleasant, but it lacks renown. Our patrons are all distinguished figures who expect only the finest, most prestigious spices. We can’t use something obscure like this."
"Nowadays, Yanjing is filled with countless restaurants. I’ve inquired around—several newer establishments have risen to prominence in recent years by offering unique specialties. Though Xichun Lou enjoys a long-standing reputation, it’s largely due to its age and seniority. If they don’t adapt and innovate, merely following the crowd, they may struggle to maintain their current status in the future."
Yue Yao pressed further, knowing that if this attempt failed, she might truly be driven out.
Manager Lin’s expression shifted at first, surprised that this young woman had discerned Xichun Lou’s predicament. But then irritation took over—her audacity was too much.
"Nonsense! Our restaurant has stood firm in Yanjing for years. Everyone knows Xichun Lou is the finest in the city! If you’re here to stir trouble, Madam, leave at once!"
Just as his words fell, a lazy voice cut in.
"Wait."
Manager Lin turned and saw a young man standing at the entrance. His demeanor instantly became deferential. "Young Master, you’ve arrived?"
Yue Yao glanced up. The man was a noble-looking gentleman with refined features, dressed in a snow-blue brocade robe, his hair tied back with a silk ribbon. His steps were unhurried, almost careless as he walked in.
She guessed this must be the owner.
"Did you make this incense?" he asked.
Yue Yao nodded. "Yes. This fragrance is sweet and light, more appealing to young ladies. I’ve also crafted several other unique blends not found elsewhere."
Chun'er immediately opened the sandalwood box she carried, placing it on the table. Inside were several small containers of powdered incense.
He picked one up casually, sniffed it, and curled his lips slightly. "This is quite well-made. And novel."
"If you like it, Young Master, I can supply it to Xichun Lou free of charge," Yue Yao said earnestly.
"Fine." He placed the small box back into the case and tapped the lid. "But it must be exclusive to us."
Yue Yao’s eyes brightened. "Of course!"
Manager Lin hesitated, clearly wanting to object, but the young man spoke first. "Leave these here. I’ll test them in the restaurant for a few days. If they’re well-received, you’ll deliver a fresh batch every seven days."
"Agreed! Thank you, Young Master!"
Yue Yao accepted joyfully, then paused. "May I ask your name?"
"Mo Ziqian."
"Thank you, Young Master Mo."
With another bow, Yue Yao left Xichun Lou with Chun'er.
Mo Ziqian watched them go, his gaze lingering thoughtfully.
"Young Master, shouldn’t we consult the master first…?" Manager Lin ventured.
"Oh? Do you think I can’t decide such a trivial matter?"
Mo Ziqian’s eyes, previously relaxed, now held a sharp edge.
"Of course not, Young Master," Manager Lin replied with an awkward smile.
---
A fast horse galloped down Vermilion Bird Street as Ling Xiao rode back to his estate.
Lately, he had barely returned home, consumed by the investigation of court officials colluding with the Lotus Sect. Only now, with leads uncovered and arrests underway, did he have a moment’s respite.
Yet even upon returning, he avoided the inner quarters, not even visiting Madam Lin.
He was deliberately keeping his distance from Jiang Yueyao.
"Marquis."
As he dismounted, the gatekeeper hurried forward to take the reins.
Ling Xiao strode inside but halted abruptly after a few steps, turning back. "Why are you on duty today?"
The servant was startled—his lord rarely paid attention to lowly staff.
"Madam went out today, so Zhuangzi and the others drove the carriage for her," he explained hastily.
Ling Xiao’s expression darkened. She left the estate?
Had her injuries even healed?
"Where did she go?"
The servant swallowed, suddenly uneasy. "This humble one doesn’t know…"
How would a servant dare ask about their mistress’s whereabouts?
Ling Xiao glanced at Jian Shuang, who stiffened. "I’ve been tracking the rebels these past days and didn’t monitor the estate’s affairs…"
The marquis hadn’t ordered him to watch the Marquise.
Besides, what was there to watch? She couldn’t possibly be involved with the rebels.
Jian Shuang offered awkwardly, "Should I send someone to summon her back for questioning?"
"No need." Ling Xiao turned away without another word, though his face remained stormy.
Why should he care? They were never meant to cross paths. Where she went was none of his concern.
Yet his jaw tightened, and the fire in his chest burned hotter.
---
"Madam, I can’t believe it worked! I was so afraid we’d be thrown out!" Chun'er said, still shaken.
"Free incense is hard to refuse, especially with a trial period. They lose nothing."
Chun'er winced. "But giving it away is such a loss! Think of the silver we’re missing."
"It’s worth it for the exposure. How else would our little incense shop stand out? By supplying Xichun Lou exclusively, we ensure that only our shop carries their signature scents. The business will follow."
This was a partnership where both sides won.
"You’re truly brilliant, Madam!"
The carriage stopped at the estate gates, and Chun'er helped Yue Yao alight.
"The Marquise has returned," the gatekeeper announced.
Yue Yao nodded and headed inside with Chun'er.
She planned to pay respects to the Elder Lady first, then prepare the shop’s inventory—it would open in five days.
Everything had gone smoothly today, and her steps were light with satisfaction.
She followed the covered walkway through the garden toward the inner quarters.
But as she rounded a corner, she nearly collided with someone. She caught herself just in time and looked up—into Ling Xiao’s icy gaze. Her pupils shrank, and she instinctively stepped back.
"Marquis."
Her heart sank. Of all the luck—why him?
His tone was cold. "You went out?"
