Chapter 29: Why Does She Smell So Sweet?

"Dead? She's dead?!"

Xiao Ming was stunned for a long time after hearing this. Once she calmed down, it was easy to see the clues—no wonder the entire household was so tight-lipped about Sister Huaixi’s marriage prospects, and why she had never heard of any young gentleman from an aristocratic family seeking her hand.

With her fiancé deceased, the label of a "husband-killer" was impossible to wash away. In the circles of the nobility, this was a great taboo. Was this why she had remained unmarried?

Xiao Ming deeply regretted her curiosity. Why had she opened her mouth to ask such a thing? Now, she felt so embarrassed and awkward that she didn't know what to do.

"It was my clumsiness, Sister. I brought up a painful memory. Please, don't be sad."

Huaixi playfully tapped the tip of Xiao Ming's nose and shook her head indifferently. "Don't take it to heart, sister; it has been a long time."

Even so, Xiao Ming remained uneasy. In the end, it was Huaixi who kept comforting her. The two spoke for a while longer before reluctantly parting ways.

Huaixi clutched her small sachets and headed toward Shou’an Hall. If she took the covered corridor, it would take a significant amount of time. Concerned that her grandmother might be waiting, she decided to take a shortcut. Unexpectedly, while passing through the garden, she was suddenly grabbed by the wrist and dragged into a rockery cave. Before she could react, a hand was pressed over her mouth.

Huaixi was terrified. Instinctively, she reached out to slap the person’s face, causing her small sachets to scatter across the ground.

The slap was soft and weak; Yan Jing simply shifted his body to avoid it. Huaixi not only missed but was pulled into his arms and held tightly.

"Xai'er, don't be afraid. It’s me."

He whispered in her ear, his voice slightly hoarse, carrying his signature languor, yet inexplicably tinged with intimacy.

So it was him. Huaixi let out a long sigh of relief.

Yan Jing rested his chin on her shoulder, sniffing the delicate fragrance in her hair. Why did she smell so sweet? So fragrant and soft.

"Have you been well lately?"

His warm breath brushed against her ear. She turned her head slightly, trying to dodge, but felt him lean even closer to her neck.

Huaixi shrank her neck, resisting. "Yan Jing, please... stop this."

Unable to hold back, he bit down on her reddening earlobe, murmuring in a low, husky voice, "What am I doing?"

She gasped, her face turning crimson.

Her soft earlobe was held between his teeth, then licked. His breathing grew heavy, and the arm around her waist tightened.

Huaixi struggled to turn away, and his lips slid from her earlobe to kiss her slender neck, sending waves of numbness through her.

"Yan Yuanguang!"

His movements faltered for a moment, and he looked up at her.

Taking the opportunity, Huaixi pried his arms away and broke free. Ignoring her wrinkled clothes, she turned and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Magistrate Yan."

Her face was flushed, but her expression was cold and distant.

"Must you be so aloof?" Yan Jing pursed his lips, his usually amorous, peach-blossom eyes dimming.

Huaixi lowered her gaze and did not answer.

He let out a self-deprecating laugh. "It was I who offended you, Miss. My apologies."

"Since you know it was improper, please don't make such jokes again, Magistrate. If seen by someone with a loose tongue, it would ruin our reputations."

Yan Jing frowned, unable to find a retort, and gave a noncommittal "hmm."

At that moment, Huaixi was still anxious to deliver the sachets to the Old Madam at Shou’an Hall. Looking down, she noticed they had all fallen to the ground.

But since the top-ranking scholar’s hands were faster than his head, he had already picked them up and brushed off the dust before she could crouch down. Having done all this, and remembering how coldly he had just been treated, he felt compelled to save face—he handed them to her with a dark expression.

Huaixi hesitated, then slowly took them, clutching them in her palm with four fingers. She thanked him politely, "I have urgent matters to attend to, so I must take my leave. Please excuse me, Magistrate Yan."

With that, she brushed past him. Her departing back was resolute, appearing to hold no lingering attachment.

***

Three days later, Old Madam Ling took the women of the household to Nanshan Temple to offer incense.

The grand procession of carriages arrived outside the temple. The Eldest Madam supported the Old Madam at the front, entering the temple directly where the abbot and his disciples waited to welcome them.

They first offered incense and made donations at the Mahavira Hall, then burned several hand-copied Buddhist scriptures to pray for the Ling family’s blessings.

Once the rituals were finished, Old Madam Ling grew tired and was led by a young monk to a meditation room in the rear courtyard to rest. The other women of the Ling family also went to the rear courtyard to settle in.

Xiao Ming walked at the very end. Once the Ling family had departed, she stepped forward, knelt on the prayer mat, and bowed three times. With her hands clasped together, she prayed piously in her heart:

"Buddha above, this believer has three wishes: May the souls of my parents rest in peace, may my family's business thrive, and may my grandmother be blessed with health and smooth fortune in all things."

As Xiao Ming rose, Qingzhu came to support her, linking arms as they walked out of the hall. "Did you pray for your marriage, Miss?"

"How could I bother the Buddha with such a trivial matter?"

Chun'er, following on the other side, spoke excitedly: "I heard just now that Lady Li arrived yesterday and is currently speaking with the Eldest Madam in the front courtyard."

"So, our future son-in-law is here at the temple too?" Qingzhu made a face at Chun'er, and the two shared a giggle, covering their mouths.

Xiao Ming tapped each of them on the head lightly. "Nothing is set in stone yet; aren't you afraid of people hearing you and making a big deal out of it? Gossip can be more lethal than a blade. I think it is best to be cautious."

The two maids stuck out their tongues. As the three chatted and laughed on their way to the rear courtyard, a young maid hurried up from behind, breathless. She curtsied to her: "Miss Ming, the Old Madam asks you to go to the front courtyard to keep her company."

Assuming Li Yuan was there, Old Madam Ling was likely taking the opportunity to let the two of them see each other. Xiao Ming nodded. "Allow me to change my clothes, and I shall be there immediately."

Her previous outfit was stained with the scent of incense, which she felt would be disrespectful when meeting elders. Xiao Ming returned to her meditation room and changed into a loose, cloud-green dress. She had styled her hair in a low, elegant bun; it was modest and proper. Feeling that a house full of jewelry was inappropriate for the solemnity of the temple, she plucked a sprig of apricot blossom from the small courtyard and tucked it into her hair—a picture of beauty.

A moment later, Xiao Ming arrived at the front courtyard with a graceful gait and a sweet smile, bowing to everyone. Old Madam Ling sat in the seat of honor, with Lady Li at her side. Seeing Xiao Ming, Lady Li was pleasantly surprised. She beckoned her forward, stroking her hand, and said to Old Madam Ling with a smile, "How could you have hidden such a stunning granddaughter for so many years?"

Old Madam Ling smiled kindly. "Ming, this is Lady Li, and that is your cousin."

Xiao Ming lowered her head slightly, blushing, and whispered, "Greetings, Lady Li. Greetings, cousin."

Lady Li looked at Xiao Ming with genuine affection, refusing to let go of her hand. She asked, "Have you been eating and sleeping well lately? What do you do at home? Have you read any books?"

Xiao Ming answered each question demurely. Even from the corner of her eye, she could see Li Yuan’s bright, crystal-like gaze fixed upon her, causing her to feel as if half her body were burning.

After a few more polite exchanges, noon passed. Xiao Ming excused herself from the front courtyard under the pretext of helping Old Madam Ling back to the meditation room for a vegetarian meal.

After they left, Lady Li turned her gaze toward Li Yuan, casting a questioning glance toward the direction Xiao Ming had departed. Li Yuan understood and gave her a nod.

To fall in love without prior acquaintance is almost always a matter of appearance; this truth remains constant.