Chapter 109: Teasing Little Cui

Xiaocui smiled and said, “Is that true?” Then she carefully studied Xiaoyun before casually adding, “It’s alright. I see that Young Master Yun is still perfectly fine—no fingers or toes missing compared to before. So why are you upset, Young Master Yun?”

Xiaoyun snapped, “What? If I lose a finger, that’s when it’ll be too late.”

Xiaocui chuckled, “That’s why my lady sent us to find you. Finding you now is not late at all. She even instructed us that once we found Young Master Yun, we must accompany you to the tavern. She says you’re too playful and might get so caught up in having fun that you forget the way home.”

Pouting, Xiaoyun said, “I’m not going.”

Xiaocui smiled, “If you don’t want to go, then I’ll make you.” With that, she approached and tugged at Xiaoyun.

Suddenly, she exclaimed, “Ah! Such a wonderful fragrance!”

Startled by her outburst, Xiaoyun asked, “Why are you shouting so loudly?”

Xiaocui said in wonder, “Young Master Yun, you smell so lovely. How could there be such a scent on you?”

Xiaoyun frowned. “How could I have a scent? That’s impossible! Even if I did, it’s nothing to make a fuss over.”

Xiaocui shook her head. “No, what I find strange is that the fragrance on you is distinctly feminine.”

Xiaoyun scoffed indifferently, “What’s so strange about having a woman’s scent on me? I spend every day with your Miss Jiu. She hugs me, I kiss her, and naturally her fragrance clings to me.”

Xiaocui blushed and retorted, “Nonsense! I can tell that the scent on you isn’t from my lady. I’ve been around Sister Xue, and I can recognize her faint fragrance on me.”

With a mischievous grin, Xiaoyun teased, “Different women have different scents? I don’t notice that. So then, Sister, what kind of fragrance do you have?” He playfully brought his nose close to Xiaocui’s chest and took a deep sniff. “Ah! Such a lovely scent!”

Xiaocui scolded with a smile, “Don’t be ridiculous. Just be honest—who were you with just now?”

Xiaoyun chuckled oddly, “No one! I was only with you, Sister. Have you already forgotten that?”

Xiaocui replied, “Young Master Yun, don’t try to lie. When I came earlier, I asked the shop’s staff. They told me last night you were carried in by a woman dressed in white. Is that true?”

This time, Xiaoyun was speechless for a moment before replying, “No, the one who carried me in last night wasn’t human.”

“What? Not human? Then was it a ghost? Ghosts don’t have fragrance!” Xiaocui snapped in disbelief.

Xiaoyun laughed, “She wasn’t a ghost. She was a fairy. Fairies, of course, have fragrance. And they come and go without a trace. Didn’t you see? She vanished early this morning.”

“You…” Xiaocui was fuming. “Young Master Yun, if you won’t tell me, I’ll have no choice but to tell my lady everything. When she gets really angry, don’t blame me for being inconsiderate.”

Xiaoyun laughed, “That doesn’t matter. My wife only listens to me. Does she have any reason to listen to a mere maid like you?”

Xiaocui smiled slyly, “I have proof.”

“What proof?” Xiaoyun was momentarily stunned, then realized she meant the white snowflake scent lingering on him. What should he do?

Suddenly, Xiaoyun let out a strange cry and lunged at Xiaocui.

Startled, she instinctively pushed him away. As she did, Xiaoyun tried to flee, but she grabbed hold of him.

Once caught, Xiaoyun turned back and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, cleverly pressing his head against her bodice and rubbing back and forth.

Xiaocui gasped in shock and embarrassment, “What are you trying to do?”

After a while of rubbing, Xiaoyun released her and smiled. “I’m erasing the evidence. Now that I have your scent on me, even if my wife has the least sensitive nose, she’ll still be able to detect it. And with her intelligence, she’ll easily figure out what’s happened.”

Xiaocui’s fragrance was particularly strong, so a few embraces from Xiaoyun were enough to leave her scent on him.

The usually spirited Xiaocui huffed in frustration, “You scoundrel! How could my lady possibly misunderstand?”

Miss Jiu approached Xiaoyun, suddenly catching a faint fragrance wafting from him. Though subtle, this scent was distinct even beneath Xiaocui’s heavy, perfumed aroma.

This delicate, orchid-like fragrance was utterly unique, utterly unlike ordinary perfume. Even the faintest trace was unforgettable. Xiaocui sensed it, and the perceptive Miss Jiu sensed it even more. Her heart skipped a beat as she fixed her sharp gaze on Xiaoyun.

Feeling the intense scrutiny, Xiaoyun lowered his head, suddenly feeling guilty. Silence fell over the room.

After a moment, Miss Jiu said, “Xiao Jing, go fetch a carriage. I will accompany Young Master Yun to the tavern. Xiaocui, this matter no longer concerns you. You may return to your duties.”

Hearing this, Xiaocui quickly withdrew, eager to escape the awkward scene.

Along the way, Miss Jiu said nothing. Xiaoyun, relying on instinct, sensed the calm before the storm. Once they reached the tavern, she would surely have many questions for him, and he would have to consider carefully how to respond.