Chapter Eleven: Gifting Perfume

After watching Zhongli You and Yuan Bin depart, Jiang Han followed his patron.

Qin Yunmian walked along the flagstone path, her clear, bright eyes like pools of spring water. Her steps were light, and the hem of her skirt fluttered gracefully. A gentle breeze swept by, causing her clothes to cling to her frame, revealing an exquisite and shapely silhouette.

"Truly beautiful with a figure to match! And those deerskin boots—it must feel wonderful to walk in them," Jiang Han could not help but think.

His gaze followed her graceful retreating figure, and as if possessed, he blurted out: "A maiden carries fragrance, walking delicately through the east wing. Her moth-like brows are shaded with emerald, her bright eyes clear and sparkling. Her crimson lips grace pearly teeth, her beauty like fine jade. A clever smile reveals charming dimples, her grace beyond all description..."

There was not a hint of lewdness or mockery; it was an entirely spontaneous recitation.

Qin Yunmian paused, looking back in surprise. Soon, her fair, delicate face flushed like a sunset. As someone with a profound appreciation for literature, she naturally understood that these lines were a tribute to a beauty. Since she was the only woman present, she knew the praise was directed at her.

Jiang Han apologized, "Forgive me. I spoke out of turn and offended you, my lady."

Qin Yunmian turned and continued walking, suddenly asking, "And what follows that poem?"

"What follows?" Jiang Han spread his hands. "The lines go: 'Her virtuous name reaches the clouds, her reputation spreads far and wide. How wondrous is the noble lady's grace, surely a match for Master Jiang the Second...' but I haven't finished it yet."

"..."

They reached a quiet spot. Qin Yunmian sat on a stone stool, gazing at a nearby pond. "That scented balm... have you made it?"

"Indeed, here you go." Jiang Han took three glass vials from his robes—the perfumes he had concocted.

Qin Yunmian lifted her clear eyes, looking puzzled. "Is this... the balm?"

Jiang Han smiled. "This is perfume. Well, you could think of it as scented dew."

Still looking confused, she took the glass vials, her expression cool. She carefully pulled out a wooden stopper, and a refreshing, elegant scent of plum blossoms instantly wafted forth. Qin Yunmian’s dark, bright eyes lit up. She brought the vial to her nose and inhaled deeply, a look of intoxication appearing on her face. This scented dew was different from balm, yet the fragrance was finer and more authentic.

"This is the plum blossom variety. The other two are magnolia and lilac," Jiang Han explained.

Qin Yunmian opened the other two vials and inhaled deeply. "Wonderful! It smells even better than the Purple Cotton Scent from Mianxiang House!"

Jiang Han beamed. Since his patron liked them, his business prospects were promising. Given her generosity, her friends were likely equally wealthy.

"If you like them, my lady, please take these three as a gift," Jiang Han said. "Just recommend them to your close friends. My perfume shop, 'Hidden Fragrance Dew,' will open in seven days."

"Very well, I shall bring others to support you when the time comes," Qin Yunmian promised readily, waving her small hand.

"If your friends come, I will offer them a thirty percent discount!" Jiang Han promised, patting his chest.

"Hm," Qin Yunmian replied coldly.

"Then I shall take my leave." Jiang Han departed from Cuiyun Pavilion in high spirits. With this wealthy young woman’s connections, he would have no trouble selling his perfume. It seemed luck was a real thing; had he not seen her bathing her feet by the stream outside the pavilion, he never would have asked her to transcribe his poetry, nor would he have met such a benefactor.

...

As the sun set behind the mountains, a cold moon rose from the horizon. In a private chamber, the table was laden with various pastries and exquisite dishes. Qin Yunmian sat across from Meng Hongshang.

While Meng Hongshang ate heartily, Qin Yunmian had no appetite. Moonlight, clear as water, filtered through the clouds and slanted through the small window, falling upon her face, adding a touch of icy elegance to her already stunning features.

She rested her chin in her hands, lost in thought. "His scented dew is truly, truly wonderful!"

She had originally assumed that Jiang Han’s business would fail within two months compared to the Mianxiang House in Luoyang—at which point she could offer him a high price to lure him into the Princess's estate. But now, seeing this perfume, she realized the business might actually be a great success. If so, her plan would fall through.

Meng Hongshang understood her friend's frustration. "Actually, as a princess, if you revealed your identity, would you worry about him not accepting your patronage?"

Qin Yunmian shook her head and sighed. "If it were someone else, perhaps they would be willing. But him? I fear not. He once said, 'How can I bow and scrape before the powerful, and lose the joy upon my face?' He is proud to his core; he dislikes fawning over the powerful. And I am the powerful... If I reveal who I am, he will likely keep his distance."

Meng Hongshang’s eyes brightened. "To think there is such a man of backbone in this world! He has spent ten years sharpening his sword, only to draw it now. This young man is not simple."

Qin Yunmian said, "By the way, Shangshang, he also composed half a poem today."

"Oh? What poem?" Meng Hongshang asked curiously.

Qin Yunmian had an excellent memory and recited softly, "A maiden carries fragrance, walking delicately through the east wing..."

Meng Hongshang curled her lip. The poem was clearly intended to flatter Qin Yunmian’s beauty. *Hmph*, Jiang Han was just another sycophant!

Qin Yunmian rested her chin on her hands. "I only held this literary gathering for fun and didn't think there were any true talents in Yunyang County... I didn't expect him to be so gifted and skilled in business... Sigh, Shangshang, his perfume shop will surely do very well. What should I do?"

"Why don't I go and smash his shop for you?"

"No, don't!" Qin Yunmian said hastily.

Meng Hongshang rolled her eyes. "Her Highness is usually so clever; why are you acting foolish now?"

Qin Yunmian stared blankly at her.

Meng Hongshang continued, "If you're worried about him keeping his distance once he knows your identity, just approach him while remaining anonymous and slowly cultivate your relationship. Since he wrote that poem to praise you, he clearly has a favorable impression of you, which makes things even simpler. He wants to open a perfume shop, doesn't he? His current courtyard is small; if he wants to expand, he will need to buy another property and hire more servants. You should offer him capital to invest, and in doing so, become his boss. You can then slowly make him fall for you. When the time is right, find an opportunity to get the lad drunk, let the raw rice be cooked into porridge—surely he won't be able to run then?"

Qin Yunmian’s eyes gradually brightened. "That's right! Why didn't I think of that? Thank you, Shangshang!"

Her eyes widened, sparkling with delight. Since Jiang Han didn't want to be a kept man, she would simply feed him until he was!