The Chessboard Street was bustling with people, including merchants from various places, as well as many noblewomen and unmarried young ladies from prestigious families.
Unlike common women, it was customary for them to wear veiled hats when going out.
Lin Ting had bought the most common type of veiled hat.
She was also swift and agile, slipping into the crowd like a slippery earthworm and disappearing in an instant.
No matter how sharp one’s eyesight was, it was difficult to pick her out from the many similarly dressed women.
The Jinyiwei accompanying Duan Ling was also dressed in plain clothes.
Watching Lin Ting disappear, his instincts as a Jinyiwei prompted him to give chase, but only after taking a step forward did he fully process what she had just said.
He hesitated, his lips slightly parted in rare bewilderment.
If the woman had intended to harm Duan Ling, he could have immediately captured her and thrown her into the imperial prison for interrogation.
But all she had done was express her feelings for Duan Ling—was that a crime worthy of imprisonment?
The Jinyiwei were feared by the common people like tigers.
Their power was immense, and their actions swift and decisive.
However, even they could not arrest someone just for saying, “I like you.”
That would be absurd.
Moreover, given Duan Ling’s striking appearance, if he were a woman, the threshold of the Duan family would have been worn down by suitors.
Even setting aside his identity as a Jinyiwei, it was not surprising that he attracted the admiration of young ladies.
Perhaps she had been unable to suppress her emotions in the moment, overwhelmed by impulse yet concerned about her reputation, which was why she had chosen to hide her identity while confessing in such a bold manner.
It was not entirely unreasonable.
In the end, the Jinyiwei cautiously called out in a low voice, “My Lord?”
Duan Ling was also gazing in the direction where the “veiled, bashful young lady” had disappeared.
She had long since vanished into the surging crowd.
Her scent was exactly the same as the one on the letter paper.
Coupled with that seemingly scorching “I like you,” he was now certain that she was the one who had sent the beggar to deliver the letter to the Northern Administration Bureau that morning.
Her figure seemed familiar—as if he had seen her somewhere before.
Duan Ling’s seemingly gentle gaze slowly turned sharp.
***
On the other side, Lin Ting had already run out of Chessboard Street, panting as she hid in a secluded corner, carefully observing her surroundings, afraid that Duan Ling might come chasing after her.
After about a quarter of an hour, seeing that there was still no movement around her, she finally felt relieved.
She took off her veiled hat, sweat rolling down her cheeks.
Thankfully, after a year of running around for business, her stamina had improved—at least she could run fast.
Lin Ting had considered other ways to confess her feelings to Duan Ling.
For example, she could have said, “I like you,” followed by, “the thing in your hand,” so that together it formed, “I like you, the thing in your hand.”
But that probably wouldn’t work.
The task was to confess, not just casually incorporate those words into a sentence.
In the end, she chose to wear a veiled hat and confess while hiding her identity, betting that he wouldn’t lift her veil in public.
After all, she hadn’t done anything wrong—she had merely said, “I like you,” in public.
When she heard the system prompt, “Task completed,” Lin Ting nearly jumped with joy.
Success!
Finally, she could have a peaceful night’s sleep.
Yesterday, she had slept just fine, yet today, she left the house looking gloomy and returned with a face full of delight.
Tao Zhu, who had been anxiously waiting in the courtyard, noticed the drastic shift in her mood and approached her in confusion.
“Seventh Miss?”
Lin Ting handed over the oil cakes she had bought, unfastening the buttons on her outer robe as she spoke in a lighthearted tone, “I bought you some oil cakes.”
She had discarded the veiled hat before returning to the Lin residence.
Tao Zhu, infected by her cheerful demeanor, asked, “Did something good happen to you?”
“No,” Lin Ting replied.
Parched, she went inside and drank several cups of water before finally quenching her thirst, feeling refreshed. “I just solved an annoying problem.”
An annoying problem.
A business-related problem?
Tao Zhu only half understood and replied, “I see.”
In any case, as long as she returned safe and sound, that was all that mattered.
Tao Zhu placed the oil cakes on the table, not in a hurry to eat them, and took out a handkerchief to wipe Lin Ting’s sweat.
“Look at you, all drenched. Allow me to prepare a bath for you.”
Lin Ting, feeling sticky from the sweat, also wanted to freshen up and change into clean clothes, so she let Tao Zhu prepare the bath.
In wealthy households, noble young ladies would often have their bathwater infused with aromatic herbs to cleanse the skin and leave behind a lasting fragrance.
As the only daughter of Madam Li, Lin Ting had always been given the best of everything.
Even the scented herbs sent to her courtyard each month were of the finest quality—beneficial to the body and long-lasting in fragrance.
As a daughter of the Lin family, these small matters barely concerned Lin Ting.
Such things were usually handled by her head maid, Tao Zhu.
She removed her undergarments and stepped into the bath.
The moment she entered, the light but persistent fragrance filled her senses.
Tao Zhu commented, “Third Madam treats you so well. This particular fragrance is nearly impossible to find in the capital.
Many people want to buy it but can’t—she must have gone through a lot of trouble to get it for you.”
“How much does it cost?”
Rather than its rarity, Lin Ting was more interested in its price.
“Ten taels of silver.”
Ten taels might not be much for the nobility in the capital, but for an ordinary household, it was enough to live comfortably for a year.
Master Lin’s salary was modest, but Madam Li’s dowry was substantial.
Occasionally, she would buy luxurious items for Lin Ting without letting Master Lin know.
Madam Li had always been wary of Master Lin.
The reason this fragrance was so highly sought after was because only ten boxes were sold each month, and every purchase was recorded to prevent hoarding.
Tao Zhu explained in detail, “That’s why it’s so rare.”
Lin Ting suddenly understood.
Ah, scarcity marketing.
She clicked her tongue in admiration.
“This stuff might as well be made of gold—such a money-making scheme.”
As she spoke, her voice gradually lowered, “The fragrance business is highly profitable. This could be a viable business opportunity.”
Tao Zhu saw through her thoughts and laughed, “Is there anything besides business in your mind? You’re completely obsessed with making money. If you like wealth so much, why not just marry a rich husband—”
Lin Ting immediately retorted, “Earning my own money is different. Someone else’s money will always belong to them.”
“I can’t argue with you,” Tao Zhu said, amused.
Lin Ting scooped up some bathwater and sniffed it. “I never really noticed before, but it does smell nice.”
Tao Zhu responded, “You’ve been using it for over half a month now. You’re probably just used to the scent. Actually, even the things you use absorb the fragrance.”
Lin Ting’s expression suddenly stiffened.
She grabbed Tao Zhu’s hand, her face serious.
“What did you just say?”
Tao Zhu’s heart skipped a beat at Lin Ting’s reaction and nervously repeated, “I said you’ve been using it for over half a month, so your body naturally carries the scent. You’re used to it, so you don’t notice it anymore.”
“Not that part.”
Tao Zhu hesitated, then repeated, “I said, even the things you use absorb the fragrance.”
Damn it.
Lin Ting’s good mood instantly vanished.
She hurriedly washed up, threw on her clothes, and instructed Tao Zhu to bring her ink, brush, and paper.
Taking a piece of paper, she said, “Wait outside.”
Tao Zhu hesitated before stepping out.
About fifteen minutes later, Lin Ting opened the door and held up the paper.
“Smell this. Is there any fragrance on it?”
After standing in the open air for a moment, Tao Zhu leaned in for a sniff and immediately caught the scent.
“Yes. Did something go wrong with the fragrance, Seventh Miss? You’re scaring me.”
Lin Ting sighed deeply.
“The fragrance is fine. But I might be in trouble.”
Tao Zhu looked at her in confusion.
***
A few days later, Duan Xinning sent a personal invitation to the Lin family—specifically for Lin Ting.
Duan Xinning’s birthday was approaching, and the Duan family was hosting a grand banquet in celebration.
She highly valued Lin Ting, making sure the first invitation was sent to her, handwritten personally, with a request for her to attend without fail.
Lin Ting had been restless these past few days… though that hadn’t stopped her from eating well.
She was still lounging on a soft couch, digesting her meal when she received the invitation.
Skimming through it in seconds, she suddenly started sniffing herself like a dog.
Tao Zhu, watching from the side, twitched her lips at Lin Ting’s strange behavior.
Ever since Lin Ting had come back from her outing that day, taken a bath, and asked about the scented herbs, she hadn’t been acting normal.
She would randomly sniff herself, and when Tao Zhu asked if something was bothering her, she refused to say anything.
Tao Zhu couldn’t force her mistress to talk, so she could only keep an eye on her.
Lin Ting, apparently done with her sniffing, put away the invitation and sat up, pondering over what gift to bring Duan Xinning.
“What should I get her?”
The Duan family was far wealthier than the Lin family—exponentially so.
Duan Xinning had been raised with everything she could ever want.
Any luxurious item would be readily handed to her, so Lin Ting didn’t even consider giving gold, silver, or jewelry.
Tao Zhu casually mentioned, “Someone came by to propose marriage yesterday.”
“For which sister?”
Lin Ting asked absentmindedly.
Tao Zhu sighed, already knowing that Lin Ting didn’t take her own marriage prospects seriously.
“For the Eighth Miss. She’s even younger than you, but she’s already discussing marriage, trying to get ahead of you, the legitimate daughter.”
The Eighth Miss was born to Lin Ting’s father’s concubine, Aunt Shen.
The two sisters weren’t particularly close.
“Oh.”
Lin Ting let the words go in one ear and out the other, returning to her dilemma of what to gift Duan Xinning.
The day of Duan Xinning’s birthday arrived in the blink of an eye.
Lin Ting, carrying her prepared gift, arrived at the Duan residence.
The gatekeepers, already informed beforehand and recognizing her, didn’t even check her invitation before leading her inside.
Unlike the other guests, Lin Ting wasn’t escorted to the main reception hall.
Duan Xinning had specifically instructed that she be brought directly to her private chambers.
The Duan family’s servants were extremely respectful.
“Seventh Miss Lin, please follow me.”
“Thank you for your trouble.”
The Duan residence housed not only Duan Xinning but also Duan Ling.
As soon as Lin Ting stepped inside, before even seeing Duan Xinning, she unexpectedly ran into Duan Ling.
Memories of her past actions resurfaced, making her feel guilty.
She instinctively glanced in his direction.
Duan Ling was seated in a pavilion by a small stone pathway, head slightly lowered, reading a book.
His fingers, long and slender, rested against the pages, partially hidden by his wide sleeves.
One leg was bent, his dark blue embroidered robe draping elegantly over it, the hem brushing the ground but remaining impeccably clean.
His attire was understated—only a few subtle embroidery patterns at the cuffs.
A jade-adorned belt fastened his robe at the waist, accentuating his tall and well-proportioned figure.
Lin Ting felt an odd sense of nervousness.
In the past, when she had unknowingly played the role of an antagonistic noblewoman, she had offended Duan Ling more than once.
After coming to her senses, she had made a habit of avoiding him.
Maybe if I just pretend not to see him and keep walking…
That seemed like a solid plan—until Duan Ling called out to her.
“Seventh Miss Lin.”
His tone was mild and courteous, carrying the air of a noble gentleman.
If Lin Ting didn’t already know he was a ruthless Jinyiwei, she might have been deceived by his facade.
There was no avoiding him now.
She forced a smile and walked over hesitantly.
“Lord Duan? Ah, my eyesight must be terrible—I didn’t even see you there just now.”
She kept her distance, standing mostly outside the pavilion, maintaining a full one-zhang (about three meters) gap between them.
Without thinking, she subtly took a deep breath, trying to see if she still carried the lingering fragrance from her bath.
Then, just as discreetly, she took another half-step back.
Duan Ling smiled faintly.
“It’s fine.”
Then, he stood up and took a step toward her.
Lin Ting froze. No way… Is he going to sniff me?!
As if he were a dog HAHAHAHA