Chapter 83: The Cold-Hearted Emperor

Du Wanchun was startled. “The capital?”

Zhou Ruizhen pulled her into his arms and explained, “Some things can’t be avoided, so we need to prepare in advance.”

She widened her eyes as she looked at him, gradually understanding his meaning. “So, you plan to send Second Brother to the capital to manage the shop?”

Zhou Ruizhen did not deny it. “Yes, the Fang family can take care of the shop in Cheng’an County, and it would be good for Second Brother to go to the capital as well.”

The fragrance shops in the capital were places frequented by nobles and high-ranking officials, especially influential ministers in the court.

By having Zhou Feng manage the shop there, they wouldn’t just earn silver—they could also establish connections with powerful officials.

In the future, if Consort Wu tried to hunt them down again and silence them, they could use these connections to bring the matter before the emperor, exposing Consort Wu’s crimes and overturning the injustice done to the Lu family.

Du Wanchun understood all of this clearly and fully agreed with Zhou Ruizhen’s plan. “That’s a good idea. I remember that Second Brother has always wanted to go to the capital. He has a steady nature and is smart in handling matters—he’s perfect for this task.”

Zhou Ruizhen held her tightly and planted a firm kiss on her forehead.

“Don’t worry. I won’t let you or Mother be bullied again.”

His voice was gentle, calm, yet filled with unwavering determination.

Du Wanchun hugged him back, feeling safe in his warm embrace, and soon fell asleep.

The next day, Du Wanchun and Madam Zhou stayed home to make scented balm, while Zhou Ruizhen and Zhou Zhao worked in the vegetable garden and searched the mountains for gold.

They worked tirelessly for half a month.

The scented balm was successfully made, but Zhou Ruizhen and Zhou Zhao still hadn’t found the gold.

But just as he said, the gold was buried in the mountains. If they searched, they would surely find it—it was only a matter of time.

Du Wanchun took a newly made porcelain jar from Du Damei’s house and filled it with freshly prepared scented balm before delivering it to the Zhou family’s fragrance shop in Cheng’an County.

The scented balm was even more popular among ordinary people than the scented dew. As soon as this batch was put on display, it sold out immediately.

Madam Zhou stood by, watching the customers come and go in a daze.

Seeing this, Du Wanchun walked over and smiled. “Mother, what’s wrong?”

Madam Zhou withdrew her gaze, stepped into the inner room, and replied, “I never expected our scented balm to be so well-loved.”

Noticing her absent-minded expression, Du Wanchun followed her inside and couldn’t help but ask, “Mother, when you were in the capital, did many people also love the scented balm you made?”

Madam Zhou’s face revealed a faintly bitter smile. “Although I learned the art of making fragrances, my father didn’t allow me to show myself in public. So, every time I made scented balm or scented dew, I would use it myself. Very few people ever said they liked my balms. If there was truly someone who did, it would be Ruizhen’s father.”

Ruizhen’s father was none other than the current emperor.

When Madam Zhou mentioned him, a trace of resentment appeared on her face. “I know he cared for me because of his love for someone else. But a man’s affection is always fleeting. Once a woman grows old and loses her beauty, all the love and favor disappear like smoke.”

A man who could even kill his own child—could he still be called human?

The deeper the past feelings had been, the stronger Madam Zhou’s hatred was for that man.

Du Wanchun rarely spoke with her about the past in the capital, fearing she might overstep. She quickly changed the subject. “Mother, have some tea.”

She poured a cup from the teapot and handed it to Madam Zhou.

Madam Zhou took a sip, but the bitterness on her lips only deepened. She continued, “It’s ironic, isn’t it? The skill of making fragrances is what has given us a new life, yet it is also what ruined us.”

Du Wanchun’s hand, still holding the teapot, paused. She looked at her mother in confusion. “Mother?”