Chapter 114: The Mysterious Effect

Zhou Feng stepped forward with a smile. “That’s right. This is a newly crafted composite incense from our Zhou family. You can take a whiff.”

As he spoke, he brought the lit incense burner closer to them.

After taking in the fragrance, their eyes lit up with delight. “This scent is so unique! It carries the essence of spring—like a warm breeze filled with the aromas of fruit, grass, and flowers. It’s fresh and pleasant, instantly lifting one’s mood.”

Zhou Feng raised the incense burner slightly. “Miss, you have a keen sense of smell. This incense is called Spring Essence.”

The noble ladies and madams were immediately intrigued and smiled. “Alright, shopkeeper, how much is a box of Spring Essence incense balls?”

Each box contained ten incense balls.

Naturally, the price wasn’t cheap—it was set at twenty taels per box.

At such a price, this incense was considered quite luxurious in the capital.

Upon hearing the price, the ladies hesitated. Ordinary incense balls usually cost no more than one tael per box, making this significantly more expensive.

However, the fragrance was truly extraordinary. After some consideration, they said, “Shopkeeper, we’ll each take a box.”

There were four of them in total, making their purchase worth eighty taels of silver.

The shop assistant quickly fetched an abacus, calculated the total, and then carefully handed them each a beautifully packaged box of incense balls.

The ladies eagerly accepted the boxes, opening them one by one to inhale the scent again. Their faces were filled with joy as they took their purchases and hurried home, impatient to light the incense.

Interestingly, this incense had an unusual effect—when a married couple burned it in their chambers, their affection for each other seemed to deepen.

That gentle, lingering fragrance wove through the air, evoking the emotions of first love—the fluttering heart and the warmth of devotion.

Among these noble ladies was the sister of General Han, who was also the wife of Minister Zhong.

Minister Zhong had once been a student of Grand Tutor Lu. He was known for his integrity, and his marriage to General Han’s sister had been a youthful love match.

Back in the day, when Minister Zhong was still a scholar, his wife had stood by his side—supporting him through the imperial exams, celebrating with him when he became the top scorer, and accompanying him through his journey into government service and promotions.

However, despite being married for many years, they had never been blessed with children.

Over time, the monotony of daily life and the years of an unchanging relationship had caused their bond to fade.

Madam Zhong had grown distant toward Minister Zhong. Though she still cared deeply for him in her heart, she often spoke to him with indifference and coldness.

Some months ago, Minister Zhong became infatuated with a newly arrived maid in his household.

The young maid was not particularly stunning in appearance.

Rather, she bore a slight resemblance to Madam Zhong in her younger years.

After many years of marriage, even the deepest affection could not withstand the dullness of time—feelings, like flowing water, would inevitably fade away.

Madam Zhong confided in her older brother about the matter.

General Han, however, did not know how to console her.

Eventually, it was Han Yan’er who advised her to purchase some incense from the Zhou family to calm her mind.

In truth, she simply wanted Madam Zhong to settle down and stop making a scene in the household.

Madam Zhong bought Chun Yi Nong and brought it home. That night, she burned the incense beside her bed.

Before long, Minister Zhong arrived.

Though he was older, he still carried himself with elegance. Dressed in a deep reddish-brown robe with a well-groomed mustache, he maintained a dignified and refined appearance.

Lowering her head, Madam Zhong spoke in a cold tone, “I have already said, if you wish to take a concubine, then divorce me first.”

Minister Zhong furrowed his brows, his face full of sorrow. “Madam, you know I would never divorce you in this lifetime.”

Madam Zhong turned slightly to the side and said, “If you no longer have feelings for me, why not simply end things cleanly between us?”

The delicate white smoke of Chun Yi Nong slowly drifted through the room, filling the space with its fragrance.

Minister Zhong inhaled the scent, and in an instant, he seemed dazed, as if his soul had been momentarily lost.

Madam Zhong continued, “If you truly like that maid, then divorce me and marry her. But do not speak to me again about taking a concubine.”

Looking at his wife standing before him in a plum-red robe, Minister Zhong suddenly felt a deep sense of pity.

The love he had long buried in his heart seemed to rekindle, bit by bit, with the scent of the incense.

Had he ever truly liked that young maid? No—he had only been longing for the lover of his past.

“Madam, I will not take a concubine, and I will not marry her.”

Madam Zhong was stunned by his words. She lifted her gaze to him, and for reasons she could not quite explain, the scent of the incense wrapped around her senses.

The man before her, whom she had long since lost interest in, suddenly seemed to overlap with the young scholar she had first met all those years ago.