Chapter 6: Exchanging Incense, Mutual Tasting

She turned her head to see a spirited elderly man approaching, leaning on a lacquered dragon-headed cane.

The venue erupted in murmurs and whispers.

“Old Master Xu!”
“Xu is here!”
“Wen Lingyue? That name sounds familiar.”

Under all eyes, Xu Pu stopped in front of Wen Lingyue. “I heard that the calming incense you formulated can put someone to sleep in two minutes?”

“…”

Ji Zhou’s eyes widened in shock.

Earlier, her fellow attendees had been chatting excitedly: Huh???

Wen Lingyue, facing the astonished gazes around her, remained composed. “Yes.”

“So you are Wen Lingyue!”

A burly man behind Xu Pu suddenly jumped forward. “This is Old Master Xu, who has spent his whole life making calming incense. You spouting nonsense online is one thing, but you dare brag in front of him?!”

Wen Lingyue was speechless. “Who are you?”

The man lifted his chin. “I’m Han Qing.”

“Never heard of you.”

Wen Lingyue gestured at him mockingly.

Han Qing almost fumed: “You fraud! Get out of this exchange meeting immediately!”

Then he bowed and nodded repeatedly to Xu Pu. “Master Xu, I’ll kick her out right now.”

Xu Pu didn’t even respond to him. Instead, he looked at Wen Lingyue: “I recently formulated a calming incense called—”

He enunciated each word carefully: “Into Dream!”

Wen Lingyue raised an eyebrow and took out an incense tube from her bag. “What a coincidence. I also have a calming incense called—Into Dream!”

The hall fell silent in an instant.

Wen Lingyue looked at Xu Pu’s lean, aged face and offered her incense: “I’ve long heard of your great reputation, Master Xu. Would you care to taste it?”

In the hall with hundreds of people, everyone unconsciously held their breath.

Provocation!

This was definitely a provocation!

A newcomer daring to have Master Xu taste her incense!

And the incense had exactly the same name as Xu Pu’s creation!

“Dad…”

Jiang Yuruo felt dizzy. “That’s Master Xu! She’s embarrassing herself right in front of him!”

Yet Xu Pu felt no sense of provocation. He sensed that Wen Lingyue was serious, even somewhat competitive.

He thought for a moment, then took out his own calming incense and offered it forward: “This incense is also Into Dream. Miss Wen, please taste it as well.”

Exchanging incense! Mutual tasting!

Han Qing’s eyes turned red with anger, as if he wanted to snatch the incense.

Wen Lingyue did not deserve it!

Others also fidgeted: “Master Xu, your incense… letting her taste it… isn’t appropriate.”

Xu Pu waved his hand: “In the Way of Incense, there is no high or low; mastery is what matters. Since both Miss Wen and I have created Into Dream, today we may as well connect through incense.”

“Since it’s about connecting through incense, why not have all the perfumers present their own creations for everyone to taste and appreciate?”

A council member who had rushed over spoke.

Xu Pu: “That depends on everyone’s opinion.”

Everyone agreed.

They weren’t fools—this was Xu Pu, a master perfumer!

If they could get his guidance, the trip to this exchange meeting would be worthwhile even if nothing else happened.

Besides—

They were merely performing for show. Wen Lingyue, however, was audaciously aiming to mutually taste with Master Xu himself!

Everyone moved to the incense room and took their seats.

After briefly clarifying the tasting rules, the council appointed three judges:

• Xu Rong, Vice Chair of the Incense Association.
• Zheng Liko, Chief Perfumer of Yunding Group.
• Fang Zheng, industry master perfumer.

Then everyone began presenting their incense.

One by one, the incense burned.

At the back of the hall, just arrived, Zhou Huailang scanned the room and his gaze settled on Wen Lingyue.

Jiang Yuruo followed his gaze and, feigning worry, told him about Wen Lingyue’s provocation.

“What?”

Zhou Huailang was shocked. “Uncle Jiang, you must stop Lingyue!”

Jiang Su sat silently at the incense table, his face dark.

At this point, he was just relieved: the Jiang family is the Jiang family; Wen Lingyue is Wen Lingyue.

At least the Jiang family wouldn’t lose face in the industry.

…

More and more perfumers presented their incense, showcasing refined and exquisite fragrances. Xu Pu’s interest was piqued, and he offered many pointers.

As this unofficial competition neared its end, fewer and fewer people burned incense.

Everyone instinctively focused on Xu Pu and Wen Lingyue—they were the true center of attention.

Wen Lingyue remained calm: “Master Xu, please.”

Just as she spoke, a commotion arose at the door.

Wen Lingyue glanced lightly—

A tall, imposing figure entered. His profile was sharp and commanding, and his casual, indifferent demeanor seemed to overlook the world from a mountain peak, exuding a rare, restrained nobility.

Wen Lingyue froze—it was Fu Yuanzhang.

The council member quickly rose and approached: “President Fu, what a surprise!”

The other three judges also could not remain seated and stood to greet him.

“Came to see.”

Fu Yuanzhang sat, relaxed, but his deep-seated authority radiated an invisible pressure that filled the incense room.

Many company representatives and perfumers exchanged glances, wanting to greet him but intimidated by the weight of his presence—

This was Fu Yuanzhang!

His mother came from a prestigious Jiangnan family, and his father was a top Beijing elite. As their only son, he had been in the spotlight since birth.

Even someone like Ji Qing, already the head of Yunding Group, with industries across all of China, was nothing compared to this.

Most importantly, Yunding Group controlled the nation’s largest share of the incense market.

The invisible pressure made everyone present uneasy.

Wen Lingyue’s eyes flickered, her mood complicated.

The Fu Yuanzhang she remembered was firm yet gentle and restrained. Now, he exuded a coldness so sharp it took her breath away; a mere entrance pressed on her as if suffocating.

Fu Yuanzhang turned his head, unintentionally meeting her complex gaze.

He narrowed his eyes; his indifferent gaze sharpened instantly.

In that instant, the oppressive aura seemed to choke Wen Lingyue’s throat.

“President Fu, perfect timing—Master Xu and Miss Wen are about to present their work: Into Dream,” the council member whispered obsequiously.

Fu Yuanzhang casually withdrew his gaze. “Master Xu’s work is always worth seeing.”

Han Qing’s voice pitched high and dramatic: “President Fu, Miss Wen’s work is even more worth seeing! They say it’s calming, soothing, and can put someone to sleep within two minutes.”

“Is that so?”

Fu Yuanzhang’s gaze dropped, unreadable.

Han Qing opened his mouth, but suddenly dared not continue.

Wen Lingyue lowered her eyes. Others might not understand, but she knew—

Fu Yuanzhang suffered from insomnia.

Unable to rest, the incense most commonly burned in his room was calming and soothing.

She clenched her hands lightly, still maintaining her calm, composed demeanor. “Master Xu, please.”

Xu Pu lit his incense and placed it in a lotus incense holder.

The straight smoke dispersed. The dryness was subtle, the aroma rich with gentle sweetness. It was like a cool breeze on a hot summer night, naturally relaxing the mind.

Everyone in the incense room nodded secretly.

As expected of a master who had studied calming incense for decades. The ingredients, layering, and fragrance were all exceptional.

Midway through the burning, Fu Yuanzhang spoke first: “Master Xu has improved again.”

Xu Pu nodded and looked at Wen Lingyue: “This Into Dream—how do you find it, Miss Wen?”