Chapter 4 — How Is That Stealing? That’s Clearly Robbery!

The storybooks Pei Ziye had sent her truly lived up to the phrase “rich but not cloying, vivid but not vulgar.” Beneath the lush language lay an emotional pull that stirred the soul. Jiang Shiyuan finished reading them in one sitting, and by the time she closed the last page, dawn was already breaking.

She reluctantly shut the book. To be able to write such a moving story—surely the author must be a person of great talent and character.

If she had the chance, she would love to meet them.

Maybe Pei Ziye knew the writer?

Thinking of Pei Ziye led her mind to another matter.

He had given her a gift—thoughtfully chosen, no less. In both sentiment and etiquette, she ought to return the favor with something suited to his tastes.

But her understanding of Pei Ziye was limited to a few rumors and the occasional distant glimpse at a banquet. Beyond that, she knew almost nothing.

Just as Jiang Shiyuan was feeling troubled, Hong Dou pushed open the door and came in, holding a gold-embossed, flower-scattered invitation.

“Miss, the Marquis of Ningde’s household is hosting a golden osmanthus banquet today. Miss Ye has invited you over for tea and flower viewing this afternoon,” Hong Dou said cheerfully.

In the capital, the young miss had few friends, so an invitation like this was rare.

“Ningde Marquis’s residence?” Jiang Shiyuan blinked in surprise.

She had no dealings with the young lady of the Ye family. Why would they invite her?

The banquet was in the afternoon, and the invitation had only just arrived in the morning—clearly a last-minute decision.

Jiang Shiyuan was about to decline, but upon opening the invitation, she saw the signature inside wasn’t from the Ye family’s young lady, but from a name of striking elegance—Pei Zanxue.

Her eyes lit up. Pei Zanxue—Pei Ziye’s younger cousin.

That explained how the invitation had come her way.

“Is Miss going to attend?” Hong Dou asked.

Of course she was. Why wouldn’t she?

This would be a good chance to ask Pei Zanxue about Pei Ziye.

Jiang Shiyuan took a nap in the morning, and in the afternoon, she rode over to the Marquis of Ningde’s residence as planned.

As soon as she got out of the carriage, she was greeted by the sweet scent of osmanthus blossoms drifting on the breeze.

The ancient osmanthus tree at the Ningde Marquis’s residence was famous throughout the capital.

It was said to have been planted by the old Marquis and his wife on the day of their wedding. The old Marquis rose and fell three times in his career, but his wife remained steadfast by his side. Their marriage was full of deep affection, and the Ye family was known for its upright and harmonious household.

Every year when the osmanthus bloomed, the Ye family would host a grand banquet to celebrate.

Clearly, many guests had been invited today. When Jiang Shiyuan arrived, the entrance was already crowded with carriages.

She had just handed in her invitation at the gate when two young ladies stepped out to greet her.

One wore a violet floral gown, dignified and poised; the other wore a pastel pink dress, lively and charming—like two blossoms in spring, one noble like orchid and iris, the other delicate as peach petals.

Jiang Shiyuan was momentarily dazzled. The two girls, too, couldn’t take their eyes off her.

“How does your Pei family have such good taste? The most beautiful flower in the capital, and you just quietly stole her away like that?” Ye Wanning, the eldest daughter of the Ye family, walked up and took Jiang Shiyuan’s hand like a treasure, studying her from every angle.

“What do you mean, stole?” Pei Zanxue brushed Ye Wanning’s hand aside and, like a possessive kitten, grabbed Jiang Shiyuan’s hand in her own.

Her little aunt’s hands were so delicate and soft.

Had her little uncle ever held them?

He was so stiff and boring—probably hadn’t even touched a strand of a girl’s hair in his life, except for his own mother’s.

Hehe. She got to touch first.

“And how is that not stealing?” Ye Wanning laughed. “There hadn’t been a peep in ages, and suddenly he’s announcing a betrothal—rushing like he wants to hold the wedding tomorrow. It’s like he can’t wait to bring her home.”

Pei Zanxue giggled, dimples showing. “Then how could that be called stealing? That’s clearly robbery!”

Ye Wanning burst into laughter.

The Ye and Pei families were connected by marriage—Pei Zanxue’s mother was Ye Wanning’s aunt. Ye family children had always studied at the Pei clan academy, and Ye Wanning was like half a daughter of the Pei family, often coming and going.

Like Pei Zanxue and Pei Ziye, she didn’t fear the head of the Pei household, nor the old matriarch—but she did fear Pei Ziye’s little uncle.

Well, not fear exactly. It was just… he had such an intimidating presence. Those calm, unreadable eyes of his—just one glance felt like he could see through all your thoughts. The pressure was immense.

Ye Wanning had always thought Pei Ziye’s uncle, someone so cold and distant, would end up alone for life. Who could have imagined the old house would catch fire one day—and burn so fiercely?

So the moment Pei Zanxue heard her little uncle was getting married, she couldn’t wait to tell Ye Wanning—and then even more urgently sent an invitation to bring Jiang Shiyuan over.

The more Ye Wanning thought about it, the more intrigued she felt. She couldn’t help stealing another glance at Jiang Shiyuan.

Jiang Shiyuan blushed a little from their teasing, but she knew it came from friendliness. She responded with a smile, “Sister Ye shouldn’t tease me. Your golden osmanthus fragrance travels for miles—who knows which dashing young man will sneak in to pluck the bloom.”

What a clever girl.

Ye Wanning wasn’t annoyed. She only gave Jiang Shiyuan a mock scolding look. “Sharp tongue, too. Now Zanxue will have a proper sparring partner.”

“Let’s not stand here, come in and sit,” Ye Wanning said, leading the way.

She personally escorted Jiang Shiyuan in and seated her in the most honored spot at the banquet.

Along the way, Pei Zanxue clung to Jiang Shiyuan’s arm, “Aun…”

The word was halfway out when she caught sight of Jiang Shiyuan’s flushed cheeks and quickly swallowed it.

Though her little uncle had sent the betrothal details in haste, the two families had yet to officially meet, and nothing had been announced.

And her future little aunt was so easily embarrassed.

Pei Zanxue quickly changed tack. “Sister, you smell so good—what fragrance are you using?”

Such a soft and lovely beauty in someone’s arms—Pei Zanxue couldn’t help feeling envious.

Envious of her little uncle!

Just as they were seated, Jiang Shiyuan took the small gift she’d prepared from Hong Dou and handed it to the two girls. “I left in a hurry and didn’t prepare anything fancy—just a bit of incense for Sister Ye and Sister Pei.”

Pei Zanxue accepted the embroidered box happily and opened it. Her eyes lit up. “Sister Jiang, how is this not fancy?! This is Lingxi Incense!”

This was the best incense from the Chenxiang Workshop—one box worth a hundred gold, and incredibly hard to come by.

The shop had once been obscure, but its unique fragrance and long-lasting scent had quickly made it the favorite of every woman in the capital. In just three years, it had become the hottest perfumery around.

Even someone as composed as Ye Wanning couldn’t contain her excitement. “My goodness, Sister Jiang, where did you get this? I’ve had someone watching that shop for two months, and every time they miss it. I was just fuming about it!”

“Hahaha, last time my cousin even said if she couldn’t get her hands on Lingxi Incense again, she’d have someone kidnap the perfumer behind Chenxiang Workshop—just to make her blend ten or even a hundred boxes right on the spot!” Pei Zanxue joked.

“Sister Jiang, you’ve saved that perfumer’s life.”

Jiang Shiyuan hadn’t expected Pei Zanxue to love it this much—if she’d known, she would’ve brought more.

“If Sister Ye likes anything else, do let me know. I’ll send it to you.”

Ye Wanning looked at her in surprise. “Sister Jiang, do you know the owner of Chenxiang Workshop?”

She’d long admired their incense and had wanted to meet the owner, but the perfumer had never appeared in public—only known to be a young woman who kept to herself.

Jiang Shiyuan replied modestly, “Sort of. I just happen to have some connections.”

Ye Wanning didn’t doubt it—everyone had their network. “Then could you pass on a message to the owner for me?”

Jiang Shiyuan: “What message?”

Ye Wanning put on a stern face. “Tell her to watch her step when she walks! Even though I’ve got the incense now, I still want to kidnap her!”

“She makes scents this good—is she trying to get herself killed?!”

Jiang Shiyuan burst out laughing, while Pei Zanxue doubled over at the table.

It was an afternoon Jiang Shiyuan would remember often—

The autumn wind was gentle, the osmanthus sweet and fragrant. The three of them met for the first time beneath the blooming tree. Within that moment were the people they wished to meet… and the one she longed to meet.

A chance encounter no less fated than the bond between her and that certain someone.