C18 Ethereal Fragrance

The truth of the matter was known only to Feng Changge. On Yue Jingfeng's birthday, she had prepared a special performance for him, a unique piece she called "Magical Birthday Blessing." But in the end, he cast her aside, banishing her to isolation. That night, the halls were filled with laughter and celebration, while she...

New faces bring smiles, but no one hears the tears of the forgotten.

Nearby, young Feng Changyue spotted a butterfly, a rare sight indeed. With the impulsiveness of a child, he slipped away from Qin Chaohua's side and climbed onto the stage to catch it. In his haste, he accidentally knocked over a wooden post that had been set aside for emergencies, sending it crashing toward Feng Changge.

"Watch out!"

Startled by the sudden danger, Feng Changge squeezed her eyes shut, panic-stricken and unsure of where to move...

Suddenly, she felt herself being gently pulled into an embrace. Daring to open her eyes, she found herself in the arms of Yue Jingchen.

In that moment, Yue Jingchen seemed to understand where his heart truly lay. Feng Changge's eyes, deep and mysterious like a tranquil lake, held an irresistible allure.

Two destinies that seemed unlikely to intertwine were now, by a twist of fate, tightly bound together, like a chain of life, destined to remain entangled.

As the guests departed one by one, each took a moment to glance at Feng Changge, their eyes filled with admiration. Feng Changge felt a twinge of regret. Her original intent was merely to see Feng Chang'an and Xiao Yan leave empty-handed, but she hadn't anticipated capturing everyone's attention. Under the sharp gazes of Xiao Yan and Feng Chang'an, she couldn't decide if she felt triumphant or uneasy.

After bidding farewell to the esteemed guests, one remained behind—not Yue Jingchen, but Yue Jingfeng.

Standing in the courtyard by the west wall, Feng Changge never met Yue Jingfeng's gaze. It wasn't out of fear; he simply wasn't worthy.

"Is there something you need, Your Highness?" Feng Changge's voice was as cold as ice.

In contrast, Yue Jingfeng was all smiles, speaking warmly to Feng Changge, "Miss Changge, your gift was truly unique. I admire your creativity."

Admire... What was the excuse back then? Over time, Feng Changge had almost forgotten. She only remembered that when Yue Jingfeng first visited the Duke's mansion, he had captured her heart at first sight.

"You're too kind, Your Highness. I have other matters to attend to. Please excuse me."

"Changge, wait."

Yue Jingfeng caught the sleeve of Feng Changge's dress. The way he said her name made her heart tremble. It was a voice she knew too well, one that had called to her countless times under the moonlit sky, amidst the gentle rain of the South, and in the vast Northern Desert. But now, all she felt was disgust.

Feng Changge pulled her sleeve free from his grasp and said calmly, "Please, Your Highness, have some respect. Your intentions are clear, but my heart belongs to Duke Chen. I'm sure you saw that at the banquet."

Indeed, Feng Changge had later joined Yue Jingchen at the table.

"But my brother..."

"Let me be frank, Your Highness. Duke Chen is a man of exceptional talent and grace. We have already shared our feelings for each other. I trust you understand."

With that, Feng Changge decisively turned and left. Yue Jingfeng, facing rejection for the first time, looked visibly upset and stormed off.

At the birthday banquet, Feng Changge's dance had captured everyone's attention. Initially, she hadn't intended to be so conspicuous, but then she thought it wise to let them see her true self, to prevent any foolish actions that might cause unnecessary trouble.

Yet, despite her busy schedule, Feng Changning constantly created problems for her, clearly acting on Feng Chang'an's orders. Feng Changge's standout performance at the banquet had overshadowed Feng Chang'an, leaving her fuming with anger.

Xiao Yan was too preoccupied to deal with Feng Changge at the moment. Her attention was entirely on Liu Qinglan, who was about to give birth. Whether the baby would be a boy or a girl was still uncertain, and Xiao Yan was anxious. If it were a boy, the Liu family's wealth and influence could pose a significant threat to Feng Changxuan in the future. Or perhaps, to Xiao Yan, any child, regardless of gender, was a potential threat.

Feng Changge had everything organized regarding the inventory, except for the kitchen accounts from the previous day, which hadn't been reviewed yet. When Feng Changge went to the kitchen to retrieve the accounts, a young girl brewing medicine caught her attention. She recognized the girl, who had recently joined the household and was known for being quiet. However, she was one of Xiao Yan's maids, so why was she preparing medicine for Liu Qinglan?

"What are you brewing?" Feng Changge asked as she walked over to the girl. The young maid seemed lost in thought and didn't hear her. Feng Changge raised her voice and asked again, "Who are you making this medicine for?"

"Ah!" The girl yelped, clearly startled by Feng Changge, and quickly stood up to greet her. "Miss, my name is Chunshu. I'm preparing a prenatal tonic for Mrs. Liu."

Feng Changge had only intended to see what kind of medicine it was, but the maid's reaction was so extreme that it made her suspicious. She scrutinized Chunshu from head to toe, her gaze finally settling on the girl's hand, which was tightly clutching something at her waist, as if she were hiding something.