C18 The 18th Chapter

He felt as if he had smelled it somewhere before. Yan Xiuchuan racked his brain, sensing a thread in his mind that he just couldn't grasp.

Ah, he had caught that scent on that girl. That charming yet infuriating girl who had deceived him with lies.

"Stop right there," he commanded.

Yan Xiuchuan's voice was sharp and cold, freezing Feng Biyin in her tracks, too scared to move.

He strode over to her, fixing his gaze on her as he enunciated each word: "Why do you have that scent on you?"

Feng Biyin hadn't expected such a question but answered respectfully, "Sir, I enjoy blending fragrances. This scent might be coming from the sachet I'm wearing."

"Let me see it."

It was quite improper for a man to ask a woman for her sachet or handkerchief, especially when they weren't engaged. But Yan Xiuchuan was her master, and she dared not refuse.

He took the sachet, brought it close to his nose, and inhaled deeply. After a moment, he murmured, "It is indeed this scent." He scrutinized Feng Biyin, muttering to himself, "No, this isn't right."

Feng Biyin was bewildered, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed under Yan Xiuchuan's intense gaze.

After a long pause, Yan Xiuchuan finally asked, "Who else have you given this sachet to?"

Feng Biyin shook her head. "I haven't given it to anyone."

Yan Xiuchuan sneered, "If I didn't care, would I be asking you this? Be honest with me, and I might spare you."

Feng Biyin just shook her head without speaking.

Yan Xiuchuan smiled slightly, "Fine, if you won't tell me, I'll ask your family. Someone will talk."

In their world, those born into privilege looked down on servants like they were no better than animals. Feng Biyin thought it over and couldn't bear the idea of her family suffering because of her. She finally said, "I did make another one for someone else."

"Who?" Yan Xiuchuan pressed.

"It was... Ms. Su," Feng Biyin hesitated but eventually admitted. "Ms. Su is a very straightforward person. She never cared much for little things like this. I only saw her wear it once, and I don't even know if she still has it. Maybe someone else picked it up."

Su Luo. Yan Xiuchuan repeated the name in his mind, wishing he could sprout wings and fly to her immediately. Seeing how frightened Feng Biyin was, he tried to reassure her, "Don't worry. I have a friend whose name I don't know, but she carries this same scent. I just really want to see her again."

Feng Biyin couldn't tell if he was being truthful. As soon as he left, she bit her lip and took a shortcut to Su Luo's room.

"Sis," Feng Biyin burst into the room, her face glistening with sweat, a far cry from her usual composed demeanor.

Su Luo had just managed to get away from Yan Xiuchuan and was leisurely admiring a piece of calligraphy she had just completed. Startled by Biyin's entrance, she looked up in surprise, "What's gotten into you? Did you accidentally catch the eye of some young nobleman, and now he's come knocking?"

Biyin stomped her foot, annoyed, "Sis, we're in big trouble, and you still have the nerve to tease me?"

"What happened?"

Biyin closed the door behind her, pulled Su Luo into the inner room, and they sat together on the couch. In a hushed voice, she recounted the recent events, ending with tears in her eyes, "Sis, it's my fault. I got scared. But I swear I didn't mean to give you away."

Su Luo comforted her, "Even if you hadn't said anything, he would have found out some other way. Standing up to him would only mean more trouble for you."

Biyin bit her lip, thinking it over, "Sis, if he asks, just say you accidentally lost the pouch. I doubt he would interrogate everyone in the house." She glanced down and noticed the corner of a beautifully embroidered peony peeking from Su Luo's waist. It was unmistakably the pouch in question. Snatching it up, she exclaimed, "Why are you still carrying this thing around? Let me find some scissors and cut it up." With that, she went off to find a pair.

Su Luo stopped her, smiling gently, "You put so much effort into making this sachet, I can't bear to cut it." She carefully hung it back in its place, "The embroidery is exquisite and it keeps the mosquitoes away. So many people would be envious!"

Feng Biyin was flustered, "How can you joke at a time like this, sister?"

Su Luo gave a slight smile, "There's no need to worry. Third Young Master Yan may not be here to cause trouble for me." She gently pushed Biyin out, "This has nothing to do with you, just pretend you don't know anything. It's time for the Fourth Madam to get up, you should go attend to her."

"Sister." Feng Biyin resisted, not wanting Su Luo to push her out. Unfortunately, she was too slight to match Su Luo's strength.

"Miss Feng, the Fourth Madam is looking for you!"

As the door opened, someone in the courtyard waved to her.

"Alright, go quickly!" Su Luo patted her hand, coaxing, "If you're really worried, you can plead with the Fourth Madam for me. Maybe Third Young Master Yan will listen!"

While they spoke, a maid came over and pulled Feng Biyin away, "The Fourth Madam is upset not seeing you, she hasn't even done her hair yet, and the master will be here soon."

Feng Biyin had no choice but to leave reluctantly. She turned back from a distance, "Sister, I'll come by later. Remember to say what I told you."

As the story unfolds, let's turn our attention to Yan Xiuchuan. Upon realizing that Su Luo also carried a similar fragrance, he hurriedly made his way to the servants' quarters. It wasn't until he reached the entrance that he suddenly remembered he had no idea where Su Luo was staying. Spotting a maid passing by, he quickly stopped her and followed her through a maze of corridors and rooms, finally arriving at a modest four-room house.