"By the way, what kind of incense was lit in the Madam's room just now?" Luo Changqing remembered that after he smelled the fragrance there just now, he relaxed and fell asleep unknowingly. He felt that the fragrance was quiet and elegant, pleasant and extremely relaxing, and had a first-class sleep-inducing ability. He liked it very much.
"Um... I don't know." Shu Qi lowered his head and replied, "It should be the madam who made the fragrance herself." He knew that Xu Shichu had a spice shop and could make perfume herself.
"Then help me ask tomorrow to replace my sleeping incense with this one." Luo Changqing said. He fell asleep much more easily after smelling this scent, and after waking up, he did not feel uncomfortable with a groggy head. Instead, he felt relaxed and energetic. It was much better than the incense he usually used.
He holds a high position of power, has a busy work schedule and is overwhelmed with things to do. He thinks too much during the day and is prone to insomnia at night. Even when he is very tired, he finds it difficult to fall asleep, so he can hardly fall asleep without sleeping incense.
"Okay, I'll ask Madam tomorrow." Shu Qi replied.
The next day, Shu Qi personally asked to see Xu Shichu and asked her about the sleeping incense.
"That incense is called 'Into a Dream'. I researched the recipe myself. If you want it, you can buy it in my Zui Xiang Pavilion. As for the spice recipe, I can't give it to you." Xu Shichu said lightly.
"Of course. The Prime Minister only wants well-made incense and has no interest in the recipe." Shu Qi replied hurriedly, fearing that Xu Shichu would misunderstand that Luo Changqing coveted her recipe.
Of course, Xu Shichu would not think that the prime minister would be so short-sighted as to covet her spice recipe. She just simply did not want to leak the recipe. And what if Luo Rui or Luo Yaqing also liked the fragrance? Who knows if Luo Changqing would just give them the house
It is always better to make matters like these that involve interests clear in advance.
On this day, Xu Shichu went to inspect the shops as usual. It sounded a bit shabby, after all, she only had two shops. But fortunately, she had revitalized both shops during this period of time, and the business was booming. They had become famous shops in the capital.
Although she was supposed to be inspecting the stores, she didn't actually have to do much. She just took this opportunity to have some fun.
Nowadays, when she travels, she has the demeanor of a noble lady. Her carriage is magnificent and obviously belongs to a wealthy family. She also travels with a lot of people, and no one dares to mess with her when she walks on the street.
Xu Shichu lifted the car curtain and looked out, and suddenly felt a strong and curious gaze. She looked over there and saw a gentle and handsome young man holding a chubby child, with a young woman next to him. They looked like a family of three.
The young man met her gaze and nodded at her.
Xu Shichu felt a little strange because she didn't know this man, but he acted as if he knew her and greeted her silently. There was no humility or fear in his eyes when facing her, who was obviously a special person.
They just looked at each other and nothing happened afterwards. Xu Shichu didn't take it to heart.
"Husband, do you know that lady?" the young man's wife asked curiously.
"We know each other, right? We were some relatives in our ancestors, but we don't have any contact now, and their status and position are far different from ours, so we don't plan to make friends with them." said the young man.
"So that's how it is." The wife suddenly realized, and then said in amazement, "That lady is so beautiful, like a fairy from heaven! With such beauty and noble status, she must be living in a honey pot, right?"
"Not necessarily..." the young man said, "Every family has its own problems. Who knows if her life looks glamorous on the outside but is actually difficult to describe on the inside."
"No way? She is the wife of a high-ranking official." The young wife retorted in disbelief.
The young man chuckled. He knew the wife of this high-ranking official. She was unknown before she got married, but after she got married she often appeared in public and gradually became known to people.
But she should not be a simple person. After all, Zuixiang Pavilion, a spice shop that is now favored by dignitaries, and Houji Bookstore, a favorite among scholars, are both created by her.
Xu Shichu arrived at Zuixiang Pavilion. There were indeed many customers inside, but everything was in order. The waiters and ladies were talking nonstop about selling various incense, while the customers were either watching, asking questions or trying the scents. No one was causing trouble.
"Mother, you are here too?" A cry of surprise interrupted Xu Shichu.
When Xu Shichu took a look, it turned out to be Luo Yaqing. She was looking at him in surprise, holding a sachet in her hand.
Xu Shichu nodded at her and smiled, "I came to inspect the store and didn't expect you to be here. If you like any incense, tell the clerk and I'll give it to you. The same goes for your little sister."
"Is this your shop?!" Luo Yaqing was even more shocked. She was indifferent to Xu Shichu and naturally didn't know that Zui Xiang Ge was Xu Shichu's shop.
"Yes, you don't have to be polite, just take whatever you like." Xu Shichu said generously.
"No, no, that's not nice. I'll pay the bill." Luo Yaqing quickly waved her hand to refuse.
"What's so embarrassing about that? I haven't given you brothers and sisters any gifts since I came to the mansion. This time I'll just make up for it." Xu Shichu was happy to use these spices to give face to his stepchildren. "It's settled, you are not allowed to refuse!"
Luo Yaqing had no choice but to accept it. Xu Shichu spoke to her a few more words and then went to talk to the shopkeeper.
"Yaqing, is this the wife your father remarried?" A round-faced girl next to Luo Yaqing looked at Xu Shichu's back and asked curiously.
"Yes." Luo Yaqing replied.
"She seems easy to get along with and generous. The spices here are not cheap, and she lets us choose freely!" said the round-faced girl excitedly.
"You are too naive!" Another long-faced girl sneered and said, "They just used some insignificant little things to bribe you, and you fell for it! I tell you, these stepmothers are the best at acting. Do you believe that if Yaqing really took something here without paying, she would go back and hint to Prime Minister Luo that Yaqing was taking advantage of her..."
The round-faced girl widened her eyes: "No way? She doesn't look like that kind of person."
"Of course not. Isn't that what my stepmother is like? She acts so nice and generous to me in front of outsiders, but behind others' backs she tells my father openly or secretly that I'm willful and vicious!" said the long-faced girl indignantly.
Luo Yaqing pondered for a while and found that Xu Shichu didn't seem to be playing tricks on her and her brother, but what if? She decided not to let Xu Shichu give it away for free, and she must pay for the incense here.
Xu Shichu didn't know that his stepdaughter was so wary of his little thoughtful gesture, but he wouldn't care even if she knew.