Chapter 431: Chapter 158 Lover’s Incense_2
Although some fragrance recipes are precious, Pei Yunmeng has always been generous with material possessions and should not find it too difficult to part with them.
That’s what Lu Tong thought, but upon hearing the request, Pei Yunmeng paused and did not immediately agree, merely asking, "What do you want to do with it?"
Lu Tong made up a reason on the spot, "I saw that the incense used by Lord Pei is serene and icy, and I like it a lot. I plan to make one according to this recipe to wear on myself."
"Make one to wear on yourself?" he echoed slowly.
Lu Tong nodded.
Pei Yunmeng’s expression was odd.
It was true that men and women in Shengjing liked to wear fragrance pouches, and the Fragrance Medicine Bureau was always innovating its selection of scents. However, the incense available to anyone at the Fragrance Medicine Bureau was different from those privately mixed. Noble men and women did not want to use the common scents available to all, often employing perfumers to create unique fragrances to highlight their distinguished status.
If it was truly unique, then there would not be two people wearing the exact same scent. Unless the pair were a married couple or lovers, in which case they would use the same fragrance recipe to demonstrate closeness.
His own "Night’s Chill" was specially crafted by someone back in the day... The implication in Lu Tong’s words just now was similar; she clearly knew that this was a finished scent that could not be bought from the Fragrance Medicine Bureau, a unique scent of his own, yet she still said she wanted to make an identical one to wear?
Did she not understand at all what this meant?
Of course, Lu Tong was unaware.
She had grown up on Luomei Peak and was less familiar with local customs; she barely had any concept of strict boundaries between men and women. Furthermore, having lived in the small area of Changwu County, she hardly ever saw people wearing fragrance pouches and knew nothing of this concept of "Lover’s Incense." She simply wondered in her heart why it was that Pei Yunmeng seemed so reluctant—it was only a fragrance recipe, after all.
After a pause, Lu Tong looked at him inquiringly, "Is it inconvenient for Lord Pei?"
It seemed that he hadn’t hesitated as much when she asked him to betray the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion the night before.
"It is indeed inconvenient," Pei Yunmeng averted his gaze and spoke indifferently, "I don’t know the exact fragrance recipe. Let’s talk about it later."
This evasive response... it seemed that he really was reluctant.
Lu Tong felt regretful in her heart. Maybe the recipe was indeed valuable, but there was no sense in forcing someone against their will. If he was unwilling, then he was unwilling.
She did not continue the conversation.
...
The interaction regarding the fragrance recipe had somewhat defused the subtle atmosphere in the carriage earlier. The carriage sped along and soon left through the city gates, heading in the direction of Tuoluo Mountain.
Tuoluo Mountain was located outside the outer city of Shengjing, narrow at the top and broad at the bottom, the entire mountain appearing like a gigantic top turned upside down. It was springtime, the mountain was lush with greenery, and through the carriage window, it looked verdant and vibrant.
After an unknown period of time, the bumps on the road gradually smoothed, and through the gaps of the fluttering carriage curtains, rich aromatic scents could be smelled. Outside came the sound of Qingfeng bringing the horses to a halt.
"My lord, Miss Lu, we’ve arrived at the tea garden."
We’ve arrived at the tea garden.
Pei Yunmeng lifted the carriage curtain and got down first, then extended his hand to help Lu Tong out.
Lu Tong stood firm and looked around.
This was a tea garden—or more precisely, a Tea Mountain.
Large sections of tea bushes grew amid the high mountains, dense forests flourished, and the brilliant golden sun shone directly down from above, turning the overlapping peaks into a shimmering sea of emerald green.
This was Cuiwei Tea Garden, the largest tea garden in Mangming Township on Tuoluo Mountain.
Now at the peak of the season, there were many tea farmers picking tea leaves in the garden. Seeing a carriage pass by, some stopped their work and looked over.
Lu Tong reached into her sleeve and pulled out a light-colored sheer handkerchief to tie around her face, and when she looked up, she met Pei Yunmeng’s unusual gaze.
He asked, "Why wear a handkerchief?"
"I am concerned it might harm Lord Pei’s reputation," Lu Tong answered without any change in expression.
In truth, she was worried that if there were Qi Family spies in this place, and if things were to come to light in the future, being recognized at a glance would lead to endless troubles. It was better to be cautious.
After a moment, Lu Tong spoke again, "Would Lord Pei like to wear a headdress as well?"
He and Qi Qing were both officials in court, and although this man usually acted without constraints, the reason he was here today was still because she had dragged Pei Yunmeng along.
"No need," Pei Yunmeng’s gaze swept over the white kerchief on her face, and the corners of his mouth twitched, "I don’t have a fiancée."
Lu Tong: "..."
Qingfeng approached a tea farmer who was carrying a load of tea leaves. The farmer was an elder who set down his basket and started talking with Qingfeng.
Their conversation seemed heated, and Lu Tong vaguely saw Qingfeng show the tea farmer a waist badge and handed him a thick ingot of silver.
She looked at Pei Yunmeng.
As if understanding the doubt in Lu Tong’s mind, Pei Yunmeng smiled and said, "All the tea gardens on Tuoluo Mountain are cultivated by the tea farmers of Mangming Township. The owner of Cuiwei Tea Garden is a wealthy merchant, and it’s difficult for outsiders to enter."