Within two days of Kou Wan saying this, Du Ying came to the Wuxiang Flower Essence Shop.

Unlike last time when she came alone quietly wanting to buy a unique fragrance, this time she came with several noblewomen who surrounded Du Ying in the center, quite like stars encircling the moon.

“Meeting Second Miss Lin again, what a coincidence.” Du Ying was first to speak, her brows and eyes radiating high spirits.

Lin Hao smiled slightly: “It’s my own shop, so I’m often here.”

“I didn’t expect Second Miss Lin to be interested in commerce and trade.” A noblewoman suddenly interjected.

Among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, it was normal for wealthy families to own businesses, but if the family’s children enjoyed engaging in commerce, it made people feel it was unseemly.

Though the noblewoman spoke with a smile, her underlying meaning wasn’t particularly friendly.

Lin Hao glanced at her, her tone light: “This shouldn’t be hard to imagine. If I had no interest, this would still be Lin’s Fragrant Powder Shop.”

The noblewoman faltered.

Was Second Miss Lin being self-deprecating?

More unpleasant words surged to her tongue, but she silently swallowed them down.

No matter what, Lin Hao was the future Princess Consort of Prince Jing’s heir. Making one sarcastic remark to curry favor before Miss Du was enough—there was no need to offend her too severely.

“Everyone please look around freely. We just introduced a new fragrance—it’s fruit-scented with a rather fresh aroma.” Lin Hao introduced with a smile, as if completely unaware of the subtle atmosphere.

She truly didn’t care about this kind of childish showing off. These noblewomen, mindful of their status, couldn’t possibly throw tantrums—at most they’d make sarcastic remarks, which had roughly zero killing power against her.

Hearing there was a new fragrance, fury flashed in Du Ying’s eyes.

She thought coming this time she’d see Second Miss Lin’s regret—regret at not seizing the opportunity to befriend her. She hadn’t expected such provocation.

She had specially come requesting a new flower essence only to be refused, yet now a new flower essence appeared right after.

“When I came last time, Second Miss Lin said developing flower essence required inspiration.”

Lin Hao nodded: “Autumn is when melons and fruits are fragrant—the inspiration just happened to come.”

Du Ying laughed lightly: “Second Miss Lin’s inspiration is truly elusive.”

What inspiration? Clearly she deliberately refused her.

Noticing Du Ying’s displeasure, a noblewoman covered her mouth in a light laugh: “Speaking of which, inspiration is like fortune—both are elusive. Some people lack sufficient fortune and must give up good positions even when they occupy them. Wouldn’t you say so, Elder Sister Du?”

Lin Hao’s gaze turned cold.

Running to show off verbally before her was one thing, but mocking her elder sister was unacceptable.

Du Ying’s gaze fell on Lin Hao’s face as she curved her lips in a smile: “Who says otherwise?”

Without Eldest Miss Lin being deathly ill and breaking the engagement, how would she have her current position as Crown Princess?

Actually, ever since the Crown Prince’s deposition, there had been talk of Eldest Miss Lin’s bad luck. Now that Prince Wei had become heir and they were selecting a Crown Princess again, such talk grew increasingly clamorous.

And as Duke Yingguo Manor that had produced the Crown Princess, though they wouldn’t say it aloud, they couldn’t help feeling proud inside.

Who wouldn’t want to be called fortunate?

Lin Hao looked deeply at Du Ying, then suddenly smiled: “Fortune is indeed hard to predict—otherwise how would there be that old saying about losing in the east but gaining in the west?”

Du Ying’s smile vanished: “What does Second Miss Lin mean by this?”

She dared curse her!

“Just the literal meaning. Miss Du, don’t overthink it. Whichever flower essence everyone fancies, just tell the shop assistants to let you sample the fragrance. Please excuse me for a moment.” After Lin Hao finished speaking, she walked leisurely toward the back.

Du Ying stared intently at that slender silhouette with its straight spine, her lips pressed tightly.

“Elder Sister Du, don’t be angry. Some people just feel sour inside when they see others doing well.”

“Exactly.”

Amid a chorus of consolation, Du Ying’s fair chin lifted slightly, adopting an air of complete indifference: “I can’t be bothered to get angry over such things. Qing’er, go tell the assistant we want one bottle of every single fragrance.”

Seeing Du Ying buy flower essence, the others all left with purchases.

After these people left, Chunni ran to the back to tell Lin Hao what these noblewomen had said: “They even said you felt sour inside—bah! Clearly they’re the ones with nothing better to do looking for trouble.”

The miss had to develop fragrances, expand the business, help people encountering difficulties—there were so many things to do. How could she have time to be jealous of them?

Seeing the young lady’s mouth twisted to one side, Lin Hao couldn’t help but smile: “Did they buy flower essence?”

“They did. Even the one who bought least got one bottle.”

“Then that’s fine.”

Lin Hao showed no emotion at the flower essence shop, but returning to the General’s Manor she couldn’t help going to Lin Chan’s quarters.

Jiaoyue Residence was fragrant with osmanthus. Lin Chan sat beneath an osmanthus tree earnestly embroidering.

“What is Elder Sister embroidering?” Lin Hao walked over.

Lin Chan picked up a piece of fine cloth nearby to cover the embroidery frame: “A pillowcase for Second Sister. It’s not finished yet.”

“Let me see.”

“No, wait until it’s finished to look.” Lin Chan smiled and took her sister’s hand. “Let’s sit inside.”

“Let’s just sit here. There’s sun but it’s not too hot, and it’s bright and open.”

So Lin Chan instructed a maid: “Go bring a stool for Second Miss.”

Soon Lian Xiang brought over an embroidered cushion: “Second Miss, please sit.”

Lin Hao sat down next to Lin Chan, her voice soft: “Elder Sister, don’t always do needlework—be careful of hurting your eyes.”

Lin Chan smiled gently: “I only embroider a while when the light is good. Haven’t I even moved the embroidery frame out to the courtyard?”

“Tomorrow Elder Sister should come with me to see the flower essence shop.”

Lin Chan hesitated slightly, then nodded: “All right.”

The rumor of Eldest Miss Lin’s gradually improving health had been spread for some time now. If she fully recovered at this point, it wouldn’t arouse suspicion. Lin Hao felt sorry for her elder sister always being cooped up in a small courtyard. Seeing her nod, she couldn’t help but curve her lips.

The two sisters didn’t speak again for a while, quietly drinking chrysanthemum tea. An autumn breeze blew osmanthus flowers down, quietly scenting their clothes with fragrance.

“Second Sister.” Lin Chan’s gentle voice sounded.

Lin Hao looked up at her sister.

A fair hand reached over to tidy a mischievous strand of hair that had fallen: “Did you encounter something unpleasant outside?”

Lin Hao immediately denied it: “No.”

Lin Chan looked at her, her slightly brown pupils appearing warm and tranquil: “If it’s about me, Second Sister mustn’t be unhappy over idle gossip. Elder Sister is doing well.”

“Elder Sister—”

Lin Chan put her arm around Lin Hao’s shoulder: “Becoming Crown Princess is certainly prestigious, but that wouldn’t suit me. Second Sister knows this too.”

“Mm.” Lin Hao nodded lightly, leaning against her sister.

She knew, which was why she hadn’t mentioned a single word of it to her sister—she just felt a bit of heartache.

“Silly girl, I have Grandmother, Mother, and you and Elder Brother. Even without marrying, I won’t lack for anything.”

After Cheng Shu jumped into the lake to save the deposed Crown Prince during the Dragon Boat Festival, he’d been promoted again. At his age, it rather suggested limitless prospects. Combined with his reliable character, in the world’s eyes he could indeed be counted as a support for the Lin family sisters.

“Second Sister, look into developing plum blossom essence later. I love the fragrance of plum blossoms most.”

“All right.”

At this time, the Han family of the Minister’s Manor erupted in an argument.

“You still want to seek marriage with Eldest Miss Lin?” After hearing her son’s words, Mother Han’s face darkened. “Absolutely not.”

Han Baocheng’s face reddened somewhat. Facing his mother’s categorical refusal, he didn’t retreat: “Mother, Eldest Miss Lin’s health has recovered.”

Mother Han was so angry she nearly fell backward: “Is this about her health?”