Lin He finished speaking, then playfully winked at Concubine Luo. The women in the courtyard all laughed, and even Concubine Luo said with a face full of smiles, “He’er’s mouth is truly sweet. No wonder our Master favors her. Even I absolutely love listening to He’er talk.”

The women in the courtyard chuckled in agreement a few more times. After a moment, the Third Madam suddenly inhaled sharply, scanning the courtyard with her eyes, and asked, “He’er, what is that marvelous fragrance coming from your courtyard? I’ve never smelled anything quite like it. It’s a bit like… oh, right, like those scented pomades you sent to Grandmother last time, only this scent is far more subtle.”

The Second Madam and Concubine Luo next to her both sniffed, confirming the delicate aroma, though neither could pinpoint its source, as if the scent permeated the entire yard.

Lin He thought it must be the scented paste she had made a few days prior, as the preparation room was located within her courtyard, and some of the unguents were still stored upstairs, inevitably releasing their fragrance. Lin He smiled and said, “No wonder Third Aunt is such a connoisseur of beauty; before I’ve even sat down for long, you’ve already detected the scent of my pomades. The other day, I made a few different batches of paste in the courtyard, intending to occupy myself when bored. If Concubine Luo and my two Aunts like them, I can have my maids bring some over for you all to try. Those who enjoy them can take some home.”

Upon hearing Lin He’s words, the Third Madam’s face immediately blossomed into a bright smile as she eagerly asked, “He’er, are these the same as the pomades you gave Grandmother last time?”

Lin He nodded. “Similar, but they aren't completely finished yet. The outer casings are a bit different.”

“That’s wonderful, He’er. Send some my way. The pomades you gave Grandmother are truly exquisite. I used some at your grandmother’s place once; the scent was unbelievably lovely. Even my husband commented on how good it smelled that day. I was planning on asking Mother for a box, but she wouldn't part with any. I was actually hoping to find time to ask He’er if you had any left—what luck that I came today!” the Third Madam spoke frankly.

“Sister-in-law Third, look at you, speaking as if we only came here to beg He’er for gifts. But it is true, what He’er produces is excellent. Even many of my own sisters have praised it. Recently, when they learned these things were made by our nephew’s wife, they asked me when you might release something new,” the Second Madam added with a smile.

Lin He became somewhat flustered by the compliments from both the Second and Third Madams. “My two Aunts are truly too flattering. They are just little things I whip up when I have nothing else to do; they hardly deserve such high praise. That the madams enjoy He’er’s creations, I am immensely grateful.” Having said that, Lin He signaled to Ziqing beside her to fetch the pomades.

After a brief wait, Ziqing emerged carrying several small boxes. The Third Madam, being an impatient sort, stood up immediately as Ziqing approached her side, eagerly meeting her halfway. She took one box and impatiently opened it. The moment the lid lifted, she was instantly captivated by a burst of fresh, elegant magnolia fragrance.

The Third Madam delicately dipped a finger into the paste and dabbed it onto her wrist, inhaling deeply with obvious delight, before exclaiming happily, “He’er, what scent is this? It smells even better than the one at Mother’s place last time.”

“Third Aunt, the one in your hand is magnolia. This is precisely when the white magnolias are blooming at their peak. When I made the paste the other day, I used the magnolias right here in my courtyard. I also have a jasmine scent. Both of these floral fragrances prioritize elegance and are perfectly suited for this season. If you like this one, please take a box of each to try. If you find them to your liking, perhaps I can have my husband take them to the shop for sale later on,” Lin He said with a smile.

“Heh heh, this girl is certainly clever. So, the intention of this visit was to have us sample your pomades!” the Fourth Madam teased He’er with a playful chiding glance.

If anyone else had said this today, He’er might have felt a slight prick of annoyance, but coming from the Fourth Madam, the words felt wonderfully comforting. The Fourth Madam’s tone carried the same affectionate warmth that her own mother used when speaking to her at home.

Lin He returned a smile to the Fourth Madam and replied mischievously, “Yes, Fourth Aunt is absolutely right. I can’t just give you these pomades away for free; I must gain some benefit in return.” Lin He used the familiar 'you' (), indicating this comment was solely directed at the Fourth Madam.

The other women present paid little mind, all drawn into laughter by He’er’s jest. The Third Madam laughed, “Heh heh, He’er, I don’t mind helping you test things out at all. If you prepare anything new in the future, just send your maid to notify me. I promise I’ll come running whenever you call.”

“It seems the sharpest one here is the Third Brother’s wife. Anyone would be eager to help He’er test such wonderful things. We don’t always need you, do we?” Concubine Luo teased the Third Madam.

After sampling the pomades for a while, the women chatted and laughed so congenially that Lin He began to think perhaps they had truly only come over for a casual visit, without any ulterior motives.

However, Concubine Luo’s next words quickly made Lin He revise that thought. As everyone was still enjoying themselves, Concubine Luo suddenly lowered her voice and said, “Second Sister-in-law, have you heard? Yesterday, something quite the commotion erupted in Chen’er’s courtyard involving Yu Zhen. It was so disruptive that the Mistress herself had to step in before it settled down.”

“I think I did hear my maids mention something, but I wasn’t sure what the fuss was about?” the Second Madam interjected.

“What else could it be about? It was about Chen’er insisting on taking Miss Ning Nuo as a secondary wife. I heard Yu Zhen absolutely refused and even came to blows with Chen’er. They say quite a few things were smashed in the courtyard,” Concubine Luo reported.

“Ah, well, we can’t entirely blame Yu Zhen. What woman would happily welcome a co-wife into her husband’s life? As the saying goes, one mountain cannot harbor two tigers. If my husband were to announce he was taking a secondary wife, I would fight with my life to stop him,” the Third Madam stated staunchly.

“It seems Yu Zhen’s opposition is futile, though. I heard from a maid in that courtyard that Ning Chen hasn't returned to Yu Zhen’s quarters these past few days. Someone even spotted Ning Chen actually visiting Ning Nuo’s courtyard the day before yesterday,” Concubine Luo lowered her voice further.

“At this critical juncture, why would Ning Chen go there? Does the Eldest Brother not know about this? Is Ning Chen truly unafraid of being punished when his father returns?” the Third Madam exclaimed. “And doesn’t the Eldest Sister-in-law manage him at all?”

“What management does the Eldest Sister-in-law offer? She’s likely thrilled about it. I heard word that this entire affair between Ning Chen and Ning Nuo was orchestrated by the Eldest Sister-in-law herself. You all know how much she dislikes Yu Zhen due to her poor background. Ning Nuo comes from a respectable family, is beautiful, and is the Mistress’s goddaughter. It seems the Mistress has harbored this intention for a long time,” the Second Madam remarked with evident disdain.

“No way, did the Mistress truly engineer this? But then again, it makes sense. The Mistress has always treated Ning Nuo exceptionally well, perhaps even better than she treats Qing Mo. I never understood that before, but now it all becomes clear,” Concubine Luo observed.