39 Autumns Fragrance, A Frigid Heart of Snow 1 (1/2)

”Over here, put it down over here. Be careful now!”

”Another box of brocade, this is the third already. What exactly does the Young Master do with so much brocade?”

A servant complained, daring not to abruptly shift his weight as he carried a large rectangular box with another servant. The box was of acacia wood, and was two meters long, half a meter wide and tall.

Though its weight wasn't much, neither servant dared to handle it without the utmost care.

”What do you know? Inside the box is thirty taels of Silver Cloud Silk, you hear, Silver Cloud Silk! Even one tael is priceless enough, yet there's thirty in each box, and there's a total of four boxes in total!”

The servants passed from the side entrance of the Wei Manor, carefully stepping into an overbrush hallway. The walls and ceiling were constructed from naturally entwined vines, the blossoming flowers just within an arm's reach.

Taking in a deep breath, the servants could smell the distinct fragrance of the tranquil flowers.

”Silver Cloud Silk… the tribute brocade from the northwestern territories? Wasn't that supposed to be the exclusive property of the Imperial Family? Why does the Young Master possess so much of it then?”

”You didn't hear? It was buzzing around the streets of Jiang'an since a few days ago!” the servant holding the rear of the box blurted in surprise. Ignoring the bitter look on his partner's face, the servant continued, his rough countenance beaming with admiration.

”Second Young Master received the brocade from the Ninth Princess Xinlan. Supposedly, it was conferred as a reward for the Young Master's success in the imperial examination, but don't you think…it was an act of love?”

”The Ninth Princess?” The leading servant inquired, his brows creased in thought.

”Ninth Princess…is she the conferred State Princess? Although our Young Master is naturally the best, would she truly…fall for him?”

”Fall for him? Of course she will fall for our Young Master!” the rear servant indignantly retorted, nearly dropping the brocade box due to his emotions.

”Don't tell me you wanted the Ninth Princess would go for you? Pei! Only the Young Master would deserve to possess such a lofty treasure, even more so than those Dukes' sons, ah!”

”S-shut up! Who said I wanted the Ninth Princess!?” the lead servant hollered in panic. ”Are you trying to get your brother killed, ah!?”

”But…you did say last night in the Night Fragrance – ”

Snap!

”Ah Dui, you seem to be harboring some strange thoughts recently…”

Accompanied by an elegant voice, a sky-blue paper fan knocked against the rear servant's head, startling the young man as he released an involuntary shriek. Catching the acacia box just a few centimeters before it knocked against the cobbled ground, the servant anxiously craned his head towards the guest.

The guest was a young handsome male, dressed in a light green scholar's robe.

A pair of bracelets crafted of intertwined wooden beads resting on his wrists, the youth's delicate features appeared to lack the brusque straightforwardness of men, but seemed more akin to a painting to solely be admired, not to be touched. The youth's aura was peaceful and diminished, without a single trace of the arrogance and pride within the common youth of high social birth.

”Y-Y-Young Master!” The servant shouted in a constricted voice, cold sweat dripping down the back of his neck.

”En.” The Second Young Master nonchalantly replied, examining the acacia brocade box with great care. ”The two of you seem to be possessing quite the leisure time, to be chatting so happily whilst carrying out your duties!”

”No, no, not at all,” the leading servant carefully placed the box onto the ground before dipping into a respectable bow.

”Second Young Master, my brother and I were simply throwing around a couple jests after seeing that the weather was nice, but we…do not have that much free time.”

”Oh?”

The Second Young Master raised a thin eyebrow in mock interest. The pair of hazel eyes carefully scanned the servant scratching the back of his head from top to bottom, before the edges of the youth's lips tugged skywards with amusement.

”Not that much leisure…” the Second Young Master drawled in a sly tone as his eyes narrowed, before lunging forward to whisper into the servant's ear. ”Were they devoted at the Night Fragrance Hall? Did you enjoy the delectable services of Miss Qin, or take the supreme beauty Shang?”

…huh?

The servant revealed a nonplussed look as he instinctively dug through his own memories, searching for any trace of this Miss Qin or a supreme beauty surnamed Shang. Unfortunately, the rough youth's eyes radiated confusion after several moments, and the servant tilted his head before speaking.

”Second Young Master, this servant…” the servant mulled over his words for several breaths before continuing with a stalwart tone.