Bai Qingqing cheerfully accompanied Madam Qiao to pick out a shop. After viewing several, she finally settled on a modest yet well-located storefront.

To support her daughter’s enthusiasm, Madam Qiao handed over full authority—who to hire, how to decorate, all of it was left to Bai Qingqing’s discretion. She asked no questions, offered no interference.

And Bai Qingqing was indeed full of energy. Having never run a shop before, everything was novel and fresh to her. She was eager to do it well and thus poured her heart into it.

She visited nearly every incense shop in Xuancheng, took careful mental notes, and then personally drew up the design of what she envisioned. She had it arranged exactly to her specifications. For nearly a full month, she was wholly occupied. At last, the shop began to take shape.

Though it hadn’t opened yet, Bai Qingqing was already thrilled. Just then, someone invited her to a banquet. She accepted without a second thought—an excuse for a short rest.

But who would have thought—the banquet was hosted by none other than the Princess Consort of Prince Ping.

Luo Lanqi linked arms with Bai Qingqing, smiling. “I’ve been meaning to invite you for ages, but you were always too busy. I’m so glad we could finally come together. The amusements at today’s gathering are all things you used to love. I just knew you’d be happy.”

Bai Qingqing… wasn’t.

Had she known it was hosted by the Princess Consort, she would’ve found some polite excuse to decline.

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But Luo Lanqi was her childhood playmate. In her past life, when the Bai family fell into ruin, it was Luo Lanqi who secretly sent someone to warn her. Bai Qingqing didn’t want to spoil her mood, so she kept her smile and accompanied her in.

Luo Lanqi was lively by nature and loved to chatter. Some found her noisy, but Bai Qingqing thought it suited her perfectly. She herself wasn’t much of a talker—one spoke, one listened—it balanced out just right.

“Look, look! There’s a fragrance-tasting corner over there. You love this kind of thing, don’t you? As soon as I heard, I thought of you. Come on, let’s go check it out!”

Bai Qingqing was tugged along, though a strange feeling stirred in her chest. This didn’t quite align with the Princess Consort’s usual style.

Her banquets were always elegant and restrained, never involving such common amusements. Why would she go so far as to set up a special incense corner? It was odd, to say the least.

Still, Bai Qingqing was intrigued. When she arrived, she saw quite a few people had already gathered.

“Qingqing, can you tell what this incense is? It’s oddly sweet—I feel like I’ve smelled it somewhere before.”

Bai Qingqing sniffed lightly and said, “Thousand-Blossom Drunk from Youlan Pavilion. They only release thirty boxes a month. I got one a while back and sent you half.”

Luo Lanqi’s eyes lit up. “Right, right, that does ring a bell. But I barely used it. Yours smelled way better—no idea where I put it now.”

Inside the fragrance hall, a soft-voiced woman was explaining the components of Thousand-Blossom Drunk—what scents were used, how the fragrance shifted in layers. Bai Qingqing stepped quietly into an inconspicuous corner to listen. When she looked up, she met the gaze of the Princess Consort.

Annoyance prickled in her heart. She had never expected the Princess Consort to be here. Still, her expression remained composed. She offered a modest smile and turned her eyes elsewhere, already thinking of an excuse to slip away.

“Everyone says the eldest daughter of the Duke of Ying is gifted in the art of incense, so talented even the Princess Huai Fu sang her praises. Why don’t we ask her to share her thoughts on what makes Thousand-Blossom Drunk so special?”

Bai Qingqing: “…”

The Princess Consort spoke with a gracious smile, and in an instant, every eye in the hall turned toward her.