That exotic fragrance was all too familiar to her; she had smelled it every night just recently. For its sake, she and her sisters had gone several consecutive nights without a full night's sleep. It was a scent she would never forget, even if it killed her!
Li Yaner tracked the fragrance to its source, only to discover that it was emanating from a large wardrobe in the corner.
The Young Madam Sun's inner chamber was spacious and luxurious. Behind the southwestern screen stood a large wardrobe, filled to the brim with all sorts of gorgeous garments belonging to Young Madam Sun. Underneath the wardrobe were several drawers, and the scent came from one of these drawers. Li Yaner circled the drawer like a mouse, more and more certain it was the contents of that jade box from before.
"How did it get here?"
Li Yaner's face was full of confusion. This item was originally at the Hundred Herbs Pavilion, wasn't it? Could it be that the old woman from the Hundred Herbs Pavilion had sold it, allowing the Sun Family to buy it?
No, that could not be right. Mister Shang had clung to that jade box so tightly, even risking having Shiyi bring it to Blue Moon City; surely it couldn't have been just to exchange for spirit stones?
If it were to exchange for spirit stones, why would one have to bring it all the way to Blue Moon City to sell?
The more Li Yaner pondered, the more she felt that the Eldest Young Madam of the Sun Family had many secrets.
She tried to pull open the drawer, but given the high-quality furniture, it was very heavy, and Li Yaner, with her current strength, simply couldn't budge it. She had to give up reluctantly and instead found a spot under the bed to squeeze into. She sat down cross-legged and waited quietly for nightfall when the couple would return to their room.
Her friends hadn't guessed wrong; a short parting makes a happy reunion. Shortly after nightfall, the couple returned to their room. Through the gaps in the wood-carved screen, Li Yaner saw the Eldest Young Master Sun enter first, followed by a smiling Young Madam Sun, who said in a gentle voice,
"My lord, you've also had a tiring day. I had them prepare hot water; how about taking a bath?"
Eldest Young Master Sun nodded and stood in front of the Bronze Mirror, spreading his arms wide. The Eldest Young Madam Sun hurried forward to help him undress. But as Eldest Young Master Sun watched his compliant and gentle wife in the mirror, his brows furrowed,
"I say... When will you send her away? I'm finding it increasingly unbearable to look at her!"
The hands of the Eldest Young Madam Sun, undressing him, paused for a moment, then continued as if nothing had happened,
"Soon, I've already written to my maternal grandfather, and he said he will find an excuse to send someone to pick her up in a while. Then we can tell everyone she fell ill and passed away!"
Li Yaner was shocked to hear this,
"This girl... is she the Sun Family's Youngest Miss?"
Were this couple planning to send away their own daughter?
No, that couldn't be it. From the sound of it, they were planning to abandon her, just because she has a half-demon body?
She then heard Eldest Young Master Sun say with a look of disgust,
"If I had known you were of half-demon heritage, I would never have married you. Now our two sons and a daughter all take after you. If it weren't for the fact that our eldest and second sons have spirit roots and can cultivate, I would have divorced you long ago!"
Having seemingly grown accustomed to such hurtful remarks, the Eldest Young Madam Sun's smile did not waver. Instead, she replied softly,
"My lord, my background was never something I could choose. Offspring of a half-demon body do indeed often come with flaws; it is my fault that I have harmed our children. Your disdain for me is warranted. I feel deeply ashamed towards you, so much so that... when the people from my grandfather's place arrive, perhaps I should return with them to the Qian Family..."
At this point, her eyes reddened, and a pitiful look crossed her face,
"Regardless of how you feel about me, my sincere heart for you will never change. I don't mind any outcome for myself; as long as you are happy and content, I shall be satisfied!"
Her show of weakness seemed to soften the man's heart somewhat. The Eldest Young Master Sun sighed, turned to her, and said,
"I don't despise you, it's just that, of our three children, let's not speak of our daughter, but even though our sons have spirit roots, their temperaments are incredibly violent. They are eager to kill and desperate for battle. Though they are now sent to the mountains to be watched over by elders, the elders themselves have said that as talented as the children are, their temperaments are unmanageable. The higher their cultivation realm, the harder to contain. In the future, they might become a disaster for the Sun Family. I always feel guilty facing our elders. If our branch of the family doesn't have a proper heir and we have to let the second branch take over..."
His expression turned cold again as he continued,
"If that time comes, it may well be that I will no longer consider our marital affection!"