Chapter 46: Carrying a Subtle Fragrance

The old master was startled when he heard Xu Zichu confess, suddenly flustered. "Chu'er, is it really you? You poisoned him?"

"Yes, but Father, the medicine only made him weak for a few days. I never meant to truly harm Third Brother," Xu Zichu replied, his tone tinged with grievance.

"Why! He is your own brother, and you would bring him to the brink of death? Is it my fault for failing you, that you brothers have come to such enmity?" The old master was furious.

"Father, Second Brother and I grew up together. I know his character best. Once, a coachman accidentally hurt him while rushing to take his wife to see a doctor. Second Brother said saving lives was more important and let the man go, limping home and using a cane for days. If he can be so kind and tolerant to strangers, how much more to me? He isn't capable of such deep schemes," the third young master, Xu Zixian, argued, breathless.

Xu Zichu looked at his younger brother, deeply moved, but said nothing.

"Then why did you drug your brother?" The old master could not understand.

"Because… because I wanted to bathe in the Ten Thousand Eyes Immortal Spring, I wanted…" Xu Zichu stammered, unable to finish.

"I ought to beat you to death for your ingratitude! To harm your brother for a mere spring!" The old master raised a chair, ready to strike.

"Father, let Second Brother finish," Xu Zixian urged, eager to know the reason.

"I wanted you to look upon me with favor. Since childhood, Eldest Brother and Third Brother have always been better than me. You often praise them, but rarely me. You always favored Third Brother more. If he bathed in the spring this year, his spiritual power would greatly increase, and I would lose my chance at succession," Xu Zichu confessed.

"You all?" The old master knew his second son was often unreliable, but at heart, he was good. If no one had instigated him, he would never believe it.

"I—I! I would have no chance," Xu Zichu suddenly realized his mistake.

"Chu'er, search your conscience. Have I not treated you all equally? Though you were born to a concubine, I raised you with care. When have I ever neglected you?" The old master spoke earnestly.

Xu Zichu hung his head in silence, like a child caught in wrongdoing.

"And when have I ever favored Xian'er alone?"

"I heard the east side of the manor is the most prestigious, reserved for the heir. So everyone thinks Third Brother is the next master," Xu Zichu muttered.

Qin Xiaomo, standing nearby, listened. It was clear Xu Zichu had been secretly provoked. The second young master was unstable and careless, easily manipulated. But who was the instigator?

"Who filled your head with such nonsense? You and Xian’er have always been frail since childhood. I wanted you both to grow strong, so I placed you in the east and north wings, which have the best sunlight. Xian’er lives in the east because you once said you loved seeing the courtyard filled with pear blossoms, dreaming of drinking, playing chess, and tasting tea beneath them together when you grew up. I never forgot those words. That’s why I gave you the north wing, the only place where the courtyard overflows with pear trees," the old master recalled. His second son had once been so attached to him, always saying he wanted to grow up quickly, but somewhere along the way, he became distant, no longer his little shadow. Perhaps it was just growing up, he thought, which had saddened him for some time.

These words brought tears to Xu Zichu’s eyes. Since he was little, his elder brother had told him their father favored Third Brother, that being born to a concubine meant he could never compare. Father claimed to treat them equally, but always gave the best to Third Brother first. Maybe, after hearing such prejudice so often, he truly believed his father didn’t value him. Was his elder brother lying all along? Third Brother was his own full sibling…

"Father…" Xu Zichu was full of guilt, but couldn’t utter an apology.

"Chu’er, who told you those wicked words?" The old master’s face darkened.

Xu Zichu kept his head bowed, silent.

"He incited you to harm your own brother and sow division between us. Such a person must not be tolerated! Who was it?" The old master pressed.

"It… it was Eldest Brother," Xu Zichu whispered, his voice barely audible. Yet to the old master, it struck like thunder.

Meanwhile, Master Xue, standing aside, whimpered, hoping the old master would spare him. The old master finally came to his senses. "Seer, do you have further questions for Master Xue?"

"No," Qin Xiaomo shook her head.

"Then all is clear. Master Xue is narrow-minded, arrogant without true skill, and harbors malice. Such a person does not deserve to live," the old master declared.

Master Xue panicked, begging, "Spare me, old master! I never truly meant to harm the third young master!"

"Very well," the old master replied, which only deepened Master Xue’s confusion, leaving him afraid to speak further.

The old master continued, "Since you claim you did not mean to harm my son, I will give you a chance to live."

Master Xue’s eyes lit up at the prospect of survival. "Thank—" His words of gratitude were cut off as the old master said, "Since he calls himself a master, his medical skills must be extraordinary. Lock him in the woodshed and feed him Bone-Dissolving Pills. In three days, open the door. If he survives, I will let him go."

"Old master, spare me! I won’t dare again…" The entire house was filled with Master Xue’s wailing.

"And Lan Zhi?" a servant asked.

"Lock her in with him and feed her the Bone-Dissolving Pills as well. At least they won’t be lonely," the old master replied calmly, though he held two lives in his hands.

"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and drag them off to be fed the medicine!" the old master’s trusted aide ordered. The other servants rushed forward and dragged Master Xue away.

Qin Xiaomo could not bear to watch and stepped back. Qian Mubai took a step forward, wrapping her in his arms and covering her eyes with one hand. The faint fragrance and warm breath by her ear made her blush and her heart race, lost in the moment. Qin Xiaomo felt, just for an instant, that if she could stay in such a game forever… it wouldn’t be so bad.

Those around smiled and avoided looking, finding it both embarrassing and sweet.

Just then, a young, delicate voice rang out from the doorway, excitedly, "Father, Father! I heard Third Brother is ill, and even Mubai is here—is it true?" Xu Qinxian entered, only to see Qian Mubai and Qin Xiaomo in an intimate embrace, her smile freezing instantly as jealousy surged, nearly making her cry.

"Such lack of manners! There are guests present!" the old master feigned anger. “Let the young lord and lady see, this is my daughter, Xu Qinxian. Come greet them properly. Returning so late and so impetuously!”

His words were a reminder to Xu Qinxian that Qian Mubai was already married, urging her to restrain herself in front of Qin Xiaomo and not embarrass herself.

"Father, why so distant? Mubai is my cousin, the son of my aunt…" Xu Qinxian protested. Even if he had a wife, she did not want to seem estranged from Qian Mubai, perhaps still harboring hopes.

"Enough! The young lord is the young lord. First comes rank, then kinship—that is the rule," the old master interrupted her.