Chapter 2

"Unrequited feelings, mismatched intentions."

"The banana tree bears fruit, standing tall like a tree, casting a lofty shadow but, in reality, it's not a tree."

"In a blink, I, Chen Shimei, became Chen Trumei, and it's been more than half a month. Anyone with a bit of sense can see that although I may look like Chen Trumei, I am a completely different person inside."

"The original Chen Trumei was capricious and unrestrained, crazily in love with Qin Xianglian. But now, I seem indifferent, obsessed with perfume, never stepping out of my room."

"The Wang household is strict with many rules. We must dine together every morning, a table fraught with intrigue and suspicion."

"But I'm used to this. Physically present but mentally distant, I ignore the occasional snide remark as if unheard. The once restless wind has transformed into a steady rock, naturally causing surprise."

"Many servants gossip that I've become wise, playing a game with Lord Qin. It's common for men to take notice once a woman who used to revolve around them suddenly becomes indifferent. With my newfound status and beauty, exclusive favor seems likely."

Privately, even Wang Zhuanyue asks me, "Is this your strategy?"

I smile wryly in response, "Do you believe that as well?"

Zhuanyue, puzzled, asks, "Isn't it?"

"I may not understand much, but I know a bit about human nature," I reply while flipping through the familiar perfume recipes. "Think about it, when all my efforts to please him were ignored, it showed his disdain for me."

Wang Zhuanyue's brows furrowed in contemplation, touched by Chen Shimei's words, carrying a tinge of melancholy in her sigh.

Understanding her empathy, Chen Shimei comforted her, "Ignoring him for a few days has even made the servants think I'm playing hard to get. He probably thinks the same. Already disliked, now using my newfound wealth and honor as leverage, what kind of man would like that?"

“Then what's your real purpose?” Wang Zhuanyue asked, puzzled. “Have you truly become indifferent?”

Chen Shimei didn’t disclose the whole truth, simply nodding. Putting herself in Chen Trumei's shoes, she said, “Everyone tires eventually. Once over, the charm fades. He's just a man. What matters is having someone who truly cares for you.”

As they spoke, Xiaohong rushed in, “Madam, Lord Qin is calling for you.”

Rising, Chen Shimei removed her ornate hairpin, leaving only a simple headscarf, and donning a plain dress with a light gray shawl, she headed out.

“Wait!” Wang Zhuanyue called out, stopping her. “Are you seeking trouble? Lord Qin likes women who dress elegantly. Why are you dressed as if in mourning?”

Chen Shimei smiled, “Getting him riled up is the point.”

“Don’t act rashly!” Wang Zhuanyue implored. “Explain your true intention before you go.”

After a moment of thought, Chen Shimei said, “A woman dresses for the one who pleases her.”

Stunned by her response, Wang Zhuanyue watched as Chen Shimei, accompanied by Xiaohong, walked away with a stern expression, making her way to Lord Qin's study.

Lord Qin was in the courtyard outside his study, flanked by Luan Jing’er and Ming Fu.

Luan Jing’er was admired for her talents and grace, skilled in poetry, and her measured demeanor endeared her to Lord Qin.

Then there was Ming Fu, a general’s daughter, known for her straightforward and bold nature, often clashing with Chen Trumei.

However, Chen Shimei actually found both women agreeable; one a gifted poetess and the other a genuine character, their interactions were harmonious, never causing unnecessary trouble.

Both Chen Shu Mei and Wang Zan Yue were not very likable.

Chen Shu Mei was known for her domineering, fierce jealousy, while Wang Zan Yue was known for her petty competitiveness.

It all came down to the husband's preferences. The same traits that made Ming Fu appear frank and honest made Chen Shu Mei seem cruel, and Wang Zan Yue, foolish. It was disheartening to realize that people's fates could vary so greatly.

As Shi Mei walked on, she observed Luan Jing Er admiring the Prince's poetry and Ming Fu innocently asking him to explain it to her. One was clever, the other naive; one active, the other passive; one soft, the other strong – all perfectly balanced...

Shi Mei suddenly realized that Chen Shu Mei and Wang Zan Yue were mistaken about competing for favor. It wasn't about vying for a man's affection but about becoming what he desired. It was both sad and admirable for women who knew how to compete for favor, and pitiable yet endearing for those who didn’t.

Walking into the courtyard, Chen Shi Mei greeted the Prince with a bow.

Luan Jing Er and Ming Fu, surprised by Shi Mei's attire, quickly composed themselves and greeted her, their eyes mocking. They knew Chen Shu Mei was still the same quarrelsome person, and her overdone efforts might only repel the Prince.

Indeed, the Prince frowned slightly at Shi Mei, waving her off without saying much, only instructing, "The masons for repairing the Fragrance Residence have arrived. The Empress Dowager said it should be built according to your wishes. Go and choose the site and design."

After hearing this, Chen Shi Mei looked up at Qin Xiang Lian and asked in a low voice, “Your Highness, won’t you join me?”

Qin Xiang Lian’s eyes flashed with disgust, “You go ahead. I am tired.”

Chen Shi Mei bowed to him again and then turned to find the bricklayers and masons.

Walking away without looking back, she knew without seeing that Luan Jing Er and Ming Fu were watching her leave with mocking smiles, ridiculing her for her presumptuousness. Similarly, she could guess how Qin Xiang Lian looked down on her, even more unwilling to be close to her, but this was exactly what she wanted.

As she left the courtyard, Shi Mei noticed Xiao Xiang Er beside her silently wiping away tears and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Madam,” Xiao Xiang Er said, sobbing, “Why did we ever come to the Prince’s mansion? If only you hadn’t promised yourself to the Prince back then.”

Shi Mei smiled, having inquired about Xiao Xiang Er in the past few days. The girl had been with her since childhood.

Chen Shu Mei originally wasn’t from a prestigious family but ran a fragrance shop. Orphaned early, she fended for herself and was often bullied due to her beauty, which led to her developing a fierce personality. Xiao Xiang Er, picked up and raised by her, was always loyal and clever, resenting the lack of favor Shi Mei received.

“It’s alright,” Shi Mei reassured her, wiping away her tears. “I have a plan; things will improve soon.”

“Okay,” Xiao Xiang Er nodded, wiping her tears, a fierce girl herself. Though Chen Shu Mei was out of favor, she never lacked anything due to her status as the main wife, and Xiao Xiang Er always fought for her. The other maids and servants feared her fiery temper. When Chen Shu Mei was buried under the rubble, it was Xiao Xiang Er who led the rescue, injuring her hands in the process, which made Shi Mei cherish her even more.

During her days in the mansion, Shi Mei found most things tolerable, except that the people often ridiculed her and Xiao Xiang Er for being poor and overly aggressive.

She could only laugh it off, thinking these young men and women had always lived in affluence and didn’t know the hardships of life. They never experienced real hunger like a stray wolf does, so they didn’t understand the need to fight for survival.

That afternoon, Shi Mei did two things. First, she met with the builders assigned to construct the Fragrance Residence. Chen Shu Mei had a small old house.

Having been gifted substantial gold and silver by the Empress Dowager, Shi Mei bought a large piece of land behind the house, instructing the builders to tear down the old house and construct the Fragrance Residence.

The builders simply followed orders, unconcerned about the distance of the new residence from the Prince’s mansion.

The second thing she did was to change into an elegant and tastefully arranged outfit. She asked Wang Zan Yue, “Have you ever met the Empress Dowager? What is her temperament like?”

Wang Zan Yue laughed, “I only saw her from a distance once. You were sent to the palace because of your skill in making perfumes, but who knew you would rise so high?”

“Is the Empress Dowager also a fiery character?” Shi Mei suddenly asked.

“Yes!” Wang Zan Yue nodded. “It’s strange, you’re usually not well-liked, but the Empress Dowager especially favors you.”

Shi Mei smiled and asked, “If I’m not well-liked, why do we get along so well?”

Wang Zan Yu laughed, "Oddly enough, I'm usually unpopular, but you always treated me kindly. If I don't get along with you, who else would I turn to?" Both laughed heartily, Shi Mei with understanding and Wang Zan Yu with resignation.

"Do you have feelings for the prince?" Shi Mei asked.

"I'm not sure," Wang Zan Yu sighed, sitting down absentmindedly and gently tapping the lid of the teacup in front of her.

Shimei had once heard Zhuanyue recount her life story.

Zhuanyue was born into a prestigious family, her father a general with military power. Unfortunately, his career was fraught with hardships. During his downfall, Zhuanyue was forcibly adopted into another family, where the foster mother was cruel, often abusing her. Other girls mocked her for pretending to be a lady of high birth when she was no better than a fallen phoenix.

At fifteen, her father's fortunes reversed, and he was reinstated with even greater honor. He brought Zhuanyue back, now a phoenix rising from the ashes. However, she developed a need to outshine others, fearful of being bested.

Despite her competitive spirit, Zhuanyue lacked the means to match it. In the Wang residence, she aspired to be favored but ended up as a clumsy and rude contender for affection, neglected by Lord Qin. Fortunately, her father's high status and affection protected her from further harm. She struggled with her insecurities daily but seemed to be letting go of her competitive nature.

Seeing Zhuanyue silent, Shimei said, “I’m off to the palace to see the Empress Dowager.”

Zhuanyue nodded, “Be careful with your words.”

Shimei smiled and prepared some pastries in the kitchen, asking Xiaohong to carry them to the palace.

As she left, she encountered Qin Xianglian, also preparing to leave.

“Lord Qin,” Shimei greeted him with a bow.

Qin examined her and asked, “Going to the palace?”

“Yes,” Shimei nodded.

Lord Qin frowned slightly, tapping his shoulder with a riding crop. “Remember, you’re the principal wife and now of noble status. Don't be childish; show some magnanimity.”

Shimei nodded, not arguing, merely responding, “Understood.”

Qin’s frown deepened, and he sighed before leaving.

In the carriage, Shimei asked Xiaohong, “Where is Lord Qin headed?”

“Probably to hunt with the Third and Sixth Lords,” Xiaohong replied.

"Is the Emperor and Lord Qin mothered by the same Empress Dowager?" Shimei asked, trying to gather more information to avoid any faux pas later.

"Not at all," Xiaohong replied. "The Emperor and the Fifth Lord are the Empress Dowager's own sons. The Third, Fourth, and Sixth Lords are sons of Consort Qiong, who passed away long ago. The Second Princess, also born to the Empress Dowager, is married off. Now, in the Empress Dowager's care, you're her only foster daughter, and you're even known as the 'Fragrance Princess.'"

Shimei chuckled and playfully stuffed a piece of cake into Xiaohong's mouth.

Though she laughed, Shimei pondered inwardly. The Empress Dowager, not being the biological mother of Lord Qin, chose to take her, a wife unloved by her husband, as her foster daughter. Meanwhile, Lord Qin, despite being a prince, had a wife of humble origin. Was there some significance in this arrangement?