Haze light cage
"Yes," Azhu pouted, "I've tried so many methods to make the fragrance last."
Song Qingshu observed her soft, smooth, and crystal-clear complexion, taking in the sweet scent emanating from her body. She truly was a charming and beautiful young lady. He marveled at her well-behaved nature, influenced by the 1997 version of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber." Azhu's appearance was beyond flattery, and he hadn't expected her to be this sweet and lovely.
"The son?" Azhu blushed as she noticed Song Qingshu staring at her, lost in thought.
"Oh," Song Qingshu snapped back to reality, feeling a tinge of embarrassment. "Azhu, I have a method to make the fragrance last..." He deliberately trailed off, flashing her a playful smile.
Azhu, being perceptive, sensed that the other party wanted something from her. She became wary, fearing any harm that might befall Murong Fu. However, she maintained a flower-like smile, responding, "I wonder how the son would like to share this method with the servants."
"Why don't I make a deal with Mr. Murong? I'll ask him to grant you to me," Song Qingshu teased, his mischievous side surfacing as he relished her charming demeanor.
"Master, please refrain from making such jokes," Azhu's smile faded.
"Haha, am I really joking?" Song Qingshu laughed. "I can teach you how to preserve the fragrance, but in return, you must teach me the art of disguise."
Caught off guard, Azhu was momentarily stunned. Song Qingshu misinterpreted her hesitation as unwillingness, regretting his hasty approach. He should have waited until their relationship grew more familiar before making such a request. However, with the possibility of Azhu leaving Yanziwu the next day, his anxiety got the better of him.
"Oh, so that's what it was," Azhu chuckled. "Since I was a child, I've enjoyed pretending to be someone else. The more I learned, the more I delved into the art of disguise, gradually developing my own techniques. It's nothing out of the ordinary. If the son is interested, I can share it with you."
As they spoke, Azhu let out a sigh and curiously looked at Song Qingshu. "Why does the son know that a servant like me can disguise oneself?"
"Didn't Abi inform you that I possess some tricks up my sleeve? I can discern things others can't," Song Qingshu raised an eyebrow, speaking vaguely.
Azhu recalled that Abi had indeed mentioned something about this in passing, giving Song Qingshu a skeptical look.
"I, as a man of stature, cannot allow a young lady like you to suffer," Song Qingshu acknowledged the weight of his words in ancient times, thus speaking directly, "First, I will teach you the method of preserving fragrance."
"Master Song, you are truly a kind-hearted person," Azhu gazed at him with a smile.
For no apparent reason, a beautiful girl had bestowed him with the label of a good person. Song Qingshu couldn't help feeling a sense of dejection. "To make the fragrance of flower dew last, one must incorporate a fixative. The fixative could be ambergris, sandalwood, musk, or orris root... You see, my dear, the choice of fixative will yield different scent effects." As he spoke, Song Qingshu recollected his past life, where he had pursued women and even gifted them perfumes. Little did he expect it to come in handy now.
Azhu's eyes shimmered with admiration as she looked at Song Qingshu. "Master Song, you possess such vast knowledge and talent, even understanding these intricacies of women's cosmetics."
As the two continued their conversation, they arrived at a wing of the residence. Song Qingshu halted and inquired, "May I know when Miss Azhu will impart the art of disguise to me?"
"How about tomorrow?" Azhu felt a tinge of embarrassment. "It's getting late today..."
"But I am departing from Yanziwu tomorrow..." Song Qingshu's intentions were clear.
Azhu realized that he had been quite upfront. He had offered to teach her first, and she couldn't let him take it lightly. Firmly gritting her teeth, she grasped Song Qingshu's arm and ushered him into the house. "My esteemed guest, it's not suitable to discuss matters outdoors. It would be better for us to converse indoors."
Being alone in a young lady's dwelling, in a man's room late at night, Azhu couldn't help feeling a bit uneasy. She cautiously seated herself at a safe distance from Song Qingshu and began explaining the art of disguise. "The key to mastering the art of disguise lies in meticulous attention to detail. The choice of materials for crafting the mold and the \*..."
Initially, Azhu had been lecturing from a distance, but realizing that teaching disguise required practical demonstration, she retrieved a small jar of ointment from her pocket and proceeded to apply it to her own face.
Azhu's fingers felt cool against her skin, and she caught a whiff of the sweet fragrance wafting from her body. She couldn't help but think about Murong Fu and his two exceptional maids—one a master of martial arts and the other possessing such unique talents. How unfortunate their circumstances had become.
While Azhu admired Murong Fu's indomitable spirit, she couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment in his intellectual capacity. If she were in Murong Fu's shoes, wouldn't it be effortless to reclaim the kingdom?
Given his kinship with Princess Xixia and their frequent interactions at Xixia Yipintang, such exceptional circumstances rendered the need for Princess Yinchuan of Shangxixia to participate in the public recruitment needless.
Even if Murong Fu didn't pursue the path of Xixia, aligning himself with Wang Yuyan would still be advantageous. After all, the Xiaoyao faction's entire repertoire of martial arts belonged to him. Song Qingshu couldn't help but think that A Zhu's skill in disguise was even more valuable than the Nine Yin and Nine Yang techniques. If wielded adeptly, its effects could rival those of a martial artist. Let Murong Fu handle the political aspects—Song Qingshu entertained the notion of manipulating ministers and eunuchs, assuming the identity of an emperor or a prince, effortlessly usurping the throne.
As Song Qingshu observed Murong Fu's lifelike reflection in the mirror, he couldn't contain his astonishment. "Azhu, you truly possess remarkable talents."
"Your praise is too generous," Azhu modestly replied, bowing slightly as if facing the real Murong Fu.
"Azhu, it's quite late. You may warm the bed for me," Song Qingshu's eyes shifted mischievously, his playful nature taking hold as he issued the command in Murong Fu's guise.
"Ah!" Azhu blushed, her face turning crimson. "Since Master Song has acquired sufficient knowledge, this servant shall take her leave." With those words, she hastily made her escape, disappearing beyond the threshold.
The following day, Murong Fu led a group of individuals to Manduo Mountain Villa. Initially, Song Qingshu entertained thoughts of encountering a breathtakingly beautiful fairy-like maiden. However, as time passed, his anticipation waned. He reminded himself that regardless of a woman's beauty, it held no significance for him. And even if it did matter, he couldn't keep it. Slowly, his heart settled into a state of normalcy.
"Cousin~" a melodious voice floated from a distance, startling Song Qingshu. It was no wonder Duan Yu had been overwhelmed by Wang Yuyan's sigh.
"Cousin, you've come to see me. I... I'm so delighted," Wang Yuyan's fair and tender face flushed with girlish charm, truly captivating.
Finally, Song Qingshu had an opportunity to gaze upon her. He beheld a young girl adorned in a red-yellow gauze shirt, her long hair cascading down her back, gently fastened with a silver ribbon. She seemed to be enveloped in a delicate haze, her appearance unexpectedly ethereal.
Song Qingshu was taken aback. When he first encountered Zhao Min, she exuded the radiant beauty of the scorching sun. Madam Hu, on the other hand, was draped in an aura akin to pure glass. But now, in the presence of Wang Yuyan, there was an elusive mist enveloping her entire being. Could this be the halo of a peerless beauty?