Chapter 1312: Not at All

Editor: Henyee Translations

The Crown Prince never anticipated that a woman of such capability would stir up any trouble merely due to jealousy.

Furthermore, he couldn’t help but wonder about the possibility of someone from the Fourth Prince’s estate infiltrating the Shao Family and uncovering something sensitive. Such a situation would undoubtedly pose a significant problem.

In his mind, the Crown Prince even entertained the notion that Qiao Xuan might be opposing the Fourth Princess Consort to protect the secret of generating revenue for him. If that were the case, he would be deeply moved and would harbor no ill feelings toward her.

Nevertheless, he knew he couldn’t confide in the Princess Consort about this matter.

Yet, the Crown Prince had full confidence that the Princess Consort would never act on his suggestions.

For him, that assurance sufficed, and it marked the conclusion of this particular storm.

However, Qiao Xuan had earned a reputation as a somewhat jealous woman, but she remained indifferent to such judgments. After all, what harm was there in earning and counting money?

Shao Yunduan shared her indifference to the opinions of others. In fact, she felt that her beloved wife had been unjustly treated. She made it a point to rush home as soon as her official duties allowed, providing Qiao Xuan with comfort and support in various ways. Their intimacy in the boudoir was marked by tenderness and consideration, and their bond grew stronger.

Some people attempted to console or even ridicule Shao Yunduan, suggesting that she should take concubines or consider other arrangements. However, she steadfastly refused, always standing up for Qiao Xuan.

Shao Yunduan declined all invitations to visit brothels, earning her the reputation of being an unconventional husband.

Now, Qiao Xuan knew that these interactions were simply good-natured banter. In their eyes, they were the perfect couple!

The Princess Consort’s expression clearly conveyed a sense of vindication, as if she had unearthed irrefutable evidence. She felt compelled to share her discovery with the Crown Prince, asserting that Shao Yunduan’s reputation should not be unjustly tarnished.

However, the Crown Prince swiftly intervened, cautioning her against entangling herself in their affairs.

Shao Yunduan had no reason to be concerned about the opinions of the elderly ministers. With her support, the Crown Prince’s position was considerably fortified. As long as both Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan remained indifferent to minor matters, the Crown Prince saw no need to become involved.

Their relationship was a private matter, not subject to external scrutiny.

Frustrated, the Princess Consort reluctantly abandoned her plan.

Consequently, many individuals in the court who had been anticipating a spectacle and hoping to witness Shao Yunduan’s disdain for Qiao Xuan were left disappointed.

This disappointment was particularly pronounced within the Tian Family and the Qiao Family.

In early August, Zhao Shu returned to the capital from Jiangnan and promptly paid a visit to Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan.

Zhao Shu brought with him several bottles of perfume produced at the workshop. They had recently begun crafting scents like gardenia, jasmine, and roses. These fragrances were housed in exquisitely designed bottles, each about two inches in length, featuring a slender tube connected to a purple copper cap, allowing them to emit a fine mist of perfume when pressed.

To create these perfume bottles, Zhao Shu had constructed a specialized glazed workshop and recruited skilled artisans at a premium cost.

Each of these small bottles carried a price tag of five liang, but their quality justified the expense. Although the floral field was still in its infancy and the perfume workshop was in the early stages of blending, the perfumes produced boasted rich colors and an exceptionally pure fragrance.

No noblewomen, madams, or ladies of the court could resist the allure of such fragrances.