The butler and a few servants were carrying things to the backyard. As they turned past the corridor, they saw someone dressed as a little maid, looking around as if searching for something.
"What are you doing here sneakily? Is your work finished?... How could it be you? Su Ling'er, I beg you, don't be so reckless anymore. If you offend the Prince again, even if you are from the same hometown as His Majesty, no one will be able to help you."
After scolding her for a moment, the butler realized that this little maid was the one who had caused trouble while serving dishes, and coincidentally, it was Su Ling'er who had replaced her!
"I'm sorry, Butler. I saw a shadow flitting by and thought someone had broken in..."
"Stop being so suspicious. The entire villa is guarded by our people. Hurry up and get back to your work!" The butler impatiently dismissed Su Ling'er and went back to supervise the arrangements in the backyard.
After everyone had left, Leng Feng walked out from behind the low wall by the withered tree. He didn't know why he had done that just now. He only knew that whenever he thought of this young girl, his heart felt like it was being scratched by cat's claws.
Leng Feng raised his arm, pinching a butterfly made of thin gauze between his fingertips. He sniffed it, and the scent was very familiar. It was this scent – the unique scent of that little maid named Su Ling'er!
Whether it was a coincidence or not, for the next period of time, whenever Leng Feng was on duty, he would always encounter Su Ling'er, who made him restless.
It wasn't until later that Leng Feng realized that if he didn't smell that scent for a day, he would feel anxious and have trouble sleeping, unable to settle down. In severe cases, he would even lose his temper for no reason, and his emotions would become very unstable.
The only improvement he showed was that he paid more attention to his appearance. Besides occasionally tidying his hair, the most frequent thing he discussed with Leng Ren and the others was asking them what they thought of his clothes.
Leng Feng didn't realize that there was something wrong with him. He was a straightforward man in his thirties, usually direct and unconcerned with trivial matters.
He always thought that these changes were happening because his emotions had awakened, and he had fallen in love with that little maid. One had to admit, men experiencing love for the first time were not to be trifled with!
Leng Si, seeing Leng Feng becoming stranger and stranger, finally couldn't help but ask, "Second Brother, why do I feel like you've become a bit effeminate lately? I think I saw you using a face mask given by His Majesty last night?"
Leng Feng's expression turned displeased when Leng Si called him effeminate. As a strong and robust man, he had nothing to do with being effeminate. These people must be jealous that he had found a love interest!
Leng Heng, who loved to stir up trouble, chimed in from the side, "No way? Fourth Brother, you must be mistaken. As I recall, Second Brother always detested using those things the most. He said they were for women and that men using them would affect their heroic spirit!"
"What do you two bachelors know?" Leng Feng retorted, not saying anything more, and then left the bedroom to continue teasing his little maid.
"Fourth Brother, what did Second Brother just say? He called us bachelors? It's like he's not one himself..."
"He's not wrong, we are bachelors. Second Brother is different from us; he's a lone bachelor!"
"Hahahaha!"
After speaking, Leng Heng and Leng Si exchanged a look. They burst into laughter watching Leng Feng's retreating figure.
Leng Feng automatically tuned out the laughter behind him, patted the hairpin wrapped in his arms, and headed towards the backyard. When he arrived, Su Ling'er was already waiting for him.
"Brother Feng, why did you call me out? The butler will scold me for being lazy if he sees us." Su Ling'er pouted, her charming little appearance making Leng Feng's heart flutter.
"Does he scold you often? I'll speak to him later and tell him not to scold you anymore." Hearing that the girl he liked was being scolded made Leng Feng feel very uncomfortable. It seemed he had to quickly achieve great merit so he could ask the Prince to grant a marriage.
"Brother Feng, please don't tell the butler. He doesn't scold me often, only occasionally. Let's not talk about this. Is there something important you urgently called me over for?"
"I broke your flower hairpin last time, so this is a replacement." Leng Feng handed over a velvet pouch somewhat shyly. The burly man, over 1.8 meters tall, was blushing as he gave a gift.
Su Ling'er stared blankly at the velvet pouch handed to her, a strange feeling flashing through her mind. She understood Leng Feng's intentions very well. Initially, she had planned to go directly after Huo Qiyuan.
However, after experiencing so many things, Su Ling'er no longer acted presumptuously as she used to. She had learned to leave herself a way out, so she eventually decided to start with the people around Huo Qiyuan.
After living in Huaxia City for a period, she naturally knew that Huo Qiyuan had ten great guards. Except for the third, Leng Kui, who was already married, the remaining nine were still single.
Among these nine, Leng Feng had the kindest personality, was easy to get along with, and easier to approach. Therefore, Su Ling'er had devised many methods, learned Leng Feng's duty times, and that was how the previous encounter happened.
Seeing Su Ling'er staring blankly at the item in his hand without making any move, Leng Feng asked, "What's wrong? Aren't you going to open it and see? I picked it out carefully, and I think it suits you well."
Su Ling'er was called back to her senses by Leng Feng's question. She reached out and took the velvet pouch he handed her, then carefully opened it. Inside was a silver hollow-carved hairpin. It was made of good quality material and was likely not cheap.
At the top of the hairpin was a delicately carved crabapple flower. Two hollow butterflies were overlapped on the petals, and below the butterflies were several rows of staggered tassels. Small and exquisite bells hung at the bottom of the tassels, emitting a pleasant and clear sound when moved. The entire hairpin was exquisitely crafted by hand.
Su Ling'er played with the hairpin for a while, but for a long time, she didn't say whether she liked it or not. She couldn't describe the feeling in her heart. Or rather, she had already started to regret it but dared not show it.
If Leng Feng knew she had ulterior motives, he surely wouldn't treat her so well anymore, right? If Wang Bingchang knew she had other ideas, he surely wouldn't let her off, right!
Su Ling'er's gaze was filled with melancholy. If only she had met Leng Feng earlier! If only she hadn't approached Leng Feng with the intention of getting close to Huo Qiyuan! If only she hadn't accepted the mission that required her as a price! Then perhaps she could have gained happiness.
Leng Feng had been so good to her during this time. Besides the effect of the aphrodisiac incense, he must genuinely like her, right?
Aphrodisiac incense!