Gu Jinghui smiled and said, "You’ve already called it a rare fragrance; it’s only natural that Manager Leng would struggle to recreate it. Besides, the scent you desire may not even exist in the world. It could just be your imagination."
Prince Qi said solemnly, "Not so. The fragrance I want does exist in this world. It’s just that the person who could blend it is no longer around. I smelled it during my childhood at my mother’s place, where she used it to nurture her health. It was reportedly a gift from the late Empress Dowager."
"The late Empress Dowager?"
Gu Jinghui asked in surprise.
The mother that Prince Qi mentioned was the late Empress. Speaking of the late Empress, who wouldn’t comment on her unfortunate fate?
Even fewer people mention the late Empress Dowager.
Prince Qi said, "Yes, the fragrance pills gifted by the late Empress Dowager were cherished by my mother. She lamented every time she used them, knowing each use meant one less pill left."
Gu Jinghui said, "If this person left no descendants or successors, it would indeed be hard to find."
Prince Qi said, "I have no choice but to search."
At this moment, as he looked toward Gu Jinghui, his gaze was devoid of joy or sorrow, with a slight hint of indifference and helplessness, along with unspeakable compassion, making his demeanor even more ethereal.
Gu Jinghui’s heart skipped a beat, and he changed the subject, saying, "I must thank Prince Qi for lending a hand to my wife that day."
Prince Qi’s face lit up with a smile, tilting his head slightly.
"Oh? I thought Third Brother would keep this in his heart forever and never mention it."
"So, are you saying that it was you who interfered that day?"
Gu Jinghui looked directly at Prince Qi.
Prince Qi sneered, "Why, does it hurt your heart? Do you think I’d do something without considering the consequences? Is Third Brother here to seek justice for your young wife?"
Gu Jinghui clenched his fists, his face cold and stern, asking, "What if something had happened? Shouldn’t I seek justice then? Moreover, she did injure her face that day. If it weren’t for the Jade Beauty Cream, I would have hit you by now."
Heaven knows how anxious he was upon hearing the news that day.
Prince Qi said lightly, "If something had happened, I would compensate you with my life. It’s nothing more than a life for a life."
This left Gu Jinghui speechless.
Prince Qi said softly, "How could I let Sister-in-law get hurt? It was merely a test. Besides, Third Brother has always kept his distance from me, so I had no choice but to use such a low strategy."
Gu Jinghui turned his face away, refusing to look at Prince Qi, his voice cold, "Since you know I keep my distance, why go to such lengths?"
Prince Qi sighed, "I have no other choice. Do you think I enjoy seeing Third Brother’s cold expression?"
"Then doesn’t your action now push me even further away?"
Prince Qi was not offended, leisurely saying, "Even if I do nothing, the friendship between us, Third Brother, will not return."
Saying this, he turned and walked toward the window, looking at the small pavilion in the courtyard.
In the distance, Sixth Master Gu sat in the pavilion dressed in white, painting a scene of a weeping willow.
Prince Qi said, "As a child, I thought the people and things I liked would always be there. As I grew up, I realized that inevitability and loss are normal. Mother, brothers, friends—all are the same. Now, the only thing that binds us is interests."
Gu Jinghui sighed as well.
Prince Qi turned to look at him, gaze firm, "Third Brother, you wish to keep yourself isolated, and I will allow it, letting you gradually realize that isolation is impossible. Would anyone else think so much about our childhood ties like I do?"
Gu Jinghui’s eyelids twitched, "Why go through this trouble? Wouldn’t it be better to leave the Capital City and live your life well in your fief?"
Prince Qi chuckled, "Whether I fight or not, the outcome won’t be good. If I don’t contend now, I am merely walking down a dead end. Does Third Brother think staying out of the fight for the throne allows one to remain carefree? Otherwise, why would Old Madam Gu hastily change her household? Even the ancestors of the Gu Family understood that prosperity is hard to secure."
"Everyone says to learn the civil and martial arts and sell them to the imperial family, yet how many have perished along with their clans as a result? If one were a farmer or merchant, dying of cold or hunger would be but a personal loss. Still, how can one not pursue prosperity? The fate of descendants is left to the whims of fate."
As he spoke, he seemed to become more disillusioned with the world.
The Marquis wanted to say something but stopped, finally saying, "You know me. I endured hardship at the Northern Border for ten years to preserve the ancestral foundation of the Marquis Mansion, all for the sake of my family’s peace and well-being. The Gu Family cannot withstand any more mistakes. Moreover, my Dingbei Marquis Mansion has defended the Northern Border for generations, participating very little in the affairs of the Capital City. Today, I, Gu Jinghui, declare here that the Dingbei Marquis Mansion is loyal to the Emperor for generations and holds no bias toward anyone else."
This was his intention to be a loyal subject.
Prince Qi smiled, "Third Brother Gu, I value the friendship between us, and I value the reputation of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion. I value Third Brother’s capabilities even more, and especially the power Third Brother holds. I also state here that whenever you come to me, I will welcome you with open arms."
As the Marquis was about to speak, Prince Qi raised his hand to interrupt, "Third Brother, at present, I only hope you don’t hinder my plans. If there are small favors that do not go against reason or morality, I hope you can support me for the sake of old sentiments. Of all the Princes, you should remain unbiased. The future is unpredictable, and it won’t be too late to talk when you’re ready—just don’t push me a thousand miles away."