Chapter 3 — Incense Smoke in the Qi Manor

To marry a virtuous man and spend the rest of my days in quiet contentment—this was the fate I deserved in my previous life. Preparing the dowry for Grace, our younger sister, required a flurry of activity: purchasing fine silks, selecting sturdy wood for the cabinet makers, and coordinating with various tradesmen. Such significant movements could not remain hidden from the watchful eyes of Qi Wen Kai for long. Once he realized this was for Grace’s dowry, he offered no comment, but this eerie silence only served to heighten my suspicions. My instincts were correct; on the third night, my personal maid crept into my chamber to report in a hushed tone.

Mistress, the Master… he has gone to purchase that specific medicine once again.

My heart constricted, leaving me gasping for air. Jade Ring, my devoted maid, caught me in her arms, her voice trembling. Mistress, do not rush yourself. Please, breathe slowly. Once I was steadied and had sipped a few mouthfuls of tea, I managed to regain a semblance of composure. This man, Qi Wen Kai, is truly wicked to the core. To justify taking a concubine, to crush the influence of his own mother, and to drive a wedge between mother and daughter, he is willing to sacrifice Grace’s reputation as his shield. Grace is already in the midst of marriage negotiations. If a scandal were to break now, she would not only lose face within our home, but the world would branded her a loose, immoral woman. If her reputation were ruined to the point where she were forced to become his concubine, the future of any children she might bear would be irrevocably tainted. Even if they were not considered illegitimate, they would carry the stain of a mother who had lost her purity before marriage, having seduced her own foster brother until a broken betrothal forced her into a scandalous union. Qi Wen Kai cares nothing for the ruin of her life. Yet, I am trapped, for society clings to the notion of protecting one’s own kin, coupled with the suffocating dogma that the husband is the law. Were I to expose his depraved schemes, the world would only condemn me for my lack of discretion. The realization that I have no countermeasure, despite seeing through his filth, left me choking on a bitter bile. I took a deep breath and grit my teeth. The betrothal for Sister Grace is due to have its engagement gifts presented in ten days. If we can just weather these critical days, Qi Wen Kai will be unable to sabotage the marriage.

I spoke the words, yet my heart felt heavy with uncertainty. I had no better plan. In the following days, I exhausted every resource to guard against him. I assigned four of my most capable maids to Grace, ensuring that at least three were by her side at all times. Everything she consumed—her incense, her meals, her tea—was meticulously inspected multiple times before she touched it. Qi Wen Kai was clearly displeased by these precautions, but I chose to feign ignorance. Then, on the seventh day, he approached me.

Noble Wife, there is something I must discuss with you.

I looked up. Qi Wen Kai stood beside the antique display shelf, feigning a look of deep contemplation. He is over twenty years of age, handsome in feature, with a tall, upright stature that makes him appear like a man of character. If not for the memories of my past life and the sight of him pouring poison into the incense burner, I might have believed him. Or perhaps he was never a good man; perhaps he has been a rotting creature all along, and I am only now seeing him for what he is. I forced a gentle smile. Whatever you wish to say, Husband, please speak plainly. Qi Wen Kai pursed his lips, his face etched with feigned sincerity.

Sister Grace is likely at an age where her heart is wandering, he began. She has actually purchased this substance, and even added this medicine to the incense burner in my study. Tell me, what are we to do?

He appeared truly distressed, as if the words were difficult to utter, and without meeting my eyes, he handed me a packet of medicinal powder. I opened it and felt my breath hitch. This was the exact concoction he had been procuring from the apothecary. Why was he pinning this on Grace?

I understood his scheme in an instant. Having failed to drug her directly, he had simply shifted his tactics to destroy her through rumors of lewdness. It was utterly shameless, yet nearly impossible to disprove. As expected, he turned his back to me and sighed heavily.

Grace and I are, after all, of opposite genders; there are things I simply cannot ask her directly, he lamented. But with her behaving like this, I am truly worried.

He reached into his robe and pulled out a silk handkerchief, offering it to me with closed eyes. She even gave me this. Oh, the shame!

I took the cloth. Just as I feared, the corner featured a pair of ginger-colored butterflies—it was Grace’s handkerchief. In truth, this proved nothing; her maids could have embroidered it, and no law dictated that such a pattern belonged only to her. But in a world built on whispers and shadows, a single handkerchief was more than enough to ruin a woman. I felt as though I might vomit.