Chapter 539: Immortal Fairy Powder

The next day.

Morning.

State Duke Mansion.

Morning light pierced the thin clouds, slanting onto the Warm Fragrance Pavilion on the east side.

Outside the pavilion, the tips of the willows just unfurled a tender yellow, wet with last night's dew, making the vermilion windows glimmer more warmly.

Inside, a pot of silver‑thread charcoal burned, its warm smoke curling around the rhombus‑shaped gauze lantern hanging from the beams, suffusing the room with a cozy warmth.

The Warm Fragrance Pavilion is Lu Ning's residence.

At this moment the fragrance mingles with the scent of silk threads in the needle‑basket, fresh and pleasant.

Lu Ning sits upright at a pear‑flower wood desk by the window, wearing a moon‑white silk jacket over a light‑green armor, her black hair loosely tied into a cascading coil with a single pearl hairpin.

Her brows and eyes are delicate, her skin luminous, and she is concentrating on the work in her hands, long lashes casting faint shadows under her eyelids.

On the table lie two plain Brothels, and Lu Ning's silver needle darts, the colored thread fluttering like butterfly wings, stitching intricate winding‑branch lotus patterns onto the brocade.

Her needlework is skillful, each lift and drop smooth, every stitch landing precisely on the pattern's lines, the embroidered petals layered and lifelike.

Servant Lingxi stands nearby, cupping silk in both hands, her gaze fixed on Lu Ning's fingertips, her face full of admiration.

"Miss Lu, your needlework is truly excellent!" Lingxi can't help but exclaim softly, her tone full of genuine envy, "Young Master Lu and Young Master Huan are really fortunate!"

Lu Ning hears this, slowly lifts her head, a gentle smile spreading at her lips, the laughter in her eyes rippling like spring lake water, and she softly says, "They're still young, not yet married, and they don't even have a close confidant by their side…"

"Only I, as an older sister, will worry about them!"

At that moment, a crisp announcement comes from outside the pavilion: "Madam has arrived!"

As the words finish, the carved wooden door of the Warm Fragrance Pavilion is gently pushed open, and Pei Suiwan strides in gracefully.

She wears a mist‑colored silk skirt, its hem embroidered with dark‑gold clouds, a jade‑green sash at her waist, and every gesture exudes gentle elegance.

Behind her follows Rong'er, holding a gilt lacquer box, her brows lowered and eyes compliant as she trails closely.

Lu Ning and Lingxi, seeing this, quickly rise together, straighten their collars and bow, respectfully saying, "Greetings, Madam!"

Pei Suiwan steps forward briskly, extends a hand in a light support, and says warmly, "No need for formalities!"

Then, taking another step, she gently grasps Lu Ning's hand.

Her palm is warm and soft, scented faintly with orchid grass, her eyes kind as family's, "Ning'er, we're family, no need to be so formal; just call me sister!"

"The title 'Madam' actually puts distance between us,"

Having said that, she pulls Lu Ning to sit at the table.

Lu Ning blinks, her long lashes fluttering, complies and sits, a faint smile at her lips, and softly calls, "Suiwan sister!"

Being able to draw closer to the Grand Duke's Lady and be called sisters is a coveted blessing…

She pauses, then curiously asks, "Sister, you usually manage the mansion's trivial affairs and are always busy; why do you have leisure today to come sit in my Warm Fragrance Pavilion?"

Pei Suiwan, still holding Lu Ning's hand, lightly presses her red lips, a gentle smile spreading, her eyes growing even more tender.

She lightly strokes Lu Ning's cool hand back with her fingertips and softly says, "The mansion just purchased a batch of new goods from the Sunset Pavilion, including the famed Immortal Fairy Powder…"

"Knowing you've always loved cleanliness, such a fine item should be shared with you, so I've specially brought some for you!"

As the words finish, Rong'er instantly understands, carries the gilt lacquer box forward, and gently places it beside the table.

The lacquer box is crafted from fine yellow‑poplar wood, its surface carved with winding‑branch lotus motifs, the gilt lines glittering in the warm light.

Rong'er carefully lifts the lid, and a crisp, elegant fragrance instantly fills the air, intertwining with the pavilion's original wax‑plum scent, becoming even more refreshing.

Lu Ning's gaze is drawn to the contents, murmuring, "Immortal Fairy Powder?"

Inside the box lies snow‑white brocade, and at its center a small packet of delicate pearl‑white powder, its hue like fine pearl powder, faintly iridescent.

Beside it rests a petite Jade Hairpin, perfect for scooping the powder.

A flash of surprise crosses her eyes as she looks up at Pei Suiwan, her tone full of disbelief, "Could it be the legendary Immortal Fairy Powder, ground from pearls, white jade, fu ling and other precious ingredients, renowned for beautifying skin and enhancing complexion?"

"Exactly!"

Pei Suiwan smiles and nods, "I've heard this powder requires forty‑nine steps of processing; it applies lightly and adheres, both concealing flaws and brightening, while nourishing the skin. Noble women in the Capital flock to it."

Lu Ning quickly bows and thanks, "Thank you, Suiwan sister, for remembering me; I'm humbled by this generous gift."

"Sisters don't need to thank each other," Pei Suiwan says with a smile, waving her hand, while Lingxi has already stepped forward, carefully putting away the gilt lacquer box.

Mid‑sentence, Pei Suiwan's gaze unintentionally falls on the Brothels spread on the table.

The intricate winding‑branch lotus embroidery is exquisitely lively, the stitches even and clean as fish scales, prompting a flash of admiration in her eyes.

She lifts her hand, gently brushing the brocade, and softly asks, "Ning'er, are you making a garment? This pattern is truly elegant!"

Lu Ning follows her gaze, a gentle smile appearing, and nods, "It's for my two younger brothers…"

"With spring warming, they're often out and about; wearing old clothes isn't proper, so I thought of hand‑making two fitting Brothels to let them look presentable."

Pei Suiwan, hearing this, lightly pats her hand, smiles sweetly, and says with a hint of affection and teasing, "There's no need for such trouble; our State Duke Mansion is vast and prosperous, never lacking people or goods, so no need to handle it yourself."

She pauses, then continues, "To make new clothes for the brothers, just select a few fine silks from the storeroom and have the embroidery maidens in the needle‑room handle it; their skill will produce garments to your liking!"

Lu Ning, in turn, grasps Pei Suiwan's hand, her fingertips gently meeting her warm palm, a faint shy smile at her lips, and softly says, "How could I be so forward, little sister?"

"The mansion already takes care of everything; now I'm troubling you, sister, to personally deliver such a precious gift and worry about my trivial matters—it's truly hard to accept."

Her voice is soft and melodious, with a hint of deliberate restraint.

Lu Ning does have that sense of propriety…

After all, she is a resident here; the master lets you act as head of the house, but you cannot truly be the master.

Pei Suiwan, hearing this, her smile deepening, squeezes her hand tighter, and in an increasingly warm tone says, "Ning'er, you're not an outsider; just treat the State Duke Mansion as your own home!"

Lu Ning lightly nods, replying softly, "Yes, thank you, Suiwan sister."

As she speaks, Pei Suiwan's gaze slowly sweeps over Lingxi and Rong'er standing inside, both keeping low brows and obedient eyes, daring not a hint of slackness.

She withdraws her gaze, her tone calm yet bearing unquestionable authority, "I need to speak privately with Ning'er; you two may step out and wait outside."

Lingxi and Rong'er, hearing this, quickly straighten their collars and bow, respectfully replying, "We take our leave!"

When the words fell silent, the two of them slipped out quietly on tiptoe.

She turned and gently closed the carved wooden door of the Warm Fragrance Pavilion, leaving only a thin slit, sealing out the outside clamor.

The room fell silent in an instant, leaving only the faint crackle of the silver‑thread charcoal burning and the mingled scent of wax plum and rouge in the air.

Lu Ning saw Pei Suiwan deliberately step back to the sides, her brows barely furrowing, and a whisper rose in her mind: "That Grand Duke's Lady must have something…."

Her face remained composed, still bearing a gentle smile, but her fingertips unconsciously tightened a bit.

Pei Suiwan sensed Lu Ning's unease, yet acted as if she hadn't, still lightly stroking the back of her hand, her fingertips applying a gentle pressure, her tone casual as if merely chatting: "Ning'er is now of marriageable age, with a proper appearance, a gentle temperament, and such dexterity…"

"I wonder what plans you have for your lifelong affairs?"

The remark came suddenly; Lu Ning was briefly startled, then a slight smile lifted her lips, a hint of wariness flashing in her eyes, and she tentatively asked in a teasing tone: "Sister Pei Suiwan, are you scouting a husband for Ning'er?"

"You intend to marry my sister off?"

She said so, her gaze carrying a mix of curiosity and jest.

She wanted to probe Pei Suiwan's intentions without letting the atmosphere become too heavy.

Pei Suiwan's fingertips gently caressed Lu Ning's finger, the tips bearing a faint cool warmth, sliding slowly along the slender knuckles; her tone was so tender it seemed to drip water: "A girl as fine as Ning'er—her looks, temperament, and talent are all superb; how could I possibly let you marry out?"

She said, pursing her lips in a light laugh, her voice lowered: "Of course I'd keep you by my side, to see each other every day…"

Lu Ning heard this, felt a stir in her heart, her brows slightly furrowed, looking pensively at Pei Suiwan, her tone probing: "Then, sister, are you planning to give my sister to which brother of the Duke?"

She spoke while watching Pei Suiwan's expression.

She tried to find any clue on the beautiful, gentle face before her.

Pei Suiwan gently shook her head, her gaze suddenly deepening as if holding a thousand words, and she blurted out: "It's not that either."

"Hm?" The two words came unawares; Lu Ning was completely stunned, her eyes full of confusion, the bewilderment almost spilling out.

She truly could not understand—if she wasn't marrying out nor to a member of the Duke's clan, then who was the "good man" Pei Suiwan favored?

In her daze, Lu Ning subconsciously asked in a joking tone, her voice tinged with incredulous teasing: "If not the Duke's brother, could it… it can't be the Duke himself, can it?"

The remark was off‑the‑cuff, a slightly absurd tease; Lu Ning herself thought it impossible and was about to laugh after saying it.

But Pei Suiwan met her gaze, eyes firm, and answered decisively with two words: "Exactly!"

"???"

With a "Boom!" Lu Ning felt her mind go blank, utterly stunned.

She stared dumbfounded at Pei Suiwan, her smile frozen, eyes wide, lips slightly parting, yet no word could come out.

The silver‑thread charcoal in the Warm Pavilion still crackled, its fragrance lingering at her nose, yet she seemed to hear nothing and smell nothing.

Only Pei Suiwan's two words echoed repeatedly in her ears, unsettling her spirit.

After a while, Lu Ning slowly came to herself, her heart still pounding wildly, her face burning hot.

She forced a stiff smile, her gaze averting, unwilling to meet Pei Suiwan's eyes, her voice tinged with a dry laugh: "Sister Pei Suiwan, you… please don't play this kind of joke on your sister!"

She said, her fingertips trembling slightly, instinctively trying to pull her hand back.

Which wife would voluntarily take a concubine for her own husband and then become a go‑between?!

Pei Suiwan, however, gripped her hand tightly, not letting go, her smile fading, her expression becoming exceedingly solemn: "I'm serious!"

Then, leaning slightly, her gaze locked onto Lu Ning's eyes, that deep and sincere look, "I wonder how Ning'er feels about A Yan?"