The Overachieving Little Husband of the Top Scholar’s Household - Chapter 107: Plum Blossom Pure Balm

Chapter 107: Plum Blossom Pure Balm

The high-proof liquor used to extract the balm’s fragrance was distilled by Qiu Huanian through traditional methods. Though not pure ethanol, its alcohol concentration far exceeded that of common spirits in the Yu Dynasty.

This Plum Blossom Pure Balm was Qiu Huanian’s most lavish creation to date. He spared no expense in its ingredients and set its price accordingly—targeting the deep pockets of the scholarly elite.

In a society where all professions were deemed inferior to scholarship, most of those who ascended the ranks of academia—save for the eccentric like Du Yunse’s mentor, the reclusive scholar Wen Huiyang—were invariably wealthy.

Technically, the balm could be completed after the fat mixture had absorbed the scent of ten rounds of fresh plum blossoms. Yet Qiu Huanian found the idea of applying pure animal fat to the skin too greasy, so he opted to refine the process further.

He soaked the fat mixture in high-proof liquor for ten days. Over time, the aromatic compounds transferred from the oil into the alcohol. What remained of the oil coagulated into milky-white clumps, reminiscent of peculiar stalactites found deep in caves.

Upon filtering the jar’s contents, he obtained the prototype of Plum Blossom Fragrance. A gentle reduction of this liquid by heat yielded the essence—pure and potent, a single drop rich with the profound fragrance of blooming plum.

In the warmer months, liquid fragrances might have held appeal, but for winter, Qiu Huanian found solid balm more suitable.

He combined the plum blossom essence with tea oil and beeswax in precise proportions, heated them until molten, and stirred the mixture into a homogenous balm. Then, he poured it into custom-made, wide-mouthed porcelain jars, just slightly larger than a copper coin.

The jars were coated in vivid red glaze, each capped with a lid etched with the emblem of “Qiu’s Six Staples.” A cotton paper label wrapped from lid to base, bearing the calligraphy of Du Yunse himself. Next to the graceful script bloomed delicate ink-drawn plum blossoms—harmonizing form and meaning.

The first batch, twenty-four jars in total, took over twenty days to complete. By the time Qiu Huanian finished, the estate’s plum trees had fully blossomed, and the calendar was nearing December.

Naturally, Du Yunse became the first to test the balm.

Anticipating its completion, Du Yunse had cleared his schedule that day. Dressed in casual robes, he read quietly in a warm study, a smokeless silver-charcoal brazier glowing nearby.

Qiu Huanian entered with the balm in hand. Du Yunse was immersed in a crucial passage, brows furrowed, eyes deep with concentration. From his smooth brow to his sculpted jawline and prominent Adam’s apple, his features formed a striking, fluid silhouette.

Qiu Huanian knocked softly.

Du Yunse’s lashes fluttered as he looked up, his chill dissolving instantly, returning from reverie to reality.

“You didn’t go out today? Did I disturb you?”

Du Yunse rose and walked over. “Not at all. I was waiting for you.”

Qiu Huanian arched an eyebrow with a smirk. “Waiting for me? I think you’re just scheming to get your hands on my balm.”

“And didn’t Brother Hua deliver it himself?”

Qiu Huanian picked up a jar and studied Du Yunse from head to toe.

“Where should I apply it?”

“Does it make a difference?”

Qiu Huanian responded earnestly, “As the old saying goes, ‘From afar, it seems not snow, for a faint fragrance lingers.’ The beauty of plum blossoms lies in their purity and subtlety. Where one applies the balm matters.”

“On the inner wrist, the fragrance disperses gently with every gesture, drifting out from the sleeves. On the neck, it rises subtly with each breath, lingering in the air.”

“On the chest…”

He trailed off, offering Du Yunse a suggestive smile.

Du Yunse’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “What does applying it to the chest signify?”

Qiu Huanian glanced around to ensure no one was nearby. Then, with a sudden movement, he pulled open Du Yunse’s collar, revealing a sliver of pale skin.

Dipping his fingers into the balm, he applied it slowly to that intimate spot.

Before he could retreat, Du Yunse pulled him into his arms. Qiu Huanian’s lifted hand froze, his cheek pressed against Du Yunse’s warm chest.

The mingling scents—plum blossom and the man’s own warmth—clung to the air, vivid and intoxicating.

From above, Du Yunse murmured, “Brother Hua, you still haven’t answered my question.”

Blushing, Qiu Huanian whispered, “Applied to the chest… it becomes a warm and subtle fragrance…”

“Only I can smell it.”

Lifting him by the waist, Du Yunse walked over to the desk and set him atop it. Qiu Huanian instinctively swallowed, while Du Yunse’s tone remained gentle.

“Seems wasteful then, if no one else can detect it.”

As he spoke, he unfastened Qiu Huanian’s sash with care, folding it neatly beside a book.

Qiu Huanian stiffened, still feigning calm. “True. I meant to have you help promote it. If no one else can smell it—mmph—”

He trembled as Du Yunse’s rough fingers slipped inside his robe, brushing his sensitive waist, the coarse calluses sending waves through him.

“Why stop now, Brother Hua?”

The provocateur leaned in, deftly removing the last of his clothing, his eyes dark with intent.

Qiu Huanian gritted his teeth, then abruptly wrapped his limbs around Du Yunse.

The study filled with the quiet sounds of rustling paper, shifting books, and bodies moving. The silver brazier cast a gentle warmth, and the scent of plum blossoms grew richer, denser, more intimate.

—

Qiu’s Six Staples had unveiled a new creation. For the first time in months, the shelves held more than emptiness.

A striking painting of plum blossoms adorned the display, accompanied by a delicate inscription:

“Plum Blossom Pure Balm, drawn from the jade-like essence and icy soul of the noble bloom, bestowing refined grace upon the gentleman.”

Had Qiu’s Six Staples returned to crafting floral products?

The rumor spread quickly. Noblewomen, long deprived of seasonal floral scents, became instantly intrigued and sent servants to inquire.

Even in the southern regions famed for perfumery, no one had succeeded in extracting a pure fragrance from plum blossoms. Most imitated the scent using other floral bases, falling short of the original’s ethereal subtlety.

Could Qiu’s balm truly be made from plum blossoms alone?

If so, the mysterious Lady Qishu behind the brand must possess unparalleled skill.

Despite the mounting curiosity, Qiu’s shopkeepers remained tight-lipped under Qiu Huanian’s orders. The shelves stayed empty save for the painting, and the fragrance remained elusive.

The secrecy only fueled speculation, and news spread like wildfire.

Soon, the Plum Blossom Pure Balm was the talk of Xiangping Prefecture. Even before its release, it had become a coveted treasure.

Du Yunse received an invitation to a grand gathering—a plum blossom viewing and poetry competition.

In a spacious, heated chamber, poets admired the vibrant red and white blossoms outside the window, composing verses and sipping wine. Performers with fragrant breath recited the verses, accompanied by the pipa’s gentle strings.

Du Yunse, the newly minted top scholar, emerged as the unrivaled champion—his poem, his bearing, his fragrance all seamlessly aligned.

As he rose to toast the guests, a refined scent accompanied him.

One tipsy official laughed aloud, “How is it the garden’s plum blossoms know whom to favor, and bestow their fragrance only upon Du Jieyuan?”

The remark drew warm laughter and playful praise.

Du Yunse replied evenly, “It’s not the blossoms that favor me, but the handiwork of my husband.”

A pause fell over the room—then someone made the connection.

“Could it be the fragrance from Qiu’s Six Staples?”

The balm, still unavailable for sale, had already stirred every household. At last, its true nature revealed itself here, worn by Du Yunse with unmatched elegance.

“It’s said the shop has only a painting—nothing for sale.”

“So Du Jieyuan alone has tried it? Truly the privilege of favor.”

“What exquisite craftsmanship! The scent is so pure, so distant from artifice. It’s the fragrance of a true gentleman!”

In ancient times, men and women alike wore fragrance. Agarwood, sandalwood, musk—none were gendered. But floral scents, especially those of rose and peony, often earned men ridicule.

Yet the plum blossom scent clinging to Du Yunse was a revelation—subtle, austere, noble. Perfect for a scholar amid a sea of plum blossoms.

Even his poem, upon closer inspection, seemed less about the flower and more about its lingering fragrance.

“When will this balm be available?” one guest asked eagerly.

“Yes, Du Jieyuan, can you secure us a few jars? We’ve shared wine and verse tonight!”

But Du Yunse, smiling with unshakable calm, replied each time:

“My husband decides such matters. I dare not promise anything.”

Disappointed but intrigued, the guests spread the tale far and wide. Now, not just noblewomen, but esteemed scholars, clamored for the balm.

Letters requesting the fragrance arrived at Qiu’s Six Staples—some from local dignitaries, others from men of considerable standing: Min Taikang, the headmaster of Qingfeng Academy; Su Xinbai, reclusive and heavily pregnant; and others of equal influence.

Qiu Huanian released no formal date, merely gifting select individuals with samples: Min Taikang, Su Yi of the Left Administration, Prefect Si Jing, Education Commissioner Feng Mingjun.

As for Su Xinbai, Qiu Huanian visited in person.

By December, the Zhu household was deep in New Year preparations. This was to be the first year the lady of the house bore a child. Bonuses had been handed out early and generously, and the residence was a hive of cheerful activity.

Qiu Huanian strolled the familiar halls, returning polite greetings from servants stringing lanterns and pasting window decorations. The old quarters of the Zhu family’s second branch now sat empty. He paused briefly, then continued on.

Reaching Su Xinbai’s quarters, he offered the balm, but cautioned Dian Mo, “It contains nothing harmful, but as a precaution, let him only smell it until after the baby is born.”

Su Xinbai narrowed his eyes at the gesture—reminiscent of when Qiu Huanian teased Nai Shuang with fish but refused to share.

Dian Mo nodded. “I’ll apply a bit on my wrist, let him catch the scent, then wash it off. With two months left, we won’t take chances.”

Su Xinbai relented with a soft hum.

He was visibly weary now—his body swollen, his face pale. Though Zhu Jingcheng ensured he had every comfort, pregnancy had taken its toll.

Everything had been prepared—nurses, midwives, caretakers—all on standby.

“Still not eating much?”

Su Xinbai shook his head. “Not really. But a few days ago, I tried the smoked fish your shop sells. With porridge, it went down.”

Dian Mo chuckled. “A midwife’s assistant bought it for himself, but Su Xinbai caught a whiff and suddenly had an appetite. Now someone goes daily to fetch it for him.”

Qiu Huanian laughed. “Had I known smoked fish would help, I’d have sent some earlier. Would’ve spared you the struggle.”

Su Xinbai made a small noise of assent but didn’t reply.

When Qiu Huanian reached to touch his belly, Su Xinbai didn’t resist.

His hand rested lightly, feeling the faint stir of life beneath the skin.

“…Life really is extraordinary.”

Su Xinbai looked over. “How so?”

Qiu Huanian shook his head with a soft smile. “Seeing you like this… it makes me worry. In the future…”

Su Xinbai understood and hesitated before replying quietly, “If not for Jingcheng, I wouldn’t have chosen this. But now, even though it’s hard, when I think of this as our child…”

He trailed off.

“In the end, whether it’s worth it depends on whose child it is… and how much you want them. You…”

Su Xinbai stopped abruptly, eyes shifting toward the door.

Qiu Huanian had turned as well.

Zhu Jingcheng stood just outside, in the outer courtyard—his expression unreadable. How long he’d been there, neither of them knew.