"Cut the crap."

Ning Yan took the incense box and opened it without hesitation. Mu Shu quickly backed away a few steps, thinking that even if he couldn’t win, he had to stay sober enough to take a beating!

The scent hit Ning Yan first with a sense of murkiness. He instinctively frowned—he really didn’t care for this stuff. Only the incense made by Bai Qingqing was an exception.

Thoughts began to churn in his mind, his blood stirred restlessly, nudging him toward reckless impulses, slowly eroding his will. He almost wanted to throw caution to the wind and act on those urges.

But Ning Yan’s response remained calm. After experiencing it firsthand, he picked up the pouch labeled “Stay Calm” he had set aside earlier. A light sniff, and the agitation began to fade.

"As expected, it works."

Thinking his own reaction might not be a solid test, Ning Yan pressed Mu Shu to smell it too.

Mu Shu obeyed begrudgingly. His reaction was much stronger—under the incense’s influence, he even dared to raise his voice at Ning Yan. But after a whiff of “Get a Grip,” his senses returned, and he slunk silently into a corner, pretending nothing had happened.

Ning Yan ignored him, eyes lowered to the sachet in his hand. Seeing that his life was spared, Mu Shu shamelessly sidled back over. “Sir, where’d this sachet come from? It’s amazing—one sniff and I feel fresh as spring rain. Maybe I should get one to carry around.”

With a flick of his hand, Ning Yan tucked the sachet away, looking at him with a half-smile. “Feeling clear-headed now? Good. Time to settle the accounts.”

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“S-Sir…”

…

Bai Qingqing returned home with pastries from Yanlai Pavilion. As soon as she stepped into her parents’ courtyard, she heard chaos erupting inside—squawking chickens, barking dogs, and shouts.

Bai Rui, dressed in blue, came darting out, spotting her and making a beeline. “Sis! Say something for me! I was doing a good deed this time!”

From inside came Bai Jing’s thunderous voice. “A good deed? You went drinking in a brothel and managed to brawl from the second floor all the way down the street! I’ll do a good deed too today—break your legs so you’ll stop embarrassing the family!”

He stormed out wielding a stick. At the sight, Bai Rui turned and took off, circling the courtyard as he ran and protested, “I was doing a good deed! Dad, can’t you listen to reason and let me finish?!”

“Doesn’t matter what you say. I’m beating you first—stop right there!”

Even a scene like this filled Bai Qingqing with warmth. She stood there for a moment, watching with quiet delight, then stepped into the house.

Madam Qiao, unfazed by the commotion outside, remarked evenly, “They stir up trouble a few times every month. You’d think they’d be tired of it by now.”

“Mother, I brought some pastries back from Yanlai Pavilion. They’re quite good—have a taste.”

The two of them sat in the room, sipping tea, nibbling on pastries, chatting about private things. The rise and fall of voices from the courtyard drifted in like background music, making the moment all the more pleasant.

When it seemed about time, Madam Qiao brushed the crumbs off her hands and rose. She went to the door, just as Bai Jinghuai, now completely out of breath, instinctively trudged over. “Madam, look at him—completely out of control!”

Madam Qiao took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Think about how old you are. Still think you can yank him up and spank him like when he was little?”

Bai Jinghuai stood there basking in her care. From behind a tree, Bai Rui peeked out and muttered, “Mother, you tell him—he doesn’t even ask questions before resorting to family punishment. He’s not young anymore, doesn’t he worry about overexerting himself?”

At that, Bai Jinghuai nearly exploded again, but Madam Qiao shot him a look. “Back inside.”

Then she turned to her younger son. “Come in and explain. If you’re truly in the wrong, a punishment is only fair.”

“…Okay.”

Bai Rui trudged in, grumbling under his breath, “No one ever takes my side…”