TSWRLM -Chapter 305 The Person Behind It All Is Prince Ying

“There are simply too many people wanting to buy this Awakening Incense. The first batch in the shop has already sold out. The second batch is expected to arrive in ten days, but the quantity is limited. Madam, if you want to buy some, you should send someone early to queue,” said the shop assistant at the Fragrant Nook, before moving on to serve other customers.

A-Li immediately said, “Madam, rest assured. In ten days, at midnight, I will come here with a stool to queue, and I guarantee to buy this for you.” Chun Xi nodded.

Although this Awakening Incense was very different in price from the Soul-Enticing Incense, and likely a completely different item, its scarcity and high demand still made Chun Xi want to buy it to see what secrets it might hold.

Just as she was about to leave, she saw Lanshu approaching the Fragrant Nook with two attendants, fanning himself leisurely.

Today, Lanshu wore a modest green outfit, but in his hand was a flamboyant fan with a “Blooming Wealth” pattern that caught the eye.

Not noticing Chun Xi, Lanshu made his way inside and slapped down a silver note for a thousand taels: “I’ll take the entire second batch of Awakening Incense.”

The people who had originally planned to queue were immediately upset. They had come first and had even paid deposits.

The shopkeeper was embarrassed, but Lanshu did not argue. He simply took out another stack of silver notes: “I said, I’ll take all of it.”

Lanshu’s wealth was immense, and the price he offered far exceeded the original value. The shopkeeper dared not offend him and instructed the assistants to persuade the other customers to leave and signed a contract with Lanshu.

“Sir, rest assured, in ten days, I will deliver the goods to you in perfect condition,” the shopkeeper said, flattering the major client.

Lanshu raised an eyebrow. “I’ve bought this much. Shouldn’t you let me inspect some before final delivery?”

After signing the contract, Lanshu asked to inspect the goods—showing good faith.

The shopkeeper hesitated, then handed him a few boxes: “These were originally reserved for my family’s younger members. Sir, rest assured, the second batch will be of exactly the same quality.”

Lanshu sniffed the incense, then gave a sly smile. “Good. I await your news, shopkeeper.”

After putting the incense away, Lanshu left the Fragrant Nook with his attendants. Chun Xi had wanted to buy a box from him, but before she could get off the carriage, the Wei family’s carriage stopped in front of Lanshu.

The curtain lifted, revealing Wei Lingze’s cold, gloomy face. “Get in.”

His tone was icy and laced with anger.

Lanshu, unfazed, greeted cheerfully: “Young Master Wei, long time no see. You’re back~”

No sooner had he gotten into the carriage than Wei Lingze’s hand was around his neck.

The lowered curtain cut them off from the outside world, and the small space was filled with murderous intent.

Lanshu struggled to breathe, his face turning blue, and he nearly passed out as he heard Wei Lingze’s deadly cold voice: “The antidote.”

Lanshu could only nod frantically.

Give—give—give, anything! Just let me speak first!

Veins bulging, face blue, Lanshu looked like he was in extreme pain. Wei Lingze, however, was still furious, wishing he could tear Lanshu limb by limb.

Previously, in Wengzhou, after finishing the Soul-Enticing Incense, it was tolerable at first. But after three days, Wei Lingze became lethargic and constantly sleepy, and an unbearable itch spread all over his body—not on the skin, but from deep within the bones.

As time went on, the itch grew worse. Eventually, he could not even get out of bed and was tortured, craving the Soul-Enticing Incense relentlessly.

That’s when Wei Lingze realized the Soul-Enticing Incense was no joyful substance—it was a poison that turned a person into something neither fully human nor ghost.

He had lost the competition at the Winter Hunt, divorced He’er, and already become a laughingstock in Hanjing. He was young, with a chance to rise again—but if he used this incense, he would be utterly ruined.

Once he got the antidote, he vowed to tear Lanshu apart and feed him to dogs.

With that thought, Wei Lingze finally released his grip.

“Cough! Cough! Cough!”

Lanshu coughed violently, his throat burning, tasting blood.

Wei Lingze ignored Lanshu’s suffering, extending his hand coldly: “The antidote.”

Not wanting another choke, Lanshu did not dare lie. “This Soul-Enticing Incense came from Prince Ying. I don’t have the antidote, but I can take you to Prince Ying.”

Prince Ying?

Wei Lingze’s brows immediately furrowed.

He remembered being lured by Chun Xi to Yunshan Temple that time—Prince Ying was with Lanshu and Xiao Yechen.

Could it be that what seemed like Chun Xi’s scheme was actually orchestrated by Prince Ying?

The Wei family had little contact with Prince Ying, no obvious grudge. But now, after deliberately making him addicted to the incense, was Prince Ying trying to control him and, by extension, the entire Wei family?

Wei Lingze grew increasingly alarmed, realizing he had been blinded before, obsessing over not letting Chun Xi leave, and had ignored basic danger.

Lanshu, catching his breath, continued: “I am lowly and dare not harm you, Sir, nor do I have the power to obtain Soul-Enticing Incense. Follow me to Prince Ying’s mansion, and you will understand everything.”

After a tense moment, Wei Lingze gave the order, and the carriage slowly headed to Prince Ying’s residence.

By unfortunate coincidence, Prince Ying was entertaining guests, enjoying singing and dancing.

He was surprised by Wei Lingze’s unannounced visit but still had servants set an extra place at the table.

Lanshu whispered the situation into Prince Ying’s ear.

Hearing that Wei Lingze had been exposed to Soul-Enticing Incense, Prince Ying glared at Lanshu: “I told you to sell the incense to those foolish women at Wuyou Pavilion—why did you sell it to Wei Lingze?”

Lanshu shrank, showing the red, bruised marks on his neck, and replied plaintively: “Young Master Wei came to Wuyou Pavilion looking for fun. If I had treated him differently, he might have already struck me. And this Soul-Enticing Incense isn’t harmful, so why not sell it to him?”

Prince Ying: “….”

Fool! Why did I ever think this idiot was capable?

Regretting his earlier misjudgment, Prince Ying hurriedly dismissed the guests and first slapped Lanshu.

Wei Lingze could no longer restrain himself, striding up to Prince Ying: “I didn’t expect Your Highness to be the mastermind behind Wuyou Pavilion. Previously, you schemed to make me a laughingstock, and now you’ve exposed me to Soul-Enticing Incense. What exactly is the grudge between the Wei family and you?”

Prince Ying: “…??? This is all on me?”