Chapter 2

I dropped a single bead of golden Spirit Spring Water into the bucket, and in an instant, the whole bucket turned crystal clear, filling the air with a subtle, sweet aroma.

Then I got to work pulling weeds.

Even though this body was frail, maybe the system gave me a surprising boost of strength. I spent the whole afternoon clearing out every last weed from the yard, leaving the rich topsoil exposed.

I planted three Moonshade Blossom seeds, each as tiny as a pinprick, and watered them with the diluted Spirit Spring Water.

By the time I finished, I was drenched in sweat, but I felt more at ease than I ever had before.

Meanwhile, Hazel had become the absolute center of the Peyton family, all thanks to her Peerless Splendor.

Meredith had stuffed her room with piles of luxurious silks, satins, and sparkling gold and silver jewelry, insisting Hazel must appear before everyone in the most radiant light. Bernard even pulled some strings to bring in the most renowned etiquette tutor from Vaelthyr, who was to instruct her in manners, dance, and music.

Everyone in the Peyton family was focused solely on her.

Whenever I saw her at the dinner table, she was always decked out in the fanciest clothes and dripping with expensive jewelry, like she owned the place, a peacock in full display.

"Octavia, why are you all covered in dirt?" Hazel said, wrinkling her nose in exaggerated disgust as she spotted my rolled-up sleeves and muddy hands. "Seriously, you look like you belong in the garden, not at the table. Girls should really take care of their faces."

Meredith immediately chimed in, "That's right, Hazel's got a point. Octavia, stop playing in the mud all day. That's not how a lady should behave. If you need money, let me know. Don't lower yourself like this."

I just smiled lightly. "Thanks for your concern, Meredith, but I'm not short on money. And I enjoy tending to the flowers."

Hazel let out a mocking laugh and turned away, ignoring me completely.

To Hazel, I was nothing more than a hopeless nobody who'd completely given up on myself.

I was more than happy to enjoy the solitude.

When I got back to the Fragrance Bower, I was overjoyed to see that the seeds I'd planted that morning had already sprouted tiny green shoots.

I could almost sense them eagerly drinking in the nutrients from the soil, bursting with life.

That night, the moon hung high in the sky.

The three Moonshade Blossoms, bathed in moonlight, began to grow at a speed visible to the naked eye, stretching skyward, sprouting, and budding.

Then, beneath the pale moonlight, three milky‑white buds bloomed silently.

An elegant, indescribable fragrance instantly filled the entire courtyard.

I took a deep breath, and in that moment, all the exhaustion and heaviness from the past days melted away. It felt as if my soul had been washed clean.

It turned out, this was the soothing peace the system had promised all along.

I gently picked one, held it up to my nose, and took in its delicate scent.

The system's voice rang out again.

[System Notification: The Timeless Beauty system has activated a hidden attribute, Peerless Grace.

[Peerless Grace: Under the moonlight, the host's appearance receives a subtle boost, their aura is elevated, and their charm is enhanced. Anyone who comes into contact with or uses the spirit herbs cultivated by the host will naturally feel a sense of goodwill toward them.]

I walked over to the only halfway clean well in the courtyard and, by the light of the moon, peered at my reflection in the water.

The face looking back at me was still delicate but far from stunning. Yet, under the moonlight, my features seemed to be brushed with a gentle, silvery sheen, and I radiated a gentle, soothing presence that put people at ease.

It wasn't like the striking, intimidating beauty Hazel had. Instead, it was a quiet kind of beauty that made people want to come closer.

I smiled.

Peerless Splendor, Timeless Beauty.

At this point, it was still unclear who had chased trivial gains and who had grasped what truly mattered.

Half a month slipped by in the blink of an eye.

The Fragrance Bower had been completely transformed.

The three Moonshade Blossoms flourished, bursting into a dozen blossoms every night. Using their petals, I tried my hand at the old methods and distilled my very first bottle of flower dew.

It carried a pure, subtle scent, unlike anything available in the marketplace. Just a single breath made me feel utterly serene and at peace.

I also used my system reward points to trade for a new seed, the Creamy Blossom.

[Creamy Blossom: An ordinary-grade spirit herb. Its nectar can be crafted into a balm that works wonders for moisturizing skin and fading scars.]

I planted it in the corner of the courtyard and watered it with Spirit Spring Water. Within just a few days, it bloomed into clusters of soft pink-and-white flowers.

I began trying my hand at making Creamy Balm.

That day was the birthday banquet for the matriarch of the Peyton family, Cordelia Peyton, and the whole household hosted a lavish feast for all their guests.

As a member of the Peyton family, even if I wasn't exactly welcome, I still had to attend.

Early that morning, Meredith sent someone over with a set of clothes, worn but not shabby, in drab colors and an old‑fashioned cut, reminding me to make sure I did not disgrace the Peyton family's reputation.

I knew exactly what she was getting at. I was supposed to fade into the background so Hazel could shine, never outshine her for a moment.