The side hall was silent. Seated in the Hongmu Touqi circle chair, Yun Wan’s thoughts churned endlessly.
A quarter-hour earlier, Yuqian Grand Attendant Jiang Gonggong had suddenly intercepted her on her return journey and brought her to this place.
Though he hadn’t explicitly stated it, Yun Wan knew exactly whose decree this was.
Jiang Fusheng served as the imperial attendant before the Emperor – naturally, he was following the Jing Xuan Emperor’s command.
Within the hall, the scent beast exhaled, smoke rings drifting like clouds and mist, gradually dispersing until they vanished without trace, leaving only a faint fragrance behind.
Xuesong, Suhe, Xinyi, Peilan…
Yun Wan silently identified the spices used in the blend. Though they were clearly meant to have calming and soothing effects, her heart refused to settle.
What was the Emperor’s intention?
Why summon her alone?
Could it be her selling Yun Yin Fragrance under the pretext of “name bestowed by the Emperor” had displeased him?
Or had her conduct in the main hall today been improper? Perhaps her debate with court officials at a critical moment had touched upon royal taboos?
Or was it that A Sui’s performance today had been too outstanding, displeasing the Emperor who felt it had stolen the spotlight from the two princes?
Maybe the Emperor still remembered the incident where A Sui nearly hit him while kicking a ball?
Surely he couldn’t have detected something?
Yun Wan’s expression stiffened, then relaxed.
No, if that were the case, he definitely wouldn’t have summoned only her.
……..
Yun Wan’s thoughts wandered aimlessly, examining every possibility.
She was so immersed in her own reflections that she failed to notice when another person entered the hall.
Ink-colored court boots trod silently upon the smooth Qingyu stone floor. With each broad step, the gold-threaded embroidered cloud dragon pattern edging complemented the movement, magnificent yet concealing sharpness.
From the moment he entered the hall, a glint of gray light appeared in the Jing Xuan Emperor’s eyes.
The woman sat upright in the circle chair, her spine slightly straight, her posture as graceful as a line, exuding an aura of tranquil elegance.
Her cloud-like hair and blue-gray patterned clothing should have been the most inconspicuous colors, yet on her they became beauty that couldn’t be ignored.
Her gaze fixed on some point before her, focused and prolonged, as if lost in deep thought. Even deliberately made footsteps failed to startle her.
Seeing her furrowed brows, her expression shifting unpredictably, her hands resting on her lap constantly twisting a handkerlet as if to tear it apart, the Jing Xuan Emperor’s brow twitched.
Jiang Fusheng, following behind his master, felt his mouth twitch and sweat with embarrassment.
Truly mother and son, equally and terrifyingly oblivious.
Covering his mouth, he coughed heavily. Only when he saw the other startle like a frightened bird did Jiang Fusheng feel satisfied.
That’s more like it.
Her thoughts abruptly interrupted, Yun Wan turned her head sharply. Seeing the Jing Xuan Emperor, she froze for a moment. “Your Majesty?”
Realizing her behavior was improper, Yun Wan quickly rose and knelt in salute. “Your subject’s wife pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy eternal peace.”
She bowed her head, staring at the ground. Her standing collar slightly parted, revealing a glimpse of delicate snow-white skin and a section of her nape. Her movements carried a natural, innate elegance that made it hard to look away.
The person before her remained silent. Yun Wan maintained her position, not daring to rise.
Suddenly, a pair of large, luxurious long boots appeared in her field of vision. Yun Wan held her breath and focused, lowering her head another half-inch.
“What was Madam Lu thinking when We entered?”
The owner of the long boots spoke, his tone calm and casual.
Yun Wan silently complained about the palace staff’s incompetence – how could they not announce the master’s arrival?
Not daring to relax, she replied earnestly, “Your subject’s wife was contemplating which spices were used in the incense burning within this hall.”
This was Yun Wan’s daily habit. When she first began learning perfumery, she would place various spices in easily visible spots to identify them. Whenever she saw or passed by them and caught their scent, she would ponder carefully to deepen her memory.
Even during casual conversations with others, Yun Wan would deliberately try to guess what fragrance the person had worn that day, identifying the specific spices used and even their precise quantities.
“Has Madam identified it then?” the Jing Xuan Emperor remarked with detached calm, his voice deep and resonant like drumbeats.
He stood with his hands behind his back, his chin slightly tucked as he spoke, his pitch-black eyes fixed on the pale sliver of her nape.
It looked so delicate it seemed it might snap with a single grasp.
A chill ran down her spine, occasionally mingled with a burning sensation. Yun Wan lifted her head slightly to shake off the sudden peculiar feeling, causing the two or three jade hairpins in her bun to sway and gently tap against her fair earlobes.
Being so close, she could even smell the Dragon Saliva Incense, reserved solely for the emperor, interwoven with the mature aura of a man in his prime—rich and scorching.
“Your Majesty, I can roughly identify a few.”
She listed a series of spice names without the slightest attempt to deceive.
A flicker of surprise crossed the Jing Xuan Emperor’s face, though he never believed she had the ability to fool him.
His phoenix eyes slightly raised, he smiled lazily. “Madam is truly gifted. Not only talented in perfumery, but also skilled in business. No wonder you turned your shop from loss to profit in such a short time, earning a fortune daily.”
His words sounded off—neither entirely complimentary nor wholly sarcastic.
Uncertain of his meaning, Yun Wan bit her lower lip lightly and ventured, “Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty?”
“…”
Jiang Fusheng, standing nearby, was speechless.
If you’re going to thank him, why the hesitant tone?
The Jing Xuan Emperor watched her in silence for two breaths before stepping past Yun Wan.
As the imposing boots and the deep, domineering scent of Dragon Saliva Incense vanished, Yun Wan quietly exhaled in relief.
Just as her legs were beginning to grow numb, she heard a voice as melodious as heavenly music:
“Madam Lu, won’t you please rise?”
Jiang Fusheng sighed inwardly as he observed the slow-to-react beautiful woman before him.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Lifting her skirts as she stood, Yun Wan straightened her gown.
She glanced quickly at the Jing Xuan Emperor, who sat imposingly in the Grand Tutor’s Chair, and chose to remain standing.
Jiang Fusheng poured tea for her. The sound of water broke the quiet of the hall, followed by the faint aroma of tea.
Warm sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, falling directly on Yun Wan, adding a touch of warmth and brilliance to her blue-gray robes.
Yun Wan’s eyes narrowed slightly, her long, thick lashes fluttering. She instinctively raised her sleeve to shield herself, forgetting she could simply move.
A faint, almost imperceptible chuckle drifted through the air. Yun Wan’s ears grew warm, and she silently lowered her hand.
Seeing that half an hour had passed without any mention of the main issue, she grew anxious.
After hesitating for a moment, Yun Wan decided to speak up: “Might I ask why Your Majesty has summoned me?”
The Jing Xuan Emperor leaned to the side, propping his chin with one hand, and looked at her. His gaze was profound, tinged with a faint smile. “What does Madam Lu think?”
Yun Wan frowned, pondered for a moment, and shook her head honestly. “I do not know, Your Majesty.”
The Jing Xuan Emperor concealed the last trace of emotion in his eyes and ceased beating around the bush. “I’ve heard that Madam Lu’s Yun Xiang Pavilion offers a wide variety of popular fragrances, all crafted by your hand? Today, the Yun Yin Fragrance has become the most sought-after scent in the capital, selling out instantly. Madam must be making a hefty profit?”
So it was about the Yun Yin Fragrance after all?
Yun Wan suddenly felt as if a weight had been lifted. She took a deep breath and said sincerely, “Thanks to Your Majesty’s grace, I was granted the imperial title ‘Yun Yin.’ Commoners flocked here out of admiration for the name, which has brought me considerable profit. All of this relies entirely on Your Majesty’s favor.”
Her tone was earnest, filled with genuine emotion. After speaking, she glanced up at the Jing Xuan Emperor, her eyes concealing deep gratitude.
Every word she spoke was filled with appreciation for the Jing Xuan Emperor.
Such flattery was truly crude, not even matching that of the lowest-ranking eunuch in the palace. The Jing Xuan Emperor averted his gaze.
Noticing his expression, Yun Wan’s heart sank.
Was His Majesty displeased?
Could it be that her sincerity was insufficient?
“Your Majesty, if you find it inappropriate, shall I cease selling Yun Yin Fragrance from now on?” Yun Wan lowered her eyes and asked softly.
The Jing Xuan Emperor glanced sideways at her, a faint, ambiguous smile playing on his lips. “Are you prepared to operate at a loss, Madam?”
Unconsciously twisting the handkerchief in her hands, Yun Wan bit her lip and replied, “I certainly do not wish to…”
“If Your Majesty does not mind, I could offer fifty percent of the profits to you?”