Her brows lifted slightly, a glimmer of anticipation shining through her clear, crystalline glass-like pupils.
If one ignored the fleeting look of heartache that passed through them.
These words made Jiang Fusheng’s eyelids twitch violently. He swiftly glanced at His Majesty and hurriedly interjected, “Madam Lu, mind your words! This amounts to bribery!”
Yun Wan gave him a puzzled look. If no one spoke of it, who would know?
But she obediently replied, “Yes, this subject’s wife acknowledges her mistake.”
She submitted meekly, though inwardly she was frantic.
This wasn’t acceptable, that wasn’t acceptable—so what exactly did The Emperor want?
The Jing Xuan Emperor’s lips twitched, as if letting out a derisive laugh.
This mother and son were truly obsessed with money.
He straightened up from the Grand Tutor’s Chair, taking large strides. Before Yun Wan could react, he had closed the distance between them in two or three steps.
His tall and imposing figure stood like a mountain before Yun Wan, instantly blocking the warm afterglow of the setting sun behind him. The shadow he cast completely enveloped her.
Unprepared, Yun Wan retreated two steps, but the aura emanating from the person before her still made her breath tremble and slow.
“Close your eyes.”
Yun Wan had no choice but to comply, shutting her eyes.
Light and slow, something like willow catkins brushed against the tip of her nose, followed by a wisp of subtle fragrance that drifted into her nostrils, straight to her forehead, stirring her heart and mind.
Yun Wan’s thin eyelids fluttered. She wanted to open them but was covered by a hand—rough yet scorching hot—causing her to freeze in place, not daring to move recklessly.
His palm felt as if two small brushes were gently tickling, the itch breaking through skin and flesh, traveling along her meridians to every part of her body, deep into her bones. The Jing Xuan Emperor’s gaze deepened.
Covering the upper half of her face inadvertently highlighted the lower half: her small, delicate jaw, pale and smooth skin, and full, crimson lips slightly parted, exhaling warm, moist breath.
“Your Majesty?”
In the silence, Yun Wan called out softly.
Suddenly withdrawing his gaze, the Jing Xuan Emperor tucked the handkerchief away, lowering his hand as he said indifferently, “This is a rare incense. Can you identify what scent it is?”
Freed from the cover over her eyes, Yun Wan opened them gradually. The slight discomfort brought tears to her eyes, glistening and shimmering like a clear sky washed by rain.
Dabbing the moisture at the corner of her eye with a handkerchief, Yun Wan replied with a faint nasal tone, “Though it smells somewhat faint, one can still discern its rich and lingering fragrance—sweet, warm, and soothing. It resembles both Suhe and musk, yet upon closer inspection, it is neither. Truly peculiar.”
She carefully recalled the scent she had just inhaled, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.
Was it her imagination, or did the fragrance give Yun Wan a strong sense of familiarity?
But no matter how hard she searched her memories, she couldn’t recall it.
This left her quite perplexed.
The Jing Xuan Emperor: “Do you know what kind of incense this is? How is it made?”
Yun Wan shook her head: “I do not.”
Meeting his probing gaze, she sighed and said, “This subject’s wife truly does not know. This is the first time I’ve smelled it.”
Yet burning with curiosity, Yun Wan tentatively asked, “Your Majesty, may I ask what this incense is called?”
The Jing Xuan Emperor glanced at her and uttered two words: “I don’t know.”
“……….”
“This subject’s wife misspoke.” Yun Wan admitted her mistake honestly.
Not bothering to discern whether her apology was genuine or feigned, the Jing Xuan Emperor cut straight to the point: “Madam Lu, you have now smelled this incense and know its unique qualities. If I ordered you to recreate an identical one, could you do it?”
“This………”
Yun Wan was stumped, never expecting that he wanted her to replicate the fragrance.
Just as she was about to speak and refuse, she met his deep, penetrating gaze, and Yun Wan fell silent.
After a moment of consideration, she opted for a more indirect approach and asked, “Your Majesty, may this humble wife ask one more question?”
“Speak.”
“What is so unique about this incense?”
Yun Wan clearly sensed the hall fall into a hushed silence upon her question, and she couldn’t help but feel puzzled.
Receiving a signal from his master, Jiang Fusheng stepped forward to explain:
“Madam Lu, you may not be aware, but His Majesty suffers from a head ailment. He happened upon this incense and discovered it could alleviate the pain. Unfortunately, neither the Imperial Hospital nor the Fragrance Administration could determine the reason behind its effectiveness. Knowing your expertise in incense, we sought your opinion.”
Yun Wan was surprised. “A head ailment?”
Jiang Fusheng sighed. “Indeed. Over the years, many remedies have been presented from below, but none have yielded any significant results.”
Glancing at the man’s broad, upright back, Yun Wan murmured, “If it targets the root cause, incense can indeed regulate the heart and blood, calm the spirit, and promote longevity. Throughout history, there have been instances of people using incense to treat head ailments. However, the fundamental approach must first identify the source of the illness. Only by understanding the root can it be gradually addressed.”
When used correctly, incense can become a remedy for illness.
But if misused, it brings nothing but harm.
“Madam Lu speaks wisely. The Imperial Physician diagnosed that my condition stems from having killed too many people, resulting in an excess of baleful energy.”
At some point, the Jing Xuan Emperor had turned around and spoke these words lightly.
“K-killed?”
And too many at that?
Just how many people had he killed?
Yun Wan was horrified. A chill rose from the depths of her heart—the rumors she had heard before were actually true.
Suddenly, she realized that the Jing Xuan Emperor before her was no ordinary ruler, but an iron-willed monarch who had defended the northern borders, his hands stained with the blood of countless lives.
She felt both respect and fear.
The Jing Xuan Emperor said, “Since you are skilled in incense, why not take a look at these scented pills and tell me which ones can relieve the pain of my head ailment?”
He raised his hand slightly, and a young eunuch entered, carrying several brocade boxes, which he presented one by one before Yun Wan.
With curiosity, Yun Wan picked up one of the scented pills and brought it to her nose for a light sniff. Suddenly, her expression shifted slightly:
“Outrageous!”
Meeting several pairs of startled eyes, Yun Wan’s expression stiffened. “Your Majesty, please forgive my offense…”
Unexpectedly, the Jing Xuan Emperor remained unperturbed.
Jiang Fusheng asked, “Madam Lu, is there something wrong with this scented pill?”
Seeing that the Emperor showed no signs of anger, Yun Wan explained softly, “This scented pill may seem effective for head ailments, but that is only because it contains Five Minerals Powder! This substance is effective for any pain and is highly addictive. If inhaled excessively, it not only damages the body but also creates a dependency!”
“This… this person is malicious and ill-intentioned! Your Majesty must not use it, or it will harm your sacred health!”
The Jing Xuan Emperor said, “It is of no consequence.”
“The person who presented this has already been executed by me—by lingchi.”
“…”
Lingchi—death by a thousand cuts.
Yun Wan’s face turned deathly pale.
The Jing Xuan Emperor suddenly curved his lips into a smile. “My apologies for frightening you, Madam.”
Yun Wan forced a smile but failed miserably.
She desperately wanted to ask: if she refused his command, would he have her executed as well?
He definitely would, wouldn’t he?
Watching her changing expressions with amusement, the Jing Xuan Emperor raised an eyebrow. “Do you have something to say, Madam?”
Yun Wan replied weakly, “Your Majesty, regarding the matter of replicating the incense you mentioned earlier, this humble wife will do her best to attempt it.”
“Then I shall trouble you, Madam Lu.”
The matter thus naturally fell upon Yun Wan’s shoulders.
With a heavy heart, she walked out of the hall, her steps weighed down by complex emotions.
Halfway through their journey, Yun Wan gritted her teeth and suddenly turned back: “Your Majesty, my son Chang Sui has injured his right hand today. Might the task of copying texts… be delayed for some time?”
The words “be exempted” lingered on her tongue, but she forcibly swallowed them back.
The Jing Xuan Emperor looked somewhat surprised, pondered for a moment, and said: “Since he has earned merit today, he shall be exempted from copying.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty! Your Majesty is most wise!”
Yun Wan finally revealed a genuine smile, radiant as summer blossoms.
After leaving the side hall and walking along the corridor, Jiang Fusheng, who was leading the way, spoke up: “Madam Lu, regarding His Majesty’s head ailment, we hope you…”
Before he could finish, Yun Wan nodded: “Understood. I shall absolutely not speak of this matter to outsiders.”
Jiang Fusheng’s smile deepened as he suddenly added: “Madam and the young master should also be cautious with your words outside, and refrain from making improper remarks about others.”
Yun Wan: ?
She understood “be cautious with your words,” but what did “making improper remarks about others” mean?
“May I ask for your guidance, Sir Eunuch?”
Jiang Fusheng flicked his horsetail whisk and merely smiled without answering.