Upon hearing “Imperial Carriage,” Yun Wan’s usually tranquil heart fluttered momentarily before the unease gradually intensified. Before she could clearly see the imperial procession, she was pulled down to kneel on the ground by Old Madam.
The bluestone pavement conveyed a tangible sensation—hard and cold. Yun Wan lowered her head like the others, maintaining an appearance of reverence, yet her inner turmoil refused to settle.
Encountering the Da Qi Emperor’s procession on her way out of the palace was something she had never anticipated.
Especially when the imperial carriage drew nearer, Yun Wan—always sensitive to scents—detected the legendary, luxurious Dragon Saliva Incense.
Her heart leaped, and the string of tension in her mind tightened uncontrollably. When the carriage halted before them and a deep, authoritative greeting sounded above her head, a buzzing filled Yun Wan’s mind as vague memories surfaced.
Fortunately, with her head bowed, no one noticed her unusual state. The Jing Xuan Emperor merely exchanged a few pleasantries with Old Madam before preparing to depart.
However, an unexpected turn occurred.
“Wait.”
The moment the imperial command fell, the palace attendants carrying the sedan reacted swiftly, coming to a synchronized halt with their gaze fixed forward.
Jiang Fusheng felt surprised but slightly bent his back, awaiting instructions.
The others were puzzled, unable to comprehend the situation.
The Jing Xuan Emperor remained silent until the breeze subsided. He then tilted his head downward, his gaze sweeping over those kneeling on the ground.
Anxiety crept into everyone’s hearts, especially Old Madam Lu who stood uneasily, unable to discern what the emperor was searching for.
Suddenly, the Jing Xuan Emperor’s phoenix eyes shifted, his focus converging on a figure in light-colored garments.
He lifted his eyelids slightly: “And who might this be?”
Old Madam Lu was momentarily taken aback: “Your Majesty, this is the widow of my deceased youngest son, of the Yun family.”
Yun family.
The Jing Xuan Emperor searched his memory, “The Vice Minister of Rites’ Yun Family?”
Hearing her family mentioned, Yun Wan’s eyelids flickered slightly. Maintaining her kneeling posture, she replied: “Your Majesty, my father is indeed Yun Wenchong, Vice Minister of Rites.”
Her voice, clear and fluid like flowing water, refreshed the senses—resembling jade beads falling onto a plate, both pleasant and melodious.
Her slender back arched gracefully as she bowed, the pale skin at her nape strikingly white against her dark cloud-like hair. With her head lowered, her features remained obscured.
Yet, just hearing her voice could conjure images of a lotus-blossom beauty.
As if a feather had lightly brushed his ear—there and gone—the Jing Xuan Emperor’s gaze drifted from the white jade hairpin in her hair downward.
His eyes settled on a particular point as he remarked casually: “What fragrance is the madam wearing?”
Yun Wan blurted out: “This subject’s wife uses no fragrance.”
Silence abruptly descended upon the surroundings.
Realizing her mistake, Yun Wan instinctively looked up, unexpectedly meeting a pair of profound, unfathomable eyes.
Her eyelashes fluttered briefly before she quickly steadied her composure, noticing the Jing Xuan Emperor watching her.
More precisely, watching the object at her waist.
Yun Wan looked down and saw the brocade pouch tied to her waist, finally understanding.
She responded respectfully: “Your Majesty, this subject’s wife merely blended several spices into a sachet during leisure hours.”
Thus, strictly speaking, she wasn’t using any specific fragrance. The scent emanating from her blended spices didn’t correspond to any existing fragrance, making it difficult to provide the emperor with a precise answer.
In this sense, her statement wasn’t incorrect.
After speaking, Yun Wan lowered her head again, not daring to look directly at the imperial countenance or speculate about the emperor’s expression.
Her face, briefly exposed to sunlight, now appeared radiant as peach blossoms and bright as stars, with snow-white skin possessing the translucent quality of fine jade.
Jiang Fusheng inwardly marveled—this Third Madam of the Lu Family was astonishingly beautiful.
With crimson lips, jade-like nose, and eyes resembling autumn waters, even among the three thousand beauties in the palace, one could not find such a flawless face.
He secretly glanced up and noticed His Majesty’s expression remained calm and unreadable, as if the peerless beauty before him was no different from a roadside flower.
Truly worthy of His Majesty.
A flicker of admiration flashed in his eyes, vanishing as quickly as it appeared.
The Jing Xuan Emperor lifted his chin slightly without speaking, leaning back with his straight spine in a languid posture, then swept a glance toward Jiang Fusheng.
Understanding the Emperor’s cue, Jiang Fusheng immediately beamed, his fair, round face creasing into a smile. He stepped forward to Yun Wan and asked amiably, “Madam, please rise. Would you be so kind as to remove your sachet for His Majesty’s inspection?”
Having knelt for so long, her legs felt somewhat numb. Yun Wan stood up and, upon hearing the latter part of his request, momentarily froze in surprise.
Beside her, Old Madam Lu reacted swiftly, decisively plucking the sachet from Yun Wan’s waist and handing it to Jiang Fusheng.
“It’s merely a sachet. To be examined by His Majesty is an honor,” she said with an ingratiating smile.
Jiang Fusheng carefully presented the celadon-colored sachet to the Jing Xuan Emperor with both hands. “Your Majesty, please examine it.”
The sachet appeared plain, its satin surface embroidered with common floral, avian, and auspicious patterns in ordinary stitching—nothing particularly remarkable. Only the fragrance seeping through the fabric stood out, rich and refreshing.
The Emperor held the sachet before his eyes. Resting in his broad palm, it seemed as small as a trinket, his slender fingers toying with it idly.
“Madam, would you care to list the ingredients within?” he asked indifferently, the scent lingering around him.
Without hesitation, Yun Wan replied, “Three qian of agarwood, half a liang of nard, one qian of white plum blossom, one purple bamboo leaf, two qian of clove, one fen of musk…”
Familiar with every fragrance she handled, Yun Wan precisely listed each ingredient without omission.
The Jing Xuan Emperor looked surprised. “Madam, you are knowledgeable in perfumery?”
Yun Wan answered, “Influenced by my late mother, I know a little.”
This caught the Emperor’s attention. Noblewomen typically prided themselves on mastering the eight elegant arts—qin, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, flowers, and tea—as well as needlework. This was the first time he had encountered one skilled in perfumery, especially one who blended scents so adeptly.
How unusual.
“Does this fragrance have a name?” he inquired.
Yun Wan shook her head. “Not yet.”
It was a new blend she had created in recent days, and she had not yet decided on a name.
No sooner had she spoken than the Emperor declared, “Ethereal as clouds and mist, concealing plum and bamboo—its scent elusive yet distinct, fresh and cool, fragrant without cloying. Let it be called—”
He paused, looking at Yun Wan. “How about ‘Yun Yin’?”
Yun Yin Fragrance.
Though Yun Wan had reservations, she dared not voice them. Instead, she nodded, feigning gratitude. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for bestowing a name.”
The name was indeed fitting—elegant and meaningful, simple yet graceful, easy to remember.
So Yun Wan thought.
Her gaze remained fixed on her sachet in the Emperor’s hand. Seeing his indifferent expression, she assumed he would return it after his inspection.
But just as the thought crossed her mind, the Emperor waved his hand dismissively. The entourage began to move, the grand procession gradually departing into the distance—taking her cherished sachet along.
Yun Wan was stunned.
She glanced down at her waist, now empty.
Noticing her expression, Old Madam Lu remarked disdainfully, “Don’t be so petty. It’s just a sachet—hardly worth pining over.”
“It is an honor to receive a name bestowed by Your Majesty, but given your status limitations, this matter should not be widely publicized to avoid inviting criticism.”
Yun Wan turned a deaf ear, obediently replying, “Your daughter-in-law understands.”
In truth, she had already devised a plan to make a substantial profit.