"Madam, wonderful news!"
Yuezhi rushed in, her skirts lifted, her face beaming with joy as she repeated the words several times.
"Slow down, don’t trip," Yun Wan handed her a clean handkerchief, noticing how she was drenched in sweat from running.
Yuezhi smiled sheepishly. "Thank you, Madam!"
Yun Wan smiled faintly. "Tell me, what news is so good that it has you this excited?"
The two other maids attending in the room chimed in, "Yes, Yuezhi, don’t keep us in suspense—out with it!"
Yuezhi no longer held back. "Madam, our Yun Yin incense has sold out! In just one morning, not only was it completely bought up, but other fragrances in the shop also sold well. The profits today alone match half a month’s usual earnings!"
"Madam, should we have the perfumery halt production of other scents and focus solely on Yun Yin?" she suggested excitedly, her round eyes shining as she looked at Yun Wan.
Hearing that the shop’s earnings in a single morning surpassed half a month’s usual revenue, Yue Ya and the others gasped in astonishment, stunned.
They were Yun Wan’s trusted maids, having accompanied her as part of her dowry when she married into the Lu family. Each had their own duties, but Yuezhi, quick-witted and skilled in calculations, often dealt with the shops outside the estate.
Though Yun Wan had confidence in this new incense and had prepared herself for success, she was still taken aback—the results exceeded her expectations.
Despite her joy, Yun Wan remained composed regarding Yuezhi’s suggestion. "No," she said firmly.
"We’ll stick to the original plan—halve the production of Yun Yin, keep the quantities of other fragrances unchanged, and impose a purchase limit on Yun Yin. Discontinue selling the powdered and cone forms—from now on, we’ll only sell the incense beads."
Frowning slightly in thought, she murmured, "Quality over quantity is what matters. Now that Yun Yin has gained such fame, and Yunxiang Pavilion’s reputation has soared even higher, that’s enough."
"In the future, we’ll make Yun Yin one of Yunxiang Pavilion’s signature products, with limited releases."
Yun Wan understood well that anything produced in excess would lose its value.
Yuezhi nodded. "This servant understands. Shopkeeper Hu said something similar—it seems you two are of the same mind."
Yun Wan smiled. This was precisely why she had dismissed the previous deceitful shopkeeper and promoted Madam Hu from the perfumery instead.
Still, it was a joyous occasion. With a gentle smile, Yun Wan said, "Tell the shop and perfumery staff to bear with the busy period. Once things settle, they’ll all be handsomely rewarded!"
"That includes all of you," she added, glancing at Yue Ya and Yue Jian.
The maids’ faces lit up with delight.
"Yes, Madam!"
When news of Yun Yin’s success in the capital reached the palace, Emperor Jingxuan scoffed.
A single thumb-sized incense bead selling for three strings of cash—who was the real swindler here?
Noticing his master’s lack of displeasure, Jiang Fusheng couldn’t resist smiling. "Your Majesty, did you know this incense has a nickname among the common folk?"
"Speak."
"They call it ‘The Yun Yin Incense Even the Emperor Praises.’"
Emperor Jingxuan: "......"
......
For several days, Yun Wan had been preoccupied with the incense shop, leaving little room in her thoughts for Sui—until her workload finally eased.
In the quiet, sunlit room, the young woman at the desk set down her ledger and stretched, catching sight of the beautiful woman beside her holding needlework but making no progress. With a teasing smile, she asked,
"Third Aunt, are you missing Sui?"
Yun Wan snapped out of her thoughts and met Lu Changning’s playful gaze, smiling sheepishly. "Forgive me, Changning. I can’t help but wonder how Sui is doing there, whether he’s homesick..."
Her voice softened as she sighed.
Lu Changning, dressed in a pale yellow gown and strikingly lovely, rested her chin on her hand reassuringly. "Don’t fret, Third Aunt. Tomorrow is the Hongwen Institute’s break—once Sui returns, you’ll see him."
Yun Wan nodded slightly. "You’re right. It’s only one more day."
Rather than dwelling on it, she might as well finish the embroidery in her hands.
"Is that garment for Sui?" Lu Changning eyed her needlework, having long set aside her own ledger.
Delicate porcelain fingers guided the needle through the satin, forming intricate patterns along the sleeve with meticulous stitches.
"The weather’s warming, and children grow so quickly. Before you know it, their old clothes no longer fit."
Yun Wan’s lips curved into a tender smile, her eyes brimming with gentle affection, like morning mist—subtle yet intoxicating.
Lu Changning couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. "How I envy Cousin Sui for having a mother like you..."
If her own mother were still alive, would she have been like Third Aunt?
A shadow of sorrow crossed Lu Changning’s heart.
Yun Wan paused her stitching. Softly, she said, "Perhaps he envies you too."
At Lu Changning’s puzzled look, she continued, "He might envy you for having a father like the Duke."
Lu Changning was taken aback, then realization dawned.
Of course. She envied Sui for his mother, while Sui might have envied her for her father.
One without a father, the other without a mother—weren’t they both sharing the same sorrow?
Each had their own hardships and joys. Dwelling on it only made her seem self-pitying.
Noticing her melancholy, Yun Wan set aside her needlework. "Changning, is something troubling you?"
Lu Changning hesitated.
Yun Wan pressed gently, "If you don’t mind, why not share it with your aunt?"
The warmth in her eyes was disarming. Lu Changning’s nose stung, and she lowered her head. "Aunt... do you think that once a girl comes of age, it means she’ll soon be married off to another family?"
Yun Wan was startled. "Why do you say that?"
Biting her lip, Lu Changning spoke haltingly. "Last time in Cixin Hall, I overheard Concubine Zhong and Grandmother discussing my marriage. It sounded as though it was nearly settled—that I’d be wed as soon as I came of age."
"Who is the intended?"
"A relative of Grandmother’s family, also connected to Concubine Zhong."
Yun Wan’s brow furrowed deeply. "Has your mother consented to this?"
Lu Changning gave a bitter smile. "From what I heard, Grandmother didn’t object."
No objection meant tacit approval.
Lu Changning continued, "Aunt, you know Grandmother has never favored me. She likely won’t take my feelings into account. If only my mother were still here... she would never have agreed to such a rushed betrothal."
Her voice trembled with sorrow.
Lu Changning’s mother had been frail, her vitality spent in childbirth. Grandmother, deeming her granddaughter ill-fated and merely a daughter, had always treated her coldly.
Over the years, Concubine Zhong, emboldened by bearing a son and her ties to the old madam, had grown domineering—even Lu Changning, the legitimate daughter of the first wife, had to tread carefully around her.
Yun Wan, though seldom seen outside her quarters, had heard of Concubine Zhong’s conduct.
After a thoughtful pause, she asked, "Does the Duke know of this?"
At the mention of her father, Lu Changning stiffened before lowering her head further. "I... don’t know."
Yun Wan took her hand, her expression earnest. "Changning, if you don’t wish to marry so soon, you must tell your father how you feel."
"But Father is preoccupied with official duties, and besides, we’ve never been particularly close. I..."
Lu Changning clenched her fingers, her expression uneasy.
Yun Wan chuckled softly. "Silly child, as someone who’s been through this before, let me tell you—marriage is the most significant matter in a woman’s life. If you don’t wish to be hasty about it, the best course is to speak openly with the Duke."
"He is your father, and you are bound by blood. By both sentiment and reason, he would never disregard your wishes. But if you remain silent, he’ll never know what you truly desire."
Though she said this, Yun Wan knew all too well that if a father was neglectful, a daughter like Lu Changning would have little recourse.
Her own father had been just like that. Back then, Yun Wan had approached him about her marriage, and though he promised to consider her feelings, he was quickly swayed by her stepmother’s words. Before she knew it, she was wed into the Lu family, leaving her heartbroken.
Lu Changning’s expression wavered. "What if Father insists I obey Grandmother’s wishes?"
Yun Wan sighed. "That would be another matter entirely. Still, it couldn’t be worse than the current uncertainty. Besides, you still have your maternal uncle and grandfather, don’t you?"
They would never stand by and watch her marry someone unworthy.
"The Duke is neither stubborn nor heartless. Find the right moment to explain your concerns to him—it’s far better than suffering in silence."
Her words struck Lu Changning like a revelation. She was no fool, and the truth of them dawned on her at once.
The worry on her face melted away, replaced by a bright-eyed resolve. "I understand now! Auntie, you’re absolutely right. I’ll go back and think it through carefully!"
"Thank you for your guidance!"
With that, she hurried off, nearly forgetting her books in her haste.
Yun Wan shook her head in amusement and returned to her embroidery. Yet, for some reason, her mind felt unsettled. Her fingers slipped several times, the needle nearly pricking her skin.
Suddenly, a maid’s panicked voice rang out in the courtyard:
"Madam, it’s terrible! The young master has had an accident!"
A sharp sting—the needle tip grazed Yun Wan’s fingertip, and a bead of blood welled up.
