The side chamber was silent. Seated on a red-lacquered wooden armchair, Yun Wan's thoughts wandered endlessly.
A quarter of an hour earlier, Chief Eunuch Jiang Fusheng had abruptly intercepted her on her way back and escorted her here. Though he did not explicitly state the reason, Yun Wan knew exactly whose command this was. Jiang Fusheng served directly under Emperor Jingxuan—naturally, this was the emperor's doing.
Incense curled from the beast-shaped burner, its smoky tendrils dissipating like mist until only a faint fragrance lingered. Snow pine, storax, magnolia, and eupatorium... Yun Wan silently identified the blend of spices. Though they were meant to soothe the mind, her heart remained anything but calm.
What was the emperor's intention?
Why summon her alone?
Had her use of the "imperially bestowed name" to sell Yun Yin incense displeased him?
Or had she overstepped during the court assembly today—perhaps by debating with officials at a critical moment, crossing some royal taboo?
Could it be that Sui had performed too well today, stealing the spotlight from the princes and incurring the emperor's displeasure?
Or was Emperor Jingxuan still holding a grudge over that incident when Sui nearly struck him with a ball?
Surely he hadn’t discovered something?
Yun Wan’s expression stiffened momentarily before relaxing.
No, if that were the case, she wouldn’t be the only one summoned.
......
Lost in her tangled thoughts, Yun Wan dissected every possibility, so absorbed that she failed to notice when another figure entered the chamber.
Black court boots trod soundlessly across the polished jade floor, their gold-threaded cloud-and-dragon embroidery shimmering with understated grandeur.
From the moment he stepped inside, Emperor Jingxuan’s gaze sharpened with a glint of interest.
The woman sat poised on the armchair, her spine slightly straightened, her posture elegant as a brushstroke, exuding an air of quiet refinement.
Her hair was like dark clouds, her blue-gray patterned robe a color that should have been unremarkable—yet on her, it became impossible to ignore.
Her eyes were fixed on some distant point, lost in thought, so deep that even the deliberate sound of footsteps failed to rouse her.
Observing her furrowed brow, the ever-shifting emotions on her face, and the way her hands twisted the handkerchief on her lap as if to tear it apart, Emperor Jingxuan’s brow arched slightly.
Behind him, Jiang Fusheng suppressed a sigh, inwardly mortified.
Truly mother and son—both equally oblivious in the most alarming way.
Clearing his throat loudly, Jiang Fusheng watched with satisfaction as she startled like a frightened bird.
That was more like it.
Snapped from her thoughts, Yun Wan turned abruptly, freezing when she saw Emperor Jingxuan. "Your Majesty?"
Realizing her impropriety, she hurriedly rose and knelt. "Your humble subject greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty reign in eternal peace."
Her head bowed, the slightly loosened collar of her robe revealed a sliver of snow-white skin and the delicate curve of her nape—an effortless grace that was impossible to look away from.
The figure before her remained silent, and Yun Wan held her position, not daring to rise.
Suddenly, a pair of imposing, ornate boots entered her line of sight. She held her breath, lowering her head another fraction.
"What was Madam Lu pondering when We entered?"
The owner of the boots spoke, his tone casual yet measured.
Yun Wan silently cursed the palace attendants for their negligence—how could they not announce the emperor’s arrival?
Careful not to show her unease, she replied, "This humble subject was contemplating the blend of spices used in the incense burning here."
This was a habit of hers. When she first began studying perfumery, she would place various spices in plain sight, training herself to identify them by scent whenever she passed by. Even in casual conversation, she would silently guess the fragrances others wore, down to the precise measurements of each ingredient.
"And did Madam succeed?" Emperor Jingxuan’s voice was neutral, deep and resonant like the beat of a drum.
Hands clasped behind his back, he tilted his chin slightly, his ink-dark eyes lingering on the pale sliver of her neck.
So slender it seemed it might snap with a single touch.
A faint chill crept up her spine, occasionally replaced by a strange warmth. Yun Wan lifted her head slightly, as if to dispel the odd sensation. The jade hairpins in her coiled tresses swayed, brushing lightly against the delicate shells of her ears.
This close, she could smell the imperial-exclusive ambergris, mingled with the mature, heated scent of a man in his prime—overpowering and intense.
"Your Majesty, this subject can name most of them."
She listed the spices without hesitation, offering no pretense.
A flicker of surprise crossed Emperor Jingxuan’s face, though he never doubted her capability to deceive him.
His phoenix eyes curved slightly, his smile lazy. "Madam is indeed gifted—not only in perfumery but also in commerce. No wonder your shop turned profitable so swiftly, amassing wealth overnight."
The words carried an ambiguous tone—not quite praise, not quite mockery.
Uncertain of his meaning, Yun Wan bit her lower lip lightly before tentatively responding, "This subject... thanks Your Majesty for the compliment?"
"......"
Jiang Fusheng nearly choked beside them.
If you’re going to thank him, why sound so unsure?
Emperor Jingxuan studied her for two silent breaths before stepping past her.
As the boots and the overpowering scent of ambergris receded, Yun Wan exhaled imperceptibly.
Just as her legs began to numb, she heard a heavenly reprieve:
"Madam Lu, you may rise."
Jiang Fusheng sighed inwardly at the oblivious beauty before him.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Gathering her skirts, Yun Wan stood and smoothed the folds of her robe.
Darting a quick glance at Emperor Jingxuan, who now lounged imposingly in an armchair, she chose to remain standing.
Jiang Fusheng poured tea, the quiet chamber filling with the sound of water and the rising steam of fragrant leaves.
Sunlight streamed through the carved lattice windows, casting a warm glow over Yun Wan’s blue-gray robes, lending them a sudden radiance.
Her lashes fluttered as she instinctively raised a sleeve to shield her eyes—forgetting, for a moment, that she could simply step aside.
A soft chuckle, barely audible, drifted through the air. Yun Wan’s ears burned as she silently lowered her arm.
Half an hour had passed without any mention of the purpose behind this summons. Anxiety coiled in her chest.
After a long hesitation, she finally spoke. "Might this subject inquire as to why Your Majesty summoned her?"
Emperor Jingxuan leaned back, propping his chin on one hand as he regarded her with a deep, faintly amused gaze. "What does Madam think?"
Yun Wan frowned, considering before shaking her head honestly. "This subject does not know."
The last trace of emotion faded from Emperor Jingxuan’s eyes as he abandoned the roundabout approach. "We heard that Madam’s Yun Xiang Pavilion offers a wide array of fragrances, all crafted by your own hand. Today’s Yun Yin incense has become the most sought-after scent in the capital, selling out instantly and lining your coffers handsomely?"
So it was about the Yun Yin incense after all.
A strange sense of relief settled over Yun Wan. She took a steadying breath. "Thanks to Your Majesty’s grace in bestowing the name 'Yun Yin,' the people flocked to purchase it out of reverence for Your Majesty’s favor. This subject’s modest gains are entirely owed to Your Majesty’s benevolence."
Her voice was earnest, brimming with sincerity. She lifted her eyes briefly to meet Emperor Jingxuan’s gaze, gratitude shining within them.
Every word was layered with deference—an unspoken acknowledgment of the emperor’s magnanimity.
The fawning flattery was truly crude, not even matching the lowest-ranking eunuch in the palace. Emperor Jingxuan averted his gaze.
Yun Wan's expression faltered, her heart sinking.
Was His Majesty displeased?
Could it be that her sincerity fell short?
"If Your Majesty finds it improper, might this humble wife cease selling Yunxiang incense?" Yun Wan lowered her eyes, her voice soft as she ventured the question.
Emperor Jingxuan glanced sideways, his lips quirking in an ambiguous smile. "Does the Lady intend to run her business at a loss now?"
Her handkerchief twisted unconsciously around her fingertips as Yun Wan bit her lip. "This humble wife would naturally prefer not..."
"If Your Majesty does not disdain it, perhaps... fifty percent of the profits could be offered to you?"
