In early June, a major incident occurred in the palace.
The eunuch originally responsible for procuring incense materials for the Perfumery Bureau had a few too many drinks one day and, after nibbling on some peanuts, spilled all his secrets like pouring beans from a sack.
He boasted that though he was merely a lowly procurement eunuch, he had already amassed a fortune—all through "skimming profits." Not only had he colluded with merchants outside the palace to mix inferior goods with high-quality ones and falsify records for personal gain, but he had also conspired with the perfumers of the Perfumery Bureau to pocket precious incense for personal use.
He even smuggled imperial incense out of the palace to resell it, reaping profits without investment, with the spoils split evenly among the conspirators.
Such "skimming" was common to some degree across the inner court bureaus, but everyone else kept a low profile, never daring to breathe a word, treading carefully to avoid notice. As long as it wasn’t excessive, the higher-ups turned a blind eye.
But who could have expected that the Perfumery Bureau eunuch, drunk and reckless, would shout his secrets for all to hear? Word eventually reached Emperor Jingxuan’s ears.
Upon learning of this, the Emperor flew into a rage and ordered a thorough investigation of all inner court bureaus. The Perfumery Bureau was purged from top to bottom, with countless officials imprisoned. Nearly half of the perfumers were found guilty and sent to the Imperial Justice Bureau for punishment.
With the upper ranks in disarray, those below had to step up, but their skills were lacking. The incense they prepared displeased the Emperor, earning them swift demotions.
The palace was in turmoil, and among those most troubled were the three consorts who held significant authority, jointly managing the six palaces and handling daily affairs.
This scandal was a direct blow to their reputations, casting doubt on their ability to govern the inner court.
But the immediate priority was finding a skilled perfumer to appease the Emperor’s wrath.
In Changchun Palace, Consort Shu was exhausted from the relentless troubles, her face pale with fatigue.
Her chief maid, Chun Tang, poured her a cup of hot tea and said worriedly, "Your Highness, perhaps you should rest for a while?"
Consort Shu waved her off, downing the tea in one gulp.
"How can I rest peacefully with all these messes unresolved?" she sighed helplessly.
Seeing her refusal, Chun Tang moved behind her to massage her shoulders and couldn’t help muttering,
"It was Consort Hui’s Perfumery Bureau that caused this disaster, yet Your Highness was also reprimanded by the Emperor. If only those people hadn’t been so brazen, none of this would have happened."
Consort Shu found the words comforting but still shot her a warning glance. "Such talk is fine within these walls, but outside, you must watch your tongue."
Chun Tang giggled. "Your Highness need not worry—this servant wouldn’t dare babble recklessly."
After all, hadn’t the Perfumery Bureau just served as a cautionary tale?
After sitting for a while, some of Consort Shu’s weariness faded. She rubbed her fingernail guards absently, staring at the tea leaves floating in her cup, her voice distant.
"The most urgent matter now is finding a perfumer who can satisfy His Majesty. Only then will his anger subside, and the rest can be resolved."
Otherwise, if more chaos erupted in the inner court, the little power she held might slip into someone else’s hands.
The question was—where to find such a perfumer?
Chun Tang nodded in agreement. "Lately, the incense from the Perfumery Bureau has been dreadful—thick smoke, overpowering scents. It’s not even as good as what Third Madam used to—"
She suddenly gasped, struck by inspiration. "Your Highness, this servant has an idea!"
Consort Shu paused. "Speak."
After a moment’s thought, Chun Tang said carefully, "Your Highness, the Perfumery Bureau is short-handed now. The original perfumers are either imprisoned or incompetent. If someone could prepare incense that pleases the Emperor..."
Recalling Chun Tang’s earlier mention of Yun Wan, Consort Shu’s eyes gleamed. "You mean...?"
Chun Tang nodded. "This servant is referring to Third Madam!"
"Third Madam is a master of incense. Even His Majesty once praised her work and bestowed a name upon her creations. If she were to join the Perfumery Bureau, not only would it solve our immediate problem, but it would also place one of Your Highness’s people in the bureau. A perfect arrangement, don’t you think?"
Consort Shu hesitated. "But Yun Wan is my third sister-in-law, the Third Madam of the Lu family..."
Her brows furrowed and relaxed repeatedly.
Chun Tang pressed on in a hushed voice, "This servant understands Your Highness’s concerns. Third Madam is a widow, and these years, she’s inevitably been called ill-omened. But we are in the imperial palace, shielded by His Majesty’s divine aura—what evil could possibly touch us? Who would dare gossip?"
"Her son, Chang Sui, is His Highness’s study companion, gifted with a photographic memory. He will surely be of great aid to His Highness in the future. If Third Madam could also assist you, what would we have to fear from the one in Yaohua Palace?"
Her tone was laden with implication.
"Let me think it over."
Chun Tang’s words were persuasive and tempting. Consort Shu fell deep into thought.
An elderly maid nearby frowned but, seeing that Consort Shu seemed already resolved despite her hesitation, chose to remain silent.
If she recalled correctly, that Third Madam was a stunning beauty, her radiance unmatched even in the palace.
After much deliberation, Consort Shu was swayed by Chun Tang’s proposal.
She couldn’t wait until the next day—that very afternoon, she sought Emperor Jingxuan’s approval.
The Emperor raised no objections, granting Consort Shu full authority over the Perfumery Bureau’s reorganization.
Overjoyed and flattered by this show of trust, Consort Shu couldn’t sleep all night, determined to resolve the matter swiftly before Consort Hui could interfere.
The next day, she summoned Yun Wan to the palace.
"A perfumer?"
Yun Wan had been baffled by the summons, and now, hearing Consort Shu’s plan, she was even more stunned.
Consort Shu nodded. "The Perfumery Bureau is in dire need of skilled hands. Knowing your talent in incense-making, I personally recommended you to His Majesty. You are to temporarily assume the role of perfumer."
Yun Wan’s lips twitched, but she couldn’t muster a smile.
Lowering her eyes deferentially, she said, "Your Highness, my skills are but amateurish tricks, hardly comparable to the Perfumery Bureau’s masters. Moreover, as a widow, I am hardly suited for such an important position."
Consort Shu dismissed her concerns. "None of that matters. With me here, no one will dare question your status. Focus only on your duties—leave the rest to me."
Sensing Yun Wan’s reluctance, Consort Shu assumed she was simply timid, afraid of trouble. So she dangled an irresistible offer:
"I know you often worry about Chang Sui. If you become the perfumer, I will allow you two to meet every three days. Normally, he only returns home once every ten days—this is already a great favor."
She sighed but left no room for refusal. "Sister-in-law, I’ve already sought His Majesty’s approval. Today, I’m merely informing you to prepare. In three days, I will send a carriage for you."
The matter was settled. Did Yun Wan even have a choice?
A surge of bitterness rose in her heart. Why was she still so powerless, forced to bend to others’ will?
If only she held a high enough status to look down on them all—would she then have the right to say "no"? Would no one dare decide her fate?
Not Old Madam, not Lu Yuanduo, not even Consort Shu?
Hiding all traces of disdain in her eyes, Yun Wan lowered her voice and asked, "This humble one has a question, may Consort Shu enlighten me?"
Consort Shu replied, "Speak freely, sister-in-law."
Yun Wan continued, "Where shall I reside next? And how long will my assignment in the Perfumery Bureau last?"
