This was indeed a problem.
Consort Shu pondered for a moment before saying, "According to palace regulations, as a perfumer, you should reside in the Perfumery Bureau like the others. However, you are also my sister-in-law, unlike the ordinary perfumers. Therefore, I will keep the side hall of Changchun Palace available for you. As for where you ultimately choose to stay, the decision is entirely yours."
She then added, addressing Yun Wan, "However, my promise to grant you the opportunity to meet Chang Sui every three days will be arranged at Changchun Palace. This is both for convenience and to avoid unnecessary gossip from wandering about too freely."
"As for how long you will remain in the Perfumery Bureau, I can give you a rough estimate—no longer than half a year, and no shorter than three months. After all, finding a new perfumer will take some time."
Having laid out everything, Consort Shu watched as Yun Wan nodded silently. "This concubine understands."
Seeing no dissatisfaction in her, Consort Shu's eyes flickered with approval.
Indeed, her third sister-in-law was someone easy to manage. Her decision had been the right one.
Having achieved her desired outcome, Consort Shu dismissed Yun Wan without further delay.
By the time Yun Wan stepped out of Changchun Palace, dusk had already fallen. Strangely, her mind remained eerily calm, devoid of even the slightest ripple of emotion.
The sky was ablaze with the remnants of the setting sun, its golden and crimson hues interwoven, painting half the imperial city in shades of fiery orange.
Just as she was about to board her carriage, Yun Wan suddenly turned back. The blood-red twilight stretched across the heavens like spilled vermilion, casting an aura of mystery and majesty over the vermilion palace walls.
She stood there, gazing at the towering walls for a long moment, until Yue Ya's gentle reminder pulled her back to reality. Only then did she step into the carriage.
......
High upon the city walls, standing as tall and imposing as if they touched the heavens, Emperor Jingxuan stood clad in his black-and-gold imperial robes, his piercing gaze fixed on the palace gates. The figure he had been watching gradually faded into the distance until it vanished entirely.
Jiang Fusheng appeared quietly at his side. "Your Majesty, everything has been arranged as instructed."
The emperor, dignified and imposing, gave a faint hum of acknowledgment before issuing a series of cold, precise orders:
"The lady prefers white jade objects. Furnish her chambers accordingly, and if there is a shortage, draw from my private treasury."
"The lady enjoys tranquility. Ensure the servants assigned to her are not overly talkative or noisy, and do not allow unnecessary disturbances."
"The lady favors light-colored garments. Do not mix other hues when sending her clothing—no, wait. The lady is beautiful in anything. Send a variety of colors for her to choose from."
"The lady prefers mild flavors. When she is engrossed in perfumery, she may forget the time. Have refreshments and tea prepared at all hours."
"......"
Jiang Fusheng listened attentively, discreetly wiping the sweat from his brow. He couldn't help but marvel at how meticulously the emperor had thought of everything—far more thoroughly than he had.
Had he known, he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths with his initial arrangements. Now, he would have to redo everything.
"My lady, my lady..."
Emperor Jingxuan murmured softly, a rare trace of tenderness flickering in his eyes.
He knew she was unhappy. But how could he bear to let her go?
Upon arriving at the Duke of Lu's residence, Yun Wan descended from the carriage. A servant waiting at the gate hurried forward. "Third Madam, the Duke requests your presence."
Yun Wan acknowledged him indifferently and followed to the front courtyard.
In the main hall, Lu Yuanduo had been waiting for some time. Dressed in his deep purple court robes adorned with auspicious cloud patterns and a gold-inlaid jade belt, it was clear he had just returned from his duties.
The moment he saw Yun Wan, he cut straight to the point. "What did Consort Shu summon you for today?"
A closer look revealed the concern hidden between his brows.
Yun Wan met his gaze, her tone unusually icy. "Does the Duke not already know? Why bother asking?"
Lu Yuanduo was taken aback, his frown deepening. "What do you mean by that? I only learned of Consort Shu summoning you after returning from court."
Yun Wan replied flatly, "The Perfumery Bureau is short of a perfumer. Consort Shu has ordered me to fill the position in three days."
She spared no effort in elaborating, summarizing the matter in just a few words.
Lu Yuanduo's expression darkened instantly. "This is absurd!"
"You are a member of the Lu family, not some outsider! The palace is treacherous—even the Perfumery Bureau is no exception. How could she recklessly order you into service like this?!"
His anger was directed entirely at Consort Shu. Without needing to think deeply, he could guess exactly what she was scheming.
Suddenly, he turned sharply to Yun Wan. "So you suspect that I conspired with Consort Shu in this?"
Yun Wan remained silent, but the accusation was written plainly across her face: Isn’t that the case?
Lu Yuanduo stiffened, an unfamiliar frustration rising in his chest.
He took a deep breath, steadying his turbulent emotions before speaking in a measured tone. "Yun Wan, I assure you, this was never my intention. Had you not told me, I would still be in the dark."
Consort Shu was his sister. The Lu family, Consort Shu, and the Third Prince had always been bound together. In the past, any significant matter would have been discussed with him first.
Yet this time—whether it was summoning Yun Wan or assigning her to the Perfumery Bureau—Lu Yuanduo had only learned of it afterward.
In short, Consort Shu had never intended to consult him. Or perhaps she simply saw Yun Wan as a tool to curry favor with the emperor.
Lu Yuanduo's expression darkened further, his heart sinking.
He had never treated his sister unfairly. Everything he did in court was not just for the Lu family but also for Consort Shu and the Third Prince.
Yet her actions now left him deeply disillusioned.
Yun Wan paused, seemingly startled by his explanation, but soon let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Whether it’s true or not no longer matters. Consort Shu has already sought the emperor’s approval. With his decree, I have no choice but to go."
Though she spoke calmly, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
Lu Yuanduo’s chest ached. He raised a hand as if to reach out but let it drop. His dark eyes burned with resolve.
"If you refuse, I will speak to the emperor. A perfumer is just a perfumer—if none can be found in the capital, we will search elsewhere. I will send people far and wide until we find a suitable replacement!"
A glimmer of hope flickered in Yun Wan’s clear eyes, only to fade just as quickly. Forcing a smile, she said, "There’s no need. I’ve already agreed to enter the palace in three days. The Duke need not trouble himself further. Farewell!"
With that, she turned to leave hastily, as though afraid she might break down the next moment.
But Lu Yuanduo saw it—the tear that slipped from the corner of her eye as she turned away.
That night, the lantern in the front study burned until dawn.
The next morning, gifts of compensation arrived from the front courtyard.
Yue Ya hurried in, discreetly handing Yun Wan a slip of paper. "This was found in the jewelry box sent by the Duke."
Yun Wan unfolded it, her eyes scanning the contents.
Two names, their corresponding palaces, and methods of contact were written plainly.
Yue Ya asked, "Madam, what does this mean?"
Yun Wan’s gaze lingered on the final line—
"At your command."
A faint smile curved her lips. "The Lu family’s hidden agents in the palace."
Now, two of them were hers to wield.
Yun Wan understood perfectly—this was Lu Yuanduo’s apology and compensation.
She knew better than anyone that Lu Yuanduo would always stand by his sister, Consort Shu. But as long as there was even the slightest chance to drive a wedge between them, Yun Wan was satisfied.
