After seeing Hongxiu off, Fuling approached Yun Wan with an indignant expression. "This is clearly an unreasonable demand. How could you agree so easily, Aunt? If you were unwilling, why not speak to His Majesty?"
She lowered her voice when mentioning "His Majesty," the words barely audible.
Yun Wan ignored her, her gaze distant as she murmured thoughtfully, "Fuling, don’t you see that Consort Shen is determined to have me make incense for her?"
Judging by the maid’s attitude, refusal now would only invite further pressure later. Though Yun Wan didn’t understand their motives, she didn’t want to escalate tensions and risk being accused of disrespecting an imperial consort.
Fuling realized this was true but remained puzzled. "You and Consort Shen have never met. Why would she suddenly demand your services out of nowhere? Could there be some scheme behind this?"
It was no surprise Fuling was suspicious—the palace was a treacherous place where vigilance was necessary for survival.
Yun Wan shook her head slowly. "Overthinking won’t help. Let’s deal with it as it comes."
Five days later, Hongxiu arrived in person while Yun Wan was discussing matters with Nanny Lin.
Upon hearing of Hongxiu’s arrival, Yun Wan instructed a junior maid to hand over an exquisitely crafted incense box containing the prepared incense pills.
With that matter settled, Yun Wan put it out of her mind and turned her attention to more pressing affairs.
A day passed, and just when Yun Wan thought the matter with Consort Shen was concluded, an unexpected storm erupted.
Returning from her duties in the evening, Yun Wan was about to rest when Fuling rushed in, her face pale with anxiety.
"Aunt, something terrible has happened! Consort Shen is in trouble!"
Yun Wan’s heart lurched, her drowsiness vanishing instantly. "What happened?"
Fuling gasped for breath, her voice trembling. "On my way back, I saw imperial physicians hurrying somewhere, so I inquired. It turns out Consort Shen has suffered a disaster!"
"They say she used your incense before her afternoon nap and woke up disfigured! The physicians were summoned to treat her!"
Yun Wan’s mind reeled. "Disfigured?"
Fuling nodded, her face etched with worry. "If this is true, Aunt, what will you do?"
Before Yun Wan could piece together the situation, visitors arrived at her courtyard.
"Is Perfumer Yun here?"
The speaker was a senior maid, flanked by several imposing palace women, their demeanor hostile.
Yun Wan stepped forward. "I am."
The lead maid spoke officiously. "I am here under Imperial Concubine Li’s orders to escort Perfumer Yun for questioning."
Yun Wan met her gaze. "May I ask if this concerns Consort Shen?"
The maid replied, "It seems you already know. Indeed, it is about Consort Shen."
"After using the incense you prepared, Consort Shen was nearly disfigured. This is a grave matter. Imperial Concubine Li must provide her with justice. We expect your cooperation."
Her tone was firm, and the women behind her stood ready, as though prepared to force compliance if necessary.
To their surprise, Yun Wan offered no resistance and followed them quietly.
In the main hall of Changqing Palace, Consort Shen’s residence, Yun Wan was met with piercing wails from the inner chamber.
Consort Shen had woken to find her face ruined and had been weeping and raging uncontrollably, her cries chilling to the bone.
Seated in the hall were Imperial Concubine Li, Consort Shu, Concubine Hui, and others. The moment Yun Wan entered, multiple gazes—each carrying different emotions—landed on her.
Standing at the center of the hall, Yun Wan lifted her eyes to meet Imperial Concubine Li’s authoritative stare.
"Madam Lu—no, I should address you as Perfumer Yun. Do you know why you’ve been summoned today?"
Yun Wan’s lashes lowered slightly, but her posture remained poised as she replied calmly, "I have heard some details on my way here."
Imperial Concubine Li continued, "Since you are aware, let me ask you this: What do you have to say about Consort Shen’s disfigurement after using your incense?"
Her piercing gaze bore into Yun Wan, heavy with accusation.
Consort Shu interjected, "Imperial Concubine Li, your phrasing is unfair. It hasn’t been confirmed that Consort Shen’s condition resulted from Perfumer Yun’s incense."
At her words, Yun Wan fell silent.
Imperial Concubine Li shot Consort Shu a reproachful glance. "Consort Shu, I know Yun Wan is your sister-in-law, but the imperial physicians have verified that Consort Shen’s injury was caused by contact with the incense she prepared. I’ve brought her here for questioning out of respect for you."
She then turned back to Yun Wan, her voice grave. "Perfumer Yun, I hope you will speak truthfully. Consort Shen has no grudge against you—why would you harm her? Unless someone instructed you to?"
Her implication was clear.
Yun Wan’s heart sank as realization dawned.
But she only replied, "Your Highnesses, I swear I never intended to harm Consort Shen!"
Concubine Hui couldn’t resist interjecting, "Yet she was disfigured after using your incense."
Yun Wan looked at her intently. "May I ask, Your Highness, what exactly are Consort Shen’s symptoms? Is her skin rotting, or is it something else?"
Concubine Hui frowned. "I’ve seen her myself. Her entire body is covered in red rashes, with not a single patch of healthy skin left. Some areas are scratched bloody. It’s horrifying."
"Consort Shen treasures her beauty. How is this not ruining her?"
Yun Wan pressed, "What did the physicians identify as the cause?"
Before Concubine Hui could answer, Hongxiu rushed out from the inner chamber and threw herself at Imperial Concubine Li’s feet, kowtowing desperately.
"Your Highness, I beg you for justice! My mistress has been allergic to anything related to clove since childhood. After Perfumer Yun agreed to make the incense, I explicitly warned her about this—"
She glared at Yun Wan, her voice thick with hatred. "Yet Perfumer Yun deliberately added clove to the incense, causing my mistress not only to be disfigured but nearly lose her life!"
"Clove?" Yun Wan stared at her in disbelief. "You’re saying Consort Shen’s condition was caused by clove?"
Hongxiu wiped her tears, her tone venomous. "What else? Perfumer Yun, how dare you feign ignorance? I told you clearly that day—clove could disfigure or even kill my mistress! Why did you still harm her?"
The accusation struck Yun Wan like a physical blow. Her eyes widened in shock.
Imperial Concubine Li demanded, "Yun Wan, is this true?"
Yun Wan countered, "Hongxiu, what you told me that day was that your mistress adored the scent of clove and found it uplifting. You asked me to incorporate it carefully!"
Hongxiu wailed in grief. "Perfumer Yun, I’ve served my mistress since childhood. How could I say such a thing? What reason would I have to frame you?"
Indeed, what reason?
To everyone present, it was obvious Yun Wan had been framed—but for whose benefit?
Subtle glances flickered toward Consort Shu, whose face was dark with suppressed fury.
Imperial Concubine Li’s gaze swept over her before returning to Yun Wan. "Yun Wan, you stand accused of harming an imperial consort. Do you admit your guilt?"
"I do not."
Under the weight of countless stares, Yun Wan’s voice rang out firm and clear.
"To all Your Highnesses present, I swear on my life—I am not the one who harmed Consort Shen!"
A consort who was usually on good terms with Consort Shen sneered, "The evidence is irrefutable. How dare you still deny it?"
Yun Wan replied, "What if I have proof of my innocence?"
Imperial Concubine Li narrowed her eyes. "What did you say?"
As Yun Wan parted her lips to speak, Jiang Fusheng's booming voice echoed from outside the hall:
"His Majesty has arrived—"
