As soon as Emperor Jingxuan appeared, the Changqing Palace instantly fell silent, with everyone composing themselves obediently.
"How is Consort Shen?"
The emperor lifted his gaze, sweeping it across the assembled crowd before lingering briefly on Yun Wan. His expression remained indifferent as he posed the question.
Imperial Concubine Li, the highest-ranking consort present, sighed and replied, "Your Majesty, after Consort Shen regained consciousness and saw her face, she was overcome with grief and fear and fainted once more."
Her face was etched with worry, brows furrowed in distress.
Emperor Jingxuan tapped the armrest of his seat with a finger, his tone detached. "What of her face?"
Imperial Concubine Li answered, "The imperial physician said she narrowly escaped disfigurement. Had it been any later, the damage would have been irreversible."
As she spoke, she exhaled in relief, as if genuinely relieved on Consort Shen's behalf. After all, beauty was akin to life itself for women in the harem—without it, their standing would be precarious.
At this, Emperor Jingxuan's lips curled slightly. "Narrowly escaped? So, she isn't disfigured?"
Imperial Concubine Li, along with everyone else, froze in surprise, entirely unprepared for such a question.
Meeting the emperor's cold, unreadable yet imposing gaze, Imperial Concubine Li forced herself to nod. "Ah... yes."
Suddenly, a derisive chuckle cut through the silence, sending a chill down everyone's spine.
Emperor Jingxuan's expression darkened, his lips pressing into a thin line, his eyes icy.
"If she isn’t disfigured, then how did rumors of 'Consort Shen’s ruined face' spread so wildly throughout the palace? Why is the entire harem buzzing with gossip?"
"Had this dragged on, would the whole capital soon be whispering about 'Consort Shen being maliciously disfigured'?"
He let out a cold laugh. "Imperial Concubine Li, Consort Shu—is this how you manage the harem?"
His voice was low, devoid of obvious anger, yet each word struck like a hammer against the hearts of the assembled consorts—especially Imperial Concubine Li.
In an instant, the smooth, cold marble floor was filled with kneeling figures.
Every consort present, along with all the palace attendants, dropped to their knees, trembling in fear.
Yun Wan, who had been standing in the center of the hall, was now pushed to the back, her plain, aged navy-blue robes making her seem inconspicuous.
"Your Majesty, spare us!"
A sea of people prostrated themselves, begging the emperor to quell his wrath.
The fury of the Son of Heaven could bring rivers of blood—no one dared provoke Emperor Jingxuan’s anger. The oppressive weight of his displeasure pressed down on them, making each person shrink in fear.
Though not a consort, Yun Wan could keenly sense the emperor’s rage—unlike anything she had ever witnessed. His tone alone carried an overwhelming, suffocating pressure.
Consort Shu was the first to speak. "Your Majesty, upon learning of Consort Shen’s injury, I immediately forbade my attendants from discussing it. However, I only have authority over my own servants. The power to issue commands across the entire harem..."
She glanced at Imperial Concubine Li and added softly, "rests solely with Imperial Concubine Li."
Though her words seemed like self-defense, they subtly shifted blame onto Imperial Concubine Li, implying her negligence.
Imperial Concubine Li’s face paled. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I was so preoccupied with Consort Shen’s condition that I overlooked the spread of rumors. Grant me a chance to make amends—by tomorrow, I will ensure this matter does not spread further and tarnish the imperial family’s dignity."
Emperor Jingxuan remained indifferent to their excuses, letting the silence stretch unbearably long.
The consorts endured the torment, heads bowed, not daring to make a sound lest the emperor’s wrath turn toward them.
If only they hadn’t come to spectate.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Emperor Jingxuan permitted them to rise. Everyone scrambled back to their seats.
This left Yun Wan, who had been summoned for questioning, standing alone in the center—utterly conspicuous.
Imperial Concubine Li was about to report the investigation’s progress when Emperor Jingxuan abruptly spoke.
"Why are you just standing there? Find a seat."
She froze, following his gaze to Yun Wan, who stood isolated in the middle of the hall.
The others were equally stunned, their eyes snapping to Yun Wan.
Was it their imagination, or did the emperor’s tone carry a hint of exasperation?
The thought made them question their own sanity.
Imperial Concubine Li, assuming Emperor Jingxuan was unaware of the situation, quickly explained, "Your Majesty, this Perfumer Yun is the one responsible for Consort Shen’s misfortune. I summoned her here for questioning."
To her surprise, the emperor cast her a sidelong glance. "Is there irrefutable evidence? Has she confessed?"
Imperial Concubine Li faltered. "Not... not yet. I was in the midst of questioning her when you arrived."
Emperor Jingxuan scoffed, his voice laced with mockery. "If she hasn’t confessed, how can you call her the culprit?"
Imperial Concubine Li stiffened, her face flushing crimson.
What was wrong with His Majesty today? Why was he humiliating her in front of everyone? Had she displeased him somehow?
Her heart grew heavy with unease, and she dared not speak further.
Beside her, Consort Shu smirked—but her amusement faded quickly.
If Yun Wan couldn’t clear her name, she would drag Consort Shu down with her.
The thought soured her mood. Why had Yun Wan agreed to make incense for that wretched Consort Shen in the first place?
Not only had it brought no benefit, but now she was caught in this mess.
Yun Wan, meanwhile, paid no mind to the others’ thoughts. From the moment Emperor Jingxuan addressed her, her heart had been pounding.
Now seated on a stool brought by a servant, she fidgeted nervously, her fingers twisting in her sleeves, her delicate brows slightly furrowed—her anxiety plain to see.
Noticing her unease, Emperor Jingxuan’s eyes flickered with fleeting amusement before his expression hardened once more.
"Did you harm Consort Shen?" he demanded, his voice stern.
Yun Wan shook her head firmly, meeting his gaze without flinching. "No. Yun Wan would never harm Consort Shen!"
Emperor Jingxuan lowered his eyes and announced to the room, "You heard her. She says it wasn’t her."
The consorts: "......"
Wait—just because she denied it didn’t mean she was innocent!
If it were that simple, no criminal would ever be convicted.
Imperial Concubine Li’s chest tightened, her gaze at Emperor Jingxuan filled with disbelief.
How could His Majesty say such a thing?
Only Consort Shu’s eyes brightened—perhaps there was still hope. Was the emperor helping her?
Yun Wan’s heart raced, suspended between dread and confusion—until the emperor spoke again, his voice cold and sharp.
"If she were capable of poisoning Consort Shen, then wouldn’t I be in danger as well?"
The consorts exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to follow his reasoning.
At this, Jiang Fusheng stepped forward to explain. "Ladies, you may not be aware, but His Majesty recently used incense crafted by Perfumer Yun. Since then, his health has improved—he sleeps more soundly and feels less fatigued while handling state affairs."
"After examination, the imperial physicians confirmed that Perfumer Yun’s incense contains no harmful substances and is safe for prolonged use."
The implication was clear: if the emperor had used Yun Wan’s incense without issue, why had Consort Shen alone suffered?
Hearing this, the consorts fell into stunned silence.
