Noticing Jiang Fusheng's subtle glance, Yun Wan realized he was helping her and immediately seized the opportunity to speak:
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, Hongxiu, Consort Shen's maid, just claimed that her mistress has been allergic to clove since childhood. Yet, that very day, she personally told me that Consort Shen adored clove, hinting that I could incorporate it into the incense to please her."
This was the second time she had made this statement. Unlike the first occasion when Emperor Jingxuan was absent, Imperial Concubine Li now frowned skeptically. "Perfumer Yun, your claim is rather far-fetched. Can anyone corroborate your words?"
Yun Wan lowered her gaze. "We spoke in a small chamber. There were no third parties present."
As expected, Imperial Concubine Li sighed. "Your Majesty, it’s not that I wish to be difficult, but her words are hardly convincing..."
Noble Lady Zhang, who was on friendly terms with Consort Shen, timidly interjected, "If Perfumer Yun’s words lack credibility, then Hongxiu’s testimony is equally questionable..."
Her voice was soft, yet every word was heard clearly by all present.
Imperial Concubine Li’s beautiful eyes flashed coldly, sweeping over Noble Lady Zhang, who shrank back, her head nearly touching her chest in fear.
Emperor Jingxuan’s voice was icy. "Where is Hongxiu?"
Hongxiu, who had faded into the background since the emperor’s arrival, knelt on the floor. "This humble servant greets Your Majesty."
Emperor Jingxuan demanded, "Is your mistress truly allergic to clove?"
Hongxiu bowed her head further, her voice trembling. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"I swear I informed Perfumer Yun of this. Yet... she dared to harm my mistress."
Her voice choked with emotion, she played the part of a devoted servant perfectly.
Yun Wan inwardly scoffed. She had misjudged Hongxiu, thinking her a brash and straightforward person. In truth, she would have made an excellent actress.
Raising her voice in defense, Yun Wan declared, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, I have never met Consort Shen before and bear her no ill will. Why would I harm her? And if I truly intended to, would I be foolish enough to add clove to the incense I prepared? That would be as good as announcing my guilt!"
Hongxiu muttered, "What if you exploited human psychology and acted counter to expectations?"
Emperor Jingxuan’s gaze turned lethally cold as he stared at Hongxiu. "Guards, drag this servant away for interrogation. I want the full truth extracted from her."
Hongxiu’s face paled instantly. "Your Majesty, spare me! I swear every word I’ve spoken is true! Spare me, Your Majesty! Your Highness!"
"Imperial Concubine Li, hel—mmph!"
The eunuchs stationed outside swiftly obeyed, dragging her away before she could finish her plea.
The abrupt turn of events left everyone stunned and uneasy.
The Imperial Prison was notorious—those who entered rarely emerged unscathed. Merely surviving was considered a blessing.
Imperial Concubine Li spoke with difficulty, "Your Majesty, do you suspect Hongxiu lied?"
Emperor Jingxuan’s expression was inscrutable. "Whether she lied will be determined after her visit to the prison."
Then why not send Yun Wan to the prison as well? Why only Hongxiu?
Imperial Concubine Li felt deeply unsettled.
After a hesitant pause, she said, "But Hongxiu is Consort Shen’s maid. She has served her mistress diligently without fault..."
Her face showed concern—such harsh treatment of a loyal servant would surely demoralize others.
"Without fault?"
Emperor Jingxuan raised his hand and slammed a Ru kiln teacup to the ground, shattering it. His voice was dangerously calm.
"Knowing her mistress is allergic to clove, yet allowing a clove-laced item near her—is that without fault?"
The crowd recoiled in terror.
Before they could recover, Emperor Jingxuan’s expression shifted slightly. "Perfumer Yun, do you have something to say?"
Yun Wan pressed her lips together. "Your Majesty, Imperial Concubine Li, if I can prove that I did not add clove to the incense pellets prepared for Consort Shen, would that absolve me of suspicion and clear my name?"
"Naturally."
"May I examine the box of incense pellets, Your Highness?"
Imperial Concubine Li signaled for the item to be brought forth and handed to her.
Yun Wan carefully sniffed the pellets and confirmed the strong scent of clove. Setting them down, she stated, "Your Majesty, Imperial Concubine Li, these pellets do contain clove."
Then, with calm assurance, she continued, "However, it was not added during the preparation process. Instead, someone coated the surface of the pellets with clove powder. Once solidified, it appeared normal, which is how Consort Shen was affected."
Consort Shu interjected, "Are you saying someone added clove afterward, causing Consort Shen’s reaction?"
Yun Wan nodded and turned to the palace maid of Changqing Palace. "How many pellets were originally in this box?"
The maid recalled, "When Hongxiu brought it back, there were nine. My mistress used one today, leaving eight."
Yun Wan smiled faintly. "That matches. But in truth, I prepared eleven pellets."
The revelation drew surprised looks from all present.
Imperial Concubine Li’s breath hitched as Yun Wan continued, "One was left with Lin Gongzheng, and another remains in my quarters."
Facing their puzzled expressions, she explained, "I had never met Consort Shen before, yet she was adamant about having me prepare a unique incense for her. Suspicious, I took precautions."
"After completing the pellets, before Hongxiu came to collect them, I had Lin Gongzheng inspect them. She selected two for record-keeping, sealed the box, and handed it to Hongxiu."
"From that moment onward, I never touched the box or pellets again. Thus, comparing these pellets with the other two will prove my honesty."
As it turned out, Yun Wan’s instincts had been correct. Hearing Hongxiu’s false accusations, she had pieced together the entire scheme in her mind.
This was a trap—a blatant one. And while it appeared aimed at her, the true target was Consort Shu.
Yet Yun Wan also realized Consort Shu couldn’t help her. She had to save herself.
Soon, Lin Gongzheng arrived, bringing two small square boxes.
Jiang Fusheng instructed, "Lin Gongzheng, recount the events of the day Perfumer Yun came to see you."
Lin Gongzheng complied, her account matching Yun Wan’s exactly.
Finally, she added sternly, "The perfumer’s process is documented—every ingredient and step, from start to finish. Perfumer Yun never used clove in Consort Shen’s incense. I can attest to that."
Meanwhile, the examination of the pellets yielded results. A eunuch reported, "Your Majesty, the imperial physicians confirmed the two reserved pellets contain no clove and are harmless."
"As for this box"—he indicated the one Consort Shen had used—"traces of clove powder were found on the surface."
Imperial Concubine Li smiled faintly. "It seems Hongxiu lied. She is the prime suspect now."
"However, this palace is curious—Hongxiu deliberately mentioned the matter of clove blossoms to you, yet you chose not to use them in the end. Could it be that Yun Wan already knew someone intended to harm Consort Shen?"
She fixed her gaze intently on Yun Wan.
Yun Wan replied, "Your Highness misunderstands. Initially, this humble servant also considered incorporating clove blossoms to align with Consort Shen’s preferences, but doing so would have rendered the fragrance of the incense pills far from the effect Her Ladyship desired."
"After careful deliberation, this servant decided to forgo the clove blossoms, thinking that if Consort Shen was displeased, improvements could still be made later."
"Yet, who could have foreseen such a tragedy? Even though this servant avoided the trap by abandoning the clove blossoms, Consort Shen still suffered misfortune."
Shortly after, a eunuch entered, reeking of blood, and reported:
"Your Majesty, the Prison Bureau has delivered their findings!"
