"Auntie, His Majesty seems very angry."
Back in the quiet courtyard, Fuling poured a cup of hot tea and glanced at Yun Wan's serene profile, her voice uneasy. Earlier, the Emperor hadn't exactly flown into a rage, but his displeasure was unmistakable. Fuling had stood nearby, her legs trembling with fear, worried that His Majesty might have grown resentful toward her aunt.
Yet Yun Wan didn’t seem the least bit afraid.
Pale green tea leaves floated and swirled in the white jade cup, unfurling under the scalding water, releasing a faint, refreshing fragrance. Yun Wan lowered her gaze, watching the transformation, her porcelain-white fingers absently tracing the rim of the cup. Her delicate, cool features remained composed, her thick lashes casting shadows over the emotions hidden in her eyes.
She raised a hand to press lightly at the corner of her eye, the warmth of her fingertips easing the dull ache there, bringing instant relief.
Angry?
The Emperor’s patience seemed greater than she had anticipated.
......
From that day onward, Emperor Jingxuan never appeared again, and Yun Wan lived in undisturbed leisure, seemingly unaffected.
Each day, aside from fulfilling her duties in the Perfumery Bureau and occasionally instructing the young palace maids in the art of blending scents, she remained quietly in her courtyard.
Fuling, who had initially been frantic with worry, gradually settled into resignation.
She had come to realize that Yun Wan cared not at all about having angered the Emperor. She carried on as usual, composed and unbothered, as if nothing had happened.
In contrast, Eunuch Jiang inquired daily, subtly—and sometimes not so subtly—urging Fuling to persuade her aunt to apologize to His Majesty. It was clear the Emperor was deeply preoccupied with the matter, to the point that Eunuch Jiang had even developed blisters on his lips from anxiety.
But what could Fuling do?
Yun Wan might appear gentle and pliant, but beneath that soft exterior lay a resilience and detachment stronger than anyone’s.
She had tried hinting and persuading before, but Yun Wan would only respond with a gentle nod—and then proceed to do nothing.
By late June, the days grew hotter, the cicadas’ ceaseless chirping filling the trees. The daylight stretched longer, and Yun Wan woke earlier than ever.
At dawn, when the first light pierced the horizon and the mist had yet to dissipate, the door to her chamber slid open, revealing Yun Wan already dressed and composed.
She wore a moon-white robe with a soft green gauze skirt, her ink-black hair cascading like a waterfall, gleaming with a silken sheen. Her face, free of cosmetics, was radiant as polished jade, elegant yet touched with an alluring charm.
Bathed in the morning light, she seemed ethereal, too beautiful to be real.
"Fuling," she called, her voice cool and clear as water, "help me with my hair."
Fuling, who had been watering the courtyard trees, turned at the sound and froze at the sight of Yun Wan’s attire. "Auntie, are you going out?"
Yun Wan gave a faint hum. "To Changchun Palace."
"But His Majesty said—" Fuling hesitated, her expression troubled.
Yun Wan frowned. "Does visiting Consort Shu count as wandering about idly? It’s been too long since I last paid my respects. It would be improper not to go."
After a moment’s thought, Fuling conceded the point. "Then let me prepare your hair."
At Changchun Palace, Yun Wan stated her purpose upon meeting Consort Shu.
"Leave the palace?"
Consort Shu’s brows knitted in disapproval. "Why would you want to leave so suddenly?"
Yun Wan’s expression dimmed, sorrow flickering across her face. "Your Highness, tomorrow is... my husband’s death anniversary. I wish to visit him."
The words gave Consort Shu pause.
She set down the jade roller in her hand and pressed her fingers to her forehead, regret flashing in her eyes. "Ah, my memory fails me. I’ve been so busy I forgot such an important day."
Tomorrow was Lu Fenglan’s death anniversary.
Yun Wan’s melancholy deepened, her mood somber.
The thought of her younger brother, who had passed so young, stirred grief in Consort Shu’s heart. "To think so many years have already gone by... my third brother has been gone for so long."
"It’s my fault for bringing it up," Yun Wan said softly. "I’ve only added to Your Highness’s sorrow."
Consort Shu shook her head, her gaze softening with guilt. "You’ve been unwavering in your devotion to him all these years, remaining faithful without complaint. And you’ve raised Sui to be such a bright child."
Yun Wan smiled faintly, her eyes distant with remembrance. "Fenglan was my husband. He treated me with kindness, so how could I not cherish his memory?"
"Yet my fortune was too shallow to enjoy a long and happy marriage with him."
Her voice was heavy with regret, her sorrow palpable.
"My third brother..."
Consort Shu trailed off, sighing deeply before taking Yun Wan’s hand in a comforting gesture. "Go. I’ll arrange a carriage for you under my authority. The sun isn’t too harsh yet—take Sui with you when you go. And... give my regards to my brother."
Gratitude flickered in Yun Wan’s eyes. "Thank you, Your Highness."
Consort Shu waved her off. How could she possibly refuse on the anniversary of her own brother’s death?
Outside the palace hall, Fuling noticed nothing amiss when Yun Wan emerged—until they had walked some distance and she realized they weren’t heading back to the Perfumery Bureau. A cold dread settled in her chest.
"Auntie, where are we going?" she asked, bewildered.
Yun Wan produced the palace exit token, her smile serene. "Consort Shu has granted me permission to leave. You may return now."
"What?!"
Fuling’s face paled as if the sky had fallen.
She stepped in front of Yun Wan, desperation in her voice. "But Auntie, His Majesty forbade you from leaving the palace!"
If the Emperor found out Yun Wan had left, she didn’t dare imagine the consequences.
Yun Wan remained calm. "I have urgent business outside. Her Highness has already approved. It’s not as if—"
But Fuling was too frantic to listen, her mind consumed by the thought of Yun Wan’s departure. She stamped her foot in agitation before suddenly fixing Yun Wan with a determined stare.
"No! Please wait here, Auntie! I must inform Eunuch Jiang at once!"
Without another word, she spun around and sprinted toward the Hall of Celestial Purity, swift as a shadow.
Yun Wan stood still for a moment, then continued on her way.
By the time Fuling reached the hall, she was drenched in sweat and gasping for breath.
A young eunuch on duty blinked in surprise. "Sister Fuling? What brings you here in such a hurry? Has something happened?"
Fuling braced a hand against her waist, waving weakly with the other. "Quick—fetch Eunuch Jiang! Tell him it’s a matter of life and death!"
She staggered, nearly collapsing.
The eunuch rushed to support her, his own alarm rising. "Ah! Of course! But Eunuch Jiang accompanied His Majesty to the Hall of Diligent Governance. I’ll go inform him at once!"
Fuling grabbed his sleeve. "I’ll go with you!"
Going back and forth would waste precious time. She couldn’t afford delays.
At the Hall of Diligent Governance, Eunuch Jiang lounged idly beneath the eaves, leaning against a pillar to enjoy the cool breeze. Occasionally, the sound of the Emperor reprimanding his ministers drifted out, and he could only shake his head in resignation.
His Majesty’s temper had grown increasingly volatile lately—yet the one who could soothe it still hadn’t come.
For some reason, though, his right eyelid had been twitching incessantly today. He yawned, only to wince when the motion tugged at the blister on his lip.
"Eunuch Jiang!"
A voice called from afar.
He turned, spotting Fuling in the distance, and brightened.
Had Madam finally come to her senses and decided to apologize to His Majesty?
Swishing his horsetail whisk, he beamed at her, his tone warm. "Ah, Fuling! Where’s your aunt?"
Fuling’s face crumpled. "Eunuch Jiang, it’s terrible! Auntie has left the palace!"
His smile vanished.
"Wh—what?!"
Darkness swam before his eyes.
