When the words "imperial procession" reached her ears, Yun Wan's usually calm heart fluttered for a moment before the sensation grew, but before she could clearly see the emperor's entourage, Old Madam Lu pulled her down to kneel on the ground.
The cold, hard touch of the bluestone pavement beneath her knees felt all too real. Yun Wan lowered her head like the others, appearing reverent, yet her mind was anything but still.
Running into the grand procession of the Great Qi Emperor on her way out of the palace was something she had never anticipated.
Especially when the imperial palanquin drew closer, and Yun Wan—always sensitive to scents—caught the legendary, luxurious fragrance of ambergris.
Her heart leaped, the tension in her mind tightening uncontrollably. And when the palanquin halted right before her, a deep, authoritative voice sounded above her head. A sudden "buzz" filled Yun Wan's thoughts, as if something long forgotten had resurfaced.
Fortunately, she kept her head bowed, so no one noticed her unease. Emperor Jingxuan merely exchanged a few polite words with Old Madam Lu before preparing to leave.
But then, an unexpected turn.
"Hold."
The moment the emperor's command fell, the palanquin bearers reacted swiftly, halting in perfect unison, their gazes fixed ahead.
Jiang Fusheng, puzzled, bent his back slightly and waited for further instructions.
The others exchanged confused glances, unsure of what was happening.
Emperor Jingxuan remained silent, letting the breeze settle before he tilted his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over those kneeling below.
Unease spread among the crowd, especially Old Madam Lu, who stood with an anxious expression, unable to fathom what the emperor was searching for.
Then, abruptly, the emperor's phoenix-like eyes sharpened, locking onto a figure in light-colored robes.
He lifted his eyelids lazily. "And this is?"
Old Madam Lu hesitated. "Your Majesty, this is the widow of my late youngest son, the Yun family."
"The Yun family."
Emperor Jingxuan searched his memory. "From the household of the Ministry of Rites Vice Minister?"
Hearing her family mentioned, Yun Wan's lashes flickered slightly. Still kneeling, she replied, "Your Majesty is correct. My father is Yun Wenchong, Vice Minister of Rites."
Her voice, clear and cool as flowing water, was refreshing to the ear—like jade beads falling onto a plate, melodious and pleasing.
Her slender back curved gracefully as she bowed, the nape of her neck pale enough to dazzle the eyes. With her head lowered and dark hair coiled elegantly, her face remained obscured.
Yet just the sound of her voice was enough to conjure the image of a lotus-like beauty.
A feather-light sensation brushed past his ears, fleeting. Emperor Jingxuan's gaze shifted from the white jade hairpin in her tresses, drifting downward.
His eyes settled on a particular spot as he remarked idly, "What fragrance does the lady wear?"
Yun Wan answered without thinking, "This humble woman wears no fragrance."
Silence fell instantly.
Realizing her mistake, Yun Wan instinctively lifted her head—only to meet a pair of deep, fathomless eyes.
Her lashes trembled faintly before she steadied herself, noticing that Emperor Jingxuan was looking directly at her.
Or rather, at something on her waist.
Yun Wan glanced down and saw the embroidered sachet tied to her sash. Understanding dawned.
With deference, she explained, "Your Majesty, I merely blended a few herbs into this sachet as a pastime."
Strictly speaking, she hadn't applied any specific perfume. The scent emanating from the sachet was a unique blend, unlike any existing fragrance, making it difficult to name.
So her initial response wasn't entirely wrong.
Having spoken, Yun Wan lowered her head again, not daring to meet the emperor's gaze or decipher his expression.
Yet the brief glimpse of her face under the sunlight had been enough—radiant as peach blossoms, luminous as stars, her skin as flawless as polished jade.
Jiang Fusheng was inwardly stunned. The Third Madam of the Lu family was breathtakingly beautiful.
With lips like rouge, a delicate nose, and eyes like autumn waters, not one of the three thousand beauties in the imperial harem could compare to such perfection.
Stealing a glance at his emperor, he found no trace of reaction—just the same detached calm, as if this peerless beauty were no different from a roadside flower.
Truly befitting of His Majesty.
A fleeting light flickered in his eyes before vanishing.
Emperor Jingxuan tilted his chin slightly, his tall frame reclining lazily against the palanquin. He glanced at Jiang Fusheng.
Understanding the unspoken command, the eunuch stepped forward with a smile, approaching Yun Wan. "Madam, please rise. Might you permit His Majesty to examine your sachet?"
Having knelt for so long, her legs were slightly numb. Yun Wan stood, momentarily stunned by the request.
Old Madam Lu reacted swiftly, reaching over to pluck the sachet from Yun Wan's waist and handing it to Jiang Fusheng.
"It is an honor for a mere sachet to catch His Majesty's eye," she said with an ingratiating smile.
Jiang Fusheng presented the pale blue-green sachet to the emperor with both hands. "For Your Majesty's inspection."
The sachet was simple in design, its satin surface embroidered with floral and auspicious motifs in ordinary stitching—nothing remarkable except for its unique fragrance, both rich and refreshing.
Emperor Jingxuan held it up, the delicate pouch dwarfed by his broad palm. His long fingers toyed with it idly.
"Tell me, what ingredients did you use?" he asked, his voice indifferent despite the scent lingering in the air.
Without hesitation, Yun Wan listed, "Three qian of agarwood, half a liang of spikenard, one qian of white plum, a single leaf of purple bamboo, two qian of clove, a single fen of musk..."
She recited each component precisely, her familiarity with the blend evident.
Emperor Jingxuan arched a brow. "You are knowledgeable in perfumery?"
Yun Wan replied, "I learned a little from my late mother."
This caught the emperor's attention. Noblewomen prided themselves on mastering the eight refined arts—music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, flowers, and tea—as well as needlework. Yet here was one skilled in perfumery, and her blend was far from crude.
How unusual.
"Does this fragrance have a name?" he asked.
Yun Wan shook her head. "Not yet."
She had only concocted it recently and hadn't settled on a name.
Just then, the emperor spoke again. "Ethereal as clouds, hinting at plum and bamboo—subtle yet crisp, fragrant without cloying. Let it be called..."
He paused, his gaze returning to Yun Wan.
"'Cloud Veil.' What say you?"
Cloud Veil.
Yun Wan dared not object even if she disagreed. Instead, she bowed her head in apparent gratitude. "This humble woman thanks Your Majesty for bestowing such a name."
The name was fitting—elegant, meaningful, and memorable.
So Yun Wan mused.
Her eyes remained fixed on the sachet in Emperor Jingxuan's hand. Seeing his indifferent expression, she assumed he would return it after inspection.
But no sooner had the thought crossed her mind than the emperor waved a hand. The imperial procession resumed, the grand entourage moving away—along with her cherished sachet.
Yun Wan was stunned.
She glanced down at her waist, now bare.
Old Madam Lu scoffed at her expression. "Do not be petty. A mere sachet is hardly worth your longing."
"To have His Majesty name it is an honor. But given your status, do not speak of this freely, lest it invite gossip."
Yun Wan nodded obediently, though her mind was already calculating how to turn this incident into profit.
