Chapter 62 Concubine Shen
The next day, Yun Wan officially started working at the Sixiang Bureau. She changed into special clothes in the morning and tied a badge around her waist to show her identity.
The current head of the Sixiang Bureau is surnamed Lin. She used to be the head nanny here. The original head nanny was thrown into prison for failing to discipline her subordinates and was found to have embezzled money. Her whereabouts are still unknown.
The Sixth Bureau and the Bureau of Incense were all eyeing this position, but unexpectedly, Nanny Lin got there first. There were private rumors that the former Gong Zheng was investigated because Nanny Lin personally reported him with evidence.
There are many different opinions. Yun Wan has heard many different stories every day, but none of them have anything to do with her.
Nanny Lin was a middle-aged woman with a serious face and meticulously combed hair. She didn't talk much but was inexplicably frightening.
She was neither overly enthusiastic nor deliberately cold towards Yun Wan, and treated her no differently than other people.
The Incense Bureau originally had five incense masters, and with Yun Wan, there were six in total, each with their own duties.
Yun Wan was mainly responsible for matters related to the use of incense in the imperial court, such as burning incense, supplying incense products, and the use and matching of incense utensils and incense tables. The rest was not within her scope of responsibility.
After half a month, Yun Wan had become completely familiar with the work at hand. It was easier and simpler than she had expected, and her previously tense heartstrings gradually relaxed.
"Aunt, these are the snacks made by the imperial kitchen today. I've put them here for you!"
Fuling served Yun Wan personally and was responsible for all of her daily affairs. After she finished speaking, she put down the tray and left without disturbing her.
Yun Wan's incense room is located in the northeast corner of the incense bureau. It is an independent small house and she stays here most of the time on weekdays.
The maid who was sorting the spices brought the spices she had selected and weighed as instructed to Yun Wan for inspection: "Aunt, do you think I did it right?"
Yun Wan took a closer look and said, "Not bad, there was no mistake this time. I will continue to work hard in the same way next time."
The little maid was overjoyed at the praise, her cheeks flushed, and she nodded quickly, saying, "I will continue to work hard!"
The young palace maid who was grinding and mixing the incense according to the recipe on the other side also said, "Auntie, could you help me take a look?"
Yun Wan took a look and said, "The powder is a bit coarse. It needs to be ground further until it's as fine as ash. Otherwise, there are no problems. It's well done."
The little palace maid said: "Okay! I'll rub it a few more times!"
After saying that, she worked more seriously, and Yun Wan was satisfied.
Nanny Lin assigned her three young palace maids to do odd jobs. They were all hardworking and there were no problems for the time being. Yun Wan had a good relationship with them and she would patiently answer their questions.
The young palace maids also thought so. The new perfume master was beautiful, kind-hearted and gentle. She never used her status to boss them around. She was much better than their previous experience.
The sun in June is scorching, and it has been particularly hot and humid these past few days, as if a heavy rain will fall at any time, just like a child's face that changes at any time.
Because various spices need to be placed in a cool place, many of which are precious and rare, the incense bureau has a unique structure, with ventilation inside and outside, keeping it warm in winter and cool in summer.
After drinking a bowl of perilla drink, Yun Wan stood up and went out to get some fresh air. From a distance, he saw a palace maid walking quickly towards him.
The other party saw Yun Wan, stopped and shouted, "Master Yun Xiang, someone in the front hall is looking for you!"
........
Yun Wan came to the front hall. The palace maid standing in the middle waiting turned around. When she saw the person coming, she was stunned for a moment, and a look of surprise flashed in her eyes.
"Are you Master Yunxiang who was summoned into the palace by Concubine Shu?" the palace maid asked, staring at Yun Wan.
This was a strange face. Yun Wan was sure she didn't know her. Upon hearing this, she nodded slightly and said, "That's right."
The maid raised her chin and said in a clear voice, "I am Hongxiu, who serves Concubine Shen. I have heard that Master Yunxiang is very skilled in making perfumes, so I would like to ask you to make a perfume for my Concubine."
Concubine Shen?
Yun Wan had never heard of it, let alone knew it, so she didn't know why he wanted her to make incense?
Before she could open her mouth to refuse, the young palace maid beside her took the initiative to explain for Yun Wan: "Sister Hongxiu, you don't know, my aunt is only in charge of the imperial incense. If Concubine Shen needs a special fragrance, she should ask Master Guan for help."
The incense master is a person who specializes in serving the concubines in each palace. This includes the type of incense that the concubines suddenly want on a daily basis. The incense master is always responsible for this.
Hongxiu glanced at the palace maid and ignored her. Instead, she looked at Yun Wan and said, "That being said, my queen has already made inquiries. Master Yunxiang usually doesn't have much work to do and has plenty of time. Moreover, my queen is particularly curious about your perfume-making skills. I hope Master Yunxiang will be flexible."
Yun Wan frowned, her eyes tinged with confusion. "Yun Wan is just a perfumer, so her skills are naturally not as good as those of the masters. I wonder why Concubine Shen chose me? Miss Hongxiu, please explain."
Hongxiu smiled and said respectfully, "Master Yunxiang is too modest. Even His Majesty has praised your incense-making skills. My mistress naturally came here because she admired your reputation and felt that only you could create the incense she desired."
Yun Wan looked hesitant and still didn't quite believe it.
Hongxiu seemed to be flattering, but in fact her attitude was firm and she wanted her to agree to it.
Seeing this, Hongxiu suppressed her smile and spoke in a less gentle tone, saying to Yun Wan, "Master Yunxiang, although my queen's status is not as noble as that of the Concubine Shu, she is also the head of a palace. Don't you even have the power to order Master Yunxiang to do a small thing?"
This remark caused the others to look at her sideways, and they realized that Hongxiu was trying to use her status to bully others.
Fuling was annoyed when she heard this, "My aunt——"
"Poria cocos."
Yun Wan called her back in time, signaling her to calm down. Then she turned to look at Hong Xiu and asked calmly, "What kind of fragrance does your Concubine Shen want?"
Hongxiu's expression softened, and she smiled again. "Master Yunxiang, please continue. My queen's request is only for you to hear, so that others won't hear it and copy it!"
When she said this, she intentionally or unintentionally glanced at the rest of the people in the hall, causing many people to secretly roll their eyes.
Yun Wan seemed to be lost in thought.
Judging from the behavior of this palace maid alone, Concubine Shen must be a proud empress who must have offended many people in her daily life.
In the small compartment, Hongxiu told Yunwan about Concubine Shen's request, and then looked hesitant at the end.
Yun Wan: "Miss Hongxiu, do you have anything else to say?"
Hongxiu hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, "I shouldn't have told anyone about my master's affairs, but I see you look kind, and I hope my master will be happy, so I wanted to tell you that my master likes the scent of lilac flowers. So, Master Yunxiang, please take care of it!"
"If the incense you make satisfies my master, she will never treat you unfairly!"
Yun Wan nodded: "Yun Wan will try her best. I wonder how long the deadline is, Concubine Shen?"
Hongxiu: "Five days."
Yun Wan paused and said, "Miss Hongxiu, please come back in five days to get the incense your master wants."
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