Chapter 63 Disfigurement
After sending Hongxiu away, Fuling came to Yunwan and said angrily, "This is clearly forcing someone to do something against their will. How could you agree so easily, Aunt? If you don't want to, why don't you go and tell His Majesty?"
She uttered the word 'Your Majesty' in a low, vague voice.
Yun Wan turned a deaf ear to him, looking off into the distance. She murmured, lost in thought, "Fuling, don't you see that Concubine Shen is determined to get me to make incense for her?"
Judging from the attitude of the palace maid, if she refused this time, there would be next time. Although she didn't know what they were planning, Yun Wan didn't want to make the situation too awkward and give people the impression that she despised the imperial concubine.
Fuling thought about it and realized that it was indeed the case. However, she was puzzled: "You and Concubine Shen don't know each other. Why did she suddenly ask for you by name for no reason? Is there some conspiracy behind this?"
It's no wonder that Fuling is so suspicious. She is really in the palace, a place where people are eaten alive. She has to be suspicious. If she is not careful, she will die without knowing how she died.
Yun Wan slowly shook his head: "There's no point in worrying too much, just deal with it first."
Five days later, Hongxiu, who was by Concubine Shen's side, came in person. At that time, Yun Wan was chatting about serious matters with Nanny Lin.
Hearing that Hongxiu was coming, she ordered her maid to hand over the exquisite incense box containing the incense pills to her.
After this matter was settled, Yun Wan put it behind him and focused on more important things.
A day passed and everyone thought that Concubine Shen's matter was over, but unexpectedly it caused a sudden stir.
Yun Wan came back from his shift in the evening and was about to take a nap when Fuling came back from outside with an anxious look on his face.
"Something happened, aunt! Something happened to Concubine Shen!"
Yun Wan's heart skipped a beat, and all her sleepiness vanished. She hurriedly asked, "What happened?"
Fuling panted, her face pale as she spoke, "On my way back, I met the imperial physician hurrying along, so I inquired about his whereabouts and learned that something had happened to Concubine Shen!"
"It is said that Concubine Shen used your incense before taking a nap today, and her face was disfigured when she woke up! That's why the imperial physician went to treat her!"
Yun Wan was shocked and asked in astonishment, "Disfigured?"
Fuling nodded, her face full of worry: "If that's true, what should I do, aunt?"
Everything happened too suddenly and Yun Wan was confused. Before she could figure out the cause and effect, someone came to the courtyard.
"Where is Master Yunxiang?"
The person who spoke was a nanny, followed by several strong palace maids, who looked like they had bad intentions.
Yun Wan appeared, "I am."
The leading nanny spoke in a businesslike tone, "I am here on the orders of the Imperial Concubine to bring Master Yunxiang in for questioning."
Yun Wan looked at her and asked, "May I ask if this has anything to do with Concubine Shen?"
Nanny: "It seems you know everything. It is indeed about Concubine Shen."
"Empress Shen used the incense you made and nearly lost her face. This matter is of great importance. Your Majesty, please give Empress Shen an explanation. I hope you will cooperate!"
She stared at Yun Wan, and the palace maids behind her were on high alert, as if they were ready to take action if Yun Wan didn't cooperate.
However, to their surprise, Yun Wan said nothing more and followed them quietly.
The main hall of Changqing Palace, where Concubine Shen’s bedroom was located.
As soon as Yun Wan stepped into the hall, she heard shrill cries coming from the inner room.
When Concubine Shen woke up and saw her own face, she cried and made a fuss for a long time, which made people's hearts tremble.
In addition, Concubine Li, Concubine Shu, Concubine Hui and others were sitting in the hall. Since Yun Wan appeared, several eyes with different expressions were cast on her.
Yun Wan stood in the center of the hall, looking up to meet Concubine Li's stern gaze. "Madam Lu... No, I should call you Master Yunxiang. Do you know why I summoned you here today?"
The butterfly's wings drooped slightly, and Yun Wan stood tall and straight. She nodded and said softly, "I heard something when Yun Wan came here."
Concubine Li: "Since you know this, then I would like to ask you, what do you have to say about Concubine Shen's disfigurement after using the incense you made?"
Her eyes were as sharp as torches, and the look she gave Yun Wan was filled with a strong sense of oppression.
Concubine Shu retorted, "Your Highness, what you said is inappropriate. Whether Concubine Shen was disfigured by using Yun's incense is still undetermined."
As soon as she spoke, Yun Wan fell silent.
Concubine Li glanced at Concubine Shu, her eyes accusing her. "Concubine Shu, I know Yun is your sister-in-law, but the imperial physician has confirmed that Concubine Shen was indeed disfigured by contact with the incense she made. I brought her here for questioning out of your kindness."
After saying this, she continued to question Yun Wan, her tone grave: "I also hope that Master Yunxiang will tell you the truth. Concubine Shen has no grudge against you, so why did you harm her like this? Could it be that you were instructed by someone else?"
She meant something.
Yun Wan's heart sank to the bottom and he realized something.
But she only replied: "Your Majesties, please understand. Yun Wan has never intended to harm Concubine Shen!"
Huipin at the side couldn't help but say: "But she was disfigured because she used your incense."
Yun Wan looked up at her and said seriously, "May I ask, Your Majesty, what are the symptoms of Concubine Shen's disfigurement? Is it skin rot or something else?"
Huipin frowned, "I just checked. Shenpin's body is covered with red rashes. Not a single piece of skin is intact. Several places have been scratched and bleeding. It's shocking."
"Shenpin has always loved beauty. How is this different from destroying her appearance?"
Yun Wan: "What does the Imperial Physician diagnose as the cause of the Empress's rash?"
Just as Huipin was about to speak, Hongxiu, the maidservant beside Shenpin, rushed out from the inner hall, plopped down on her knees before Li Guifei, and kowtowed desperately, begging with tears in her eyes:
"Your Highness, please make the decision. My master has been forbidden to touch anything related to cloves since she was a child. I have already informed Master Yunxiang of this after she agreed to make incense for my master—"
She looked up at Yun Wan with hatred in her eyes and said, "Who knew that Master Yunxiang would deliberately add cloves to the incense pills? This is why my master was not only disfigured, but also nearly died!"
clove?
Yun Wan stared at her intently: "Are you saying that Concubine Shen is like this because she touched Ding Xiang?"
Hongxiu wiped her tears and gritted her teeth, "What else? Master Yunxiang, are you still playing dumb? I told you clearly that day that Dingxiang could cause my master disfigurement at best and even death at worst. Why are you still deliberately harming my master?!"
These words were like a blow to the head. Yun Wan stared at her with disbelief in his eyes.
Concubine Li asked, "Yun, is this true?"
Yun Wan: "Hongxiu, I remember you told me that day that your master loves the scent of lilac and feels happy when he smells it. Thank you for taking good care of me!"
Hongxiu wailed in grief, "Master Yunxiang, I've served my master since childhood. How could I possibly say such a thing? Besides, I have no grudge against you. Why would I frame you?"
Yes, there is no grudge between us, so why would he harm her for no reason?
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Yun Wanying had fallen into a trap set by someone, and the purpose was...
His obscure gaze vaguely fell on the gloomy and silent Concubine next to him.
Concubine Shu's face turned ashen.
Concubine Li glanced at her, then turned her gaze to Yun Wan: "Yun, you have harmed the concubines in the palace, do you know your crime?"
"Yun Wan doesn't know."
Facing the heavy gazes, Yun Wan said loudly: "Everyone present, Yun Wan swears to heaven, the person who harmed Concubine Shen was not me!"
The concubine who was usually on good terms with Concubine Shen sneered: "The evidence is irrefutable, and you're still trying to argue?"
Yun Wan: "What if I have evidence to prove my innocence?"
Concubine Li narrowed her eyes and asked, "What did you say?"
Yun Wan opened his lips, and Jiang Fusheng's loud shout came from outside the hall:
"His Majesty has arrived—"
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