Consort Lu was taken aback. "What Lingxiang? Who is she?"

The name sounded vaguely familiar—likely a palace maid—but she was certain no such person served in her quarters.

Yun Wan remained patient, allowing her time to recall.

It was Qiu Yue who spoke softly, "Your Highness, Lingxiang was originally from our Changchun Palace. Last year, she accidentally broke your favorite vase and was punished before leaving on her own accord."

"So it was her."

Consort Lu suddenly remembered. Meeting Yun Wan's gaze, she stiffened. "What do you mean by this?"

She refused to believe Yun Wan would bring up a clumsy maid without reason.

Just then, Yue Ya returned, carrying an unremarkable wooden box.

When opened, a vibrant red coral bracelet gleamed inside.

Yun Wan asked, "Does Consort Lu recognize this bracelet?"

Her eyes remained fixed, observing every flicker of emotion on the other woman's face.

Consort Lu glanced at it, baffled. "Why would I recognize something that isn't mine?"

Yun Wan said nothing, merely gesturing for her to look closer.

As Consort Lu reached to pick it up, Yun Wan spoke again, "The beads are quite beautiful, aren’t they? Some of them are musk beads."

Consort Lu recoiled as if burned, her face twisting with alarm and fury. "Why are you bringing out such a thing? Are you trying to harm me?!"

"That’s my question for you!"

Yun Wan slammed her teacup onto the table, her voice sharp. "Tell me, Consort Lu, why did you order Lingxiang to plant this musk-laced bracelet in my chamber? Why did you seek to ruin me?"

Consort Lu bristled. "What nonsense are you spouting? When did I ever command Lingxiang to harm you? Speak clearly, Yun Wan, and don’t you dare slander me!"

"You still deny it?"

Yun Wan sneered. "By chance, I overheard Lingxiang conspiring with her lover about how to place this cursed thing in my room. So I played along—only to discover these musk beads."

"You know better than I what musk does. Prolonged contact can cause miscarriages, or worse, permanent infertility. How vile of you!" Disgust dripped from her words.

Consort Lu, both furious and flustered, snapped, "How can you be so sure it was me?"

"Lingxiang has already confessed," Yun Wan retorted. "She claims you orchestrated it—that the vase incident last year was just an act between mistress and servant, all to plant her in another palace for this very purpose."

Consort Lu’s face turned ashen. "It wasn’t me! I never ordered such filth to be placed in your quarters!"

"But she insists it was you."

"She’s lying out of spite for her punishment! She’s framing me!"

Yun Wan’s disbelief was palpable. "Do you have proof of your innocence? Because all evidence points to you."

Before Consort Lu could retort, Yun Wan added coldly, "Oh, and I forgot to mention—His Majesty was also present when we caught Lingxiang. If he learns you were behind this, do you think your position as consort will survive?"

In other words, the Emperor already knew about the bracelet and Lingxiang—and might have already decided how to deal with the culprit.

If she were wrongly accused and made the scapegoat...

A shudder ran through Consort Lu at the thought of Emperor Jingxuan’s ruthlessness.

"What do you want?" Her defiance crumbled into wary submission.

Yun Wan’s smile was icy. "If you want to prove your innocence, find out who Lingxiang truly serves. Otherwise..."

She let the threat hang, her voice low. "I’ll hold you accountable for everything."

"You—you’re unreasonable!" Consort Lu’s chest burned with indignation.

Yun Wan was clearly dragging her into this, forcing her to clean up the mess.

With a serene smile, Yun Wan said, "Think carefully. The choice is yours."

After all, she wasn’t the one who needed to panic.

Consort Lu gritted her teeth. "Fine! I’ll investigate! Just you wait!"

Seething, she stormed back to Changchun Palace and summoned her most trusted matron. "Mobilize everyone to dig into Lingxiang’s background. I want to know who truly controls her!"

She would uncover who dared scheme against her.

......

Yue Ya murmured, "My lady, it really doesn’t seem like Consort Lu was behind this."

Yun Wan nodded. "Whoever it is, we’re not the ones who need to worry now."

"Let’s wait and see."

Yue Ya agreed.

That afternoon, after preparing a pot of soup, Yun Wan personally carried it to the Emperor’s study.

The Purple Dawn Hall remained heavily guarded, with strict inspections for all who entered—yet no one barred Yun Wan’s way.

Stepping inside alone, she found Emperor Jingxuan not resting on his couch but pacing in thin robes.

Setting down the food box, she hurried over. "Your Majesty, why are you out of bed? Your wound could reopen."

Allowing her to guide him back, the Emperor smiled. "Don’t fret, my love. I was just stretching my legs. It’s nothing."

Yun Wan frowned. "You mustn’t be careless. What if you slipped?"

Emperor Jingxuan chuckled, pulling her down beside him with his uninjured arm. "Are you treating me like little Chang Sui now?"

Children, with their unsteady legs, often wobbled as if they might topple any moment.

Yun Wan huffed while checking his bandages. "If Your Majesty dislikes my nagging, I’ll stop."

"No, I love it."

He buried his face in the crook of her neck with a contented sigh. "Your scolding makes me feel like an ordinary husband, cherished by his wife."

Especially during his recovery, her tenderness—personally tending to him, refusing to delegate even the smallest task—had eclipsed even her doting on Chang Sui.

The Emperor’s heart swelled with warmth. Part of him wished his injury would heal slower.

Yun Wan side-eyed him. "Your Majesty may be old, but I certainly am not."

At twenty-three, she was hardly ancient.

The Emperor stiffened. "Do I truly seem so old to you?"

She laughed. "I was teasing."

"You’re not old—just a little worn from your injury."

Glancing at the mirror, the Emperor had to admit it was true.

Worse, days of inactivity had softened his once-firm muscles.

Horrified, he realized he’d been lounging about like an invalid while basking in her care.

The thought soured his mood. He yearned to recover instantly.

"What soup did you bring me?"

Catching the rich aroma, he swiftly changed the subject.

Yun Wan lifted the lid. "Jellyfish and chicken broth."

She poured a bowl and brought it to him, spoon-feeding him gently. "It’s my first attempt. How does it taste?"

After a sip, the Emperor declared without hesitation, "Magnificent! The best I’ve ever had!"

Yun Wan giggled. "Now you’re exaggerating."

But the praise pleased her nonetheless.

Noticing her delight, the Emperor nodded toward his desk. "There’s a letter for you."

A little more joy wouldn’t hurt.

At the desk, Yun Wan unfolded the letter. After a few lines, her eyes lit up. "My cousin has arrived in the capital!"

As she continued reading, her breath caught in her throat: "Aunt is here too!"