He's also under a lot of stress, as his favorite alien isn't answering the incense calls anymore.

How does the incense work, anyhow? It's not some magic to yoink Shen Wei to his location. Does Shen Wei just smell it wherever he is? He's got a mystical connection to the incense? Is it just this incense or could they substitute any in a pinch? Is this is the same incense as when he calls the regent? Does each every high ranked person in Dixing have their own signature scent? Does Zhao Yunlan have incense if the regent (because the envoy could just teleport) wants to call him and he's not at home to get the magic messages on his voicemail?