But now after the Emperor ascended the throne, he governs diligently and loves his people, never indulging in extravagance.
Thus, Lin Guifei also followed suit, thinking of using silk flowers to make this item, which can be worn repeatedly, quite commendable.
A brocade tray was presented before Lin Wanyi, and upon seeing a piece of iris and an orchid in it, without hesitation, she picked up the orchid.
The pale yellow flowers appeared simple and modest amidst a myriad of vibrant blooms, which she liked very much.
Seeing her pick up the orchid, Lady Chu sneered, her eyes brimming with mockery.
Was she anything special? Just before she made me apologize to the Imperial Consort, and now she puts on a facade of indifference.
If she truly has such a serene disposition, why enter the palace?
Why not shave her head and become a nun on the mountain, rather than enchant Your Majesty here?
After receiving the palace flowers, everyone, whether sincere or not, had to express gratitude.
Thus, everyone rose, saluted Lin Guifei, and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for the gift."
As soon as the words were spoken, the curtain outside was suddenly lifted, and a melodious voice rang out from outside.
"Oh, I am late, what is all the excitement here with the Imperial Concubine?"
In came a woman with graceful manners, ordinary looks, yet carrying an aura of sprightliness and regality.
She wore a palace dress made of satin with water-red twining floral patterns, the flowers on which were inlaid with Dongzhu, swaying as she walked.
Princess Consort Yi looked intently at Lin Guifei sitting on the seat, though her status was slightly lower, her demeanor and presence were equally impressive.
She walked directly to Lin Guifei, slightly bent her knee as a form of salute.
This perfunctory attitude was clear to everyone, but no one dared to comment, they all shut their mouths and lowered their heads.
However, Lin Guifei on the seat maintained a magnanimous smile, and said to Princess Consort Yi below.
"Paying respects to sister, the Third Prince was not feeling well this morning, I sought an Imperial Physician, thus delaying a bit, Sister wouldn’t blame me, I hope?"
"Oh? What happened to the Third Prince?"
"Just some coughing, not improving. A few days ago, Your Majesty gifted him loquat nectar, and after consuming it for a few days it seemed better, yet this morning he coughed more. I was worried that Your Majesty might be concerned, so I had to ask the physician to take a look."
The Third Prince has always been robust, stronger than all other Princes and Princesses, a few coughs merely served as Princess Consort Yi’s excuse.
Lin Guifei did not expose it, but rather followed her lead.
"Is that so, Qin He."
"Go send a basket of newly tributed snow pears from foreign tributaries to Princess Consort Yi’s palace, let the palace attendant steam them with silver ear fungus and red dates before consumption, it is indeed a method to moisten the lungs and stop coughing."
Lin Guifei’s show of caring for the Third Prince seemed to make Princess Consort Yi "profoundly grateful."
"Thank Sister for her concern, once the Third Prince is well, I will surely let him come to play with the Eldest Princess at your palace."
The Eldest Princess in Princess Consort Yi’s mouth naturally refers to Lin Guifei’s Princess Ming Ruo, who is now about four years old.
A favored child, living comfortably indeed.
But Lin Wanyi did not miss the flicker of pain in Lin Guifei’s eyes, secretly pondering that Princess Rongkang and Lin Guifei had devised ways to bring her into the palace, likely not just for favor.
After all, since Lin Guifei gave birth to the Eldest Princess, she has not conceived for many years, sending her into the palace surely includes hopes to bear offspring.
She unwittingly caressed her abdomen.
She was helpless, but must her child be calculated from the womb?
Lin Wanyi was unwilling, nor did she wish for such things to occur.
She glanced sideways at Xia An, who had been standing obediently behind her, forming another plan in her mind.
Inside the main hall, undercurrents surged.
With the appearance of Princess Consort Yi, the most delighted was Lady Chu, who had just suffered a setback. fre/ew.ebnovel.c om
After all, Princess Consort Yi’s grandfather was none other than the renowned Marquis of Northwest, she had crossed paths with Princess Consort Yi several times before she entered the palace.
As concubines from the Northwest military families, naturally their relationship was better than others.
Thus, she flattered Princess Consort Yi.
"The Third Prince is Your Majesty’s most cherished prince, naturally more noble than others, Your Highness is fortunate, just a few days ago when I visited the palace to see the Third Prince, he was even reading the Warring States Strategy, surely a natural talent, certain to have a promising future."
Upon hearing this, Princess Consort Yi turned to look at Lady Chu, her eyes filled with pride.
"Chu, don’t speak nonsense, I believe Princess Consort Lan’s Second Prince is not bad either, just frailer, he indeed needs careful nurturing."
"Princess Consort Yi, what you say makes sense, now Princess Consort Lan is the most noble in the palace, her pregnancy is almost six months along, if she gives birth to a Fourth Prince for Your Majesty, that would indeed be great fortune, don’t you agree?"
Initially somewhat smug, Princess Consort Yi now looked at Lin Guifei with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
Lin Guifei’s smile reached her eyes.
The two did not speak, merely looking at each other, yet the concubines present felt sweat drip like rain, very anxious.
Among the ladies in the palace, none are more noble than Lin Guifei, Princess Consort Yi, and Princess Consort Lan.
Lin Guifei holds the highest position, but after years in the palace has only one princess, in an environment where bearing a prince is crucial for power, she has some disadvantage.
And Princess Consort Yi comes from a military family, her grandfather was one of the late Emperor’s appointed Assistant Ministers, coupled with having a healthy prince, although her status is slightly lower, she is a woman not to be underestimated in the palace.
Princess Consort Lan is weaker in terms of family background, her father is an academician of the Cabinet, a disciple of Lin Xiang, but is exceptionally principled, thus holding a titular position in the court, family influence however is thin.
The only thing to match the other two is her pregnancy.
As someone pregnant for the first time in a while in the palace, she has kept a low profile since the pregnancy, avoiding trouble.
So the newly appointed concubines do not have a deep impression of her.
Only hoping they too could be as fortunate as Princess Consort Lan, to conceive soon, even a princess would suffice, as only then can there be hope in the palace.
Princess Consort Yi slightly raised her brows, her lips curled.
"What sister says is true, indeed such fortune of many offspring is something neither you nor I can match."
A statement hitting Lin Guifei’s sore spot, childlessness has always been her deepest anxiety.
The more anxious she becomes, the more unattainable it is.
Especially as children in the palace grow in numbers, she had to agree to her grandmother’s demand, letting Lin Wanyi enter the palace.
Suddenly recalling last night’s companionship, her countenance softened.
Instead of replying to Princess Consort Yi, she had someone call Lin Wanyi to her, affectionately holding her hand.