"The Commandery Princess’s words are too gracious. The Prime Minister exhausts himself for Your Majesty in the front court, the Imperial Concubine and Miss Changzai accompany Your Majesty in the harem. This is a fortune others cannot cultivate. For a servant like me to run this errand is also a fortune."
Qin An’s words were naturally watertight.
Even if his purpose was for Madam Lin of the main house, he wouldn’t casually offend Princess Rongkang and Lin Guifei.
Seeing his attitude, Princess Rongkang couldn’t help but whisper softly in her heart.
"Let’s go, we shall enter the palace to meet the Imperial Concubine now."
"Yes. However, aren’t the two madams from the two branches going together? Before I came, Miss Lin sent someone to ask when she could see Madam Lin."
"Alas, the household had matters the past two days, both of them fell ill simultaneously, so now they certainly cannot travel together. Otherwise, it would bring the illness to the traveling palace, which implies our Prime Minister’s family doesn’t know the rules."
This explanation from Princess Rongkang was obviously suspicious to a perceptive person.
Yet, at this moment, no one dared to say anything. One could hardly bring people into the estate and forcibly take them, right?
After a brief consideration, Qin An bowed and spoke.
"In that case, Commandery Princess, please proceed first. The Imperial Concubine has been waiting for quite some time now."
Just as people were getting on the carriage to leave, the Dong Family’s carriage arrived at full speed from not far away.
Two people alighted from the carriage; they were Mr. Lin and Mrs. Dong.
They guessed correctly; Princess Rongkang had no intention of taking them into the palace together.
If they had come earlier, they might not have been able to meet anyone in the palace at all.
"Greetings, Commandery Princess."
"Greetings, mother-in-law."
Mr. Lin and Mrs. Dong paid their respects, but Princess Rongkang did not respond.
She had just spoken, and now they came over as though slapping her face, didn’t they?
How could she possibly show a good face?
After waiting for a moment without Princess Rongkang letting them stand up,
Qin An stepped forward to smooth things over.
He had not seen Mr. Lin and his wife before, but glancing at Mrs. Dong’s features that resembled Lin Changzai, he quickly guessed.
"Is this Lin Changzai’s mother? Madam Lin?"
"You have a good eye, sir, I am indeed."
Mrs. Dong was dressed quite splendidly today, making her quite eye-catching.
Actually, that wasn’t her intention; she mainly wanted to hide medicine to bring into the palace, so her jewelry and hairpins were made rather large.
The belt embedded with gemstones was especially striking.
Princess Rongkang lifted the curtain and took a glance, her eyes full of mockery.
These merchant families simply cannot stand the stage.
Upon hearing they could enter the palace, they started dressing up beautifully!
Look at this outfit, it’s nothing but a pheasant with peacock feathers pretending to be a phoenix!
Qin An found it rather odd.
This madam’s attire was quite different from Lin Changzai’s upon first entering the palace.
However, this was their family affair, so he wouldn’t interfere casually.
With a smile, he began to speak.
"In that case, madam, please enter the palace with me; Miss Lin has been waiting for a long time."
"Yes, thank you, sir."
When Qin An came, he had brought three carriages.
Leading naturally sat Princess Rongkang, followed by the carriage Mrs. Dong was using.
As for the carriage originally meant for Second Madam Lin, Mrs. Wang, it naturally came empty and returned empty.
What’s done is done, and there’s palace personnel involved.
Princess Rongkang couldn’t very well lose her temper face-to-face, so she could only say calmly.
Acting as though nothing happened, Qin An was happy to play dumb.
After all, getting people into the palace is the most important task, and as for other matters, they can just be ignored as unseen or unheard.
The carriage slowly headed in the direction of the traveling palace, accompanied by a large entourage.
Mr. Lin stood at the gate of the Prime Minister’s Mansion watching the carriage gradually disappear, only returning when it could no longer be seen.
Today is his day off, and he still has other matters to attend to.
So he didn’t stay here and waste too much time.
Mrs. Dong sat inside the carriage, continuously taking deep breaths in and out.
Hoping to calm herself down, otherwise being too nervous could expose a flaw, and that wouldn’t be good.
She glanced around at the decorations inside the carriage.
Not large, but distinctly elegant.
After all, it’s a carriage from the palace, naturally not comparable to ones outside.
Not sure how her daughter is faring in the palace?
They say one feels apprehensive upon nearing home, and this is indeed true for her.
The closer the distance to Lin Wanyi, the more intense her worry becomes.
Approaching noon, it was already nearly time for lunch, and the carriage slowly entered the gates of the traveling palace.
Sitting inside the carriage, she dared not breathe too loudly.
Afraid that any slight mistake might bring unnecessary trouble to her daughter.
Until she heard a voice from outside.
"Madam, it’s time for us to get off the carriage."
"Alright, I’m coming."
She suddenly stood up, feeling her legs were a bit numb.
But now wasn’t the time to massage her legs, so she could only grit her teeth and alight from the carriage.
What greeted her eyes were not towering palace walls, but a vista of lush, vibrant greenery.
It surprisingly calmed her anxious heart somewhat.
Qin was perceptive, naturally noticing her tension.
Thus, he consoled her gently.
"Madam, relax a bit. The rules inside the traveling palace aren’t strict. You just need to follow me, as Princess Rongkang has already been escorted by Eunuch Jiang, and I’ll take you to Huifang Courtyard."
"Yes, I’m new here, unfamiliar with the rules. If I inadvertently offend, I humbly request guidance from you, Mr. Qin."
Even though she forced herself to calm down, she was still somewhat uneasy.
Qin An knew of Madam Lin’s background, but considered that she had been married into the Prime Minister’s Mansion for over twenty years, she should be accustomed to this kind of setting.
Seeing her , it seemed Madam Lin seldom attended functions in the Prime Minister’s Mansion.
With this thought, more kindness arose in his heart.
"Rest assured, Madam. I will certainly remind you. Please follow me."
In the Prime Minister’s Mansion, even during family banquets, Princess Rongkang rarely let her appear in the courtyard to converse with noblewomen from the capital.
Most of the time, she was either directing in the kitchen or sent back early to rest in the East Cross Courtyard.
Therefore, she had no opportunity to experience social conventions at larger occasions.
She could only follow Mr. Qin closely without making a single mistake.
Seeing palace maids and servants passing by, her throat was dry and tight.
In her haste, she nearly paid her respects to them as well.
Qin An noticed everything, feeling pity for Madam Lin’s situation.
It’s no wonder the Lin Family of the main house had never gained any prominence.
When suppressed, how could one rise to the occasion?
But Miss Lin, with her inherent calm and natural demeanor, where did it come from?