Lin Wanyi did not enjoy being the center of attention during such times.
But she didn’t intentionally hide either.
Facing Princess Consort Yi, she began her performance and said.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness. I hope that when His Majesty returns from Taishan, he will still remember me and bring the Second Prince and Second Princess back to the palace."
After saying this, she pretended to wipe away tears with her handkerchief.
This gesture did indeed reduce much of the anger among everyone present.
What is the point of having the title of a noble?
Isn’t she still left in the traveling palace, said nicely it was for her to recuperate.
But if spoken harshly, wasn’t it just that she was selected to stay and serve the Second Prince and Second Princess?
Even Princess Consort Lan, who could hardly move, was taken away, yet she was left behind.
Upon thinking this, everyone didn’t feel that Lin Wanyi stood out.
The Emperor observed Lin Wanyi’s act and thought to himself what a cunning girl she was.
Thus, he played along and said.
"Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and I will have to leave for several months this time."
Then he glanced at everyone before fixing his gaze on Ming Changzai.
Afterward, he calmly said.
"Ming Changzai has won my favor, so let her be promoted to a noble. Mu Daying has taken good care of Noble Princess Consort Ying, let her be promoted to Changzai as well, as for..."
Promoting two people at once, who among those present would not wish to gain the Emperor’s favor and be promoted along with them.
This completely pushed Lin Wanyi out of everyone’s mind.
Everyone was overjoyed, their eyes filled with hope as they looked at the Emperor.
The Emperor could not bear to crush their hopes entirely and then instructed Princess Consort Yi.
"Select a few characters with auspicious meanings to confer as titles, prepare all the necessary items for the promotions, and let the Investiture Ceremony be set for New Year’s Eve."
"Yes, I obey Your Majesty’s command."
To confer characters and titles to the concubines is a privilege only the Empress has.
Even Lin Guifei, who has managed the harem affairs over the years, never had a chance to participate in this.
Thus, Princess Consort Yi did not receive any substantial promotion, but no one present dared to show her any disrespect.
Although others did not get promoted, having a title is still a good thing.
Among those of the same rank, they are half a level higher than those without a title.
As a result, everyone was smiling.
Their smiles were very sincere indeed.
"We (I) thank Your Majesty for your grace."
Everyone knelt down to express their gratitude, except Noble Princess Consort Ying, who, due to her prominent belly, just bowed in place.
The Emperor did not forget her, his attitude was gentler than before.
"This time you are giving birth, I will not be in the palace, take care of everything properly."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. I will surely take good care of myself and the child."
"Mm, if it’s a prince, name him Jing. If it’s a princess, name her Sisi."
Both names are gentle and fit well with Noble Princess Consort Ying’s temperament.
"I thank Your Majesty for the names. If there is good news, I will surely send someone on horseback to present it to you swiftly."
After finishing the arrangements, the Emperor gave Lin Wanyi one last look.
Without saying more, he took the imperial carriage back to the Imperial City with everyone.
Meanwhile, Lin Guifei, who was still under house arrest, and the frail Princess Consort Lan had already boarded their own carriages to return to the palace.
Once everyone had left, the whole traveling palace felt empty.
Though Lin Wanyi was just a noble, she was now, apart from the Second Prince and Second Princess, the most respected person in the entire traveling palace.
So if she were to command, all would respond, which wasn’t an exaggeration.
"Let’s go, first arrange the Second Prince and Second Princess, and then we can move to a different palace."
The distance between the traveling palace and the Imperial City wasn’t very far, and they traveled slowly, so there were no issues.
The carriage for Noble Princess Consort Ying was lined with thick cushions, allowing her to recline without feeling the jolts.
In contrast, Mu Daying, now Mu Changzai, was somewhat puzzled as she accompanied her.
"Why doesn’t Your Highness stay in the traveling palace to give birth before returning? What if the journey harms your body?"
Noble Princess Consort Ying smiled, finding more peace in returning to Yao Yue Palace than in this little journey.
After all, she was familiar with every plant and tree there, and everything had been arranged accordingly.
If it hadn’t been for the summer retreat, she wouldn’t have wanted to come to the traveling palace.
Most importantly, when Princess Consort Lan gave birth to a daughter in the traveling palace, it caused a lot of trouble.
She considered it a bad omen.
"No matter how good the outside is, it’s not as good as Yao Yue Palace. Once back, even if I were to give birth immediately, I’d be at ease. Now that you’ve become a Changzai, you qualify to reside in the back palace. In a few days, I’ll speak to Princess Consort Yi on your behalf to have you move there."
"I thank Your Highness. In the future, I shall be willing to go through fire and water!"
Mu Lanchun surely knew how to show her stance, but Noble Princess Consort Ying wasn’t very impressed by such temporary "loyalty."
Although she did not harm others, she also wouldn’t easily let herself be harmed.
Now that Mu Changzai was in the same boat with her, naturally she should show sincerity.
But if one day, for the sake of interest, she might very well be the first to backstab her.
So while it’s good to form good relations, absolute trust could never be.
On this point, both clearly understood.
They didn’t show their hands, and neither did the other concubines returning to the palace.
Lin Guifei hadn’t been out for a long time, and now that she received the order to accompany the Emperor to Taishan, she revitalized herself.
"Grandmother still cares for me, otherwise I’d never have come out so quickly."
She always thought she might be confined to Yao Tai Pavilion for a long time.
Unexpectedly, she came out even before Mid-Autumn.
She turned back to glance at the disappearing traveling palace and snorted coldly, saying.
"I thought Lin Wanyi held significant importance in the Emperor’s heart, but it seems she was favored for just a few days."
Now who doesn’t know that Noble Ming is the Emperor’s new favorite, so Lin Guifei thought the reason she got out so quickly was probably due to Noble Ming’s efforts.
"After returning to the palace, send some congratulatory gifts. Since she’s been promoted to noble, she’s also a master now. Inform Noble Ming not to oppose Princess Consort Yi lightly these days; calming her body is most important. I’m still waiting to see her give birth to a son for the Emperor."
On mentioning the birth of a son, Lin Guifei felt a sense of satisfaction.
Princess Consort Lan gave birth to a princess — a sickly one at that.
Likely to be tethered to medicine her whole life, like the Second Prince.
Fitting well with Lin Wanyi.
Three people, three medicine jars, staying together day-morning, fulfilling her difficult childbearing fate, now having both a son and daughter.
"Keep a close eye on Noble Princess Consort Ying — her belly should be close to birth. If there’s a chance..."
Before she could finish her words, Qin He immediately interrupted.
"Your Highness, you mustn’t!"