Probably accustomed to hearing it since childhood, Lin Wanyi felt that beauty was not that big of a deal for her.
On the contrary, it was somewhat of a burden.
If not for this face, she wouldn’t have been sent to the palace to secure favors.
Being separated from her family, causing her brother to take risks, her grandfather’s family also worried along with them.
Thinking of this, her interest suddenly faded away.
"Get up, I’m a bit tired."
The soft undergarments were put on, and Xia An and Chunqi applied moisturizing Jade Dew on her, then used a cloth to wipe the moisture from her hair, slowly combing it through.
Lin Wanyi fell into a deep sleep before her hair had completely dried.
A night of good dreams.
The next morning, she felt a headache upon waking.
As she moved around, it became more uncomfortable.
"I am here, my lady."
"Bring me the pills, I must have caught a chill yesterday, the headache is quite severe."
Hearing this, Xia An immediately walked over, hung up the bed curtains, and checked her pulse with a frown.
After a moment, she slowly spoke.
"Next time, my lady should wait for your hair to dry before sleeping. Otherwise, the summer breeze will surely make you uncomfortable."
Then she handed over some warm water, which Lin Wanyi drank in one gulp.
"You haven’t had breakfast yet, taking medicine on an empty stomach is not good. Let’s wait until after you’ve eaten, and I can massage you a bit."
If it weren’t for thinking about going to Shengjing Building for lunch, Lin Wanyi wouldn’t even want to get out of bed.
Even after breakfast and a head and neck massage, there wasn’t much relief.
Xia An assisted her in taking medicine, then, with Qiu Ming, the three headed towards the east to Qin Xian Hall.
They walked slowly, taking about half an hour to get there.
On a regular day, Lin Wanyi would be curiously looking around, but today with the severe headache, she just wanted to finish quickly and return to bed, where it would be more comfortable.
Thus, she kept on her way, uninterested in the surrounding scenery.
Xia An noticed her pale face and worriedly said.
"My lady, should we return? I fear you can’t hold on."
Qiu Ming also noticed something was wrong, just about to speak when Lin Wanyi interrupted.
"Today is the first palace banquet at the traveling palace. Even Lin Guifei wouldn’t miss it lightly. How can I, a newly appointed Changzai, put on airs and not go, creating a scandal?"
She lightly patted Xia An’s hand, managing a weak smile.
"Don’t worry, it’s just a headache, it’s nothing. It might even get better with the walk."
Xia An understood the importance of today’s occasion, and could only support Lin Wanyi along the way, afraid she would neglect the pain and trip.
"My lady, perhaps on the way back, we can borrow a sedan chair, the rules inside the traveling palace aren’t too strict, even a concubine is allowed to sit."
Qiu Ming, noticing Lin Wanyi’s discomfort, suggested this.
"We’ll see on our way back, let’s head over first."
The three of them continued forward, finally reaching the entrance of Qin Xian Hall, where they coincidentally encountered Princess Consort Yi arriving gracefully.
The two accompanying her looked more presentable than when Lady Chu was around.
One was the smug Lady He, who had gained favor this time, making people displeased just by looking.
The other was someone Lin Wanyi hadn’t seen before, but when Qiu Ming spotted this person, his expression suddenly turned solemn.
His eyes became more serious, glancing at Lin Wanyi’s back, feeling that today would not pass easily.
Lin Wanyi, even if she were foolish, knew that Princess Consort Yi had grievances with her because of Chu Daying.
When a soldier comes, face it as a general would, when water arrives, block it with soil. Since they met, they could only confront it head-on.
So, without saying much else, she adhered to the rules, performing a half-kneel salute to Princess Consort Yi.
"This servant Lin Family greets Princess Consort Yi with wishes for well-being."
Princess Consort Yi was dressed freshly today, in a long skirt of treasure blue embroidered with floral patterns in silver thread, making her appear ethereal and elegant.
In her hand was an eighteen-bead bracelet made entirely of crystal, with two rare red East Pearls in the center, adorned with tourmaline and filigree enamel along the edges.
In the sunlight, it sparkled brilliantly.
Seeing Lin Wanyi saluting properly in a half-kneeled position, Princess Consort Yi did not tell her to rise.
Rather, she turned to a concubine beside her who looked unfamiliar and said.
"Little Sister Bai, having not gone out for a long time, you must not have seen the newly favored Lin Changzai of the Emperor. Her beauty is like a celestial being descending to earth. In this palace, only you could rival her appearance."
Lin Wanyi’s heart skipped a beat, having thought she could avoid trouble at the traveling palace, but problems had found her again.
Yet, considering her current status, she couldn’t afford to be stubborn, so keeping a low profile was best.
"Oh, your words intrigue me; Lin Changzai, do raise your head so I may see what exquisite beauty has captivated the entire palace?"
Even before seeing her, Lin Wanyi sensed hostility.
It seemed this Bai Pin was not one to be trifled with.
It’s a blessing, not a curse, if it’s a curse, there’s no avoiding it.
So she straightened her back, raising her chin slightly.
Yet she heard a scoff of disdain, followed by Bai Pin’s cold voice.
"I thought it was some rare celestial beauty, but it’s just this? There’s some charm, but nothing extraordinary."
Princess Consort Yi chuckled, watching Bai Pin stand arrogantly with disdain, enjoying the show.
"Indeed, Little Sister Bai, as the number one beauty of Jiangnan, it’s unsurprising you look down on Lin Changzai."
The two of them exchanged words, deliberately making things difficult for Lin Wanyi.
Lin Wanyi, already feeling unwell, now had her legs numbing from the half-kneel, feeling even more faint.
Yet, in front of Princess Consort Yi, she couldn’t afford to be improper, otherwise more trouble would arise.
She could only stay silent, pretending not to hear, remaining respectfully faultless.
"Sister Bai, you are not aware, among us newly promoted concubines, only Lin Changzai has won the Emperor’s favor exceptionally. In just two months since entering the palace, she was exceptionally promoted from consort to Changzai. Few can match such honor!"
It was Lady He speaking, seemingly complimenting Lin Wanyi, but actually sowing discord.
Sister Bai’s expression indeed turned sullen instantly.
Staring at Lin Wanyi’s profile, she then spoke with a sarcastic tone.
"When I first entered the palace, I was only in the position of a consort; it took many years to reach the rank of concubine, due to both the Emperor’s great favor and Princess Consort Yi’s support. Lin Changzai must be quite capable; it seems Imperial Concubine has been quite resourceful behind the scenes."
Bai Pin was grounded in Zhongcui Palace all because of falling into Lin Guifei’s trap.
Having angered the Emperor, she brought this punishment upon herself.
Now that she was released, she naturally harbored resentment towards Lin Guifei.