Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite
Chapter 20 Waiting for Summons

Chapter 20: Chapter 20 Waiting for Summons

"Thank you, Mr. He, for coming to inform us."

"No need for formalities, my lady. You go ahead and prepare, I shall take my leave."

"Xiao Luzi, see Mr. He out."

"Yes!"

After seeing off Mr. He, Chunqi immediately came to Lin Wanyi’s side and said coquettishly,

"How would my lady like to dress today? Let me serve you."

In her mind, her mistress was always too plain, usually bare-faced, but today was a significant day for attending to the Emperor’s bedchamber, and she ought to dress up properly.

Even though she would still need to bathe and groom at Qian’an Hall, it wouldn’t hurt to get prepared nicely now.

"Just put my hair up, and I’ll wear the white dress embroidered with butterflies among flowers."

Chunqi frowned, wondering if it might still be a bit too plain. However, they hadn’t brought many clothes when they entered the palace, and given the low rank of a concubine, the court dresses sent were according to that status, so standing out too much wasn’t possible.

Therefore, she just nodded and went to find the dress, while also asking Xia An to prepare warm water, so she could do her mistress’s hair.

Chunqi’s hairstyling skills were top-notch, something she learned from an old nanny back at home. Though she was lively, her hands were skillful.

Like cooking, she could grasp the essentials by just watching once.

She thoroughly researched several hairstyles that better fit Lin Wanyi, with all the details carefully designed.

Lin Wanyi closed her eyes and let Chunqi take care of her, but her mind was on the task of attending to the Emperor’s bedchamber.

Recently, when she went to Linzi Palace to pay respects, Lin Guifei had kept her back once.

The implicit message was to cherish this hard-won favor, so she wouldn’t become a mere passerby in the harem, making life less comfortable.

Lin Guifei was far more anxious than she was about whether she could win favor.

But she couldn’t influence the Emperor’s thoughts, and whom he chose to attend to was the Emperor’s own decision; her anxiety was futile.

So she could only shift her focus onto Lin Wanyi.

Who knows if this session had anything to do with Lin Guifei? Her eagerness for Lin Wanyi to gain favor was for the sake of children.

Thinking about children made Lin Wanyi a bit worried.

Glancing at Xia An, she noticed Xia An quickly understood.

She went to the cabinet where medicines were kept, took out a small pill, dissolved it in the warm water, and handed it to Lin Wanyi.

"My lady, it’s time to take your medicine after the meal."

"Hmm."

After gulping it down, Lin Wanyi’s worries lessened slightly.

Once she was washed and dressed, the Chengen sedan chair arrived to take her to the much-desired Qian’an Hall.

The same protocol followed: after a large bath, she changed into new court dress and was taken to the inner hall by the Sleeping Nanny, still seated next to that Eight Immortals table.

This time, she had eaten two pieces of white jade cake beforehand and felt quite full.

She was still pondering the rules mentioned by the Sleeping Nanny when she saw Dong Yuzhong enter, accompanied by a group of eunuchs.

Lin Wanyi stood up, looking somewhat curious.

Dong Yuzhong stepped forward and spoke,

"Your Majesty still has some state affairs to attend to, it will take about another half hour. Concerned that you might be hungry, His Majesty specifically instructed the Imperial Kitchen to prepare some delicious dishes for you. Please enjoy your meal first."

"Mr. Dong is too kind. Has His Majesty had dinner yet?"

"Rest assured, my lady, His Majesty has already been served."

"That’s good then."

Otherwise, if the Emperor of a nation hadn’t eaten yet, how could a lowly concubine dare to act recklessly.

But she had just eaten white jade cake, and now faced with the table full of dishes, found it hard to lift her chopsticks.

Seeing her hesitation, Dong Yuzhong kindly asked,

"My lady doesn’t like these?"

"Not at all, it’s just... I ate some pastries before coming, so I’m not hungry now."

Dong Yuzhong smiled; having served beside the Emperor as the Grand Steward for a long time, he could easily guess the Emperor’s intentions.

Moreover, a newly entered concubine was as transparent as a clear glass to him.

"My lady need not be reserved. His Majesty has been busy handling the affairs of the state lately and rarely summons the ladies of the harem, you are the first to visit this time."

These words seemed intentionally spoken for Lin Wanyi to hear.

Having not called anyone to serve for days, it seems that being the Venerable Emperor might not be such an easy task after all.

"Thank you, Mr. Dong, for the reminder. I shall serve His Majesty well."

Perhaps due to Lin Wanyi’s nature, Mr. Dong could immediately see her uniqueness.

The concubines in this harem were either there for their families or to seek favor for their children, so each time they attended, they tried every trick to capture the Emperor’s attention.

Yet she was always indifferent, never trying to ingratiate, but made people feel as if they were basking in the spring breeze.

Being by her side felt like a moment of relaxation.

With an increasingly evident smile, Mr. Dong respectfully said to Lin Wanyi,

"Please sit for a while. If you need anything, call Qiu Ming at the door. He is my apprentice and has been serving in this hall for several years, I must return to serve His Majesty, so I won’t stay long."

"Rest assured, Mr. Dong, and please convey to His Majesty that state affairs are important."

"Yes. I shall take my leave."

When Dong Yuzhong left, he specifically glanced at the entrance where Qiu Ming stood, a young little eunuch who appeared mature beyond his years.

After all, those who serve at the Imperial Court must have the skill to observe all directions and listen in all directions.

After Mr. Dong left, the inner hall was left with only her.

Faced with a table full of delicious dishes, Lin Wanyi finally picked up her chopsticks.

The dishes seemed to be made according to the Emperor’s taste, light yet tender.

There was a dish of braised three delicacies that was quite nice, and Lin Wanyi ate more of it, while the rest she just tasted.

Four dishes and a soup, with much left over even when they were cleared away.

Waste was indeed wasteful, but she dared not comment much.

After cleaning her hands and mouth, the Sleeping Nanny brought over a cup of rose露, which not only refreshed her throat but also removed the taste of the food from her mouth.

After all, she wasn’t here primarily to eat; attending to the Emperor’s bedchamber was the most important task.

Thus, just like Wang Baochan diligently waiting in the cold kiln, she sat on a redwood stool waiting.

Half an hour isn’t long, but it isn’t short either.

Lin Wanyi felt somewhat drowsy from sitting when she heard hurried footsteps outside.

She immediately became alert, gently patted her cheeks with her hands, then stood up to await the Emperor’s arrival.

This was her second time meeting the Emperor; she remembered the etiquette well, but this time she was less shy than the last, and somewhat more composed.

"Your servant wishes the Emperor ten thousand blessings."

"Hmm, rise."

Again, that deep and full voice, with a hint of fatigue.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Last time, with her head lowered, she didn’t even see the Emperor’s appearance clearly before the deed was done.