Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite
Chapter 32 Night Talk at Ba Mountain

Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Night Talk at Ba Mountain

"In response to Your Majesty, when I was young, I spent a few years at my maternal grandfather’s house, and later followed them around various places. People from the south eat spicy food, hence I developed this habit."

"I see."

The Emperor ate quickly and consumed a lot, managing to finish off more than half of the dishes in no time.

It was clear that he was truly hungry.

Lin Wanyi, having eaten her fill herself, didn’t wish to stay idle, so she took the chopsticks from Dong Yuzhong’s hand and began serving the Emperor food.

Serving food also required certain care.

You must pick a little bit of everything, yet be mindful of the Emperor’s taste, choosing dishes he prefers.

After this meal, Lin Wanyi realized it was hard to say what he liked or disliked.

Truly, he was an emperor who blessed the whole world, even eating with such balance.

Once full, the Emperor stood up and walked around.

Feeling quite stuffed, he called for Dong Yuzhong, intending to go for a walk.

Yet, Dong Yuzhong appeared troubled, pointing outside as he spoke.

"Your Majesty, the wind outside is quite strong. I fear it might rain soon. The spring rain is incessant; once it starts, it may not stop easily. For the sake of Your Majesty’s health, it’s better not to go out."

Although it contradicted the Emperor’s desires, Dong Yuzhong meant well.

Lin Wanyi noticed that the Emperor’s expression seemed a bit off, as if he wished to go outside yet felt awkward.

She spoke up to help Dong Yuzhong out of the situation.

"Has Your Majesty ever heard of Ba Mountain’s night rain?"

Emperor Yu Wenhong looked at her puzzled.

"Isn’t that a line from ’Night Rain Sent North’? What’s the matter?"

"When I was at home, the backyard was planted with banana trees, so every time it rained at night, my parents would gather us siblings inside to listen to the rain, creating an interesting atmosphere."

"What did you talk about?"

"We talked about everything. Sometimes it was amusing stories my older brother heard in town, sometimes about the encounters of my parents when they were young, or about my travels with my maternal grandfather’s family. In a family, there’s always endless conversation."

As Lin Wanyi spoke of her family, her gaze softened considerably.

Yu Wenhong could see that the family’s relationships were indeed good.

He lowered his eyelids, saying nothing.

What a pity, such a warm family atmosphere was something he longed for but could not have.

Born into the Royal Family, detachment in familial ties was inevitable.

Seeing the Emperor fall silent, Lin Wanyi looked up, noting his less pleasant expression.

Could it be that she had said something wrong?

While she was worried, she heard the Emperor speak softly.

"Tell me about your travels in the south."

His voice was distant and emotionless, and in that moment, Lin Wanyi seemed to catch a glimpse of a different Emperor.

No longer lofty, nor full of majesty, he was filled with a sense of loneliness and solitude.

Lin Wanyi sat quietly by the bed, contemplating, before choosing an interesting topic to begin her story.

"My maternal grandfather’s family has been merchants for generations, conducting business from street to street since the time of my ancestors, passing it down through the generations until the time of my great-great-grandfather, who moved the entire family from Lingzhou to Shengjing City to settle down."

"Since childhood, my maternal grandfather followed my great-great-grandfather, engaging in all sorts of business among the common folk, so he knows a lot about business. One year, my second uncle needed to go to Yaozhou to gather herbs, and coincidentally, my grandfather also planned to make purchases there, so my grandmother and I went with them."

"Yaozhou is mainly inhabited by local Yao people, with few Central Plains people, so as soon as we entered the territory of Yaozhou, we changed into their attire and used the Yao language when speaking with strangers."

"My grandfather said that if you wish to eat with them, you must bring your own firewood to join their stove. I thought it was some local saying, but it turned out my grandfather actually brought a cart of firewood and went to a local elder’s house to dine."

"I was curious upon seeing that cart of firewood, and only when we entered the elder’s home did I learn it was indeed a local custom. They used the firewood my grandfather brought to start a fire, cook a meal, and have a lively dinner, after which my grandfather presented a list of items to purchase. My second uncle told me that while others thought doing business with the Yao people was the hardest, in fact, they were the simplest and kindest. As long as you sincerely helped them solve their problems, everything else would naturally proceed smoothly."

Lin Wanyi’s words left Emperor Yu Wenhong in deep thought.

It wasn’t until a moment later that he spoke.

"So why did those Yao people need firewood?"

"Because those Yao people are actually of the Fire Yao Clan, generations of whom have worshipped the Fire God. When someone comes with firewood, they are seen as messengers of the Fire God, greeted warmly, and helped wholeheartedly if needed."

The Emperor was utterly surprised, his eyes revealing incredulity.

"Could such a thing really exist?"

"Yes, when I first heard of it, I also found it unbelievable."

"So how did your grandfather know about this?"

Lin Wanyi covered her mouth, chuckling; it was quite her grandfather’s secret.

She then concocted a story, intending to playfully tease the Emperor.

"Is Your Majesty interested in knowing the official version or the truth?"

"What is the official version? And what is the truth?"

"The official version is that my grandfather’s family has been in business for many years, with extensive connections and routes. As for the truth..."

Deliberately dragging out her words to whet the Emperor’s appetite, Lin Wanyi noticed his impatience before she finally explained.

"When my grandfather was young, he caught the eye of a Fire Yao Clan maiden, who almost took him as a husband brought into her family, hence he naturally knew some of the Fire Clan’s customs."

Upon hearing this, Yu Wenhong also chuckled softly.

Perhaps it was her ’embellishment’ about her grandfather that brought to mind some youthful memories.

He did have some happy times before he ascended the throne.

The late Emperor treasured him dearly, and no matter how busy affairs of state became, he would find time to playfully accompany him.

But regrettably, all these memories ended with the late Emperor’s illness and passing, followed by the inevitable growth and pain since assuming the throne.

Many were there to remind him how to become a ruler remembered by history, yet none remained to care for the once dashing youth he used to be.

As night deepened, indeed, as Dong Yuzhong predicted, it soon began to rain.

Spring rain was as precious as oil, descending from heaven like a bead curtain.

Falling on the ground, forming one small puddle after another, even the branches in the courtyard were beaten down.

The candlelight cast the shadows of the two figures onto the bright window, one listening intently, the other speaking with interest.

Occasionally, laughter would float out, not loud, yet very relaxing to hear.

Dong Yuzhong stood outside the door, holding the horsetail whisk he had used for years, also closing his eyes to enjoy this moment of tranquility.

But then Qiu Ming walked over, seeing him like this, and couldn’t help but ask.