Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite
Chapter 45 Assistant Minister

Chapter 45: Chapter 45 Assistant Minister

In the eighth year of Jianwu, Yu Wenhong was only six years old, yet he had already attained the status of Crown Prince.

It was originally thought that he could receive guidance from the Emperor and discuss other matters after reaching adulthood.

Unexpectedly, illness struck him like a mountain falling. In just two short years, the once mighty and robust Emperor Yu Wenyan became frail and emaciated.

Seeing that he was about to depart from this world, he summoned four individuals with his last ounce of strength, appointing them as Assistant Ministers.

They were Prime Minister Lin, Prince Zhan, Duke Xu, and the Marquis of Northwest.

At that time, Prime Minister Lin also held the position of tutor to the Crown Prince, so there was both the courtesy of ruler and subject, and the bond of teacher and student between the two.

Among the four, the one closest to Yu Wenhong was indeed Prime Minister Lin.

Prince Zhan represented the Imperial Family, while the Marquis of Northwest represented military forces. These two factions had their frictions in earlier years, so their simultaneous appointment was meant to balance powers.

As for Duke Xu, he was known for his loyalty and integrity, dedicating his life to Da Wei and serving wholeheartedly until his death.

His legitimate granddaughter was the Emperor-appointed Crown Princess Consort.

In the tenth year of Jianwu, the late Emperor passed away. In June of that same year, Crown Prince Yu Wenhong formally ascended the throne, changing the era name to Yuanhe, and it became known as the first year of Yuanhe.

From then on, Yu Wenhong no longer knew what childhood was, nor what happiness was.

Each day he rose early to attend court, listening to political matters he scarcely understood.

After court, he returned to the palace and engaged in endless study.

With Assistant Ministers monitoring in front and the Empress Dowager supervising and inspecting behind, he felt like he was at someone else’s mercy.

Thus, when Lin Wanyi mentioned her past at the Prime Minister’s Mansion, he was somewhat moved.

Everyone envied him for ascending the throne at such a young age, enjoying eternal peace and prosperity.

Yet how many knew of the fear behind it and the profound loneliness that seeped into his bones?

Seemingly, he possessed everything under heaven, with three thousand beauties and numerous offspring, but how many genuinely admired him among them?

Since Empress Xu’s death, there was not a single confidant left in the palace.

Now, the arrival of Lin Wanyi provided Yu Wenhong with some sense of stability.

Therefore, a thorough investigation into Lin Wanyi’s background was necessary; he could no longer afford any turmoil around him.

Upon receiving the news from the Inner Court Department about constructing Xianyi Palace, they immediately set to work.

Selecting materials, carving imperial characters, painting with gold lacquer—each step was done meticulously and swiftly, leaving the carpenters exhausted.

In a single day and night, they rushed the plaque to completion.

When it was delivered to the left side of the palace, Chunqi and Lin Wanyi both came out to see it.

Previously, the left side of the palace was just an ordinary structure, seemingly insignificant.

But the moment this plaque was hung, it transformed into "home."

Lin Wanyi was very fond of this plaque.

To outsiders, it was a symbol of imperial favor, as there weren’t many plaques personally inscribed by the Emperor’s hand in the harem.

But in Lin Wanyi’s heart, she felt this was the first place that truly belonged to her.

To speak frankly, during her time at the Prime Minister’s Mansion, the East Cross Courtyard was merely a temporary shelter for their main family.

There was no warmth of a home at all.

In her maternal grandfather’s house for those years, there was a sense of belonging, but she couldn’t stay there forever.

But Xianyi Palace was different.

Whether she liked it or not, once she entered the palace, she would never dream of leaving again in this lifetime.

So, this would be her forever "home"!

No matter if she would move to another place due to promotion or decline in the future, this would remain one of her most beautiful memories.

"The Emperor must really like you, as the name of this place contains your name,"

Chunqi softly whispered in Lin Wanyi’s ear.

Lin Wanyi didn’t quite know how to respond to this.

Only a month into the palace, she already managed such interactions with the Emperor.

Whether there was liking involved was uncertain, but there must have been something distinct compared to others.

Standing in front of the palace gate, after observing for a while and just as she was preparing to enter, someone arrived.

"Sister, I came uninvited; you won’t be upset, will you?"

The visitor was none other than Mu Daying, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time, striding swiftly from outside, causing Qiu Ming and others to frown.

Mu Lanchun, quick in her steps, reached Lin Wanyi, affectionately took her hand, and laughed as she spoke.

"Sister, you are truly blessed; I’ve heard about it from the right side palace."

After speaking, she glanced at the high-hanging plaque, envy flashing in her eyes.

"I heard previously that you were injured. I wanted to visit but thought you were recovering and that it wouldn’t be appropriate to disturb you. So, it took until today, my sister won’t blame me, right?"

Mu Lanchun spoke with seeming grievance, but Lin Wanyi felt there was nothing of consequence.

After all, their relationship was no more than a few spoken words; it hadn’t reached the stage of disappointment.

"It’s kind of you to think of it, sister. Even if you had come earlier, I wouldn’t have been able to see you due to being under medication, sleeping, and recuperating. It’s only in the last couple of days that I’ve been able to move around again."

Upon hearing this, Mu Lanchun turned back, motioned to her maid Ying’er.

"This is our family’s ancestral balm for bruises and injuries. If you don’t mind, dear sister, it might be useful."

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, sister."

Saying this, she gestured for Xia An to accept it.

Seeing this, Mu Lanchun took on the task of supporting Lin Wanyi into the inner chamber.

The two sat in the main hall as Qiu Ming instructed them to serve tea.

Mu Lanchun took a sip and said with genuine surprise.

"No wonder His Majesty loves visiting you; even this tea is somewhat different."

This statement was somewhat insincere since the tea Qiu Ming served Mu Lanchun was ordinary, not fruit tea.

Thus, claiming the tea was somewhat unique was purely a polite gesture that anyone could see through.

Lin Wanyi merely smiled without speaking.

One does not visit the Treasure Palace without a reason; she believed Mu Daying did not come to see her on a whim and surely had something on her mind.

However, Lin Wanyi couldn’t take the initiative to ask.

After half a cup of tea and some small talk, Mu Daying finally hesitantly spoke.

"Sister, I heard you’ll be going to watch the dragon boat race during the Dragon Boat Festival, and I wonder if you could take me along?"

Watching the dragon boat race is actually something the harem can attend, and since Mu Daying held a position, naturally she could go. But her words left Lin Wanyi puzzled.

"Could it be that..."

Mu Lanchun looked disappointed, a bit unwilling yet not daring to show it too obviously.

"Sister is blessed with abundant love and can naturally accompany His Majesty, but for someone as insignificant as me, even if I were to follow, I would most likely stand at the back, barely able to see the lake, let alone the dragon boats."

"Sister, I...please have mercy."

Mu Lanchun is quite interesting; each visit has a purpose.

Moreover, she doesn’t hide it, being truthful about her intentions.

She didn’t want to spend her life in obscurity within the palace; even if she couldn’t become a favored concubine, she at least didn’t want to become an unnoticed concubine.

Thus, she sought help from Lin Wanyi.

Chunqi was evidently displeased with such an impudent request.