Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite
Chapter 7: First Encounter with the Dragon’s Countenance

Chapter 7: Chapter 7: First Encounter with the Dragon’s Countenance

The soft silk wrapped around her body, thinking of the sleeping nanny’s rules for sleeping arrangements mentioned earlier, Lin Wanyi felt discontent in her heart, but she did not show it on her face.

Being carried into the inner hall wrapped in brocade, it was an unparalleled honor in the eyes of others, but to her, it felt quite demeaning.

Unexpectedly, the sleeping nanny brought a set of palace attire made of tribute satin snow-white skirts, helping Lin Wanyi to dress properly.

"Nanny, didn’t you say..."

Lin Wanyi hadn’t finished speaking when the sleeping nanny, with a hint of approval in her eyes, said.

"The Emperor has granted that the young mistress may wear palace attire while serving, this is a rare grace, truly a profound blessing for you, young mistress."

Lin Wanyi smiled, but did not respond.

Others might think it was a divinely bestowed fortune, but she felt that when a tree stands out, the wind will surely destroy it.

The Emperor’s favor toward her, it was either for the sake of Lin Xiang or Lin Guifei, for her, a mere concubine to receive such love, it would surely lead to future ostracism.

But this isn’t something she can meddle in, so she had no choice but to let the palace maid help her dress.

The sleeping nanny originally wanted to apply makeup for her, but Lin Wanyi’s natural beauty shined more without artificial embellishment.

As the saying goes, "A lotus blooms from clear water, naturally without adornment."

So, with just a touch of moisturizing lotion, Lin Wanyi was sent to the inner hall of Qian’an Hall.

The inner hall was larger than the side hall, filled with superior treasures, with nanmu wood furniture arranged with meticulous artistry, and a faint incense was burning in the gilded copper furnace at the center.

The sleeping nanny led her to sit by a Baxian table and then quietly withdrew.

Pretending not to be curious would be a lie, for this was the residence of the most esteemed person in Da Wei. Lin Wanyi turned her head to look around, truly feeling the imperial grandeur.

In Da Wei, the colors bright yellow and black symbolize the Emperor, not to be casually used by ordinary people, even for someone as high as Lin Guifei, the yellow used would at most be chrysanthemum yellow.

Yet in Qian’an Hall, the bright yellow was used to its fullest extent, with the most striking feature naturally being the Ming yellow curtains behind the carved nanmu door, covering the wide dragon bed, seeming like cicada’s wing silk, its outline faintly visible.

Just as she was thinking about it, the sound of footsteps from outside echoed into Lin Wanyi’s heart.

Her initially calm heart suddenly began to pound, and she could only rely on swallowing slightly to ease her emotions.

"Concubine Lin greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be ever at peace."

She stood up, took a few quick steps forward, and then kneeled on the intricate silk carpet to greet the Emperor.

This was the court’s rule.

Soon, those black boots embroidered with golden dragons stopped in front of her, and when Lin Wanyi slightly raised her eyes, she knew it was impossible not to feel nervous.

In the Prime Minister’s Mansion, the highest official she had seen was her own grandfather.

Her grandfather was stern and reticent, and she did not know the attitude of the Emperor before her.

Having kneeled too quickly earlier, she hadn’t seen the Emperor’s appearance clearly, but he seemed to gaze at her steadily for a moment before speaking calmly.

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Observing the rules, Lin Wanyi continuously lowered her gaze to the woven carpet, showing utmost respect.

"No need to be anxious, raise your head and let me have a look."

The moment he finished speaking, Lin Wanyi pursed her lips slightly, her posture straightened, but her eyes remained lowered, displaying the submissive demeanor a concubine should have.

It must be said that Lin Wanyi’s looks would surprise anyone who saw her, even the Emperor who had seen countless people.

"The Prime Minister’s Mansion seems to have good feng shui."

Hearing this, Lin Wanyi was momentarily at a loss for a response.

With one sitting and one standing, though only a few steps apart, it seemed as if there was a veil in between, difficult to approach.

According to the sleeping nanny’s guidance, Lin Wanyi should be expressing more in receiving favor, to ensure the Emperor remembers her often.

Yet Lin Wanyi’s feet felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, and her mouth seemed sealed shut, so she could only stand there quietly as the Emperor assessed her.

"How old are you this year?"

"I will be seventeen in June."

"What do you like to do in your spare time?"

"My mother is good at embroidery, so I learned some from her."

"Do you know how to read?"

"I know a few words."

The Emperor asked a question, and Lin Wanyi answered each one, not at all like a concubine eager to win favor, but rather like a student being questioned by a teacher.

"I remember when Lin Guifei first entered the palace, she had quite the eloquent mouth. Though you are sisters, your speech is somewhat clumsy." _{\n(o)v.e\l.com}

After saying this, there seemed to be a light chuckle, not loud, but it made Lin Wanyi feel that this Emperor was a difficult master to serve.

The gap between an Imperial Consort and a concubine was like heaven and earth, let alone being clumsy; it seemed that excelling in nothing might be the only way to live peacefully.

But all this was impossible for her to say, so she thought for a moment and could only reply.

"Your Majesty speaks true, Imperial Concubine possesses grace beyond comparison to this humble servant."

Listening to her "sincere" answer, the Emperor, who was seated, had nothing to say.

Dong Yuzhong, the Chief Eunuch by the Emperor’s side, upon hearing these words, stepped forward and softly spoke.

"Your Majesty did not have much for supper, would you like to summon them to send some more?"

"No need, I’m not hungry."

As soon as he said this, Lin Wanyi’s hands folded in front of her lightly pressed against her stomach.

The Venerable Emperor naturally wouldn’t be hungry, but since she had left home, she had only eaten two pastries to stave off hunger, and now her stomach felt empty.

Yet in front of the Emperor, especially as a concubine just preparing for the night, how could she dare to say she was hungry?

So she could only endure it.

Fortunately, she wasn’t a glutton, she could find an opportunity to drink some tea later.

Her mind had already turned countless times, but her face still displayed a humble and submissive expression.

"Very well, have the Imperial Kitchen send some light porridge."

"Yes, at your command."

Quickly, the people from the Imperial Kitchen brought over a white porcelain bowl, and before it was even uncovered, the aroma wafted into Lin Wanyi’s nose.

The palace attendants were well-trained; after delivering the items, they swiftly withdrew, and in no time, it was just Lin Wanyi and the Emperor alone in the inner hall.

The white porcelain bowl was placed on the same Baxian table; with the palace attendants gone, the only one left to serve the meal was Lin Wanyi.

"Hungry? Would you like some?"

Lin Wanyi’s hand, poised to ladle the porridge, paused for a moment. The fish slice porridge looked perfectly cooked and appetizing, but the sleeping nanny hadn’t mentioned she could dine with the Emperor. If she agreed, would it break the rules?

So she could only speak the truth.

"I haven’t had supper, so I am indeed a bit hungry, but as a humble servant, I dare not dine with Your Majesty."

"You are quite straightforward."

The Emperor, sitting there, spoke with a somewhat gentle tone, and whether it was Lin Wanyi’s imagination or not, she seemed to hear a slight chuckle.