Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 319 Imperial Court Maintenance

Prince Zhan is displeased with being ignored, and so is Princess Rongkang.

It seems Imperial Consort Lin has become much quieter than before, showing no expression of jealousy or displeasure.

Not even as unwilling as Princess Consort Yi.

Princess Rongkang looked at her granddaughter’s state, feeling incredibly disappointed and frustrated.

After this trip, her spirit even seemed lost upon returning.

To be stepped on by that group from the main branch, it’s something Princess Rongkang cannot tolerate.

After contemplating, she decided to speak herself.

She directed a forced smile at Mr. Lin and said.

"The Dong Family is prosperous now, don’t forget to send me and the Prime Minister invitations for Xingzhi’s wedding. Otherwise, we would feel embarrassed to attend the joyous banquet."

She pretended to make it seem like a joke when she spoke.

But who couldn’t grasp the underlying meaning?

Wasn’t it insinuating that the Lin Family’s main branch couple only cared about the Dong Family?

In Da Wei, filial piety is paramount, and if the main branch couple gained a reputation for being unfilial, it would certainly affect their children.

Mrs. Dong wanted to speak up in defense but was stopped by Mr. Lin beside her.

He gave her a reassuring look and stepped forward with a respectful bow.

"Don’t worry, Commandery Princess, I’ll personally deliver the invitation tomorrow. I just wonder if father and the Commandery Princess will be home tomorrow? If I leave it with a servant, something might go wrong."

His words implied that there might be unruly servants at the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Outwardly, he mentioned servants, but behind the scenes, he implied Princess Rongkang was incapable of managing her household.

Princess Rongkang was momentarily stunned with anger.

Mr. Lin is no longer the weak and easily intimidated person he once was.

Ever since moving out from the family, he hasn’t returned to the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

The wedding invitations for Lin Xingzhi were set to be sent out these few days, so even if Princess Rongkang wanted to find faults, there might not be any.

Upon realizing it, Princess Rongkang narrowed her eyes.

She carefully observed this stepson.

From before, he wouldn’t utter a single word. Now, his wings have hardened, and he dares to refute her face publicly.

So she put on a fake smile and said.

"The Prime Minister is busy with official duties, might not be at the residence. But as for me, I’m just an idle old woman at home every day, you can freely deliver it. Once Xingzhi marries, still need to remind them to return more often; otherwise, the Prime Minister is awaiting daily, we haven’t had a reunion dinner since you left the house."

Her successive remarks clearly aimed to let outsiders know the main branch hasn’t visited since leaving the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Obviously eager to cement the label of unfilial for the main branch couple.

Mr. Lin pursed his lips, matters within the household shouldn’t be known to outsiders.

Otherwise, it would be a laughing stock.

He hadn’t decided on how to respond yet when suddenly Prime Minister Lin spoke up.

"It was for my life’s fate that I had them move out with their children. Now, as the ominous fate remains unresolved, naturally it’s not favorable to have them visit, so don’t crave that reunion meal."

The Lin Family’s main branch was surprised by these words, though they didn’t show it outwardly, inside they found it quite astonishing.

During all those years at the Prime Minister’s Mansion, despite enduring so much suffering, they hadn’t received any concern from Prime Minister Lin.

What does this mean now, how come he suddenly helps them out?

Lin Wanyi looked up at Prime Minister Lin, her eyes calm, but upon closer inspection, she seemed somewhat puzzled.

Prime Minister Lin glanced at her with a gaze full of affection.

As if she had grown up by Prime Minister Lin’s side since childhood.

The grandfather and granddaughter hadn’t drawn any conclusions yet, and instead, Princess Rongkang was tongue-tied by his words, unsure of how to respond.

Previously, no matter what she said, Prime Minister Lin never cared.

Why today, in the imperial court, in front of so many people, does he refute her words?

Isn’t this not giving her face?

Although the turmoil from the main branch’s separation had long passed, it shouldn’t be revisiting the old grudges now, should it?

Is it because witnessing Lin Wanyi’s rise, Imperial Consort Lin showing weakness, hence starting to view the main branch differently?

Nobody knows her spouse’s nature better than Princess Rongkang.

Judging from how he ignored the main branch for so long indicates, to him, familial bonds aren’t significant.

If he genuinely favored them, the life they experienced would be what she might face next.

Thinking of this filled her with worry.

At the imperial court, she couldn’t openly confront Prime Minister Lin either.

Had to grin and bear it.

"Prime Minister is right indeed, I’m just worried for them out of urgency and spoke mistakenly."

She could tolerate it, but Fourth Prince Consort, pleased with Princess Rongkang’s embarrassment, was thrilled.

Not caring about Princess Rongkang’s dignity, she deliberately irritated her, and with a smiling face, she said to Lin Xingzhi.

"We will come uninvited without needing an invitation, after all, as I’m the matchmaker here, surely no one will stop us."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Dong promptly responded sincerely.

"What you say, Princess Consort, without you, this union may not have happened. You and Fourth Prince are esteemed guests to us, hence we will personally deliver invitations together, along with my husband and Xingzhi."

The invitations sent to the Prime Minister’s Mansion would be delivered by Mr. Lin alone.

While for the Fourth Prince Mansion, the whole family of three would attend.

Anyone discerning shall notice which is prioritized.

Their back-and-forth made Princess Rongkang even more embarrassed.

Yet she dared not to lose her temper at the imperial court, stifled by short breath in her chest.

Her face was notably troubling.

Witnessing this, Prince Zhan’s disapproval towards the main branch escalated into aversion.

Previously when hearing from Princess Rongkang, he hadn’t noticed.

Thought they were merely offspring of deceased first wife and merchant families, what storm could they stir up?

But seeing over the past year, while they weren’t in Shengjing City.

Their family climbed rapidly.

Their daughter ascended to a concubine, the eldest son became Imperial Guard Captain.

Even the Dong family now follows becoming court officials.

Indeed, their tactics aren’t ordinary.

Each person’s fortune their own, but if they obstruct, then don’t blame me for being ruthless.

Thus, an idea began forming in his mind, with a smile unwittingly appearing at his lips.

The Emperor, not noticing the smiling Prince Zhan while drinking, instead noticed Princess Rongkang’s embarrassed state, feeling quite pleased internally.

This old Commandery Princess in her youth was quite arrogant.

Flaunting Old Prince Zhan’s power with pride.

After marriage restrained a bit, thinking she cultivated herself in the inner chambers.

Unexpectedly, merely shifted the target of torment to the main branch.

If not for knowing Lin Wanyi, truthfully the situation for Lin Family’s main branch didn’t concern him.

Yet now it matters.

For these are the parents, siblings of his beloved, consequently making him dislike Princess Rongkang along with her.