Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 321: Courteous Grandparent and Grandchild
The Emperor went to sober up, and the Empress Dowager wanted to return to the palace.
The people present had also consumed quite a bit of wine, leaving them somewhat dizzy, so the Empress Dowager thought it over and then said.
"Hmm, since it’s like this, the palace banquet is almost over. Princess Consort Yi, make sure to see all the ministers out of the palace properly, understood?"
Now that Princess Consort Yi was managing palace affairs, it was appropriate to entrust this matter to her.
Princess Consort Yi did not refuse and immediately stood up to respond respectfully.
"Yes, your Highness, I obey."
With the Empress Dowager having spoken, the rest of the people had no reason to linger in the palace.
After Consort Qian helped the Empress Dowager leave, the crowd also dispersed.
Lin Guifei was not favored when she was present, and she left quietly as well.
She was nothing like the influential figure she was a year ago; this trip to Taishan truly brought her many new thoughts.
In contrast, today’s Lin Wanyi attracted quite a bit of attention.
After most of the people had left, she stood up and approached the Prime Minister Lin and the Dong Family.
"Grandfather, Grandmother, forgive me. The situation was special today, and I didn’t have much chance to speak with you. On my brother’s wedding day, I will come to celebrate with the Emperor and the children."
"Don’t worry, we understand such things. Just take care of yourself and the children in the palace."
It was Mrs. Dong speaking, looking at Lin Wanyi with content eyes.
In her heart, she was quite pleased.
Standing beside her, Mr. Lin and his wife also expressed their sentiments, saying swiftly.
"Having the Emperor and the Consort coming is a great honor for our family, and we’ll certainly make proper arrangements."
Now that Mr. Lin and his wife were in charge of the household, they naturally spoke with a certain assertiveness.
Hearing their definite response, Lin Wanyi was relieved.
A little eunuch, responsible for escorting the Dong Family and the Lin Family out of the palace, had been waiting, not urging them verbally but it wasn’t appropriate to keep him waiting.
So, after the people paid their respects to Lin Wanyi, they slowly retreated.
Seeing her family walk away in the distance, Lin Wanyi was about to leave when Prime Minister Lin stopped her.
"This old minister greets the Consort."
Lin Wanyi snapped back to reality, her eyes and heart full of complexity as she met Prime Minister Lin’s gaze.
Though they were blood relatives, they had hardly spoken throughout the years.
Had Prime Minister Lin not stopped her, Lin Wanyi wouldn’t even have noticed he was still there.
However, she had to maintain decorum, so she spoke.
"Prime Minister, no need for formalities."
She had nothing important to say to him.
Yet, seeing Princess Rongkang glaring at her from afar, she thought staying to provoke her was a good thing.
"I wonder why the Prime Minister has kept me here, is there something you wish to discuss?"
Prime Minister Lin, having been an official in court for decades, understood well that this was her way of distancing herself.
But he did not mind.
After all, given his previous attitude towards the main branch of the family, he didn’t expect Lin Wanyi to be moved back with just a few words.
Only considering the future of the Lin Family, he kindly reminded her.
"The Consort is now favored by the Emperor, naturally thinking of working hard for the family and clan, but remember that being too conspicuous is not a good thing. Be careful not to arouse envy, causing the family to become a target of hatred."
Prime Minister Lin didn’t exchange pleasantries with Lin Wanyi.
He spoke directly.
What he referred to about working hard for the family and clan was not about the Lin Family, but the Dong Family and the main branch.
This was something both of them clearly understood.
This time, Lin Wanyi saw more sincerity in Prime Minister Lin’s eyes compared to before.
Because what Prime Minister Lin mentioned, Lin Wanyi already had a handle on.
She had concealed her abilities since entering the palace, for fear of attracting trouble.
But now, with the Emperor’s blatant favor, what she had to do was face it head-on.
"Thank you for the reminder, Prime Minister. I am well aware of this. Heavenly Family’s grace, even if it doesn’t fall on the Dong Family, it will fall on others. If that’s the case, I would rather it falls on the Dong Family. After all, everyone has biases and will devote themselves to those they care about, wouldn’t they?"
This statement had a double meaning, something Prime Minister Lin understood very well.
But for him, whether favoring the West Wing was for genuine affection for Princess Rongkang and Mr. Lin or for the lure of power, only he knew in his heart.
For Lin Wanyi, it was no longer important.
Her only concern was protecting the main branch and the Dong Family.
Prime Minister Lin looked at her for a moment, then calmly said.
"If so, then this old minister wishes the Consort fulfills her desires."
"Thank you for your blessings, Prime Minister."
The grandfather and granddaughter exchanged polite words as if they’d only met recently.
Then each went their own way.
On the way home, Princess Rongkang couldn’t help but speak to Prime Minister Lin.
"Prime Minister, what is the meaning of this? Both are granddaughters, yet you spoke so much to Yi, but I haven’t seen you pay attention to Lin Guifei! Is it because she is no longer favored by the Emperor, so you deliberately keep your distance?"
Though she felt disappointed in Lin Guifei, she was her legitimate granddaughter, so she needed to defend her.
Prime Minister Lin rested his eyes, emotionlessly saying one sentence.
"With you and Prince Zhan Mansion planning for Lin Guifei, my few words don’t make much difference."
"What are you talking about, Prime Minister? What have we planned for Lin Guifei? If we truly had, why do we not see the Emperor favoring her as before? Instead, after Yi entered the palace, she has overshadowed Lin Guifei. Now it seems like she’s surpassing Lin Guifei."
Perhaps, since she was facing someone close, Princess Rongkang spoke more freely.
Unfortunately, the more she said, the more mistakes she made.
Having accompanied Prime Minister Lin for decades, she still hadn’t grasped one principle.
For Prime Minister Lin, the only protection comes from being useful; otherwise, even one’s own children can be discarded. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎
Hearing Princess Rongkang’s words, Prime Minister Lin opened his eyes momentarily.
A hint of mockery in his eyes.
"Whatever you and Prince Zhan are planning, I understand, and I’m sure the Emperor understands too. As someone who’s been married for decades, I advise you: what’s meant to be will be, what’s not meant to be won’t come, to avoid ending up with nothing and being unable to bear it."
These words made Princess Rongkang’s already unsightly face even darker.
"What do you mean, Prime Minister? Is it wrong for me to want to support my granddaughter? Or have you always viewed us this way?"
Alas, no matter how anxious she got, it was useless, as Prime Minister Lin said no more on the rest of the journey.
Upon reaching the mansion gates, he didn’t get off the carriage but went straight elsewhere.
Angry, Princess Rongkang began to rage as soon as she entered the Prime Minister’s Mansion.
