Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 322: Aunt Overthinking

The news naturally spread without a trace.

West Wing.

In Aunt Guo’s courtyard, she and her daughter Lin Jingshu were playing with her younger son Lin Runzhi.

The child was born in mid-May and is now over half a year old.

The child was raised with great care, so even at just over half a year, he could sit and play with them for a while.

Perhaps it was because Aunt Guo often worried about Mr. Lin during her pregnancy.

As a result, the child and Mr. Lin looked like they were cut from the same mold.

Princess Rongkang originally favored her grandson Lin Guangzhi quite significantly.

But now with the addition of the chubby Lin Runzhi, her fondness was somewhat divided.

Every now and then, she’d send some nice things over or have someone bring Lin Runzhi to Ronghe Hall to play.

A display of a close-knit grandparent-grandchild relationship.

This made Second Madam Wang very unhappy.

Lin Guangzhi was not at home, so he did not feel the affection being divided.

Second Madam Wang managed the household affairs and naturally knew the bias within.

She caused a fuss twice at home over it, but unfortunately, it didn’t have much effect.

With Mr. Lin protecting Aunt Guo and Lin Runzhi, they lived just as well as the main wife and the legitimate son.

As they lived comfortably, Lin Jingshu’s life naturally improved significantly as well.

Therefore, when faced with this brother who is ten years younger than her, Lin Jingshu felt no jealousy, but rather a lot of fondness.

"Brother, look, what’s in sister’s hand?"

Lin Jingshu took a cloth ball made by combining various fabrics, teasing Lin Runzhi.

Lin Runzhi was also born fair and adorable, calling out "waa waa waa" now and then, clapping his hands in response.

Aunt Guo watched her pair of children more carefully than her own eyes, her whole demeanor exuding the grace of a loving mother.

As she basked in this warm atmosphere, a servant came to report that Princess Rongkang had returned.

"Let her be back, why bother reporting it?"

Aunt Guo showed no interest in this news, but the maid Xianglian explained with a mysterious expression.

"Aunt, you may not know, but the old madam returned full of anger, surely something must have happened in the palace."

Hearing this, Aunt Guo frowned and then asked.

"Really?"

"Absolutely true, the servant at the second gate saw it with her own eyes and deliberately sent the news over."

That servant was recently recruited by Aunt Guo, although not capable of much, her information was quite reliable.

Hearing this, Aunt Guo sat up straight, quickly thinking.

There shouldn’t have been such a situation.

Princess Rongkang always returned from the palace with a smug look, why is she so furious this time?

Could it be that something happened to the Imperial Concubine?

She had no connections outside the home, so she knew nothing about what happened in the palace.

Although Mr. Lin showed her much favor, he rarely discussed court matters or palace gossip with her.

"Have someone keep an eye on Second Madam’s room, and report immediately if there’s any news."

It’s too difficult to gather information from Princess Rongkang’s courtyard, so it’s easier to start from Second Madam’s room.

In the past, to live quietly and safely, she never cared about these matters.

But now she can’t afford not to.

Lin Jingshu has become more beautiful as she grows older, and Aunt Guo hopes she can find a good match.

It’s fine if it’s a regular family, but she fears most being used as a favor by Princess Rongkang.

Thrown into a place with many women, she’s afraid her daughter would be devoured without leaving a trace.

Therefore, for her daughter’s future prospects, it’s better for her to be more informed.

Thinking this, she couldn’t help but reach out to stroke Lin Jingshu’s hair.

Though Lin Jingshu was still young, she was quite astute for her age.

After hearing Aunt Guo and maid Xianglian’s conversation, she was quite worried.

Lin Runzhi, being just a baby, naturally didn’t understand any of it, but she comprehended about seventy to eighty percent.

So she anxiously asked.

"Mother, what’s wrong?"

"It’s nothing, just some speculation. As you and your brother grow older, for the sake of your future and self-protection, it’s best to be cautious."

Hearing this, Lin Jingshu’s excited face instantly crumpled.

It’s truly not easy being an illegitimate daughter, now she trusts no one but Aunt Guo and her brother.

Seeing her daughter like this, Aunt Guo felt a pang of heartache.

She then said.

"Don’t worry, nothing much will happen here, it’s just about gathering information. As long as you and your brother are fine, I’m willing to do anything."

Hearing this and seeing her mother’s loving gaze, Lin Jingshu leaned meekly into Aunt Guo’s embrace.

She spoke softly with a hint of coquetry.

"Daughter is also very willing to be mother’s child."

Although Aunt Guo did not have a good background, she was very attentive to her children.

In the past, for Lin Jingshu’s future, she had often compromised and endured.

After having a son, she did not neglect her daughter, thus their mother-daughter relationship was very good.

"Let’s try to stay away from Ronghe Hall for a few days, your grandmother suffered in the palace, who knows when she might vent her anger on us. I’m fine, but you were raised delicately, so it’s better to suffer less."

"Okay, don’t worry mother, if grandmother doesn’t seek me out, I won’t go over there."

She was somewhat afraid of that grandmother, after all, with her status as an illegitimate daughter, she wouldn’t get anything good in her presence.

Why go there to be blamed again like last time?

Seeing her daughter’s sensible look, Aunt Guo felt both comforted and regretful.

With her looks and temperament, if she were born into a better family, she certainly wouldn’t live like this.

But regret is useless, only by holding onto Mr. Lin can she bring stability to herself and her children.

Thinking this, she pulled her completely innocent son closer.

The three of them huddled together, appearing so insignificant in the large Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Unlike the eerie atmosphere of Lin Xiangfu, the Dong Family was filled with joy.

Indeed, when luck comes, it can’t be stopped.

For over a year, the Dong Family’s fortune wasn’t just ordinary good.

Not only did they shed their merchant status, but they also gained successive promotions.

This made the whole family happier than getting rich.

No sooner had they entered the door than Madam Dong began chanting Amitabha Buddha.

"It must be the Bodhisattva’s blessing, that’s why our family has drawn the Holy Emperor’s favor. In a couple of days, I must go to Qinglong Temple to add incense money, to thank the Bodhisattva."

She spoke earnestly, and everyone in the Dong Family laughed along with her.

Mr. Dong, possessing more foresight than his wife, thought it was likely not the Bodhisattva’s blessing, but the benefit of a niece.

So he spoke gratefully.