Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 372: Returning to the Traveling Palace
The days flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was already June.
This year’s summer was as hot as ever, like a furnace.
In Yihua Palace, ice was used early on, but it didn’t seem to help much.
Despite the coolness inside the rooms, outside it was still hot enough to burn your feet.
Therefore, Lin Wanyi didn’t like to go out.
She didn’t eat much either, and after a month, she had lost a lot of weight.
At first, the Emperor seeing her like this, thought she might be pregnant.
But after Doctor Dou and Mrs. Yun, the Second Madam, examined her, it was confirmed that she wasn’t.
Ultimately, it was just the bitter summer taking its toll.
So the Emperor instructed someone to make arrangements for the trip to the traveling palace.
Leading the charge, naturally, was Princess Consort Yi, who managed palace affairs.
Lin Guifei’s downfall had worried Princess Consort Yi for some time.
She feared the matters they once discussed might be exposed.
That would be troublesome.
So she was particularly cautious.
Waiting and waiting, several months passed without any news.
Only then did Princess Consort Yi relax and continue to manage the Six Palaces steadily.
When the Emperor ordered preparations for the trip to the traveling palace, she became busy once again.
But this time the travel list wasn’t difficult to handle.
After all, before there were many people, and everyone fought for a spot.
But now, count all you want, and there were just a few concubines.
Naturally, there was no need to be so particular.
In Yuexiu Palace.
Princess Consort Yi sat on the couch, looking at the Diary from recent days.
Her face was very displeased.
It could be described as a lone bloom, in a withered pool.
"I used to think Lin Wan Zhou was difficult to deal with, but now that she’s dead, it’s this quiet Lin Wanyi who’s hard to figure out. At first, there was no sign of her, and by the time we noticed, she had already captured the Emperor’s heart. Even though his visits to the harem aren’t frequent, he always goes to Yihua Palace each time. She’s being as pampered as a cherished flower."
As she spoke, a chill reflected in her gaze.
Ruyi, who was wrapping her nails with clove blossoms, heard this but did not pause her work.
Instead, Lady Jinxiu, from the side, flattered them.
"Isn’t that right, madam? We’ve been in the palace for over two years, but just look at Princess Consort Yi Ning’s position compared to ours, we truly are suffering in silence."
Something inexplicable seemed to have befallen the palace.
One after another, many people fell.
Of course, some was due to their own wrongdoing, but Princess Consort Yi felt things weren’t so simple.
Of the four assisting ministers, only the Marquis of Northwest’s family remained.
Had her grandfather not seen through things early and feigned illness at home, they might not have escaped either.
Thinking of this, she felt a chill down her spine.
Since she entered the palace in the Seventh Year of Yuanhe, twelve years had passed.
A whole zodiac cycle had gone by, yet Princess Consort Yi felt as if the past was still vivid.
But for some reason, it always made her sigh.
"Don’t talk about you, I’ve been in this palace for so many years, and my position hasn’t changed once. But she, from a lowly concubine, has risen to a concubine position. Her future is likely even more promising, wasn’t there news that the Inner Court Department was crafting a phoenix crown and Empress’s wedding dress? Yet it all came to nothing, for reasons unknown."
She once tried to pry this information from Quan Fu, Chief of the Imperial Household, but unfortunately, he was tight-lipped.
Plus, if they were indeed making them, why was there no movement?
So, whether it was true or false, she couldn’t be sure for the moment.
Upon hearing Princess Consort Yi’s words, Lady Jinxiu also sighed.
"When the Emperor said he would change the selection process to once every five years, the maids were delighted. Yet the favor was monopolized by Yihua Palace. Even when newcomers are chosen three years later and gain the Emperor’s favor, her position will likely be firmly established."
Then she chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"But we, who are aging, don’t even know whether to make room for the new arrivals."
Hearing her words, Princess Consort Yi felt somewhat displeased.
Lady Chu was arrogant and domineering, Bai Pin had beauty but no brains; she initially thought Lady Jinxiu had potential and was worthy of cultivation.
But now it seemed she was of no use.
Unable to attract the Emperor’s favor or offer any strategy for herself.
Complaining all the time, truly very dull.
Hence, Princess Consort Yi wore a cold expression, not responding to her words.
At first, Lady Jinxiu was complaining incessantly, but seeing Princess Consort Yi’s unfavorable expression, she dared not speak more.
Afraid of angering her last supporter, which would leave her truly helpless in the palace.
"Forgive my thoughtless words, madam," she pleaded.
Princess Consort Yi shot her a side glance, then reprimanded.
"Knowing you’re foolish, say less in the future, spare me from constant complaints and ruining the feng shui here!"
Hearing this, Lady Jinxiu was so frightened she immediately knelt on the ground.
Now, not just in the harem, but throughout Shengjing City, who would dare tamper with feng shui?
No one would court death like that!
Seeing Lady Jinxiu’s submissiveness, Princess Consort Yi was quite displeased herself.
So, knitting her brows, she waved dismissively.
"Leave, seeing you irks me."
After such scolding, Lady Jinxiu felt deeply saddened.
But she held back her tears, not daring to let a single one fall.
"Yes, this maid will take her leave."
Only after walking out of Yuexiu Palace for a while did she let her tears fall.
And finally, her suppressed sobs emerged.
Thankfully, she lived in a secluded area, so she didn’t encounter anyone.
Once back, she began to cry aloud.
Her lowly background wasn’t something she chose.
Princess Consort Yi’s words were exceedingly harsh.
If only she had half her status, she might have climbed to the concubine position long ago.
With only five concubines in the palace now, such a number would be laughable in any other dynasty.
But the Emperor didn’t care, so she, who couldn’t even rank among the lowest concubines, had no place to speak.
Now, she was utterly regretful.
If she had known, she wouldn’t have entered the palace in the first place.
Not only did she waste a significant amount of her family’s wealth, but she also ended up old and dying in the palace.
The more she thought, the more upset and miserable she felt.
Thus, her crying intensified.
Not far from her, a few patrolling guards rested in the shade.
One with sharp ears heard the crying.
So he whispered conspiratorially.
"In this palace, except for Yihua Palace, aren’t all other palaces like the Cold Palace now?"
"Isn’t that right? We haven’t caught the eye of Mr. Lin, so we’re stuck patrolling this remote area. Forget about achieving any merit, we rarely even get the chance to see any nobles, we’re probably doomed to suffer here our entire lives."
