Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 386: Unafraid of Rumors

It had been such a busy period of time.

Finally, on the fourth day of August, the first birthday of the Fifth Prince and the Third Princess arrived, and the rumors outside seemed to calm down a bit.

Throughout all the commotion, although Lin Wanyi was residing in the palace, she naturally heard bits of it.

She just hadn’t expressed any opinions.

Initially, she also thought the best way to quell the turmoil was to hold a new selection.

But slowly, she changed her mind.

The Emperor’s support, the intervention of her godfather and godmother, and the assistance from her family.

All of it was meant to make her happy.

Even the Empress Dowager, who should have said something, turned a deaf ear to these matters, so why should she open her mouth?

For her, if she could lead a peaceful life in the palace, that would be the best.

And it is undoubtedly true that the more women there are, the more disputes arise.

Therefore, she set her mind at rest and decided to "enjoy" these carefree days.

On the day of the birthday feast, Lin Wanyi purposely got up very early.

Because she wanted to prepare some surprises for the children.

Looking at the Emperor still resting beside her, breathing evenly, she felt a surge of happiness in her heart.

Then she gently got out of bed.

She arranged her wash and dressing routine in the side room, to avoid disturbing the Emperor’s rest.

When everything was ready, she asked.

"Where are the children? Are they up yet?"

Xia An calmly replied.

"The Second Prince has already gone to the archery field; as for the other princes and princesses, they are still resting."

In summer, the days dawn early, but the Second Prince’s diligence truly made Lin Wanyi feel a bit impressed.

"The Second Prince is still in his growing years, remember to tell Nanny Du to make sure to urge the Second Prince to rest more."

"I will remember it, Mistress."

"Alright, let’s go."

With that, the master and servant left the room, heading towards the small kitchen.

Chunqi was already waiting there, as soon as she saw Lin Wanyi and Xia An coming, it felt like going back to when they were at the East Cross Courtyard of the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

"Your Highness, everything is ready, should we start now?"

"Let’s begin. Otherwise, when His Majesty wakes up, he’ll want me to attend to him again."

Upon hearing this, Chunqi couldn’t help but laugh softly and exclaimed.

"When we first entered the palace, I was worried whether the Emperor would notice you, didn’t expect that it’s only been a few days, and the Emperor doesn’t even want to leave our palace, it’s so nice!"

Being teased like that, Lin Wanyi felt a bit shy.

So she feigned anger and said.

"Alright, hurry up and get started! Or else we truly won’t make it."

"Alright, Mistress, I’m on it."

With a jocular response, Lin Wanyi playfully rolled her eyes at Chunqi.

Then the three of them started working in the small kitchen.

Lin Wanyi was not skilled at cooking, but she knew well how to eat.

Today, she intended to make a dish of steamed crabmeat lion’s head.

This dish had a mild flavor and needed time to simmer.

That’s why she got up so early.

Fresh pork belly was cut into pomegranate-sized pieces and then minced.

Mixing lean and fatty meat, plus scallion and ginger water and salt as seasonings.

Water chestnuts were cut into small cubes, and along with fresh river crab meat, were together beaten into balls.

Considering the children would eat as well, Lin Wanyi intentionally made the meatballs small and exquisite.

Seeing them, Chunqi laughed and commented.

"Your Highness, the usual dish is lion’s head, but yours are too small!"

"No problem, no problem, I’m making little lion’s heads."

The sentence made both Chunqi and Xia An burst into laughter.

Once everything was ready, Chunqi fetched a clay pot, filled it with clear water, added scallion segments and slices of ginger, and put the small meatballs in.

Putting it on a small stove for slow simmering.

The floating skimming on top was carefully removed, slowly thickening the sauce.

By the time the aroma began to waft, Lin Wanyi handed the small kitchen back to Chunqi.

"Don’t worry, Mistress, I’ll make sure to handle the heat properly."

Lin Wanyi nodded.

Then she took a deep breath and left the small kitchen.

On the way back to the side room, she couldn’t help but self-deprecatingly say.

"Indeed, I’m not suited for the kitchen; just a short while makes me feel exhausted."

Xia An immediately comforted her.

"Mistress didn’t have breakfast, that’s why you feel weak, after a bowl of porridge later, you’ll feel better."

"Hmm."

After returning to the side room, she freshened up again.

Particularly the greasy smell on her hands which she disliked.

If it weren’t a special day today, she wouldn’t cook herself.

With Chunqi supervising, the food shouldn’t taste too bad.

While she was thinking, unexpectedly someone suddenly appeared behind her and directly embraced her.

With a head drooping on her shoulder, somewhat complaining, he said.

"Where did you go this early?"

Lin Wanyi was initially startled, but hearing the voice clearly, she helplessly said.

"Your Majesty, you scared me."

Then she wiped her hands clean with a cloth, applied dew moisturizer, and held it under her nose to smell, reassuring herself that there was no odor.

Just as she was about to set her hand down, the Emperor grabbed it and gave it a peck, causing Lin Wanyi to hurriedly pull back.

Her face flushed slightly as she glanced around, relieved to find Xia An wasn’t there.

Seeing her like this, the Emperor couldn’t help but laugh.

"What’s there to be afraid of? In this palace, there’s no servant who dare gossip carelessly."

"Ah, I’m afraid the rumors outside might ruin Your Majesty’s reputation, which would be troublesome."

The Emperor raised an eyebrow and glanced at Lin Wanyi.

Then teasingly asked.

"Aren’t you afraid of ruining your own?"

"My good name depends on Your Majesty; if you are an enlightened monarch, I am naturally Consort Xian. If you are a foolish monarch, then my reputation as an evil concubine is something I can’t shake off. So, for the sake of my reputation, please make sure to be an enlightened monarch."

The Emperor probably didn’t expect Lin Wanyi to reason like this, he chuckled foolishly.

Then lovingly said.

"Alright, for love and consort’s reputation, I will strive to be a great enlightened monarch! So that future generations know I have the virtuous Consort Yin Ning as an exemplar of female virtues!"

Lin Wanyi, like an old scholar, nodded with agreement.

In the end, she couldn’t hold it in and laughed.

The two exchanged a glance, both feeling this way of life was wonderful.

While enjoying their tender moment, they were interrupted by voices from outside.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, the princes and princesses have come to pay their respects."

The speaker was Dong Yuzhong, with Qiu Ming standing alongside.

Both were respectful and disciplined, as if they hadn’t heard anything from inside the room just now.

Lin Wanyi struggled out of the Emperor’s embrace and glanced outside.