Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 397: Blessings and Disasters Arrive

Lin Wanyi rarely responded to his kiss, and the two were lost in a trance.

Under the moonlight, emotions ran deep, leaving the full moon in the night sky blushing.

Meanwhile, Imperial Concubine Yi and the Third Prince were still at the night banquet, dreaming of ascending to the throne.

And Consort Mu, slightly tipsy, went outside to catch some fresh air and sober up.

The moonlight was so beautiful, marking another full moon festival.

At such times, she especially missed her family members back home.

But shedding tears was not her forte; she preferred climbing upwards rather than succumbing to weakness.

Now, the position of Imperial Concubine Yi and the Third Prince had solidified.

What she needed to do was to cling tightly to this great tree. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

And reap the benefits without effort.

As for the Dong Family and others she had plotted against, she could only say it was fate, it was luck.

No blame could be laid on her.

A smile had just appeared on her lips when suddenly a dark shadow dashed out.

A hand struck her unconscious, and the palace maid Ying’er by her side met the same fate.

Master and servant were seized by several dark figures, avoiding all the patrolling guards in the palace.

Clearly, they were well-acquainted with the palace.

Poor Consort Mu, her climb to higher status had not even begun before she fell into a mire again.

Two days later, the Emperor set off, taking all those who came with him back to the traveling palace.

Upon leaving, he also had Dong Yuzhong take many items commonly used in the Imperial Study Room.

This action naturally aroused the curiosity of many people.

Could it be that the Emperor was planning to stay longer this time?

Although Imperial Concubine Yi was also curious, she thought about it and believed that the Emperor would have to return for the New Year’s Eve anyway.

Thus, she didn’t care too much.

After the Emperor left, throughout the entire Imperial Palace, she became the true decision-maker.

She never had a gentle disposition, so there was no pretense.

With an iron hand, she reformed many outdated customs within the palace.

Thus, not only was the palace renewed, but the hearts of the people in the palace as well.

Now, even the Chief of the Imperial Household, Quan Fu, leaned towards Imperial Concubine Yi’s favor.

And some ministers in the court, who had caught the scent, began to align themselves, both openly and secretly.

At the forefront was undoubtedly the Third Prince’s companion reader, Fang Yuanbin of the Marquis Zhongyong Mansion.

Initially, Imperial Concubine Yi favored Zeng Konghou as chosen by Lin Guifei.

Unfortunately, that man was nothing but a bookish fool.

No matter how much the Third Prince hinted, openly or secretly, he never made any stance.

Such behavior displeased both the Third Prince and Imperial Concubine Yi.

They simply removed him from the list.

But those they discarded naturally should not be picked up by the Second Prince.

So, they secretly tampered with Zeng Konghou’s horse, causing him to fall and break a leg.

He is now recuperating at home.

Since the Fang family aligned with the Third Prince, their relatives by marriage naturally also sided with the Third Prince’s faction.

Mostly of military background, they were remarkably united at this moment.

Therefore, even though the Marquis of Northwest no longer managed affairs of the Northwest Army, he simply claimed illness and rested at home.

It didn’t hinder their banding together for warmth.

So, while the Emperor was at the traveling palace, he frequently received some memorials.

Both openly and secretly, they praised the Third Prince’s innate nobility and commanding presence.

Looking at those memorials, the Emperor smiled, but that smile didn’t reach his eyes.

"Dong Yuzhong."

"Your servant is here."

"Secretly deliver this letter to Feng Qi and Jiang Huanqing. It’s been a year, it’s time to show some results to the Marquis of Northwest."

"Yes, your servant obeys."

After Dong Yuzhong withdrew, the Emperor finally looked up at the towering pile of memorials, then buried himself in them again, continuing his review.

Since returning to the traveling palace, the Emperor, apart from his daily greetings to the Empress Dowager, scarcely left the doors of Ruiyang Pavilion.

And Qin An had already tidied a neighboring courtyard to serve as the Imperial Study Room for the Emperor.

Everything was ready, arranged in the style of the palace back home.

Thus, the Emperor’s stay here felt just as before.

However, in his idle moments, he always accompanied Lin Wanyi.

Sometimes boating, sometimes admiring flowers.

Utterly leisurely.

As if to publicly reveal the hidden affections from before.

Making everyone in the traveling palace envious.

Everyone said, it was Consort Yin Ning’s great fortune.

This level of imperial favor was unmatched in the current dynasty.

Looking at the Emperor’s attentiveness, it seemed his feelings were still deeply affectionate.

Over there, they lived a loving and peaceful life.

Yet, in Yuexiu Palace, Imperial Concubine Yi was getting anxious.

"Useless, only now reporting when Consort Mu has been missing for so long, why didn’t you wait until her body was found to report back!"

Kneeling below was Chief Quan Fu.

Now that Imperial Concubine Yi reigned supreme, any major or minor affairs naturally had to be reported to her.

Even though it was the cool and crisp September, Quan Fu’s forehead still had some sweat.

Having served in the palace for so long, he had some understanding of Imperial Concubine Yi’s temperament.

He could only brace himself and continue to report.

"Please calm your anger, Your Highness. Lately, this servant has been busy furnishing the Third Prince’s residence, and Consort Mu has always been reclusive and had few acquaintances in the palace, so she went unnoticed."

"When the time came for monthly allowances and there was no one from Yao Yue Palace, this servant only then realized. However, the servants and palace maids serving Consort Mu were strangely bewitched, as if possessed. Even when their master had been missing for several days, they did not report!"

These words grew more astonishing, with a noble missing and her servants as if cursed, only doing their work and not speaking.

It was eerie, causing furrowed brows.

"Keep this news sealed, externally say that Consort Mu is seriously ill and not fit to see anyone, understood?"

"Yes, this servant follows Your Highness’ command."

After Chief Quan Fu left, Ruan Ming approached.

The sinister look in his eyes made even Imperial Concubine Yi uncomfortable.

"What do you think of this matter?"

"This servant believes there are only two possibilities: either the Emperor ordered her capture, or the palace waters are murky enough, allowing a master behind the scenes to evade detection."

After hearing Ruan Ming’s words, Imperial Concubine Yi let out a cold snort.

This was no good omen.

If it was the Emperor’s doing, perhaps he had discovered Consort Mu’s secret schemes.

Therefore, this was a warning, a demonstration to deter others.

Then their planned actions must immediately cease, otherwise, no one knew who the next disappearance might be.

But if someone else acted, then who could that person be?