Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 419 Confrontation (Additional Update for Recommended Votes)
Whether it’s the one in her belly or the ones around her, she wouldn’t give up a single one.
So, she lifted her head, and with eyes full of determination, she spoke.
"Thank you, Imperial Concubine, for your understanding, but the children have always been raised by my side and have never left. If they were suddenly sent off, I’m afraid they wouldn’t adapt. Moreover, it’s cold now, and tossing them around could make them ill, which would be troublesome. The Imperial Concubine must manage the affairs of the Six Palaces and also encourage the Third Prince’s studies, which must be quite demanding. So, I appreciate your kindness, but the children will not be leaving me."
Her words made her stance clear, causing Imperial Concubine Yi to look at her with a cold smile.
At this moment, the Second Princess also stepped forward with a sense of responsibility.
Holding Lin Wanyi’s hand, as if conveying a warm strength.
"Father, Mother is ill, I don’t want to go, and neither will the younger siblings!"
Such firm resolve, truly worthy of being the child raised by Lin Wanyi.
Indeed, like mother, like child!
Although her words weren’t eloquent, her meaning was very clear.
Seeing this, the Emperor showed more affection towards the Second Princess.
This child was well-raised, and she began to defend Lin Wanyi.
So he coughed twice and said.
"Alright, since the Second Princess has spoken, they won’t be sent away."
Backtracking smoothly, Imperial Concubine Yi glanced at the Emperor and didn’t say much else.
Qiu Ming had someone serve tea, and both the Emperor and Imperial Concubine Yi took their seats.
"Good tea, surely only at my sister’s place can it be found. It seems the Emperor favors my sister more; such fine things can’t be found in the Yuexiu Palace."
Today, she came with a purpose in mind.
Naturally, her speech was primarily probing.
Unfortunately, both the Emperor and Lin Wanyi were well aware of this, so they didn’t engage with her comments.
"You flatter me, Your Highness."
The Emperor, on the other hand, seemed to ignore them, quietly sipping his tea.
His mind was more occupied with hoping Second Madam, Mrs. Yun, would quickly deliver the pills to the traveling palace.
Otherwise, if this dragged on, she might not even have the strength to attend the New Year’s Eve banquet.
Leaving her alone in the traveling palace, he couldn’t feel at ease.
Lin Wanyi hadn’t seen the Emperor for a long time and felt a bit nostalgic for the days in the Imperial Palace.
After all, if she could be in the Imperial Palace, at least there would be secret passages connecting.
She could tell the Emperor about her pregnancy.
But now, she didn’t dare take the risk.
Having one Fifth Prince already made Imperial Concubine Yi wary, if there was another, wouldn’t it drive her even more mad?
So Lin Wanyi preferred to keep it hidden for a few more days, for the safety of the child.
Fortunately, winter clothes were heavy, and her recent loss of appetite meant there wasn’t the swelling expected in pregnant women.
Even sitting opposite Imperial Concubine Yi, it wasn’t noticed.
But Dong Yuzhong took another look at Lin Wanyi, seemingly having other thoughts.
However, he quickly suppressed these thoughts, discreetly standing by and attending.
Throughout the visit, it was mostly Imperial Concubine Yi asking questions, while Lin Wanyi either avoided answering or pretended to be clueless.
The Emperor occupied himself with drinking tea and snacking, or playing with the children.
As if this matter had never concerned him.
Imperial Concubine Yi felt unwelcome in the Ruiyang Pavilion, and a resentment brewed silently within.
Thus, with a forced smile, she looked at Lin Wanyi and said.
"Has my sister, who has been ill these days, heard the news outside? It’s said the Fourth Prince Consort nearly passed away."
"What?"
Lin Wanyi’s frail condition was originally a result of excessive worry.
And now, with the Dong Family’s issues unresolved, why would the Fourth Prince Consort have problems?
She knew that after the trouble in the Dong Family, her first reaction was to pray day and night for the Dong Family to escape danger, and hoped the Lin Family wouldn’t stir trouble.
If more problems arose, she wouldn’t be able to detach herself from being implicated.
Despite all her thoughts, she never imagined the next issue would be with the Fourth Prince Consort.
Judging by the situation, the Liu Family really wouldn’t rest until they reached their goals.
Even targeting the Fourth Prince Mansion so brazenly — could it be madness?
Thus, with a very unpleasant expression, she glared at Imperial Concubine Yi and coldly asked.
"How is the Fourth Prince Consort?"
Imperial Concubine Yi saw Lin Wanyi’s expression and couldn’t help but feel pleased.
She didn’t want Lin Wanyi to be comfortable so quickly, hence intentionally delaying her speech. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
Seeing Lin Wanyi’s face getting darker, the Emperor grew uneasy.
So he feigned impatience and said.
"I have matters from the previous court session to attend to, so I won’t linger here. If Imperial Concubine Yi has no obligations, she should quickly return. There are many things to handle for the New Year’s Eve banquet and the Lantern Festival family banquet. Regarding the Concubine here, Dong Yuzhong."
"At your service, Your Majesty."
"A message came from Fourth Prince Uncle saying the Fourth Prince Consort is much better. In that case, have Mrs. Yun visit the Imperial Palace to check on the Concubine. She has many children around her; we can’t delay lest they catch her illness."
"Yes, understood, Your Majesty."
With that, he turned and left.
Refusing even to look back, he departed with impressive grace.
Only once he was gone did Lin Wanyi’s heart find some peace.
Since the Fourth Prince Consort was better, she could rest assured.
Besides, Second Aunt Mrs. Yun being allowed to enter the palace indicated that the Dong Family’s troubles might soon be resolved.
The Emperor’s few words seemed to blame her for being sick while with the children, but actually, they dispelled her worries entirely.
This she understood, and Imperial Concubine Yi didn’t miss it either.
After the Emperor’s departure, Imperial Concubine Yi grew even more arrogant towards Lin Wanyi.
"Sister truly has a skill. Her family caused such great trouble, yet the Emperor didn’t involve you. Even allowing the guilty Mrs. Yun into the palace to treat you, it seems your favor hasn’t diminished."
Lin Wanyi offered no kindness in return.
First, knowing today’s disaster in the Dong Family couldn’t have happened without Imperial Concubine Yi’s scheming.
Second, she was annoyed by the deliberate provocation just now.
If the fetal appearance wasn’t stable, such provocation might have risked losing the child entirely.
Her intentions were truly malicious.
Thus, she coldly retorted.
"In this grand palace, who could compare with Imperial Concubine Yi’s prowess? Commanding influence at home, with an intelligent and filial Third Prince, you wield power, naturally everything goes smoothly. As the year-end approaches, I wish Her Highness all success in the coming year, unlike me, with a family wronged, and myself trapped."
The words appeared respectful but were actually veiled with barbed implications.
Imperial Concubine Yi wasn’t foolish and could easily decipher them.
Her gaze turned fierce, and she seemed on the verge of erupting.
Yet fortuitously, before she could speak, someone arrived outside.
"Feng Enhai greets Imperial Concubine Yi and Consort Yin Ning, wishing Her Highnesses good health."
