The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 1 - The Emperor's Order

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Note: This novel has over 500+ Chapters

**Night fell, and shortly after the sound of the evening watchman's clapper at the hour of Xu, the bustling Shengjing City gradually quieted down. The streets, once crowded during the day, were now only occupied by government workers cleaning up.

In the Lin Prime Minister's residence, located on Chang'an Street, just south of the Imperial City, the maids and servants were orderly lighting the lanterns in the backyard.

As the delicate sheep-horn palace lanterns were lit one by one, the entire residence exuded an atmosphere of tranquility and harmony.

However, in the main house of the East Courtyard, Madam Dong was quietly weeping, her head bowed, trying not to make too much noise.

Sitting beside her was the frowning Master Lin Guangzu, clenching and unclenching his fists, ultimately sighing deeply as he looked at his wife, wanting to speak but hesitating.

"Husband, what are we going to do? We only have one daughter, and now she has to enter the palace to become some high-ranking person! The people from the West Courtyard speak nicely, but isn't it just because their daughter has only given birth to a princess after so many years in the palace? They want our Qianqian to enter the palace to secure her favor!"

Thinking of her sensible daughter, Madam Dong couldn't hold back her tears, clutching her handkerchief tightly, wishing she could tear up the imperial decree that ordered her daughter to enter the palace.

"We planned to keep her for two more years before marrying her off, but we were tricked by that old woman from Ronghe Hall. If we had known she would be sent to the palace, we should have arranged a marriage for her when she came of age."

Regretting his past decisions, Master Lin punched his own leg, but his weak blow didn't hurt.

It was surprising to hear him refer to his stepmother as "that old woman from Ronghe Hall," causing Madam Dong to pause her crying.

He continued to complain about the grievances they had suffered over the years.

"Our Xingzhi is already twenty-three years old and still just a low-ranking guard. Who would believe that the eldest grandson of Prime Minister Lin can't even secure the lowest rank of a seventh-grade palace guard? It's a joke."

"Mu Zhi is now thirteen, but he can't get into the prestigious Imperial Academy and has to be taught at home by a scholar. Even if he has great ambitions, he has no wings to fly."

The more he spoke, the sadder he became, his eyes swollen from crying.

Seeing their family reduced to mere shadows of the West Courtyard, and now even their only daughter was not spared, Master Lin felt a deep sense of injustice.

But apart from waving his fists in the air, there was nothing he could do.

His stepmother, the Honorable Princess Rongkang from the Zhanwang Mansion, had held power for decades, controlling the household and having influence in the palace and court.

Her true granddaughter, Lin Wanzhou, the eldest granddaughter of Prime Minister Lin, was now the Imperial Consort (Guifei), second only to the Empress.

No wonder the servants said the West Courtyard was the true master of the Lin residence.

Without the support of Madam Dong's family, the East Courtyard would have long been abandoned or sent back to their ancestral home.

Sighing deeply, Master Lin felt both powerless and sorry for his children.

Living in this branch of the family seemed glamorous but was actually difficult.

The candlelight cast long shadows of the couple on the window, while outside, Lin Xingzhi and Lin Wanyi, who had come to bring sweet soup to their parents, overheard everything clearly.

Lin Wanyi was stunned, frowning as she thought about the situation.

Lin Xingzhi's hand, holding the tray, was bulging with veins, his face dark with anger.

He had just returned from duty and met his sister on the way, deciding to visit their parents together, only to accidentally overhear the West Courtyard's plan to send his sister to the palace.

In his urgency, he wanted to burst in, but Lin Wanyi stopped him.

She gently shook her head and pulled him aside, whispering, "Brother, come with me."

She then dragged him to her small courtyard.

"Qianqian, why didn't you let me go in and ask clearly?"

Lin Xingzhi was always extremely agitated about anything concerning his sister, especially hearing that her entry into the palace was related to the West Courtyard and Ronghe Hall. The suppressed anger in his heart was about to explode.

Seeing her brother like this, Lin Wanyi knew how much their parents must be hurting.

The cool breeze along the way had cleared her mind.

"Brother, what would you ask? No matter what, it won't change the fact that I have to enter the palace, will it? It would only make Father and Mother more upset. Why bother?"

"But this is your lifelong matter! The West Courtyard is going too far!"

He punched the pearwood table, causing the porcelain cups on it to clatter.

Lin Wanyi checked his hand, seeing it was only slightly red, and then spoke calmly, without any trace of sadness or difficulty.

"The decision is made, and the imperial decree cannot be defied. Our branch has always struggled to survive in this family. If my marriage angers the Princess and the West Courtyard, how will Mother live peacefully in the inner quarters? Grandfather just found a position for Father in the Imperial Observatory. If my entry into the palace can bring peace and prosperity to our family, Brother, I am more than willing."

Her eyes were full of sincerity and concern for her family.

Seeing his sister so understanding, Lin Xingzhi felt deeply troubled.

She was only seventeen, and she could have married into an ordinary family and lived a peaceful life, but now everything was shattered.

Entering the palace seemed like a great honor, but who knew how many thorns lay ahead?

Even Lin Wanzhou, who had become a Guifei, didn't seem to live happily. Who knew what kind of life his sister would face?

"Qianqian..."

Lin Xingzhi wanted to persuade her but didn't know where to start.

That night, no one in the East Courtyard slept well.

Early the next morning, just as dawn broke, Liu Momo from Ronghe Hall came to invite Madam Dong and Lin Wanyi for a talk, her face unusually friendly.

"Second Miss is so fortunate, about to enter the palace and become a noble. Madam can rest assured, with our Guifei looking after her, Second Miss won't suffer. She might even enjoy wealth and honor, isn't that a blessing for the East Courtyard?"

She continued to flatter and reassure them as they walked.

Madam Dong's eyes were still slightly red, her lips tightly pressed.

Under her wide sleeves, she held Lin Wanyi's hand, unwilling to let go.

Lin Wanyi also held her mother's slightly trembling hand, trying to convey her calmness and reassure her.