The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 2 - Visiting Grandmother

From the east courtyard to Ronghe Hall, there is a two-story gate and a small garden in between.

It was a beautiful time in April, but no one was in the mood to stroll through the garden; instead, they all headed straight to Ronghe Hall.

Compared to the simple elegance of the East Courtyard, Ronghe Hall was much more exquisite and grand.

The walls of the courtyard were adorned with carvings of blooming flowers, and a few well-trimmed pines stood like guards in the corners.

Because the Honorable Princess Rongkang liked it, a large feng shui jar was placed in the center of the courtyard, with nine golden-tailed koi swimming inside, specially brought from the Zhanwang Mansion, said to be worth a hundred gold pieces.

The current head of the Zhanwang Mansion was the Honorable Princess Rongkang's brother, and the two had always been close. Additionally, Prime Minister Lin was a prominent figure in the previous dynasty, so the two families had a very good relationship.

However, the eldest household of the family was left out.

Following Mama Liu, the group walked to the corridor, where a maid lifted the curtain to welcome them.

"Servant Guyu greets Madam and Second Miss. The Old Madam has been waiting for you for a long time, please come in quickly."

Her eagerness made them wary, as this first-class maid usually did not come out to greet them during their regular visits.

Madam Dong did not respond, but glanced at Lin Wanyi, her worry evident.

Lin Wanyi, however, smiled faintly, calming all her mother's anxieties.

After tidying their clothes, the mother and daughter entered the inner hall, which was already filled with people.

At the head of the room was naturally Prime Minister Lin's second wife, Master Lin's stepmother, and Lin Wanyi's step-grandmother, who looked at them with apparent affection.

She wore a luxurious embroidered robe with peony branches and a gold and jade hairpin with five phoenixes, making her look extremely noble.

Although she was nearly sixty, she looked as if she were in her early forties, well-maintained and youthful.

"You're here?"

"Daughter-in-law Dong greets Mother-in-law, wishing you good health."

"Granddaughter greets Grandmother, wishing you good health."

No matter how unwilling they were, the mother and daughter had to bow respectfully to the Honorable Princess Rongkang, lest they give others a reason to criticize them and make things worse for the main branch.

"Rise quickly."

The Honorable Princess Rongkang now looked very much like a loving elder, beckoning Lin Wanyi over, "I haven't seen you for some days, come closer and let me have a look."

Hearing this, Madam Dong frowned even more.

The second wife, Madam Wang, sitting on the right, saw this and sneered inwardly, but spoke sweetly.

"Mother-in-law, didn't I say that Wanyi is as beautiful as a flower? At this tender age, she needs good care, or it would be a pity if she were to wither in the mundane world."

Her words implied that Lin Wanyi was naturally suited to enter the palace.

The Honorable Princess Rongkang agreed, thinking that Lin Wanyi was even more beautiful than her own carefully raised granddaughter, Lin Wanzhou.

Beautiful but not ostentatious, and with her family under control, she was easy to manage.

She patted Lin Wanyi's hand and glanced at Guyu, who brought out a tray of precious jewelry, all top-quality items.

"I had these made at the Treasure Pavilion. Since Wanyi is entering the palace, she needs some things to match her status, so others won't laugh at her for being from a poor family."

The sight of the golden hairpins pained Madam Dong's heart.

She immediately knelt down, struggling to speak.

"Please have mercy on us, Mother-in-law. I only have one daughter, and if she enters the palace, it will be hard to see her again."

Madam Dong's words darkened the Honorable Princess Rongkang's face, and she let go of Lin Wanyi's hand.

The second wife, Madam Wang, immediately mocked her.

"Sister-in-law, I also have only one daughter, Wanzhou, and I sent her to the palace for the family's future and her brothers' prospects. It's a blessing, not a battlefield. Be careful with your words!"

Madam Wang, relying on her father's position as Minister of War, had always looked down on Madam Dong, who came from a merchant family.

Over the years, she had caused many troubles, especially after her daughter gained favor in the palace, she had even less regard for the eldest household.

Now, worried about her daughter's favor in the palace, she had set her sights on the main branch's daughter.

She claimed it was to keep her company, but everyone knew the real reason.

"Sister-in-law, you don't know the cost of running a household. You've enjoyed the glory of the Prime Minister's residence, but now you shirk your duty to contribute to the family. Don't forget, you have a husband and sons. For their future, you should send Wanyi to the palace."

The Honorable Princess Rongkang's words made the decision final.

Madam Dong bit her lip in anger, but years of oppression had made her accustomed to enduring, and she didn't know how to argue.

Lin Wanyi, not wanting her mother's situation to worsen after she left, respectfully bowed to the Honorable Princess Rongkang.

"Grandmother is right. I am willing to contribute to the family's honor and my brothers' future. I hope Grandmother will be lenient with my mother for her years of respect."

The Honorable Princess Rongkang was quite satisfied with this "granddaughter."

"Indeed, you are the Prime Minister's true granddaughter, with more insight than others. The imperial decree has been issued, and someone from the palace will come to fetch you tomorrow morning. Prepare yourself."

"Thank you for the reminder, Grandmother. I understand."

With the main issue settled, the Honorable Princess Rongkang lost interest in talking to them and sent them back to the East Courtyard.

Madam Dong held back her tears until they returned to their own courtyard, where she finally cried softly.

"My child, what are we to do?"

Her mother's sobs made Lin Wanyi feel sad, but with the main branch's current power, refusing the imperial decree would be suicidal.

Instead of relying on others, it was better to go along with it.

Once she entered the palace, her family might live more comfortably.

Lin Wanyi wiped her mother's tears with a handkerchief and gently comforted her.

"Mother, don't worry. I'm not going to my death. I will find a way to protect myself in the palace. But you must be careful in the inner quarters and avoid confronting the Old Madam like today."

"I just can't accept it. Why should you pave the way for Lin Wanzhou?"