The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 3 - Summoned to the Palace

"Mother, you are overthinking. If I can gain some favor with His Majesty after entering the palace, it will indeed benefit our family and brothers. Do you really want to see our elder and third brothers live their lives in obscurity, always suppressed by the people from the West Courtyard?"

Hearing her daughter mention her sons and their future, Madam Dong finally stopped crying.

She looked at Lin Wanyi with eyes full of apology and reluctance.

"Don't worry, daughter. You are not someone who can be easily manipulated. Besides, as Second Aunt said, isn't there still your elder sister in the palace to look after you? We both know their intentions. Since they want me to help her maintain favor, they will naturally find ways to protect me."

Her words brought some comfort to Madam Dong's anxious heart.

At this point, crying was useless. It was better to think about what to prepare for her daughter.

So she wiped away her tears and began to pack her daughter's belongings.

That night, Lin Wanyi bid farewell to her parents and had a chat with her elder and younger brothers before resting.

As the room grew dark with only a single lamp left, she lay in bed, contemplating how to live her future days.

The words she said during the day were just to comfort her mother. Everything after entering the palace was unknown to her.

She tossed and turned for a long time before finally falling asleep as dawn began to break.

Even in the carriage to the palace, she was still dozing off. Her maids, Chunqi and Xia'an, looked at their mistress's dark circles and the approaching palace walls, feeling anxious and unsure of what to do.

"Miss, Miss..."

Hearing Chunqi's familiar voice, Lin Wanyi woke up from her light sleep.

"Are we there?"

"The palace attendants outside said we've reached Shunzhen Gate. The carriage cannot go inside."

Lin Wanyi nodded, took a deep breath, and lifted the curtain to get off the carriage.

She saw the tall red palace walls surrounding her, with the plaque of Shunzhen Gate hanging in front. The palace attendants stood properly in front of the carriage, three in total, all wearing dark green cloud-patterned robes.

"Servant Xu Guangping from the Internal Affairs Department greets Lin Daying (Talented Lady). May Lin Daying be well."

"Thank you, Eunuch Xu."

"I am here by imperial decree to wait for you. I will first take you to the Chuxiu Palace."

Having entered the palace gates, she had to follow orders. Lin Wanyi was not arrogant and followed Eunuch Xu through the side gate into the palace.

After the palace gates slowly closed, Lin Wanyi glanced back at the city outside. When she turned back, her steps were firm, and her mind was clear.

Upon entering Chuxiu Palace, she underwent a series of strict inspections. The nannies checked her from head to toe, not even sparing a strand of hair. It took about half an hour to complete.

"Please forgive us, Lin Daying. These are the rules for inspecting concubines entering the palace."

"No problem. Are you done?"

"Yes, once you change into your palace attire, someone will guide you to Yihua Palace."

After all that trouble, this was not her final destination. But since she was here, she accepted it. Lin Wanyi changed her clothes with the help of the palace attendants and headed to Yihua Palace.

The palace walls were towering, and the rules were strict.

Along the way, they encountered several groups of palace maids and eunuchs, all bowing their heads and greeting properly. This made Chunqi and Xia'an, who were following Lin Wanyi, swallow nervously.

They were so tense that they forgot the specific gates and palaces they passed until they found themselves standing in the east side hall of Yihua Palace.

An elderly momo, who led the way, spoke sternly.

"Lin Daying, this left-side hall will be your residence from now on. Everything inside is arranged. If there is anything lacking, just let the maids go to the Internal Affairs Department to get it."

"Thank you for your guidance, Momo."

She then had Xia'an hand over a heavy purse. The momo accepted it discreetly, her tone becoming much friendlier, even offering some advice.

"Lin Daying, you entered the palace a month late. There is no master in the main hall of Yihua Palace, so it is vacant. However, the highest-ranking lady among the selected women, Chu Guiren (Noble Lady), lives in the rear hall. Her father is the General of the Northwest. The right side hall is occupied by Mu Daying, whose father is the magistrate of Huaiyin. She holds the same rank as you, so you can interact with her often."

Indeed, money can make things easier.

The nanny subtly explained the background of the people living in the palace, clearing Lin Wanyi's doubts.

"Thank you for your kindness, Momo."

"Lin Daying, please rest. Someone will come to summon you later."

After saying this, the momo respectfully bowed and left the left side hall.

Once she left, Chunqi and Xia'an finally relaxed, curiously looking around.

"Miss, will someone come later?"

"Probably someone from Guifei's palace. Since it's our first time in the palace, we naturally have to meet her."

She was not originally selected for the draft. If it weren't for Guifei and Princess Rongkang's arrangements, she wouldn't have entered the palace at this time.

Since she was here, she had to meet them.

Chunqi nodded in understanding, while Xia'an reminded her.

"Now that we are in the palace, we can't call you Miss anymore. We should address you as Lin Daying, like the momos do."

Chunqi awkwardly stuck out her tongue. "I forgot. Lin Daying, what should we do next?"

"Just organize the things I brought."

"Shouldn't we meet the other people in the palace?"

"The rules and hierarchy in the harem are strict. Empress Xu passed away three years ago, and now Guifei is in charge. Naturally, we should visit her first. It wouldn't be good to break the rules."

Lin Wanyi patiently explained.

There were no major events in the palace, just a group of women serving the same man.

But the hearts of women are unpredictable, especially in the palace. One wrong step could attract a lot of attention, so Lin Wanyi couldn't be careless.

Fortunately, she had been "reading the room" at home for years, so she wouldn't break the rules.

She had Xia'an light some agarwood incense, the familiar scent calming their nerves.

They didn't bring much, so it didn't take long to organize everything.

The room on the left was a study, with a bookshelf filled with Lin Wanyi's favorite miscellaneous books and some clever toys her father prepared for her before entering the palace.

The room on the right was the bedroom, with a bed carved with begonia flowers and a canopy of autumn-colored silk, making the light that filtered through soft and gentle.

As Chunqi was asking Lin Wanyi about lunch, they heard someone approaching from outside.

Translator Xiaobai: Lady Chu holds the title of Noble Lady (贵人), which is a relatively high rank among the consorts in the palace. Lady Mu, on the other hand, holds the title of Talented Lady (答应), which is a lower rank compared to Noble Lady.