The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 19 - Only the Loyal Servants Stay

"When I was a girl at home, I once raised a stray cat. That winter, the snow was heavy, and it almost froze to death. Later, Chunqi and I brought it back to the courtyard and took care of it for several months. It became very obedient and cute."

"But when spring came, I searched everywhere for it but couldn't find it. I realized that my small courtyard was just a temporary shelter for it. The world outside is vast; how could it be content with the small warmth of my courtyard?"

As Lin Wanyi spoke, she reminisced.

"From then on, I understood that forced things are not sweet, and people who are forced to stay will have divided hearts. No matter how capable they are, I don't care if someone is not wholeheartedly staying by my side. I only keep loyal servants by my side."

These words made Xiao Luzi blush with embarrassment.

Lin Wanyi looked at him with some pity but suppressed her compassion.

This was the palace, a place where a slight mistake could be fatal.

If Xiao Luzi was still Eunuch Qin's informant, he couldn't stay.

Immediately, Xia'an and Chunqi knelt down and pledged their loyalty to Lin Wanyi.

"We will serve you wholeheartedly, without any divided loyalty. If we do, may we die a horrible death!"

Xiao Luzi also knelt down again, this time with a firm tone.

"Rest assured, My Lady. I am willing to serve you wholeheartedly, just like the two sisters. As for Eunuch Qin, I will handle it."

His loyalty couldn't be judged by words or actions over a few days. It needed to be observed over time.

For now, Lin Wanyi trusted him a little.

So, she sighed and said, "Stand up. Just remember, words are useless; sincerity is what matters."

"Yes!"

Using the swing and pergola incident, Lin Wanyi gave Xiao Luzi a warning.

Afterward, she didn't mention it again, as if it had never happened.

The grapevine seeds were delivered, and Chunqi planted them with Xiao Luzi in the corner of the yard.

Usually, the two who loved to joke around were now silent.

Xiao Luzi broke the silence first, apologetically asking Chunqi, "Sister Chunqi, are you disappointed in me?"

The sadness in his voice was genuine, making Chunqi uncomfortable.

"A little. Our Lady has never been harsh. I've served her for many years and have never seen her so stern. This is the first time."

She added, "The palace is truly frightening, full of..."

She stopped herself, remembering her lady's recent instructions.

But even without saying it, Xiao Luzi understood her meaning.

"Don't worry, Sister. I've served many people in the palace, but only our lady and you have treated me sincerely. I may be foolish, but I understand the principle of repaying kindness. I won't make the same mistake again."

"Let's hope so."

Chunqi didn't dare to trust him easily again, even though she saw the deep sadness in his eyes.

Xiao Luzi knew he had made a mistake. His only option now was to work hard and earn their forgiveness.

So, he worked even harder than usual, without any laziness.

Lin Wanyi, sitting by the bright window, was reading the ninth chapter of "Yunzhou Miscellany," a book her brother had specially found for her. It was said to be written by a wandering Taoist.

During the five years she traveled with her grandfather seeking medical treatment, she had visited most of the Wei Kingdom, except for a few northern states.

Reading this collection was like "visiting" those places, making it particularly enjoyable.

Xia'an, looking through the back window, saw Xiao Luzi and Chunqi compacting the soil and watering it diligently.

She closed the window and walked over to Lin Wanyi, speaking softly.

"My Lady, about Xiao Luzi..."

"No matter. We have no leverage over him. Just be careful in the future and avoid mentioning family matters in front of him."

"Yes."

"Considering this incident, Xiao Luzi has gained favor with Eunuch Qin. Tell Chunqi not to be too harsh on him because of this."

"I understand."

After saying this, Lin Wanyi continued reading, but she couldn't focus.

Living peacefully in the palace was indeed difficult.

After a busy morning, Chunqi didn't have time to prepare lunch, so they ate food sent from the imperial kitchen.

Today's dishes were quite good.

The soup made from bone broth with three fresh ingredients looked appetizing.

The stir-fried tripe with soybean sprouts was chewy and retained its original crispness.

There were some spicy peppers in it, but Lin Wanyi didn't find it too hot.

"My lady, you can really handle spicy food!"

Chunqi looked at the peppers in the tripe, having no desire to eat them.

She had always feared spicy food, sweating profusely with just a little, unlike Lin Wanyi, who could eat even spicier food.

"My grandfather had a chef from Shuzhou who loved to cook with spice. At first, I couldn't get used to it, but later I couldn't live without it."

Xia'an smiled. She had seen this chef when she was with the Dong family. Despite loving spicy food, he never seemed to suffer from it, making many chefs envious.

The imperial kitchen staff probably noticed Lin Wanyi liked spicy food, so they sent this tripe dish today.

With the tripe, Lin Wanyi ate half a bowl of rice.

She also drank a bowl of bone broth, feeling very satisfied.

No wonder there's a saying, "Food is the most important thing for people." Feeling full and satisfied was indeed comforting.

But this comfort didn't last long. Their peaceful days were interrupted again.

Xiao Luzi welcomed Eunuch He into the outer courtyard. This time, Lin Wanyi knew what was happening before he spoke.

Chunqi's excitement was evident when she saw Eunuch He.

It had been a while since her lady's last night with the emperor. If he didn't summon her soon, people might start talking.

Eunuch He, the head eunuch in charge of the emperor's bedchamber, looked thin and quiet but was actually very sweet-talking, always polite to everyone. He smiled and said,

"Greetings, My Lady."

"Please rise, Eunuch He."

"Thank you, My Lady. I'm here to inform you that the emperor has chosen your card. The sedan chair will come to pick you up shortly."

Having experienced this once before, Lin Wanyi was not as nervous this time