The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 20 - Waiting for the Summoning

"Thank you, Eunuch He, for coming to let me know."

"My Lady, you are so polite. Please prepare first. I will take my leave."

"Xiao Luzi, send Eunuch He out."

"yes!"

After seeing off Eunuch He, Chunqi immediately came to Lin Wanyi and said coquettishly.

"My lady, how would you like to dress today? Let me assist you."

In her opinion, her lady was usually too plain, always bare-faced. But today was an important day for serving the Emperor, so she needed to dress up nicely.

Even though she would bathe and change again at Qian'an Palace, it didn't hurt to look good now.

"Just tie my hair up nicely. As for the clothes, I'll wear the white dress with embroidered butterflies."

Chunqi frowned, thinking it might still be too plain. However, they didn't bring many clothes when they entered the palace, and their rank was low, so the palace dresses they received were according to their status. It was impossible to stand out too much.

She nodded and went to find the dress, while Xia'an prepared warm water to do the Mistress's hair.

Chunqi's hairdressing skills were top-notch, learned from an old nanny at home. Though she was lively, her hands were very skillful.

Like cooking, she could grasp the basics just by watching once.

She even devised several hairstyles that suited Lin Wanyi, each with thoughtful details.

Lin Wanyi closed her eyes, letting Chunqi work, but her mind was on the upcoming night.

Recently, when she went to pay respects at Linzhi Palace, Lin Guifei had kept her back once.

Her words implied that Lin Wanyi should cherish this hard-won favor, or life in the harem would not be comfortable.

Lin Guifei was more anxious than Lin Wanyi about whether she could gain favor.

But she couldn't control the Emperor's thoughts. Summoning someone to serve was the Emperor's decision, and her anxiety was useless.

So, she focused her attention on Lin Wanyi.

This time, she didn't know if it was related to Lin Guifei, who was eager for her to gain favor, aiming for a child.

Thinking of children, Lin Wanyi felt worried.

She glanced at Xia'an, who quickly understood.

Xia'an went to the medicine cabinet, took out a small pill, dissolved it in warm water, and handed it to Lin Wanyi.

"My Lady, it's time for your medicine after the meal."

"Mm."

After drinking it, Lin Wanyi's worries eased a bit.

Once she was dressed and ready, the sedan chair arrived to take her to the much-anticipated Qian'an Palace.

The same routine followed: a large bath, a change into new palace attire, and being escorted to the inner hall, sitting by the Eight Immortals table.

This time, she had eaten two pieces of white jade cake beforehand, so she wasn't hungry.

She was still recalling the rules explained by the palace matron when Dong Yuzhong entered, followed by several eunuchs.

Lin Wanyi stood up, curious.

Dong Yuzhong stepped forward and said, "The Emperor still has some state affairs to handle, which will take about half an hour. He was worried you might be hungry, so he ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare some delicious dishes for you."

"Thank you, Eunuch Dong. Has the Emperor had his dinner?"

"Rest assured, My Lady. The Emperor has already eaten."

"That's good."

Otherwise, how could she, a lowly concubine, eat before the Emperor?

But having just eaten the white jade cake, she wasn't hungry looking at the table full of dishes.

Seeing her hesitation, Dong Yuzhong kindly asked, "Does Mistress not like these dishes?"

"Not at all, it's just... I had some snacks before coming, so I'm not hungry now."

Dong Yuzhong smiled. As the Emperor's chief eunuch, he could guess the Emperor's thoughts accurately.

Moreover, a newly entered concubine was like a transparent person to him.

"My Lady, no need to be reserved. The Emperor has been busy with state affairs and has rarely summoned the concubines. You are the first in a while."

His words seemed intended for Lin Wanyi.

No one had been summoned for days, showing that even the Emperor's position wasn't easy.

"Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch Dong. I will serve the Emperor well."

Perhaps it was Lin Wanyi's temperament that made her stand out. Eunuch Dong could see her uniqueness at a glance.

In the harem, concubines either entered for their families or to compete for the Emperor's favor, always trying to catch his attention.

But she was always calm, never seen flattering, yet made people feel refreshed.

Being around her felt relaxing.

With a more evident smile, Eunuch Dong respectfully said, "My Lady, please wait a moment. If you need anything, call Qiu Ming at the door. He is my apprentice and has served here for years. I must return to the Emperor's side."

"Thank you, Eunuch Dong. Please remind the Emperor that state affairs are important."

"Yes. I take my leave."

As Dong Yuzhong left, he glanced at Qiu Ming at the door, a young eunuch who seemed very steady.

Serving in front of the Emperor required keen observation and attentiveness.

With Eunuch Dong gone, Lin Wanyi was alone in the inner hall again.

Faced with a table of delicacies, she finally picked up her chopsticks.

The dishes were likely made to the Emperor's taste, light yet flavorful.

She particularly enjoyed a dish of braised three delicacies, eating more of it, while just tasting the rest.

Four dishes and a soup, with much left over when cleared.

It was wasteful, but she didn't dare to comment.

After washing her hands and mouth, the palace matron brought a cup of rose dew, soothing her throat and removing the taste of the meal.

After all, she wasn't there just to eat; serving the Emperor was the main task.

So, like Wang Baochuan waiting in the cold kiln, she sat on the redwood stool, waiting.

Half an hour, neither long nor short.

Lin Wanyi felt drowsy when she heard hurried footsteps outside.

She quickly woke up, gently patted her cheeks, and stood up to await the Emperor.

This was her second time seeing the Emperor, and she remembered the rules well. This time, she was less shy and more composed.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Mm, rise."

That deep, resonant voice carried a hint of fatigue.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Last time, she had kept her head down and hadn't seen the Emperor clearly before being thoroughly eaten up by him.