The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 44 - The Imperial Bestowed Palace Name

"That is excellent. Prime Minister Lin is a pillar of our Great Wei, and his granddaughters should naturally strive to serve the royal family as he does."

Strive?

Lin Wanyi was somewhat puzzled by this statement. Why mention striving out of the blue?

Seeing Lin Wanyi's bewildered expression, the emperor elaborated.

"Lin Guifei visited me a few days ago, subtly suggesting that once your leg heals, you should quickly resume your duties. It seems your elder sister has high hopes for you."

Hearing this, Lin Wanyi felt a surge of anxiety.

However, upon reflection, she realized Lin Guifei's cunning.

First, she used her brother's inclusion in the dragon boat list as bait, prompting Lin Wanyi to volunteer for the Dragon Boat Festival. Then, she mentioned serving the emperor again.

To outsiders, it would appear that this newly favored concubine was worried about losing favor due to prolonged illness, hence her eagerness.

Once such rumors spread, it wouldn't matter whether people believed them or not.

What mattered was how the emperor perceived her.

Fortunately, she hadn't rushed to the Qian'an Palace during this time. Otherwise, this "crime" would have been pinned on her.

Seeing her silence, the emperor pressed further.

Lin Wanyi picked up the patterned paper and spoke.

"I enjoy my current life. Back at the mansion, I was always busy, either helping my mother with accounts or listening to my grandmother's lectures. I never knew what I was busy with all day. Now, I have much more leisure."

She didn't directly answer the emperor's question but expressed her feelings.

She was indeed sent by the Lin family, but she was also a living person.

She wasn't a puppet or ornament for Lin Guifei to control, dictating her actions and even her reputation in the palace.

The Lin family had lived as puppets for many years, but she didn't want to continue that life.

"Lin Guifei is my grandmother's legitimate granddaughter, she has been extremely favored since she was young, and her behavior and words are also like my grandmother's. But I am different. My maternal grandmother passed away early, and my maternal family is just ordinary merchants. I've had to be cautious and prudent since childhood. I have neither the ambition to rise to the sky nor the ability to rise to the top, so I'll just take care of my small domain."

These words, spoken with a hint of defiance, were clear even to the emperor.

Seeing her somewhat annoyed expression, the emperor's doubts dissipated.

"I see. Your left side hall is indeed well-kept."

Seeing her still silent, he interjected.

"Does this side hall have a name?"

"I don't know. It's always been called the left side hall."

"Then I'll bestow a name today."

He turned towards the study and walked over.

Dong Yuzhong and Qiu Ming quickly stepped forward, one preparing the ink and the other smoothing the paper.

The emperor glanced at Lin Wanyi and muttered.

"The way is sufficient in a simple life, and a calm heart makes the world wide. This poem suits you. Let's call it the Hall of Leisure." (Xian Yi Hall)

The Hall of Leisure, fitting her state of mind, Lin Wanyi thought, repeating the name to herself.

The more she said it, the more she liked it.

The emperor had already written the name.

"Order the inner court to make a plaque and hang it immediately. I don't want to see it bare every time I visit."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Qiu Ming carefully packed the emperor's calligraphy and hurried to the inner court.

With this interruption, Lin Wanyi's earlier annoyance dissipated.

"Before coming, I ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare some Sichuan dishes, knowing you like them, and added extra chili."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

The emperor then lifted her trouser leg to check her injury.

The bruises had faded somewhat but were not completely healed.

"You have delicate skin. This small injury has taken so long to heal. If it were me, I'd be up in a few days."

"Your Majesty's body is precious. How could you get injured?"

The Great Wei was founded on military strength, and every emperor had to learn horsemanship from a young age!

During training, falls from horseback were inevitable, so injuries were common.

The emperor's eyes darkened, avoiding the topic, and said softly.

"Fell while riding as a child."

Lin Wanyi didn't press further. She wasn't talkative and knew when to stop.

She shifted the conversation to more mundane topics.

They stayed in the Hall of Leisure until after dinner. The emperor rinsed his mouth with tea before leaving.

During those two or three hours, Lin Wanyi was exhausted from being cautious.

After the emperor left, Xia An came to massage her shoulders and neck.

Closing her eyes, Lin Wanyi reviewed her earlier words, ensuring she hadn't overstepped and finally relaxed.

She had taken a risk by showing her temper to the emperor.

If she hadn't clarified her position in the Lin family, such tests would continue.

Better to address the root cause than to treat the symptoms.

By making it clear she wasn't aligned with Lin Guifei, she might ease the emperor's concerns.

For a high-ranking official's daughter to enter the palace was seen as an honor, but from the emperor's perspective, it was more a matter of caution than favor.

Especially with children involved, it posed a threat to imperial power.

Given the frequent interference of maternal relatives in previous dynasties, no emperor wanted to be a puppet.

Leaving the Hall of Leisure, Emperor Yuwen Hong's expression grew serious.

"Go, bring Geng Caiyou to me."

"Yes."

Geng Caiyou was the head of the Imperial Guard, an organization directly under the emperor, capable of uncovering any secret.

In the Qian'an Palace, Geng Caiyou knelt before Emperor Yuwen Hong, respectfully greeting him.

Dressed in black brocade and wearing a half-mask, his emotions were unreadable.

"Your servant Geng Caiyou greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well."

Seeing him, the emperor spoke softly but with a serious tone.

"Investigate the Lin family's main branch thoroughly."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After he left, the emperor's thoughts drifted back to many years ago.