The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 50 - The Palace is Clean and Pure

"Don't worry, my lady. If your rank is higher and you become pregnant, you can summon your family to the palace. This is an ancestral rule," Qiu Ming comforted.

Lin Wanyi understood his good intentions but did not respond. Pregnancy was not something she could consider at the moment, so the day she could see her family seemed far off.

She decided to wait a bit longer. Once the situation calmed down, she might have a chance to send a message to her grandmother through Madam Fan, and her mother and the others would naturally be informed.

Thinking this, her heart rekindled with hope for the dragon boat race.

Days passed, and soon it was the Dragon Boat Festival.

Early that morning, Lin Wanyi got up to wash, dress, and have breakfast.

After being disciplined by Qiu Ming for a while, Chun Qi had become more composed.

Before styling Lin Wanyi's hair, she said, "My lady, today I will style your hair in a peach heart bun, and adorn it with the peach wood hairpin, with a few pearls at the sideburns. It won't be too conspicuous, but not too plain either. What do you think?"

Lin Wanyi had always trusted Chun Qi's skills. "Do as you see fit, it sounds good."

Meanwhile, Xia An brought out the palace attire: a water-green pleated skirt with a plain floral pattern, and a moon-white long robe with branch patterns.

Lin Wanyi glanced at it and smiled.

She suddenly remembered the visit from Ye Guiren and Du Changzai yesterday afternoon.

"Lin Daying, your place is truly serene and peaceful. It's so lively outside, but here it feels like a fairyland, undisturbed," Du Changzai said as soon as she entered.

Since receiving Lin Guifei's order to handle the Dragon Boat Festival, she had shed her usual low profile and now greeted everyone with a smile.

Ye Guiren, who was not fond of talking much, simply looked at Lin Wanyi and said, "Sister Lin, how are you?"

Lin Wanyi had been recovering and had not seen guests for a long time. She received them today only because of the Emperor's decree.

He had expressed his remembrance of Empress Xu's frugality, so the entire palace was to show respect and avoid extravagant celebrations.

With the Dragon Boat Festival approaching, it was too late to change plans, so the concubines had to keep their attire low-key.

"You two sisters have worked hard recently. Please have some tea to soothe your throats," Lin Wanyi said, inviting them to sit.

"Sister has been ill, so we didn't want to disturb you. Today we came to deliver bamboo fans, so we had to come," Du Changzai said, signaling the maid behind her to bring them in.

Lin Wanyi picked up the fan and examined it. The silk surface was simple, with only a few orchids and two playful butterflies, looking quite ordinary.

Seeing Lin Wanyi scrutinize the fan, Du Changzai continued, "These fans kept the embroiderers busy. After the Emperor's decree to avoid extravagance, Lin Guifei ordered them to make these plain fans for the palace banquet. Sister, look, the floral patterns are embroidered with the palace flowers Lin Guifei rewarded us with."

"Guifei's thoughtfulness is much appreciated," Lin Wanyi said, genuinely liking the fan.

Compared to the previous black silk five-poison fan, this plain fan felt more comfortable in her hand.

"Yes, Guifei always considers us. I can't wait to pay my respects to her tomorrow morning," Du Changzai said, always eager to mention Lin Guifei, wanting everyone to know she was favored by her.

Ye Guiren, though higher in rank than Du Changzai, remained low-key, smiling and accompanying without drawing attention.

Lost in thought, Lin Wanyi was brought back by Chun Qi waving a hand in front of her and calling, "My lady."

"What were you thinking, my lady? You didn't hear me," Chun Qi asked.

"What is it?"

"I was asking which pair of earrings to use," Chun Qi said, presenting two pairs, both simple and understated.

Lin Wanyi casually pointed to the pair on the left and said calmly, "These."

"Yes, my lady."

Fully dressed, Lin Wanyi had her breakfast. Today was her first time visiting Lin Guifei and the other concubines since her recovery, so she couldn't be late.

Before leaving, she took the plain fan given by Lin Guifei, smiled, and said, "Let's go."

In Linzhi Palace, the concubines who hadn't seen each other for a while were already waiting in the courtyard. Lin Wanyi arrived neither early nor late, greeted those of higher rank, and stood under the corridor.

Indeed, after the Emperor's decree, the concubines, who used to compete in beauty, now adopted a simple and elegant style.

Previously, each was more beautiful than the flowers, but today they competed in simplicity.

Even the colors of their palace attire seemed coordinated, with light pink, aqua blue, or pale yellow, without any standout colors.

Everyone understood and held the bamboo fans given by Lin Guifei to show gratitude.

Soon, a palace servant announced, "Yi Fei has arrived."

"Lan Fei has arrived."

"Ying Pin has arrived."

The high-ranking concubines arrived one after another, making the large Linzhi Palace feel crowded.

Everyone stood properly and greeted them.

Lin Wanyi had seen Yi Fei and Ying Pin before, but it was her first time seeing the pregnant Lan Fei.

Lan Fei wore a green satin dress embroidered with osmanthus and Ruyi patterns, with snow-blue satin edges embroidered with melon vines, matching her slightly rounded belly.

The early May sun shone softly on her, making her look gentle and serene.

Lin Wanyi glanced at her and was captivated by her clear, autumn-like eyes.

No wonder she was favored by the Emperor; the beauties in the harem were indeed diverse.

"Rise," Yi Fei, the most senior among them, said, and everyone stood up.

Just then, Lin Guifei's chief maid, Qin He, lifted the curtain and came out, greeting Yi Fei and the others respectfully.

"Guifei has prepared tea and snacks. Please, Yi Fei, Lan Fei, and all the ladies, come in for a chat."

Yi Fei glanced at Qin He with disdain and was the first to step into the main hall, followed by the others.

Lin Wanyi did not miss the sharp glare from Chu Guiren, who had just been released from confinement.