The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 63 - The Eve of the List

"About ten people, that's not too many," Lin Wanyi thought silently.

But then she remembered how crowded it was at the Dragon Boat Festival, and she felt Qiu Ming's words made sense!

"Don't let today's matter spread. It was just something His Majesty mentioned on a whim. We don't want people outside to think we're eager to go. Understand?"

"Don't worry, My Lady. I'll make sure everyone knows."

Now that Lin Wanyi's rank was Changzai, she could add one or two more maids or eunuchs.

But Lin Wanyi felt that four attendants were enough. More people meant more gossip, and it was better to avoid that.

However, Qiu Ming persuaded her to let the Inner Court prepare and send suitable candidates.

The person handling this was entrusted to Eunuch Qin.

"Your rank will rise in the future, and you'll need more people. Good and willing-to-learn servants are hard to find, so let Eunuch Qin handle it to avoid any loopholes."

Qiu Ming's reminder made Lin Wanyi alert.

Indeed, if there were disloyal servants in the palace, it would be like leaving her back exposed to the enemy.

She didn't want to be stabbed in the back unexpectedly, so she immediately agreed to Qiu Ming's suggestion.

Throughout May, Shengjing City felt like it was being baked in an oven, engulfed in heat waves.

Many places in the imperial city had ice blocks, but it was just a drop in the bucket.

The consorts were all lazing in their palaces, making the entire imperial palace unusually quiet.

Lin Wanyi, due to her injury, hardly left her room.

She spent her days either doing needlework or taking care of her health, ignoring the outside world.

It wasn't until the news of the emperor going to the summer palace spread that the palace became lively again.

Everyone hoped to be chosen to accompany the emperor.

Lin Guifei and Yi Fei were naturally included, and the pregnant Lan Fei and Ying Fei were also going, taking up four spots. The remaining spots became highly contested.

Lin Wanyi's name unsurprisingly appeared on the list.

Thus, most of the spots were taken.

One day, Qiu Ming walked straight to the small kitchen, gulped down a bowl of cold water, and wiped the sweat from his forehead, his face darker than a few days ago.

Chunqi, afraid of being scolded, quickly handed him a bowl of mung bean soup to cool down.

"Eunuch Qiu, would you like some mung bean soup?"

"Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Qiu Ming frowned, took the bowl, and drank it all. The mung bean soup was more refreshing than cold water, instantly cooling him down.

"Hehe, I didn't have time. You came in and drank cold water right away. Aren't you afraid of getting a stomachache?"

Now, Chunqi and Qiu Ming were quite familiar with each other, often joking around.

"I just sent Lady He away. My throat hurts from talking."

In recent days, Qiu Ming had turned away many consorts who wanted to visit Lin Wanyi, their intentions clear.

"Where's Xiao Luzi? Hasn't he returned from the imperial kitchen?"

"No, Our Lady sent him to the silk warehouse to get more thread. The emperor's casual clothes use a lot of thread, so we ran out."

Originally, he was sent on another errand, but he had to go to the silk warehouse too.

No wonder he hadn't returned yet.

As they spoke, Xia An walked in.

She rarely sweated, but these days she was constantly wiping her forehead and temples with a cloth, feeling very annoyed.

"Eunuch Qiu, you're here too?"

"Yes, come have a bowl of mung bean soup."

Chunqi handed a bowl to Xia An.

"I made this mung bean soup just for you, without sugar. Try it."

Xia An smiled. Chunqi seemed carefree but was very attentive, especially regarding food preferences and dislikes.

After drinking the sugar-free mung bean soup, Xia An felt much better.

"Our Lady woke up and is looking for you. She wants to know how the green plums are coming along."

"Xiao Luzi hasn't returned yet, so I don't know how many green plums he'll bring back."

Chunqi pouted and curiously asked Xia An, "Why does Our Lady suddenly want to make green plum wine?"

"Who knows? Maybe she remembered something from the past."

Many things from the past were unknown to Xia An. Chunqi, who grew up with Lin Wanyi, knew more.

As they spoke, they were surprised to see Xiao Luzi rushing in with a bundle of thread and a small basket on his back, containing the green plums Lin Wanyi wanted.

Seeing everyone there, Xiao Luzi wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and handed the thread to Xia An.

"Xia An, take this to the lady. I don't want to stink up the place with my sweat."

"Alright, you should rest. It's been a long, hot day."

"No problem, it's just too hot outside. But it'll be better once we go to the summer palace."

Qiu Ming gave Xiao Luzi a stern look.

"Didn't I tell you before? Did you forget?"

Xiao Luzi immediately hushed, not daring to speak.

Qiu Ming wasn't a harsh person, but it was better not to talk about this matter, even though everyone in the palace knew. It would only draw unnecessary attention.

Chunqi and Xia An admired Qiu Ming's adherence to palace rules.

He always set an example.

"Alright, after drinking the mung bean soup, go guard the palace gate. Lady He isn't easy to deal with and might come back."

"Yes."

Qiu Ming left first, and Xiao Luzi stuck out his tongue, making Chunqi and Xia An laugh.

"Eunuch Qiu's ability to turn people away is impressive. He can refuse without offending anyone. If I were reborn, I still couldn't do it!"

Xiao Luzi's words were heartfelt.

Working under Qiu Ming, he learned a lot, so he quickly drank the mung bean soup and ran outside.

Xia An shook her head, thinking he was still childish.

"Let's take these things to our lady."

"Alright, these green plums look good. Our Lady will definitely like them."

The two of them walked towards the main room, one carrying the basket and the other carrying the thread.