The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 66 - The Companion

Dong Yuzhong frowned and touched the water temperature. It was normal, no different from usual. However, he still repeatedly apologized.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty! I will have them change the water immediately."

After a long day of lovemaking, the emperor finally finished bathing and eating. By then, it was completely dark outside.

Only then did the emperor remember what he had come to tell Lin Wanyi.

He picked up the memorial beside him, thought for a moment, and said, "Dong Yuzhong, go to Xianyi Palace and bring back the summer shirt Lin Changzai has sewn. Also, tell her that her brother has been assigned as a personal guard to the Fourth Prince, so she can rest assured."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After Dong Yuzhong left, the emperor took a deep breath and then focused on reading the memorials again.

At Xianyi Palace, Dong Yuzhong arrived just as Lin Wanyi finished her meal.

After explaining his purpose, Lin Wanyi immediately instructed, "Xia'an, wrap the summer shirt for Eunuch Dong."

"Yes."

"Thank you for making the trip so late, Eunuch Dong."

"You are too kind, My Lady. This is my duty."

Upon learning her brother's assignment, Lin Wanyi understood that the emperor had arranged it out of consideration for her, and she sincerely thanked him.

"Please thank His Majesty for me."

Dong Yuzhong smiled. Lin Changzai was now highly favored, so her tasks had to be handled well. Moreover, he was happy to convey her gratitude to the emperor.

"Rest assured, My Lady. I will deliver your message."

Xia'an promptly handed over the summer shirt, and Dong Yuzhong took it and left.

After he left, Lin Wanyi looked at the high-hanging moon outside and smiled brightly and contentedly.

The next afternoon.

At Linzhi Palace, Lin Guifei looked at the records in the daily log, her expression unreadable.

She closed the book and asked Eunuch He from the Department of Rites, "Has the emperor only summoned Lin Changzai these days? No other concubines?"

"Replying to Your Highness, Ming Changzai and Mu Daying have accompanied the emperor twice, but only to serve ink in the study. The emperor has visited Lan Fei and Ying Fei a few times, but only briefly. However, Lin Changzai not only accompanied the emperor but also served him last evening."

Eunuch He thought Lin Guifei would be pleased, as Lin Changzai was her younger sister. However, when he looked up, he saw that her expression was even more serious than usual.

Frightened, Eunuch He immediately restrained his smile and returned to a calm demeanor.

After a moment, Lin Guifei instructed, "Are the green head plaques for the concubines accompanying the emperor to the summer palace ready?"

"Yes, Your Highness, everything is prepared."

"Good, remember to bring Bai Pin's green head plaque as well."

Eunuch He frowned, wondering why Bai Pin was suddenly mentioned. However, with Lin Guifei's command, he dared not disobey and immediately responded.

"Understood."

After arranging everything and sending off Eunuch He, the chief maid Qin He brought a cup of tea and then asked softly.

"Your Highness, Bai Pin has been disrespectful to you before. We finally managed to bring her down and confine her to Zhongcui Palace. Why release her now?"

Lin Guifei raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"In the harem, everyone is an enemy, but if needed, they can also be allies, right?"

Seeing Qin He's confusion, Lin Guifei continued to explain.

"Among all the concubines in the palace, who can compare to Lin Wanyi in beauty?"

Qin He suddenly understood.

For Lin Guifei, she needed a low-ranking concubine to bear children, not someone the emperor doted on excessively.

So, some favor was acceptable, but too much was not.

Thinking of how Bai Pin was once highly favored when she entered the palace, Lin Guifei couldn't help but smile, her eyes showing a look of anticipation.

Soon, the list of those accompanying the emperor was sent to each palace.

Besides Lin Wanyi, the entourage included Ye Guiren, Ming Changzai, Du Changzai, Mu Daying, and Ying Fei.

Du Changzai was connected to Lin Guifei, and although Ye Guiren and Ming Changzai were not highly favored, they were still remembered by the emperor, so their inclusion was not surprising.

But Mu Daying and Ying Fei? Lin Wanyi was curious about their connections.

Qiu Ming, having heard the list, quickly recalled seeing Mu Daying outside Yaoyue Palace and shared his thoughts.

"I didn't expect Mu Daying to be so sweet-tongued. She could probably coax birds from the trees."

Chunqi disliked those who schemed to climb up, but she knew there were many like that in the harem. So, despite her dislike, she didn't say anything sarcastic.

"My Lady, I heard something from the servants. I'm not sure if it's true."

Qiu Ming was always careful with his words, never speaking recklessly, which made Lin Wanyi even more curious.

"What is it?"

"I heard that Mu Daying and Ying Fei are quite close and that she might move from Yihua Palace to Yaoyue Palace."

Hearing this, Lin Wanyi fell into deep thought.

Mu Daying's intentions were clear to anyone with eyes. She wanted to use the emperor's visits to Ying Fei to make herself known.

This wasn't a big deal.

But what puzzled Lin Wanyi was that Ying Fei, having been in the palace for so many years, surely saw through Mu Daying's intentions.

"Any news from Ying Fei?"

"The news came from Yaoyue Palace. They say the back hall is being cleaned."

The back hall?

Only those of Changzai rank or higher could reside there, so this meant Mu Lanchun was being promoted to Changzai?

Xia'an and Chunqi also noticed the implications and immediately frowned.

In terms of favor, none of the newly entered concubines could compare to their lady!

Mu Daying only occasionally appeared before the emperor. How could she rise so quickly?

"My Lady, why is this happening?"

"The front court and the harem are always connected. A concubine's promotion may not be due to favor alone but also family connections. It seems Mu Daying's father and brothers have achieved something in the front court, hence the news."

Mu Lanchun's father was just a county magistrate in Huaiyang. Achieving something significant would be difficult.

So, another possibility was that the Mu family had allied with some noble family, similar to how the Chu family attached themselves to the General of the Northwest, the Liu family.

Hearing Lin Wanyi's explanation, the others finally understood.