The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 79 - The City in Turmoil

The master and servants exchanged smiles, then some continued reading while others peeled chestnuts. In Lin Wanyi's Huifang Courtyard, life was comfortable and carefree, just like when she was recuperating at Xianyi Hall.

No one disturbed them.

But outside, the incident of her poisoning caused quite a stir.

Lin Guifei searched for several days but found no clues.

Firstly, there were no traces of poison in Lin Wanyi's food that day.

Secondly, a thorough search of the palace revealed no flaws.

This time, she felt a bit humiliated.

After all, the emperor had reprimanded her in front of everyone.

Although those words seemed like a moment of anger to others, Lin Guifei felt it was a sign of her falling out of favor.

Especially after hearing from Physician Dou that Lin Wanyi's medication made it difficult for her to conceive again, she was furious.

She cursed the person who poisoned Lin Wanyi, calling it a double-edged sword!

In the past few days, everyone in Yaotai Pavilion served with extreme caution, fearing that any slight disturbance would displease the consort and bring trouble upon themselves.

As the sun passed its peak, the two large vats of ice in the room melted quickly.

Qin He fanned Lin Guifei while saying.

"Your Highness, don't worry. The emperor didn't pursue the poisoning matter, did he?"

"Ah, what do you know? Since I took charge of the harem, everything has been handled perfectly. But as soon as we came to this villa, I stumbled. Didn't you see Yi Fei's gloating face?"

"Your Highness is the most esteemed woman in the palace. Even if  Yi Fei has some schemes, she wouldn't dare openly oppose you, right?"

Consort Lin didn't feel any better hearing this.

"She may not oppose me directly, but I've heard that she's been boating on Lotus Lake with Bai Pin and He Guiren or playing in the peach grove these days. Do you think I don't know her intentions?"

Yi Fei was indeed clever.

Since the emperor moved to Qiqing Hall, the east side of the villa became a "cold palace."

In this hot weather, why would the emperor visit their courtyards without reason?

If he did, it would truly be like spending summer in the palace.

Even if she was willing, Bai Pin, who had just been released, and He Guiren, eager to make a name for herself, were anxious.

So they made these arrangements.

Qin He immediately understood Lin Guifei's meaning and said.

"Your Highness, don't worry. Yi Fei and the others have been wandering around for days, getting tanned, but haven't encountered the emperor, have they?"

Hearing this, Lin Guifei felt somewhat comforted.

But she knew it was futile.

"If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have released Bai Pin. She and Yi Fei are like two peas in a pod, sticking together every day now."

Then she heavily slapped the table.

"Lin Wanyi is so useless. She missed a good opportunity. If she hadn't been poisoned upon arriving at the palace, she wouldn't have ended up like this and dragged me down. She's truly a waste!"

Qin He dared not speak about the Lin family's matters.

Although she grew up with Lin Guifei, she wouldn't easily meddle in the affairs of the East Wing.

After Lin Guifei vented her anger, Qin He spoke.

"Your Highness, although Yi Fei and the others haven't succeeded yet, if they keep lingering around the emperor, it's only a matter of time before Bai Pin regains favor. We should plan early!"

"Ah, but the family only have three daughters. Besides Lin Wanyi, there's a younger half-sister, but she's only nine years old. Even if she enters the palace, it's useless!" What she needed most was a prince.

Even if Lin Wanyi had a chance to conceive again, it would take too long.

So, she needed to find the next target.

"I'll say something unpleasant. Among the newly promoted concubines, there are a few Your Highness can consider."

"Who do you mean?"

Qin He smiled and began to list them.

"The daughter of the governor of the northwest, Ming Changzai, and the legitimate daughter of a prominent family in the southwest, Shangguan Daying."

Lin Guifei frowned in thought. The former had some favor with the emperor, but she hadn't heard anything about the latter.

Like a pebble in the sea, making no waves.

Could such a person be a useful pawn? "Although Ming Changzai is from the northwest, I heard she was raised by her maternal grandfather in Dengzhou, so she had little contact with the military families in the northwest. Since entering the palace, she hasn't been seen aligning with  Yi Fei and Chu Daying, indicating she's not one of them."

Lin Guifei nodded, finding Qin He's words reasonable.

"As for Shangguan Daying, she's not prominent now. But didn't  He Guiren gain favor by clinging to Yi Fei? If Your Highness offers some benefits to Shangguan Daying, she might be eager to attach herself to you."

"Continue."

"We previously put all our hopes on Lin Changzai, which is why we are now so passive. Flowers don't stay red for a hundred days, and people can't always enjoy the emperor's favor forever. So, Your Highness, you can support both of them to rise in rank. Whoever gets pregnant first, as long as it's a prince, will be your prince."

One must admit, Qin He's scheming is quite deep.

In dealing with these palace affairs, she, as an "outsider," sometimes sees things more clearly than Lin Guifei.

Over the years, Lin Guifei has relied heavily on her.

In Linzhi Palace, Jiang Heqing and she are Lin Guifei's right-hand aides!

Hearing this, Lin Guifei finally showed a smile.

"That's right, no matter who gives birth, as long as it's a prince, he will be mine!"

Then she glanced at Qin He, satisfaction evident in her eyes.

"You've done well. Go and receive your reward."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

With the situation turning around, Lin Guifei no longer felt the heat and discomfort.

Her mind was fully occupied with how to bring Ming Changzai and Shangguan Daying under her wing.

Meanwhile, Bai Pin, who had been sunbathing for several days, was now sulking in a pavilion by Lotus Lake!

"Your Highness, we've been wandering around Zeping for so many days, but we haven't seen the emperor. I'm getting sunburned."

She showed her delicate arm, which was indeed a bit red.

Her entire body had been carefully pampered, and she rarely went out in the sun.

Now, following Yi Fei around for several days, she was suffering.

If she hadn't just been released from confinement and needed to regain favor, she wouldn't have come to endure this!

Yi Fei glanced at her and snorted.

"You delicate Southerners are truly troublesome. Just a bit of sun and you're about to melt? Think of our soldiers in the northwest, who not only endure sun and rain but also fierce winds and battles. If they were like you, wouldn't it be laughable!"