The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 80 - Waiting for something to happen

Bai Pin deeply resented Yi Fei's condescending attitude. But she knew that her family background was far inferior, so she could only rely on her.

Yi Fei also looked down on Bai Pin's coy demeanor.

However, she had no one else to counter Lin Guifei, so despite her dislike, she had to admit that Bai Pin's former favor was unmatched in the Six Palaces.

Lady He watched their expressions from the side. As the daughter of a merchant, she was already fortunate to enter the palace, so even though she hadn't even attained the rank that was promised, she was content.

Since she had attached herself to Yi Fei and came to the palace, she wouldn't want to miss this opportunity.

Only by gaining the emperor's favor could she climb step by step.

Wasn't Lin Wanyi a living example? In two months, she had risen from "Daying" to "Changzai."

Although still a low-ranking concubine, she was already outstanding among the newly promoted ladies.

If her favor continued, she could potentially rise to Guiren, Pin, or even Fei.

Now that she was poisoned and couldn't serve the emperor, they had to seize this opportunity.

So she spoke up to smooth things over.

"Sister Bai has delicate skin and naturally fears the sun. Yi Fei, coming from the northwest, is a general's daughter and naturally more robust than us ladies raised in the boudoir."

With this interruption, Yi Fei and Bai Pin followed her lead and changed the subject.

"We've been at Lotus Lake for several days without seeing the emperor. Could it be that the emperor is not at Zeping?"

Lady He's words echoed the thoughts of Bai Pin and Yi Fei.

But if he wasn't in Qiqing Hall, where could he be? The only place on the west side was Huifang Courtyard, but Lin Changzai was poisoned, and they didn't know her condition.

From Physician Dou's grave expression, it seemed bad.

So they didn't think much of it.

Yi Fei also found waiting foolish and said.

"Forget it, waiting like this is pointless. Let's go back. The Qiqiao Festival is coming, and the emperor will naturally appear then."

"You're right, Your Highness. I will do my best during the Qiqiao Festival."

Yi Fei glanced at Bai Pin, whose cheeks were still flushed.

Looking closely, her eyes held a pitiful charm.

With such a look, the emperor would find it hard to resist.

What a pity.

But everything was just beginning, wasn't it?

Whoever was behind it, Lin Wanyi was out of the picture for now.

So, knowing Lin Guifei's nature, she would surely find someone else.

Rather than waiting here, it was better to go back and have some frozen sweets.

Calm down and think carefully about the next steps.

"Let's go back first."

"Yes."

Leaving the pavilion, the palace maids came with umbrellas.

There were still a few steps to their sedan chairs, so they had to walk a bit more.

Lotus Lake was not far from Huifang Courtyard. It would have been normal to visit the poisoned Lin Wanyi.

But they took a detour.

(Translator Xiaobai: Please do not share my translation on other websites without my permission. You're reading this for free on my Wattpad. Thank you)

Because the emperor had previously ordered that no one should disturb Lin Wanyi while she was recuperating, Yi Fei and Bai Pin didn't bother to spend any effort on her.

Little did they know, the emperor they longed for had been staying at Huifang Courtyard for several days, barely leaving the premises.

The news was tightly controlled by Dong Yuzhong and Qiu Ming, and since the west side of the palace only had Qiqing Hall and Huifang Courtyard, it was hard to gather information.

While others outside were eagerly hoping for the emperor's favor, Lin Wanyi wished he would focus on state affairs, study diligently, or visit his favored consorts in the east palace. She didn't want him staying at Huifang Courtyard all day, making her have to hide to take her medicine.

Physician Dou's medicine always left a cool feeling in her abdomen. She constantly needed two or three warming bottles—one for her hands, one for her feet, and one for her stomach.

Every time the emperor came from the study, he would frown, then hold her in his arms, placing his hand on her waist and abdomen.

She felt much more comfortable, but it exhausted the emperor, who had to bathe and change clothes daily due to sweating.

Lin Wanyi had mentioned several times that it wasn't necessary, but the emperor always dismissed her concerns and continued as usual.

Gradually, Lin Wanyi got used to it, thinking it wasn't her who was tired.

One afternoon, while the emperor was napping on the consort's couch, Lin Wanyi quietly slipped out.

She claimed she was going to the small kitchen to check on the day's food, but in reality, she went there to take her pills.

Xia An cooperated closely with her, and since the pills were easy to carry and take, they hadn't been discovered.

Chunqi, seeing her always going to the small kitchen to drink water, thought her mistress was too reserved to drink water freely in front of the emperor.

So she always prepared warm water in advance, ready for Lin Wanyi to drink.

"My Lady, how long will the emperor stay in our courtyard?" Chunqi asked in a low voice, seeing no one around.

Lin Wanyi sighed.

"I don't know. Isn't he supposed to be busy with state affairs? Why does he come every day to watch me take my medicine!"

She hadn't missed the emperor's watchful eyes as she took her medicine, as if worried she wouldn't take it.

Even if she missed a small sip, he would make her finish it.

Only when the bowl was empty and the medicine was all in her stomach would the emperor be satisfied.

Lin Wanyi's poison had mostly been cured. She had the antidote, so she just needed a month of rest.

The cold ailment was more troublesome, but after so many years, she was used to it and just needed to be careful.

But now, with the emperor watching her daily, her body was better, but her mind was constrained.

She had to be cautious all the time, fearing any mistake would affect everyone.

So, while she ate and slept well these days, the mental pressure was high.

"Ah, I used to hope the emperor would come every day, but now..."

Chunqi didn't speak, but Lin Wanyi knew what she meant.

Seeing her tearful face, Lin Wanyi felt the same.

"When the emperor isn't here, I can embroider, paint, practice calligraphy, or read. Now... all I do is sleep and eat, and when I'm awake, I have to rest my eyes. I'm..."

I'm about to go moldy.

Lin Wanyi had held this thought for a long time.

She had wanted to say it out loud, but with the emperor's spies everywhere, it was best to keep quiet.

"I originally planned to take you to pick peaches, but now it seems impossible."

Lin Wanyi felt a pang of regret, not knowing when she could return to normal life.