The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 97 - Fifth-Rank Lady

Duan Momo and the others were shocked when they received the news that the Second Prince was moving to Huifang Courtyard.

Besides, wasn't the Third Prince still living next door? How could the Second Prince be sent to a courtyard where a Changzai (a lower-ranked consort) lived? Could it be that Chai Momo's affair had implicated the Second Prince, causing the Emperor's displeasure and leading to his removal? A series of doubts lingered in their minds.

At the moment, they couldn't figure it out, so they decided to check the situation at Huifang Courtyard first. What they didn't know was that this was a one-way journey, with no chance of return. They had planned to report any issues, but little did they know that what awaited them was complete silence and eventual disappearance.

When the Second Prince woke from his afternoon nap, he was still groggy and heard faint voices coming from the courtyard outside. It seemed that people had gathered.

The Second Prince quietly got out of bed and, hiding behind the door, peeked through a small crack. He saw that Duan Momo, who used to be so arrogant, now looked utterly terrified. The palace maids who had relied on Chai Momo and Duan Momo for their survival were trembling in fear.

Standing on the steps was the imposing Du Momo, exuding an air of authority.

People say that when a new official takes office, they tend to be strict, and Du Momo's strictness was akin to a blazing fire, burning those around her with fear.

"Let me say something bold: I've personally taken care of His Majesty, and out of respect for our past, he has granted me the rank of Yiren (fifth-rank title). I'm not the same as that dead Chai Momo. You all better stop your sneaky, underhanded tricks. I won't tolerate any disloyalty or disrespect towards the prince. If I find anyone acting out of line, they'll pay dearly! Understood?"

"Yes!" the group responded.

Du Momo's face was already stern, and her words made it even more frightening. It was unheard of for a nanny in the palace to be granted the rank of a titled lady. Du Momo was the first, with no one before or after her to achieve such a status. Even Dong Yuzhong wouldn't dare offend her easily, let alone Duan Momo and Bingmei.

"What's wrong with all of you? Have you not eaten, or have you grown lazy? You're speaking so weakly! Do I need to send you to Yeyouting to work for a few days so you'll realize how lucky you are to be living such a comfortable life now?"

(Translator Xiaobai: Yeyouting is a place where disobedient or disgraced servants, concubines, or other individuals are sent for punishment or to be held in isolation.)

Terrified, some pinched their legs and immediately shouted loudly, "Yes!"

After hearing that response, Du Momo spoke again.

"Do you not realize that the Second Prince is still resting? Shouting so loudly—are you trying to scare him? If the Second Prince ends up feeling unwell, how could any of you possibly make up for it with your lives?"

The crowd was on the verge of tears.

Now, they couldn't move forward or retreat! If they had known Huifang Courtyard would be such a difficult place to endure, they never would have come in the first place!

But it was too late to regret now, so they could only lower their heads and tread carefully.

Inside, the Second Prince was covering his mouth, his eyes curved with amusement.

It was the first time he had seen Duan Momo and the others humbled! It felt like a great relief. He couldn't help but look toward Du Momo, who was still lecturing them, feeling a growing sense of closeness to her.

The days passed both uneventfully and routinely. The people assigned to serve the Second Prince had arrived, but Du Momo wouldn't let any of them near him. She made them all do hard labor, such as washing clothes or cleaning the courtyard. Four or five people were crammed into one room.

The others managed, but Duan Momo, who had grown accustomed to acting high and mighty, couldn't tolerate it. However, under Du Momo's authority, she had no choice but to bow her head.

She was like an arrogant crab, but when faced with Du Momo, her only fate was to be cooked thoroughly and served as food.

She started thinking about finding an opportunity to get a message out. Otherwise, how could she endure this torturous life?

Du Momo's strict rules were indeed harsh, but they were only applied to disciplining the servants. As for the Second Prince, he was free to come and go as he pleased. Most of his day was spent in the front courtyard, chatting with Lin Wanyi and the others.

When Duan Momo and the others arrived, they also brought along the broken pieces of the wooden ox and flowing horse. It was only then that the Second Prince learned it had been a gift from Lin Wanyi.

After spending the entire afternoon putting it together, the shape was finally taking form. Lin Wanyi was a bit surprised. Though the Second Prince appeared physically weak, his mind was sharp.

When she was his age, she couldn't even figure out the toys her father had made.

Watching the Second Prince's focused expression, Lin Wanyi thought he bore a strong resemblance to her younger brother at home.

"If you like this wooden ox and moving horse so much, I'll give you a basket of them as a birthday gift."

A basket? The Second Prince didn't even focus on the words "birthday gift," but rather on the "basket"!

"Is Lin Changzai serious?"

"Of course. Before I entered the palace, my father gave me quite a few of them. Since you like them, I'll give them to you."

"That's wonderful! I love it, I love it. This is the best... oh no, the second-best birthday gift I've ever received."

This comment about the "second-best" piqued Lin Wanyi's curiosity, so she asked, "What's the best one, then?"

"The best was when Mother Empress and my eldest brother were still alive, and they spent my birthday with me."

Just having them there left such a deep impression on the Second Prince. Lin Wanyi felt a wave of emotion.

It seemed that Empress Xu's passing had indeed come too early. If she were still alive, Lin Guifei and the others wouldn't dare to be so brazen in their schemes!

Seeing Lin Wanyi remain silent, the Second Prince suddenly felt a bit anxious. He remembered how, back in Lan Fei's palace, whenever he accidentally mentioned Empress Xu or his eldest brother, they always seemed displeased.

So, the Second Prince assumed Lin Wanyi didn't like hearing about them either. He nervously chuckled and said, "Please don't be upset, Lin Changzai. I was just rambling."

Seeing his cautious expression, Lin Wanyi felt a pang of sympathy for him.

"It's fine. I entered the palace late and never met Empress Xu or the Eldest Prince. Why don't you tell me about them?"

The Second Prince's round eyes suddenly widened, staring at Lin Wanyi as if trying to determine whether her words were sincere or just polite.

In the imperial harem, there were plenty of people who spoke sweet words, but few truly respected Empress Xu and the Eldest Prince from the heart.

Children are sensitive, and after sensing Lin Wanyi's sincerity, the Second Prince thought for a moment before speaking.

"Actually, I don't remember much. I was still very young then."

"You're still not very old now," Lin Wanyi teased, lightening the slightly melancholic mood.

The Second Prince pouted and immediately retorted, "Lin Changzai, do you want to hear this or not?"

"Yes, yes! I promise I won't interrupt again!" Lin Wanyi playfully "apologized."

Only after hearing this did the Second Prince continue.

"Mother Empress was the kindest and most gentle person in the world. I never met my birth mother, so she was always the image of a mother in my heart."