The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 127 - Mother and Daughter Meet

After nearly an hour, Qin An finally arrived at the entrance of Huifang Courtyard with Madam Dong.

Chunqi, who had been waiting at the entrance for quite some time, immediately brightened with joy upon seeing Madam Dong. She warmly greeted her.

"Your servant Chunqi greets the First Madam!"

Of course, she didn't forget to acknowledge Eunuch Qin standing nearby.

"Your servant Chunqi greets Eunuch Qin."

Qin An, being quite familiar with the servants of Huifang Courtyard, smiled and responded kindly.

"Miss Chunqi, no need for such formality. Let's quickly have the First Madam enter the courtyard and take a rest with some water. It's a hot day, and the journey must have been tiring."

Madam Dong, from the moment she saw Chunqi, was so pleased that she didn't know where to place her hands and feet. However, mindful of not losing face for her daughter, she had to maintain her composure. Upon hearing Qin An's words, she quickly responded modestly.

"You're too kind, Eunuch Qin. I'm not tired at all, truly!"

Chunqi, now much less reserved, turned to Qin An and invited him.

"Eunuch Qin, you've worked hard. It was quite difficult to fetch our first madam so early in the morning. My mistress has prepared lunch for you. If you're free, you're welcome to enter the courtyard—Xiao Luzi is waiting."

Qin An chuckled. This was likely the reason why so many palace servants enjoyed coming to Huifang Courtyard to deliver things. It wasn't about the reward money; the main reason was that everyone at Huifang Courtyard treated them as people, always thoughtful and never making mistakes.

"Earlier, Xiao Luzi told me that Miss Chunqi's cooking skills are top-notch. He's gained quite a bit of weight eating at the mistress's place. Today I have the good fortune to try it myself, and later I'll be sure to thank the mistress for the treat."

"Eunuch Qin, as long as you don't mind my humble skills."

Chunqi escorted Madam Dong into the courtyard, and Xiao Luzi had already sent word inside.

Lin Wanyi hurriedly came out of the house, her steps brisk, which even surprised the Second Prince following behind her. He had never seen Lin Wanyi this flustered before. She was always calm and composed, and he thought she might never have such a moment in her life. Yet here it was, happening so soon.

The mother and daughter had not seen each other since parting in April, now almost two or three months ago. But to them, it felt like it had been decades. Their eyes reddened with tears before any words were spoken.

Before Lin Wanyi could say anything, Madam Dong respectfully greeted her with a proper bow.

"Your servant greets Lin Changzai and wishes you peace and health."

This was one of the customs that Qin An had specifically reminded her of on the way. Although they were mother and daughter, rules were rules. Lin Wanyi was now a consort in the Emperor's harem, and her rank was much higher than that of an eighth-rank official's wife. Therefore, it was only proper for Madam Dong to offer her respects.

Even though Lin Wanyi felt uncomfortable with it, she had no choice but to stand there until her mother had properly completed the greeting. Only then did she rush forward to help her up.

"Mother, there's no need for such formality."

When Madam Dong finally grasped her daughter's hand, tears fell like scattered pearls, unable to stop. Lin Wanyi's voice choked with sobs as well. Seeing the crowd around them, she said, "Mother, let's go inside. The sun is strong out here."

"Yes, yes," Madam Dong quickly agreed, realizing that her daughter had once been poisoned and needed to be carefully looked after. She hastily added, "Yes, let's go inside. You shouldn't stay out in the sun."

A large group of people followed them from the courtyard into the house. As soon as they entered, they saw the Second Prince approaching.

"Greetings, First Madam Lin," he said.

Madam Dong was taken aback, having not expected to see such a young child in Lin Wanyi's quarters. Judging by his appearance, he was clearly not an ordinary child.

Could he be a prince from the palace? 

As she pondered, Lin Wanyi softly introduced him, saying, "This is His Majesty's Second Prince. He just celebrated his sixth birthday yesterday and is currently staying in the back courtyard to recover from an illness."

He's recovering from an illness, too.

As soon as those words left her mouth, Lin Wanyi regretted it, afraid her mother might catch on to something. But since the words had already been spoken, she couldn't take them back. So she pretended she had misspoken and quickly changed the topic.

Madam Dong was stunned by the news. In her mind, a prince was second only to the Emperor in importance. Why would he be recovering from an illness in the back courtyard of her daughter's residence? A flood of questions filled her mind, but she didn't know how to voice them. Seeing Lin Wanyi hesitate, Lin Wanyi quickly shifted the conversation.

"I knew you were coming, Mother, so I had Chunqi prepare some of your favorite dishes," she said, smoothly transitioning. Then, she ordered the dishes to be brought out.

The Second Prince, understanding the situation, knew that Lin Wanyi's family rarely had the opportunity to visit the palace. His presence might make it difficult for the mother and daughter to speak freely. So he said, "Father asked me to practice my calligraphy, but I haven't started yet. Please, Lin Changzai and First Madam Lin, enjoy your meal. Chunqi can send some to the back courtyard later."

When had the Emperor ever asked the Second Prince to practice calligraphy? It was clearly an excuse. But Lin Wanyi understood his intentions and smiled, nodding in agreement.

"Then I'll trouble you, Du Momo, to take good care of the Second Prince," Lin Wanyi said.

"Rest assured, Lin Changzai, it's my duty," Du Momo replied. She bowed to Lin Wanyi and Madam Dong before leaving with the Second Prince. Madam Dong, surprised, also returned a bow to the prince.

Xia An, knowing that the mother and daughter had not seen each other in a long time and must have much to say, excused herself, claiming she needed to serve the dishes, and left the room. With the crowd now gone, only Lin Wanyi and her mother remained.

The room finally quieted down, and Madam Dong began to relax a little. Holding Lin Wanyi's hand, she wept, "Qianqian, you've suffered so much."

It had only been a few months since she entered the palace, yet she had been injured and poisoned. Even a healthy person would struggle with such torment, not to mention Lin Wanyi, who already had a cold illness.

"Mother, don't worry. I'm doing well in the palace. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been able to come in so easily to see me, right?"

At these words, Madam Dong suppressed her sadness and quickly removed her hairpin. Opening the hidden compartment, she whispered, "This contains many medicines. Have Xia An put them away later. Your health wasn't good to begin with, and now you've been poisoned. If you don't take care of yourself, you'll suffer greatly in the future."

Lin Wanyi was startled. "Mother, how did you know I was poisoned?"

"The Emperor summoned your father privately; he's the one who told him. And the reason I was able to enter the palace is all thanks to the Emperor's kindness. Otherwise, with our family having separated from the Prime Minister's household, we might never have had the chance to see you again in this lifetime."

"Separated?"

Madam Dong's words left Lin Wanyi completely confused. How could the Emperor have told her father about the poisoning? And why had he arranged for her mother to enter the palace? Moreover, what was this talk of the family separating from the Prime Minister's household?