The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 141 - Waiting Under the Moon

Lin Wanyi took her leave with Xia An, departing from Shengjing Pavilion.

On the other side, Yi Fei looked at the tearful Bai Pin and warned, "Stop showing that look in public. No matter how much you dislike her, she is still someone the Emperor favors. Be careful not to bring trouble upon yourself!"

To Yi Fei, the Emperor's affections didn't matter much. Her goal was to keep doing what she needed to do. As long as she avoided any significant mistakes, she would remain Yi Fei, possibly rise to Yi Guifei, and perhaps even become Empress. Even if she never ascended to the top of the harem, it didn't matter. As long as the Third Prince succeeded to the throne, she would become Empress Dowager all the same.

Bai Pin, however, couldn't accept it. Despite all her efforts, she still couldn't win favor. How could she stay calm?

Lady He tried to comfort her, but Bai Pin pushed her away. Watching Bai Pin's near-hysterical behavior, Yi Fei looked even more displeased.

"So early in the game, and already acting as if it's the end of the world. If you truly can't stand it, grab a hairpin and stab her. Do you dare?"

Yi Fei was ruthless, quick to act without hesitation. Bai Pin froze, caught off guard by her words. Though she hated it, she didn't have the nerve to kill someone so brazenly. Unlike Yi Fei, she didn't have strong backing. If she were to kill Ming Changzai, she would likely follow her to the grave.

So, she swallowed her anger and left quietly. Watching her go, Yi Fei felt she was no different from Chu Guiren—both were fools.

At first, she'd thought Bai Pin's beauty would help draw some of the Emperor's favor. Yet she had lost to an unknown Ming Changzai, wasting all her efforts! Lady He, on the other hand, seemed more composed and resourceful.

With this thought, Yi Fei looked at Lady He and said, "I still have two sets of red-gold jewelry. Come back with me, and I shall gift them to you."

Lady He hadn't expected it to be so easy to win Yi Fei's favor. Truly, she owed it all to Bai Pin and Chu Guiren.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" she responded joyfully.

Truth be told, this gift thrilled her more than any favor from the Emperor could. In the harem, having Yi Fei's support was often more reliable than fleeting imperial favor.

Under a faint moon and sparse stars, the night sky wasn't as beautiful as in previous days. Qiu Ming and Xiao Luzi carried palace lanterns on either side to light the way, while Xia An held tightly to Lin Wanyi, fearing she might stumble.

There was a palace gate connecting the eastern and western wings of the imperial residence, which was locked after the evening hour. Tonight, due to the banquet, the gate remained open until Lin Wanyi passed through it, after which the eunuch came out to lock it.

As they walked a bit farther, they saw a brightly lit area ahead. Lin Wanyi immediately noticed the tall, stately figure standing in the light.

"Your Majesty?"

The Emperor turned and, seeing Lin Wanyi, smiled slightly. "I've been waiting for you for quite a while. Why are you so slow?"

*Waiting for her? Complaining about her being slow?* He had left nearly fifteen minutes earlier and traveled in the imperial sedan, naturally much faster than she could walk.

Lin Wanyi didn't have time to dwell on these thoughts. She stepped forward, bowed, and said, "It was dark along the way, so I walked slowly. May I ask what brings Your Majesty here to wait for me?"

The Emperor was genuinely speechless at Lin Wanyi's lack of tact.

He, the exalted Emperor, had been waiting for a mere Changzai for nearly half an hour. Yet not only was she not excited, but she also asked such a silly question.

With a look at Dong Yuzhong, the latter quickly explained, "Your Highness, His Majesty waited here out of concern, fearing you might stumble on the stony path."

Hearing this explanation made the Emperor feel much better. Subtle displays of affection were acceptable, but he wanted Lin Wanyi to sense his care for her.

Moreover, he had something to discuss with her, which is why he had waited.

Lin Wanyi was silent. *Hadn't he just been staring at Ming Changzai back there? And now here he was, acting all affectionate.* She truly couldn't fathom the Emperor's intentions.

Still, she couldn't let her feelings show, so she forced a warm smile and said, "Thank you for Your Majesty's concern."

But the Emperor, having spent enough time with her, could easily discern when she was being sincere or merely smiling out of courtesy. He immediately told her, "Stop with the insincerity—I can't stand it."

Qiu Ming and the others tensed upon hearing this, especially Xia An, who nearly knelt down to beg for mercy on behalf of her mistress.

Only Lin Wanyi, seeing the Emperor's calm eyes, realized he wasn't truly angry and was simply expressing his thoughts. Relieved, she simply replied, "All right."

The two continued walking side by side.

Behind them, Xia An and Xiao Luzi both let out deep breaths of relief. Seeing that their mistress and the Emperor had moved ahead, they quickly followed.

Walking alongside the Emperor's retinue, the path ahead was brightly illuminated, erasing any trace of night.

As Lin Wanyi continued walking, a cool breeze suddenly brushed past her. Before she could even shiver, a bright yellow cloak was draped over her shoulders.

"Your Majesty..."

"In the future, wear more layers when going out. You're prone to illness—don't let the wind make you sick."

Lin Wanyi nodded, feeling a strange warmth toward the Emperor. He hadn't been wearing a cloak during the banquet, yet now he'd somehow produced one.

*How impressive!*

The palace attendants kept a respectful distance, ensuring the Emperor and Lin Wanyi were not disturbed.

After securing the cloak's ties around her neck, the Emperor commented, "Didn't I tell you to dress up for today? Yet here you are, looking as plain as always."

"Would Your Majesty like to hear the truth?"

"Yes."

"In a banquet like today's, where everyone would be dressed to impress, even if I dressed up, I likely wouldn't stand out. So I preferred to keep it simple."

She wasn't wrong. The Emperor considered her words. In their time together, he had seldom seen her make an effort to dress up.

Yet, perhaps it was this natural simplicity that put him at ease.

"Today at the banquet, I noticed you seemed rather entertained, almost mesmerized by Bai Pin's and Ming Changzai's dances."

"And didn't Your Majesty enjoy their dances as well? Appreciation for beauty is universal, is it not?"