The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 142 - Fortune and Misfortune

"Love of beauty?"

"Yes, whether it's Bai Pin's 'Falling Blossoms, Flowing Waters' dance or Ming Changzai's Western Region dance, I find them both beautiful. Dances that are carefully choreographed always stand out," Lin Wanyi replied straightforwardly.

The Emperor, however, looked displeased upon hearing this.

"Is that really what you think?"

"I wouldn't dare deceive Your Majesty," Lin Wanyi responded, though she felt a flicker of guilt as she spoke, given that she had withheld the matter of her own poisoning.

The Emperor didn't miss the flash of hesitation in her eyes and assumed she was merely being stubborn, which oddly lifted his mood.

He explained patiently, "I watched Ming Changzai a few more times because she reminds me of someone from the past."

"Someone from the past?"

"Yes."

"Your Majesty means...?"

"Empress Xu."

"Empress Xu?!" Lin Wanyi was taken aback. Empress Xu had passed away only three years prior, and everyone in the palace, except the newest consorts, should have known her. Why hadn't Ming Changzai attracted any attention before, given her resemblance to the late Empress? She should have been noticed and perhaps used for influence before Lin Guifei's fall from favor.

The Emperor read her mind and explained, "After our wedding, I took the Empress on a tour of Mount Tai. When we passed through Dengzhou, the Xu family gifted her a set of Hu attire. Ming Changzai's outfit and dance style today were strikingly similar to what the Empress wore and performed back then."

So that was it. Lin Wanyi hadn't known that Empress Xu was skilled in dance—surely, the other consorts didn't either, or they wouldn't have dared tread on such delicate ground.

"Do you think, then, that the Xu family in Dengzhou might be supporting Ming Changzai from behind?"

"Possibly. I can't think of anyone else who could."

"But if the Xu family wanted to place someone in the palace for their future benefit, why would they choose a woman of a different surname? Wouldn't they select someone from their own family?"

The Emperor cast a meaningful glance at her. Realizing she had overstepped, Lin Wanyi quickly lowered her head, saying, "I spoke out of turn. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"It's fine; I permit you to speak," he reassured her, then added his own thoughts. "The Xu family avoids placing women in palace selections as it was Empress Xu's dying wish."

A final wish like that... it seemed the Empress had indeed seen through the ways of the world. She had entered the palace in her youth, and barely after coming of age, she had become the most esteemed woman in the dynasty. She had to uphold her role as the Mother of the Nation and govern the harem. But fate was not kind. Her eldest son and her father, Duke Xu, had passed away, and the grief weakened her until her own end.

Perhaps, not wanting her female relatives to suffer the same fate, she left this final wish.

Lin Wanyi sighed, "To be one of Empress Xu's relatives would be a blessing."

Unlike herself, who had been sent to the palace like an object, separated by thick palace walls from her family, even a simple meeting becoming a distant hope. She couldn't help but feel melancholy at the thought.

The Emperor, observant as always, read her thoughts but disagreed. For the first time, he took her shoulders in his hands, forcing her to look at him as he spoke each word with conviction.

"If you weren't related to Lin Guifei, I might never have encountered you at all."

While he didn't say outright whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, Lin Wanyi felt the depth of his affection. His eyes, illuminated by the moonlight, held a firmness that transcended warmth, conveying an imposing possessiveness that encompassed everything. Perhaps, this was how he showed his feelings.

Looking back at him, Lin Wanyi, while not as resolute, had long since grown used to his overwhelming authority. After a moment, she replied, "My fortune is simply to hold a place in Your Majesty's heart. Even if one day the favor fades, having had it once is enough."

The Emperor frowned at her words, finding it curious that one so young would speak with such melancholy. He had always thought that Lin Wanyi, too, was fully invested in him, but now it seemed she held something back, preserving a small part of herself. He wanted to say something more, but as the words formed, he realized it was pointless. Only with constant companionship could her so-called "favor" truly endure. This, he felt certain he could provide.

So he simply said, "Very well, let's return."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

In the moonlight, their shadows stretched long, softly merging under the glow of the palace lanterns. He was handsome, she delicate, yet they harmonized effortlessly.

Upon their return to Huifang Courtyard, they saw the Second Prince waiting outside. He seemed slightly surprised to see the Emperor with her, but he quickly composed himself and greeted them respectfully.

"Greetings to Father, greetings to Lin Changzai."

"Why aren't you asleep at this hour?" The Emperor frowned, his displeasure evident.

The Second Prince, however, had matured a great deal. He met his father's disapproval without fear, responding confidently, "Thank you for your concern, Father. I napped in the afternoon, so I'm not very tired. I just finished copying some calligraphy and brought it for Lin Changzai to review."

"Practicing calligraphy?" The Emperor's frown relaxed as he nodded. "Bring it here. Let's see if you've made progress."

"Yes, Father."

They entered the brightly lit room, where the Emperor carefully examined the calligraphy. While not perfect, it was clear the prince had put effort into his work.

"Good. Patience and calm are essential in calligraphy. You've made progress," the Emperor praised.

"Thank you, Father. I'll continue to work hard."

Lin Wanyi took a look as well and, seeing the Second Prince's dedication at such a young age, smiled. "The Second Prince is working so hard. Is there something you particularly want? If I can help you achieve it, I will certainly try."