The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 145 - Pillow Talk Influence

Lady Wei, who had risen from a mere maidservant to become a trusted consort, was adept at reading the tides of power. Not only had she secured Prince Zhan's love, but she had also borne him three sons. Her eldest son had recently married the legitimate daughter of General Zhennan, and her family's fortunes had risen accordingly; her father and brothers now held fifth-rank civil posts.

Listening to him, Lady Wei pondered before offering her advice. "My lord, it's best to let this situation sit for a while."

"Oh?" Prince Zhan gave her a questioning look, but seeing her smile, he couldn't help but return it, admiring her youthful appearance even though she was well into her fifties. Standing next to her three sons, she could easily be mistaken for their elder sister.

"If His Majesty truly took action against Lin Guifei because of the Lin family's interference, it proves that the second daughter they sent to the palace is indeed capable. The influence a woman holds over a man is no small thing. To oppose His Majesty openly right now would be counterproductive."

"Moreover, although Lin Guifei is trapped, there hasn't been any official decree demoting or punishing her in the palace. So, let's not panic; it's better to identify the source of the issue and then handle it, rather than hastily entering the palace to plead on her behalf."

"Didn't the princess mention that His Majesty has been growing more distant from Prince Zhan's estate and yourself? In this situation, it's best not to add fuel to the fire. It would be more prudent to solve Guifei's predicament through someone else's help."

Lady Wei's advice was reasonable, and Prince Zhan found her words very agreeable. But as for finding someone to act on their behalf, who would be the right candidate?

The two exchanged a look, and from each other's eyes, they understood the answer.

"The Dong family."

The words slipped out, perfectly aligning with the saying: "The one who tied the knot must untie it." Since this matter began with the Lin family's first branch and Lin Wanyi, it would be best to approach it through them. They had understood the Lin family's affairs thoroughly over the years. After the division of the family, the Dong family was the only support the Lin family's first branch had left. Thus, starting with the Dong family would be the quickest approach.

"You truly understand my intentions, Zhen'er!"

With that, he lightly inhaled the scent on Lady Wei's neck. The familiar fragrance stirred Prince Zhan's heart.

Outside the palace, various people harbored their own motives, while inside, the court's figures were not idle either. After the Qiqiao Banquet, Ming Changzai, who had garnered the Emperor's favor, was frequently summoned to accompany him in the Qiqing Hall. Sometimes, she would merely grind ink for him, or occasionally, she would be sent to the eastern wing to sit for two hours before being dismissed. Still, the court's winds changed in her favor, and people whispered that she was now the most favored newcomer. The servants in the palace all hoped for a chance to encounter her, dreaming of serving in her quarters and reaching the top overnight.

Her courtyard received endless streams of congratulatory gifts from all quarters. Yet, Ming Changzai remained calm amidst the piles of luxurious silks on the table.

"Pei'er, put them away."

"Yes, Mistress!"

She held a scroll in her hand, seemingly engrossed. But a closer look would reveal that her gaze had lingered on the same page for a long time. What was the Emperor's intention? Outwardly, he showered her with endless favor, placing her before everyone. But in reality, they hardly exchanged a few words, let alone shared any closeness. Most of her time was spent doing mundane tasks like serving tea and grinding ink, work akin to the palace maids.

Was he testing her character by deliberately "teasing" her this way? Ming Changzai couldn't understand. Thoughts of her past in Dengzhou stirred a lingering unease in her heart.

"The Empress must have been murdered. You must seek justice after entering the palace..."

"The Empress was incredibly kind to you; you must avenge her!"

"If you ever have a chance to approach the Emperor, be sure to report this unjust case!"

Her mind was filled with memories of conversations with the Xu family. The deeper she dwelled on it, the more her head throbbed. She began to gasp for air until Pei'er noticed her distress and shook her out of her "nightmare."

"Mistress, are you alright?"

Seeing her mistress's sudden beads of sweat and pale face, Pei'er felt uneasy. With the Zhongyuan Festival approaching, she worried it might be due to some malevolent influence. She nervously swallowed, even waving a hand in front of her mistress's face to make sure her mind was still intact.

"It's nothing. The heat is overwhelming, and I just had trouble catching my breath. I'll be fine after resting for a bit."

Pei'er finally felt relieved when she saw Ming Changzai respond, though a faint unease lingered. She considered visiting the Jinghan Hall to fetch some talismans for peace.

Lying in bed, Ming Changzai found it hard to sleep soundly, so she decided to go out for a walk when the sun wasn't as glaring. Since arriving at the villa, she had rarely left her chambers, except to admire the scenery once, to respond to a secret summons from Lin Guifei, and today.

In the eastern part of the villa, several courtyards housed imperial consorts. Encountering someone while walking was quite likely. Sure enough, she hadn't been outside long before she ran into Ye Guiren and Du Changzai. The two had bonded while organizing the Dragon Boat Festival banquet, creating a closer connection than with others.

Upon seeing Ming Changzai, Du Changzai's expression turned from cheerful to sullen.

"Oh, what wind brought the highly favored Ming Changzai here? I thought only the neglected ones like us would be wandering around idly!"

Du Changzai was never one to mince words. She showed humility toward those ranked above her, but when dealing with equals or those lower-ranked, she could be rather unpleasant—especially toward Ming Changzai, who had recently risen in favor. Du Changzai would hardly extend any kind words to her.

Hearing her sarcastic remarks, Ming Changzai remained composed and replied gracefully.

"Sister greets both of you."

Ye Guiren, who had survived in the palace for years with a gentle demeanor and little favor, always maintained her amiable nature.

"Ming Changzai, you're too courteous. Are you also here to stroll around the garden?"

"Yes, staying cooped up in the chambers feels stifling. I finally caught a time when the sun wasn't too harsh, so I thought I'd take a walk. I didn't expect to meet both sisters."