The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 152 - Caught in the Act

By the time they paddled back from the center of the lake, the small boat was already filled with lotus pods.

The Second Prince, bursting with excitement, eagerly patted Qiu Ming's shoulder and said, "Eunuch Qiu, let me down."

"Yes, Your Highness."

As soon as his feet touched the ground, he trotted over to the lotus pods. Seeing each pod still adorned with dewdrops lying quietly there, he was more excited than ever.

"This is my very first time seeing lotus pods, Lin Changzai! Are the lotus seeds inside them?"

"Yes, once we get back, we can shell them together. How about that?"

"Great! Great! I've never shelled lotus seeds before. Is it like making peach jam?"

"Yes and no. Later, you can watch Chunqi and learn from her."

"Mm-hmm."

The Second Prince nodded enthusiastically, so much so that he'd probably agree if someone asked him to carry all the lotus pods back to the Huifang Courtyard by himself.

Lin Wanyi glanced up; the sun had already risen. The light of day had fully brightened, and the warmth of the morning sun had spread across the land.

"Let's head back quickly, lest we run into anyone!"

"Yes."

Chunqi and Xia'an, together with Xiao Luzi, started packing all the lotus pods into the baskets without delay.

The Second Prince also joined in to help. In no time, they had filled five baskets. Xiao Luzi, being young and strong, carried two baskets—one on his back and one in front. The remaining three went to Chunqi, Xia'an, and Qiu Ming.

The Second Prince wanted to carry one himself, but each basket was almost half his own weight, and there was no way he could lift it. Even if he could, he wouldn't be able to walk with it. So, he just held two lotus pods in his hands, happily running ahead to lead the way.

This outing had yielded quite a bounty, and on their way back, Nanny Du picked up the palace lantern they had left by the road earlier. The group hurried back to Huifang Courtyard without delay.

As soon as they entered the courtyard gate, everyone exchanged smiles, relieved. No one had noticed them—perfect!

"I'll go fetch a basin of water," Chunqi said. "These fresh lotus seeds should be soaked in water for a bit. If the young master and the Second Prince want to taste them, you can have a couple, but don't overindulge!"

"What happens if we eat too many?"

"You'd probably end up with an upset stomach," Chunqi replied, pointing toward the bathroom, scaring the Second Prince out of the idea immediately. The thought of making frequent trips to the bathroom made him decide to hold back.

Just as they were chatting and walking further into the courtyard, they noticed someone already standing inside, looking at them with a somewhat angry expression.

Qiu Ming and Du Momo were the first to react. They immediately knelt to pay their respects.

"Your servant greets Your Majesty and wishes you peace."

Their hearts pounded with anxiety, fearing the worst. As they knelt, everyone else followed suit, finally realizing the situation. Chunqi, who had suggested the outing, was especially terrified. If she had known the Emperor would come this early, she would never have taken her mistress and the Second Prince out!

While shocked, Lin Wanyi and the Second Prince remained relatively calm. They stepped forward and saluted.

"This son greets Father and wishes Father peace."

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty and wishes Your Majesty peace."

Behind them, Xiao Luzi and the others were already prostrated on the ground, not daring to breathe too loudly, afraid of provoking the Emperor's anger, knowing they'd be the ones to suffer.

The Emperor looked at this group, who had just moments ago been so relaxed and cheerful, now quiet as cicadas in the winter. His anger, which he had been about to unleash, was momentarily held back.

"Where did you all run off to so early? There wasn't a single person left to serve here!"

The Emperor's words weren't entirely accurate. There were servants on duty, but Du Momo had sent them to the back courtyard to do some laborious tasks, so they usually didn't dare to appear in the front.

Seeing everyone was trembling with fear, Lin Wanyi had no choice but to brace herself and step forward.

"Your Majesty, the lotus flowers on the lake were in full bloom, and this servant thought fresh lotus seeds would be perfect for making porridge, so I brought the Second Prince along to pick some. It's all my fault; I didn't consider everything thoroughly."

"Not thorough? You, of all people, not thorough?" The Emperor regretted his words as soon as he spoke them.

Lin Wanyi, however, found it odd. How had the Emperor's temper increased after just a few days? Could it be that Ming Changzai was not serving him well? Was he here to find fault with them at Huifang Courtyard? She reassured herself not to take it personally.

After all, the old saying goes, "Only women and petty people are hard to manage." But in her opinion, emperors were the hardest of all to handle.

She maintained a humble expression, continuing to speak to the Emperor.

"This servant knows her mistake. Please, Your Majesty, don't upset yourself."

The Emperor looked at her thin figure kneeling on the ground, her head bowed, and even though he was filled with anger, he couldn't bear to act on it. He reached out and helped her up, touching her hand and cheek. Sure enough, they were icy cold, which made his suppressed anger flare up again.

"Didn't I tell you to take good care of yourself? Going out so early in the morning—what if you catch a cold again?" He then glanced sternly at the servants kneeling on the ground. They felt a chill run up their spines and huddled even closer to the ground.

"Hmph, you're all so incompetent in taking care of Lin Changzai. It seems a few blows would teach you the rules." Turning to Dong Yuzhong, he ordered, "Dong Yuzhong!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Ten strikes for each, except for Du Momo. Do it!"

Though ten strikes wouldn't be fatal, it would certainly require days of recovery. All of those present were Lin Wanyi's attendants. If they were all incapacitated, the Huifang Courtyard would fall into chaos.

As Lin Wanyi was thinking of how to respond, she suddenly went limp and collapsed into the Emperor's arms, fainting.

"Qianqian!"

The Emperor, seeing her like this, immediately picked her up and took her inside, his face a mix of worry and urgency.

"Summon the imperial physician!" he ordered.

"Yes!"

Due to Lin Wanyi's fainting, the punishment was never carried out. Everyone immediately got to work—fetching the physician, heating water, and making the bed.

Meanwhile, Lin Wanyi, finding herself in the Emperor's arms, dared not move. Her fainting was merely a tactical move. After all, if she were punished just for picking lotus seeds, no one would dare to go out with her again.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but twitch her lips. The Emperor, initially worried, immediately noticed the unusual movement. How could an unconscious person's eyelids flutter? Clearly, she was pretending!

Just as he was about to get angry, he felt her body tremble and press closer to him, as if frightened. She now appeared as delicate and dependent as a little bird—a stark contrast to her usual cold and detached demeanor.