"Your Majesty, the servants of Furong Hall greet you," Liuli said, hastily stepping out with the palace staff to kneel and welcome Pei Yao.
Pei Yao glanced at her and proceeded into the courtyard. "Where is Yan Pin? How is her injury?"
"Your Majesty, Her Highness's foot is severely swollen, and she cannot leave her bed, so she sent me to greet you," Liuli said, bowing deeply and following respectfully.
Upon entering the inner chamber, Pei Yao saw Lin Chan in a light pink chest-length ruqun, hands folded on her knees, head slightly bowed, eyes downcast, kneeling on the bed.
Her ink-black hair draped over her shoulders, shining like silk in the candlelight, highlighting her snow-white skin and fiery red lips.
Lin Chan had chosen her position carefully.
From Pei Yao's entry point, he could see the lower half of her face.
First her delicate nose and red lips, then her graceful, smooth neck, the soft curves accentuated by her dress, and finally, her swollen, red ankle peeking from her dress.
The contrast between her fair skin and the redness of her injury emphasized her fragility, making her look like a wounded fox.
Lin Chan expertly wielded her beauty as a weapon.
Even Hong Zheng, standing beside Pei Yao, couldn't help but admire her silently.
No wonder this beautiful Fifteenth Princess of Shangyang was chosen to be sent.
"Your Majesty, I apologize for not being able to greet you at the door," Lin Chan said softly, her voice tinged with nervousness. She bowed deeply, performing a grand gesture despite her injury.
"You are injured; there's no need for formalities," Pei Yao said gently.
He signaled Liuli, who quickly helped Lin Chan sit up, placed a soft pillow behind her, and covered her with a blanket.
Hong Zheng brought a stool for Pei Yao to sit by Lin Chan's bedside.
"How did you hurt your foot? Is it still very painful?"
Pei Yao's words disrupted Lin Chan's initial plan.
She intended to link her injury to Fang Yun, but Pei Yao suggested she had been careless.
He was defending Fang Yun.
A favored woman for so long wasn't easy to incriminate.
But Lin Chan had anticipated this. Adapting quickly, she nodded, appearing embarrassed.
"I'm sorry to trouble Your Majesty. I wanted to speak more with Zhao Fei but was misunderstood by her maid, who thought I intended to scare you. In my panic, I lost my balance and fell. The foot doesn't hurt much if I don't move it."
Her response surprised Pei Yao.
He expected Lin Chan to accuse Fang Yun of instructing Yanwei to push her, but instead, she took full responsibility, showing no intent to blame anyone.
Pei Yao, thinking Fang Yun had suppressed Lin Chan at the banquet, assumed Lin Chan might seek revenge.
But she didn't.
Pei Yao scrutinized her, seeing only sincerity.
Had he misjudged her?
Suppressing his doubts, Pei Yao responded.
"Zhao Fei is delicate, so her maids are very protective. Your actions might have been misunderstood. Don't worry about it; Zhao Fei is gentle and kind."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I admire Zhao Fei for raising the Second Princess and Fourth Prince and assisting the Empress," Lin Chan said respectfully, a stark contrast to her earlier boldness with Fang Yun.
Pei Yao found her demeanor intriguing.
Just now, Pei Yao deliberately praised Fang Yun, yet when Fang Yun and Lin Chan first met, Fang Yun cooperated in the act by suppressing Lin Chan's rank. Such behavior hardly matched the qualities of gentleness and kindness.
Still, Lin Chan responded respectfully.
She was either clever, adapting to the situation, or too timid to argue, afraid of offending.
Pei Yao believed it was the former.
From his understanding of Fang Yun, if she truly disliked Lin Chan, she would have found many ways to trouble her, not resort to having a maid push her.
Therefore, Lin Chan must have staged the act, playing the victim.
Feigning helplessness and seeing Pei Yao's favoritism towards Fang Yun, she joined in praising Fang Yun, hoping to build rapport through shared admiration.
Not a foolish move.
However, Pei Yao saw through the ruse, finding it amusing.
Reflecting on his late uncle, Emperor Chengjing, Pei Yao considered that a less discerning emperor might have fallen for Lin Chan's act, gaining her favor.
Perhaps Lin Chan learned these tactics from watching her mother vie for affection in Shangyang, emulating what she saw.
Unfortunately for her, Pei Yao was not like Emperor Chengjing; he had his own judgment.
Pei Yao's discernment, in this case, stemmed from his care and understanding of Fang Yun.
If the other party involved was Yang Fei or Jin Fei, he might not have analyzed the situation as deeply.
Nonetheless, Pei Yao played along with Lin Chan's expectations.
Gently, he said, "Regardless, you've suffered. I've brought some excellent medicine for bruises and sprains. Have someone apply it and rest well. I'll visit when I can."
Looking around the room, he added, "Are you comfortable here? Are you used to the food? If not, I can arrange for a cook from the envoy's residence to prepare your native dishes."
Lin Chan blushed slightly, bowing her head. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I'm not used to the food, but there's no need to trouble you. I brought a chef from my entourage who can cook for me occasionally. May she stay and serve as a maid?"
"Of course, that's a small matter," Pei Yao replied amicably.
After spending some time at Furong Hall, Pei Yao rose to leave.
He intended to go to Yuzhang Palace.
However, Hong Zheng informed him that Prime Minister Lu and King Dun were waiting in the imperial study with matters to discuss.
Pei Yao prioritized state affairs.
After he left, Lin Chan's face lost any trace of shyness or respect, her eyes turning cold.
YOU ARE READING
The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)
RomanceAuthor: Huatang Xiuge Translator: Me (Xiaobai) 东宫掌娇 Upon entering the Eastern Palace, Fang Yun lived cautiously, burdened by the label of a substitute bride and daughter of a traitor. She knew well that, as a daughter of low birth, she had been cas...
