CHAPTER 156: CHAPTER 156: UNYIELDING SPIRIT

Nanny Du wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, and after calming her emotions for a moment, she slowly continued speaking.

"Speaking of it, the late Emperor’s affection for Consort Xian was indeed profound. After Consort Xian passed away, the late Emperor also fell ill, his health deteriorating day by day until the year the Emperor turned eight, he could no longer hold on. After instructing on all matters, he too passed away."

"Since then, the Emperor has had no kin in the world. The Empress Dowager was more stern than loving towards the Emperor, and the ministers of the previous dynasty, relying on their status, often criticized the Emperor’s decisions. These days of being sandwiched continued for many years, until Empress Xu entered the palace, and after marrying the Emperor, things gradually eased."

Lin Wanyi listened silently, not making a sound.

"Empress Xu was very much like the former Consort Xian, but she was born in the family of a Duke and had the demeanor of a mother of the nation. She was exceptionally talented and managed the harem with great skill, first helping the Emperor to secure his actual political power, and then giving birth to the Eldest Prince."

"Just as the Emperor seemed to have finally come through his difficulties, who could have expected that the heavens would not favor him. A common cold took the Eldest Prince away, and subsequently, Duke Xu also passed away. These successive blows severely weakened Empress Xu’s body, and from then on, the smell of medicine in Changle Palace never ceased until Empress Xu’s death."

Lin Wanyi had heard Lin Guifei mention these matters before.

But listening to it now, she found it somewhat too coincidental.

The Xu Family’s foundations in both the previous dynasty and the harem were uprooted one by one, so it’s no wonder they fell into decline.

Empress Xu must have also realized the problem, which is probably why her dying wish was not to have women from her clan enter the palace for selection, to keep her family from being entangled in these disputes.

It’s really quite sorrowful.

As Nanny Du spoke, she observed Lin Wanyi’s expression.

Seeing her still so composed, she felt a little comforted.

She was, after all, different from Consort Xian and Empress Xu.

For a woman’s youth to be too smooth is not necessarily a good thing.

Not being able to withstand setbacks is the first trouble.

This was how Consort Xian and Empress Xu were.

In their youthful days, they received endless love, but this also led to the problem that they did not have strong enough characters.

But the Lin Chang before her was different.

Even though she was ill, she showed a silent yet vigorous vitality.

Not ostentatious, not exuberant, but never self-pitying or withering away.

Just... just like the winter Lamei, with an unyielding spirit, unafraid of the cold.

Just this point alone was enough for her to make up her mind to say these words today.

So, after adjusting her emotions, Nanny Du continued.

"After Empress Xu passed away, I watched as the Emperor grew colder by the day. Clearly in his prime, yet in the harem, the offspring dwindled. Apart from the early-birthed Second Prince, Third Prince, and Eldest Princess, no other concubines were pregnant, and in the Diary, it’s not often that you’ll find the Emperor summoning a concubine once in ten or fifteen days."

"It wasn’t until Lady Lan and Lady Ying were both pregnant that the stalemate of the past few years in the palace was finally broken."

"But everything changed after the young master entered the palace."

"After you entered the palace, the Emperor never summoned other concubines again. At first, I thought it might be a temporary interest, but now it seems that the Emperor has fallen for you. Honestly, I’ve served beside the Emperor for many years and have never seen him so obsessed with anyone or anything, but it seems like you are always avoiding him."

As an Emperor, the most important thing is to keep people guessing.

No joy or anger, no loyalty, to treat all equally, to bring grace to the Six Palaces.

But all this began to change after Lin Wanyi entered the palace.

Nowadays, Lin Wanyi has not encountered much malice because the Emperor has intervened and covered up a lot.

But a paper cannot wrap up a fire. Once discovered, Lin Wanyi will have to face not only the back-and-forth of the harem but also the pressure from the former court.

When such a tide comes, if she does not have a strong character.

She will either end up like Consort Xian, with a broken spirit, fading away quietly.

Or like Empress Xu, persecuted, exhausted, wasting away in illness.

Neither outcome is what Nanny Du wishes to see.

That’s why she’s saying these words today.

She hopes Lin Wanyi can see herself clearly, and understand the front court and the harem.

If she also wishes to respond to the Emperor’s feelings, she must be fully prepared.

The path of accompanying the Emperor is not easy.

It requires someone whose character is particularly strong, to face countless challenges and mountains.

Lin Wanyi is not foolish, she understood the deeper meaning behind Nanny Du’s many words.

But now, her worries differ from Nanny Du’s.

Nanny Du worries whether she has the ability to advance and retreat with the Emperor.

But her concern is whether those around her can stay true to their original intentions as they move forward together.

Thus, she could not give Nanny Du a firm response for the time being.

After a moment, Lin Wanyi took a deep breath and said to Nanny Du.

"What Nanny Du said today, were all heartfelt words. Since you’re not hiding anything, I will also share my thoughts with you."

"Regarding my background, Nanny must have some understanding. It sounds good to say I’m the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s Mansion’s first wife, but in reality, I lived no better than the children of the second house. Even entering the palace was against my wishes and those of my family."

"Since entering the palace, I’ve encountered many misfortunes, be it today’s humiliation or tomorrow’s drowning, and there’s never been a break from medicinal treatments. I understand the Emperor’s feelings for me, but ultimately, Nanny tells me, what skills do I have to stand firmly by his side?"

"By my looks? By my talents? Or perhaps by the Emperor’s affection for me?"

Lin Wanyi let out a bitter laugh, as if mocking herself.

Nanny Du looked at her so clear-headed and restrained manner, and her eyes deepened further.

She was indeed strong, but this strength contained much bitterness and heartache.

"The most heartless place is the Emperor’s family. Today, the Emperor’s favor is towards me, but who knows if tomorrow it will change to someone else? If I lose my original heart and fight for favors, I’m afraid Nanny will also feel she misjudged me."

"I’m not afraid of trouble, but I never go looking for it. If the Emperor were an ordinary family’s husband, then I would naturally join him shoulder to shoulder, facing all challenges together. But the Emperor is the blue sky of all the harem, the one whom countless subjects of this world submit to. Wouldn’t it be a pity if he were delayed with feelings just for me?"

"Therefore, this affection, I cannot return it, nor should I embrace it."

An Emperor should have the thoughts of an Emperor, and a consort should have the thoughts of a consort.