CHAPTER 168: CHAPTER 168 READY TARGET

As for Prime Minister Lin, he’s had decades of fame and doesn’t mind gaining another "good reputation" anyway.

Thus, as soon as the rumors of the Dong Family releasing themselves from servitude began to spread, they beat the gongs and drums to deliver two carts of gifts to the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Gone was their usual low-key style.

Whatever they wanted to flaunt, they flaunted!

Afraid that people outside wouldn’t know the relationship between Prime Minister Lin and the Dong Family.

They almost didn’t shout at every three steps along the way.

Prime Minister Lin was not at home, so the one who received the gifts was Princess Rongkang.

Looking at those glamorous yet useless items, she was filled with extreme disgust.

Her dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Lin’s various protections of the main family had reached its peak!

"It’s laughable. Just a mere Warehouse Committee Official, and the Dong Family is celebrating so boastfully. Truly a merchant family with no experience of the world; even after releasing themselves from servitude, they are still looked down upon."

Her well-maintained face was full of disdain.

If Second Madam Mrs. Wang were present, she would likely have joined in scolding as well.

Yet, unfortunately, she was still recuperating in the West Wing.

So accompanying her was Lin Jingshu, the legitimate daughter of Aunt Guo from the second branch.

This family of girls originally followed the "Wan" generation naming, but Second Madam insisted otherwise, creating a "Jing" generation.

Aunt Guo had no support from her family, so her daughter’s generation name naturally wasn’t something she could decide.

Nonetheless, Lin Jingshu truly lived up to her name, possessing a quiet and gentle nature, and she grew to be quite beautiful.

Though still young now, it was apparent she would blossom into a beauty.

Being from the Prime Minister’s Mansion, her future marriage would also be of use.

Hence, Princess Rongkang took her in for grooming.

Just so that one day, when needed by the Prime Minister’s Mansion, she could "step forward."

Lin Jingshu stood aside, saying nothing.

No matter what, Mrs. Dong was her elder, and such a relationship wouldn’t allow her to speak frivolously.

Furthermore, Mrs. Dong never treated her poorly or belittled her while she was home.

Therefore, she had no position to add insult to injury.

Princess Rongkang saw her standing motionless and thought she was daydreaming again.

This already displeased her, and her mood soured further.

She then said to Lin Jingshu in a sharp tone.

"Speaking of these disgraceful people, the mansion certainly has many. Apart from Mrs. Dong, there’s also your aunt. If you wish for a good future, stay away from her. What can a concubine teach, understand?"

Lin Jingshu, being reprimanded so harshly, might have retorted had she had a more fiery temperament.

But she replied calmly, acknowledging.

This helped to alleviate Princess Rongkang’s anger somewhat.

Had it not been for the age factor, she should have sent Lin Jingshu, the legitimate daughter, into the palace back then.

To prevent mistakes in judgment, now Lin Wanyi has gained favor in the harem, bringing fame to the main family in Prime Minister Lin’s presence.

Thinking about this made her regret greatly.

But it was all futile; she could only hope that Prince Zhan Mansion would send word soon.

When her granddaughter Lin Guifei rises in the palace, Lin Wanyi and the main family will surely face their comeuppance.

At this moment, she had not received the news that Princess Ming Ruo was to be sent to the Empress Dowager’s side for grooming.

If she knew, she might suffer a breathlessness.

Outside the palace, bustling crowds each pursued their own agendas.

Inside the palace, since the news spread of Bai Pin being demoted and sent back to the palace,

everyone harbored some apprehension toward Ming Changzai.

She had truly become a target.

After all, a mere Changzai managed to persuade the Emperor to demote a concubine rank noble.

Not something just anyone could accomplish.

Thus, Ming Changzai lived a life of superficial glory, but in reality, a miserable existence.

Palace attendants in the traveling palace were more flattering toward her.

Today, she was sitting in Consort Ye’s palace sipping tea, barely settling down when Du Changzai arrived.

Her steps hurried, her expression anxious.

Upon entering, she shouted to Consort Ye, "Sister Ye."

But when seeing Ming Changzai, her face soured.

She had spoken some cold words to Ming Changzai before, so naturally, there was a hint of awkwardness.

Ming Changzai took the initiative to ease this awkwardness by greeting Du Changzai politely.

"Greetings, Sister Du."

Du Changzai struggled to maintain her pride but eventually returned the greeting reluctantly.

"Hello, Little Sister Ming."

Then she recounted everything she had just encountered.

"Sister, on the way here, I saw attendants from Lady Lan’s courtyard going to fetch the Emperor and the Imperial Physician, saying the lady suddenly went into labor and might give birth."

"Now?"

"Yes."

Normally, a woman’s childbirth wouldn’t be much of an issue, but today’s timing was unlucky.

Princess Consort Lan suddenly going into labor on Mid-Autumn Festival?

No matter if it’s a prince or a princess, this timing would surely provoke criticism.

Yet, impending labor cannot be delayed due to inconvenient timing; one cannot hold back and refrain from giving birth once it’s time.

After the previous incident, Du Changzai dared not act out again.

Thus, she consulted with Consort Ye before making any decisions.

Consort Ye pondered for a long time upon hearing this.

Then she spoke.

"Both sisters might as well stay seated. There’s no point in going; we can’t help. Princess Consort Yi holds dominion in the palace; surely, the Emperor and the Imperial Physician will hasten over."

Du Changzai and Ming Changzai both nodded.

For this matter, it was better to calmly wait.

From Lady Lan’s courtyard came waves of painful screams.

It was her first childbirth, so naturally, it would be difficult.

Even though midwives were prepared in the courtyard beforehand, they hadn’t expected Princess Consort Lan’s labor to start so suddenly and progress so swiftly.

It looked as though the child was about to be born.

This was not good!

A woman’s childbirth shouldn’t be too slow, as the baby could be suffocated.

Yet, being too quick isn’t good either, as the mother risks heavy bleeding.

They exchanged worried glances; Princess Consort Lan’s baby had descended too quickly.

Typically, a labor would take three to four hours from onset to birth.

But Princess Consort Lan’s tummy had dropped in less than half an hour, and one could already glimpse some hair of the baby.

At this, Princess Consort Lan was still shouting.

"Don’t give birth, don’t give birth! My child cannot be born on such a day!"

Sadly, she couldn’t possibly hold the baby back.

Once it’s time, the baby must come out.

If she insisted on holding back, she’d eventually suffocate the child.

Sweat soaked through her entire head of hair, as if she’d been fished from the water.

Attendants Zhuai Yun and Zhuimeng beside her were also anxious, not knowing what to do.

"Zhuixia wasn’t there early or late; she’s gone today! Had she been present, the lady wouldn’t be like this!"

Both of them were steeped in regret at the moment.