CHAPTER 78: CHAPTER 78: THE PERSON ON THE WARM COUCH

Who would have thought he has been Emperor for almost twenty years now?

He doesn’t look very old, but he certainly has plenty of experience.

He handles the old foxes at court with ease, let alone Lin Wanyi, a playful little grasshopper.

Unconsciously, it was already deep into the night.

When Lin Wanyi felt somewhat tired from sitting, she realized it was almost 1 a.m.

Startled, she apologized to the Emperor.

"I was overly joyous and delayed Your Majesty from resting until such a late hour, which is truly a wrongdoing. Please allow me to urge Your Majesty to retire early."

Lin Wanyi thought the Emperor came to visit her simply for a chat.

So staying this late was bound to cause trouble.

She was reluctant to have the calm days she’d finally earned be disrupted.

Thus, she opened her mouth with the intention to send the Emperor away.

Yu Wenhong looked sideways at how sincerely Lin Wanyi bowed down, thinking it was truly a case of being beyond teaching.

If it had been other concubines, they would have tried all sorts of ways to keep him, or feigned modesty to attract him.

Yet she remained particularly respectful and reserved.

He wondered where she had learned such indifference and detachment.

It made the Emperor somewhat angry.

Seeing that the Emperor neither spoke nor rose, Lin Wanyi felt strange.

She looked up curiously, only to see the Emperor observing her with complex emotions she could not comprehend.

"Call someone to fetch water, and get settled after washing up."

Lin Wanyi was incredulous.

"Your Majesty wishes to rest at the Huifang Courtyard?"

"Yes."

"You mustn’t."

In her anxiety, her thoughts slipped out before she could stop them.

The Emperor looked at her with a mix of exasperation and amusement.

"This traveling palace belongs to me; if I wish to stay at Huifang Courtyard, why not?"

Lin Wanyi suddenly fell silent, realizing she couldn’t say anything more.

After all, what the Emperor said was right!

The whole realm is the Emperor’s dominion, not just this traveling palace.

Knowing she had spoken incorrectly, she lowered her head and awkwardly replied.

"The Emperor is correct."

Dong Yuzhong served the Emperor a simple wash and then withdrew with the attendants.

Once the palace lamps were extinguished, the entire sleeping chamber plunged into darkness.

Several hot water bottles were placed in Lin Wanyi’s bedding, keeping it very warm.

But the Emperor, with his warmth, noticed something was wrong as soon as he entered.

Then he reached out and drew Lin Wanyi into his arms, feeling the coldness of her hands and feet, which added a touch of sigh to his voice.

"Settle down."

"Your Majesty..."

As if knowing Lin Wanyi’s thoughts, the Emperor contemplated and spoke again.

"Forget the rules and constraints in your mind and sleep peacefully."

Hearing this, Lin Wanyi knew there was no point in thinking any further.

She could only close her eyes and fall asleep.

Feeling the warmth of the person beside her, she slept soundly.

Though the Emperor found it unbearably hot.

In the midst of summer, the bedding filled with hot water bottles was like sleeping in a furnace.

Yet Lin Wanyi’s unyielding coldness, reminiscent of summer’s coolness, was comforting to him.

Thus, the Emperor’s sleep alternated between hot and cold; when he awoke the next day, there were dark circles under his eyes.

In contrast, Lin Wanyi slept well, her previously pale complexion showing a bit more color.

"Did Your Majesty not sleep well last night?"

"Yes."

"Managing state affairs causes sleepless nights; Your Majesty truly sets an example for the people."

Lin Wanyi’s earnest reply left the Emperor speechless.

"Get up, I must go to Qiqing Hall now."

Qiqing Hall?

Wasn’t it supposed to be to Qin Xian Hall?

Turning her thoughts to the Emperor’s words from last night about moving to Qiqing Hall, Lin Wanyi suddenly realized her Huifang Courtyard had turned from neglected to popular overnight?

Lin Wanyi momentarily felt it was a real waste.

Thinking this, she dared not speak much.

"You still have residual poison in your body, remember to take your medicine, and refrain from worrying over trivial matters. Don’t let these abstract things tire your mind. Doctor Dou warned you to avoid excessive thoughts during recovery. Understand?"

Lin Wanyi was bemused by the Emperor’s advice.

When did she appear to be a person prone to overthinking?

Still, she sweetly replied.

"I understand."

Having assisted the Emperor with his morning routine, she accompanied him for breakfast.

The Emperor watched as she drank her medicine before being satisfied to leave.

Once he left, the cautious atmosphere over Huifang Courtyard slightly lifted.

Chunqi brought over a platter of fresh chestnuts, patting her chest in relief.

"While the Emperor was here, I didn’t dare approach your room, afraid of making a mistake."

Seeing her face such tension, Lin Wanyi chuckled.

"Weren’t you the most courageous?"

"I’m just afraid of causing trouble for you,"

Chunqi pouted, looking concerned for her mistress.

"I don’t speak well, what if by some mishap I bring misfortune to you? Better to keep my distance. Besides, Mr. Qiu is reliable and steady, whatever the task, I follow suit."

Over time, Chunqi became much more respectful than before.

However, Qiu Ming hadn’t entirely restrained her personality.

He only mentioned that it would be best for her not to linger around the imperial court, which suited Chunqi’s mindset.

That’s why she’s often seen by Lin Wanyi’s side, but when the Emperor visits, she hides in the small kitchen.

Unless it’s crucial, she stays put.

Chunqi chatted while peeling chestnuts.

Fresh chestnuts are usually ready in July or August, but this year’s early and abundant sunshine brought them to the palace half a month earlier.

Chunqi thought, given Lin Wanyi’s weakened state, that making chicken soup with fresh chestnuts would be fragrant, sweet, and nourishing.

Lin Wanyi reached out for a freshly peeled chestnut and smelled it.

The faint aroma drifted into her nose, reminiscent of the wilderness.

It’s what Lin Wanyi liked most.

"Are there more chestnuts?"

"Yes, the Imperial Kitchen sent a small basket, and I took only thirty percent."

"Alright, then sun-dry some of them for a couple of days. Once dehydrated, they taste quite differently when eaten raw."

This method was taught to her by her second uncle from her maternal grandfather’s family.

Though chestnuts become a bit soft, they become sweeter than fresh ones.

Only the inner hairy skin is hard to peel.

But with little to do at the palace, peeling chestnuts passes the time.

Chunqi nodded, saying yes repeatedly.

The two of them chatted over chestnut chicken soup for quite a while.

Until Xia An brought over a bowl of warm water, allowing Lin Wanyi to take her pills.

Chunqi didn’t understand much; she just believed that her mistress needed more medication and rest to recover, so she quickly produced a bag of dried fruits like a magician.

"Eat this, and your mouth won’t taste bitter."

Lin Wanyi took a piece and put it in her mouth; it tasted indeed sweet and sour.