CHAPTER 80: CHAPTER 80: WAITING FOR RABBITS BY THE STUMP

Sister Bai hated the lofty demeanor of Princess Consort Yi from the bottom of her heart.

Yet she also knew that her family background could not compare to hers, so she could only rely on her.

Princess Consort Yi also despised Sister Bai’s coy demeanor.

But at present, there was no one under her command strong enough to counter Lin Guifei, so despite her dislike, she had to admit that Bai Pin’s former favor was unmatched within the Six Palaces.

Lady He watched the expressions of the two. As a merchant’s daughter, being honored to enter the palace was already quite good, so even if she didn’t gain the status of a concubine, she was still content with the situation.

Since she had climbed up to Princess Consort Yi and followed her to the traveling palace, she would not want to miss this opportunity.

Only by receiving the Emperor’s favor could she climb step by step upwards.

Wasn’t Lin Wanyi a living example?

She entered the palace for two months, rising from concubine to Changzai.

Though still a lower-ranking concubine, she was already a standout among the newly promoted concubines.

If the favor persists, she could rise to noble, concubine, and even the rank of concubine.

Currently, she was poisoned, naturally unable to attend the bedchamber.

Thus, they had to seize this opportunity.

So someone spoke up to mediate the situation.

"Sister Bai has delicate skin, naturally afraid of sun exposure. Princess Consort Yi comes from the Northwest, truly a daughter of the military family, which gives her many more virtues than us girls raised in our boudoirs."

With this interruption, Princess Consort Yi and Sister Bai followed the conversation.

"We’ve been to Lotus Lake for several days, yet haven’t seen Your Majesty. Could it be that Your Majesty is not in Zeping State?"

Lady He’s words were indeed something Sister Bai and Princess Consort Yi had considered.

But if he wasn’t in Qiqing Hall, where would he be?

To the west, there was only Huifang Courtyard, but Lin Changzai was poisoned, and no one knew what her situation was.

Their only clue came from Doctor Dou’s heavy expression, indicating it might be bad.

Thus, they didn’t think much about it.

Princess Consort Yi felt it was rather foolish to wait like this, so she spoke up.

"Forget it, waiting like this is pointless. Let’s go back first; soon it’ll be the Qixi Festival, and by then, Your Majesty will naturally appear."

"You are right, Princess Consort Yi. During the Qixi Festival, I will certainly strive."

Princess Consort Yi glanced at Sister Bai, noticing the blush on her cheeks.

A closer look, and her eyes carried a tinge of charming helplessness.

In this state, if the Emperor saw her, likely even he would find it hard to resist.

What a pity.

However, isn’t everything just beginning?

No matter who made the move, at present, Lin Wanyi was unable to cause a stir.

Thus, judging by Lin Guifei’s temperament, she would surely seek someone else.

Rather than waiting here idly, why not go back to have some ice sherbet?

Calm down, think carefully about how to proceed next.

"Let’s go. We’ll discuss further once we return."

"Yes."

As they left Yaxin Pavilion, the palace maids came with umbrellas to welcome them.

There were still a few steps to their palanquins, so they still had to walk a short distance.

Lotus Lake wasn’t far from Huifang Courtyard, theoretically, since they had walked this far, it was normal to pay a visit to poisoned Lin Wanyi.

Yet they took a detour.

Because the Emperor had previously ordered that no one disturb Lin Wanyi while she was recuperating.

Therefore, for someone as insignificant as a Changzai, Princess Consort Yi and Sister Bai were unwilling to waste effort.

Yet they were unaware that their longed-for Emperor had already resided in Huifang Courtyard for several days.

Hardly ever leaving.

The news was kept tightly under wraps by Dong Yuzhong and Qiu Ming, plus on the west side of the traveling palace, there was only Qiqing Hall and Huifang Courtyard, so it was difficult to inquire.

Outside, people were yearning and hoping for the Emperor’s favor.

Yet Lin Wanyi, at this moment, wished he would diligently attend to state matters, study day and night, or go to the east side of the traveling palace to see his favored concubines and beloved concubines.

She hoped he wouldn’t stay in Huifang Courtyard all day, causing her to stealthily hide when taking medicine.

Doctor Dou’s medicine always gave her a cool sensation in the abdomen.

To her, hot water bottles were needed occasionally, two or three at a time.

Some for the hands, some for the feet, and some for the abdomen.

Every time the Emperor came from the study, he would frown, then hold her in his arms, his hand placed on her waist and abdomen.

It made her feel much more comfortable, yet exhausted the Emperor to the point where he needed to bathe and change clothes every day.

Otherwise, he would be drenched in sweat.

Lin Wanyi mentioned several times that it wasn’t necessary, but the Emperor responded with silence.

Next time, he would do it as usual.

Gradually, Lin Wanyi got used to it; anyway, it wasn’t her who was exhausted.

That afternoon, taking advantage of the Emperor’s nap on the Imperial Concubine’s Couch, Lin Wanyi quietly slipped out.

Under the pretext of heading to the small kitchen to check today’s food preparation.

In reality, she went to the small kitchen to administer medicine.

Xia An coordinated closely with her, combined with the convenience of carrying and taking the medicine, so these days it hadn’t been discovered.

Chunqi saw her always going to the small kitchen for water, thinking her mistress was too cautious to even dare drink freely at court.

Thus, she always prepared lukewarm water in advance for Lin Wanyi to drink directly when she came.

"Mistress, how long will the Emperor stay in our courtyard?"

Chunqi, seeing no one else was around, boldly whispered.

Lin Wanyi sighed deeply.

"I don’t know either. Aren’t there supposed to be pressing affairs? Why does he come every day to watch me take medicine?"

She couldn’t miss the Emperor watching her take medicine with that worried look.

As if afraid she would refuse to take it.

Even if missing a small sip, he’d make it up.

Until the bowl was empty and all the medicine was in Lin Wanyi’s stomach, he would withdraw his gaze satisfactorily.

The poison in Lin Wanyi was actually almost cured.

She had the antidote on hand, so she only needed to repose for a month.

Except the recurrence of her cold affliction was a bit troublesome.

But after all these years, the cold disease to her was like routine; with some daily attention, that was enough.

But with the Emperor guarding every day, her body was better, but her heart felt restrained.

Moreover, she had to pay constant attention, fearing a mistake that would affect everyone.

Thus, over the past few days, her eating and sleeping were fine, just the pressure on her mind was a bit much.

"Ah, before, we used to hope for the Emperor daily, but now..."

Chunqi didn’t say anything, yet Lin Wanyi knew what she was trying to express.

Given that utterly helpless look, Lin Wanyi could empathize.

"When the Emperor wasn’t here, I could steal time to embroider clothes, paint, practice calligraphy, or at least read some leisure books. Now... it’s either sleeping or eating all day, even awake I have to rest my eyes, I..."

I’m on the verge of mold.

This was kept inside Lin Wanyi for quite a long time.

She’d long wanted to blurt it out, but here, with the Emperor’s ears everywhere, best to speak less.

"Originally, I planned to bring the mistress to pick peaches, but it seems it’s not possible now."

Lin Wanyi felt a pang of regret, uncertain when she could step down and return to normal life.