CHAPTER 134: CHAPTER 134: INVITED TO A BANQUET

Qiu Ming wasn’t foolish, and immediately retorted.

"Eunuch Ruan Ming is not originally from the palace; he was sent in along with Princess Consort Yi when she entered the palace. He is mature and steady, but not someone easy to deal with."

The Liu Family is indeed powerful, being able to send even the Chief Eunuch from outside the palace.

It makes one think about how influential they were in the previous dynasty.

No wonder the Emperor has never visited Princess Consort Yi’s palace all these days.

The previous dynasty and the harem, whether they advance and retreat together is one thing, but whether one prospers while the other declines is also true.

Like Princess Consort Yi, hailing from a military family and holding a high position as a concubine.

In the harem, hoping to be harmonious with the Emperor is probably just wishful thinking.

Knowing all this, Lin Wanyi straightened her clothes and said.

"Please invite Eunuch Ruan in."

"Yes."

This time Qiu Ming stood directly behind Lin Wanyi and didn’t leave the room.

The name Ruan Ming didn’t match him at all.

’Ming’ means someone who speaks and loves to talk, but it doesn’t suit this silent, dark-skinned person before me.

"This servant, Ruan Ming, greets Miss Lin."

His voice sounded like it had been scorched by fire, carrying a hoarse tone.

If a child was here, they might be frightened.

And because he showed no emotion, it sounded even more chilling.

Fortunately, it was broad daylight, and there were many people in the room, so Lin Wanyi felt slightly less uneasy.

"Hmm, Eunuch Ruan is too polite. Did Princess Consort Yi have something for you to convey?"

Lin Wanyi was direct.

For someone like him, it’s best not to beat around the bush.

"Princess Consort Yi sent me to ask if Miss Lin plans to attend the Qixi Festival palace banquet, and also to ask about the Second Prince, so arrangements can be made accordingly."

This was a proper matter.

If the family’s incident hadn’t occurred, Lin Wanyi naturally would have tried to avoid it if she could.

But now she increasingly understood one principle: sometimes, if you try to avoid trouble, trouble will come to you.

It’s better to face it head-on.

After thinking about it, she replied.

"Thank Princess Consort Yi for her concern. I am feeling better now and should attend. However, I’ve heard from Nanny Du that the Second Prince hasn’t improved, so it seems he won’t be able to go. Please inform Princess Consort Yi for me, Eunuch Ruan."

"Yes, this servant understands."

With these words, there wasn’t even a chance for further pleasantries, and after the greeting, he left Huifang Courtyard straight away.

Behind Lin Wanyi, Xia An couldn’t help but pat her chest.

Since they entered the palace, the eunuchs they’ve seen.

There were those like Dong Yuzhong and Qin An, who were courteous.

There were those like Qiu Ming, who seemed stern but were actually easy to get along with in private.

There were also those like Xiao Luzi, who were a bit lively in character.

But never had they seen someone as rigid as Ruan Ming.

Honestly, he didn’t seem like a eunuch, but more like a soldier from the battlefield.

For some reason, he always seemed to carry the scent of death.

Lin Wanyi glanced at Qiu Ming and then said.

"Inform Nanny Du about this matter. In the coming days, we must manage our people well. If any news leaks, Princess Consort Yi won’t be easy to fool."

"Yes!"

Qiu Ming hurried to the backyard.

Leaving only Lin Wanyi and Xia An as master and servant in the room.

"Miss, if we go to the palace banquet, I’m afraid the other concubines will speak ill of us again."

"If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be, and if it isn’t, we can’t avoid it. Even if we don’t go, will they stop speaking ill of us?"

That’s true. Besides, since she was poisoned, she hasn’t appeared in front of everyone for nearly half a month. If she doesn’t show up, people outside might start trying to cause trouble for her.

It’s better to appear openly.

The Qixi Festival palace banquet.

This would be the second palace banquet she’s attended since coming to the traveling palace.

It’s easy to imagine that some concubines would go to great lengths to present songs and dances.

If she misses it, who knows when she’ll get to see it again.

Moreover, since this is an invitation from Princess Consort Yi, she needs to use Princess Consort Yi to restrain Lin Guifei, so that Ronghe Hall and the branch family cause less trouble for her mother and the others. How can she not go?

So, she’s more attentive to this Qixi Festival palace banquet than ever before.

In the evening.

When the Emperor arrived, it was already dark.

Xiao Luzi had already lit up the palace lamps, and the warm light amidst the darkness was quite heartwarming.

Every time the Emperor saw this, he would quicken his steps.

Inside the room, there was a table of his favorite dishes, and Lin Wanyi served him while eating herself.

After waiting for so long, she was also hungry.

So she ate half a bowl more than usual.

The Emperor saw this and, after some thought, said.

"In the future, if it’s past mealtime and I haven’t arrived, you don’t need to wait. Your health is important; you should eat first."

Lin Wanyi smiled, knowing the Emperor meant well, but without hesitation, she replied.

"Eating alone feels unpleasant, so I prefer to wait for Your Majesty to eat more."

"You!"

The indulgent tone made Dong Yuzhong glance at Lin Wanyi, then softly instruct Qiu Ming at the door to have hot water ready.

Since Lin Wanyi was poisoned, she hadn’t been favored for a long time.

The concubines’ green cards were gathering dust, and the Emperor hadn’t turned any of them.

Besides Zeping State, he only rested at Huifang Courtyard.

In the past, that would have been impossible.

Fortunately, they kept the news tightly under wraps; if events of the past few days were revealed.

Lin Changzai might have been labeled as an enchantress causing trouble for the nation.

"Is the Emperor...?"

"Better to be safe than sorry."

Qiu Ming immediately understood.

He turned to the small kitchen and gave the orders.

Inside, the two had eaten their fill and brought out the set of chess pieces.

The Emperor took the black pieces, Lin Wanyi the white.

Neither held back, engaging fiercely.

Lin Wanyi changed her usual style and pressed forward relentlessly, leaving the Emperor with no retreat.

Twice, she almost captured most of his pieces, with the Emperor nearly losing.

He too didn’t hold back, charging right in.

With Lin Wanyi’s inferior chess skills, she naturally lost once more.

She didn’t act coquettishly like the other concubines but instead said with a smile, "Again!"

After sleeping long during the day, she naturally felt energetic at night.

The intense game made her mind lively and her whole being exude energy.

The Emperor hadn’t seen her so spirited in a while.

As they played, he remarked pointedly.

"You seem quite excited."

"I snuck in a nap earlier, so I’m not tired now."

"Not sleepy?"

"Not sleepy."

"Hmm, neither am I."

Lin Wanyi looked up at the Emperor; if they’re not sleepy, they can continue playing chess.

But instead of playing, he blankly stared at her.

Before she could speak, she was enveloped into a warm embrace.