CHAPTER 153: CHAPTER 153: PRETENDING TO FAINT TO AVOID PUNISHMENT

After thinking for a bit, he spoke to everyone present.

"All of you, withdraw."

"Yes."

Xia An was anxious to go forward and take a look at their little mistress, hoping she wasn’t really chilled to the point of triggering her ailment again.

However, Dong Yuzhong forcibly dragged him out.

Before leaving, he even closed the door to the room.

Once the two were outside, the Second Prince and Nanny Du gathered around.

"Is Lady Lin okay? Why did Father Emperor drive you out? Then who is taking care of Lady Lin?"

As he spoke, the Second Prince wanted to rush inside.

"Second Prince, don’t worry. Miss Lin is fine, the Emperor is inside with her. Let’s wait for the Imperial Physician to arrive before going in."

After saying this, he exchanged glances with Nanny Du and Qiu Ming.

Today’s events already made them apprehensive.

Therefore, at this moment, they dared not provoke further and thought it best to avoid.

As for Lin Wanyi, she had her own ways.

Looking at the Emperor’s concerned demeanor earlier, it was unlikely anything would go wrong.

Then Nanny Du approached the Second Prince and said.

"Miss Lin has the Emperor watching over her, Second Prince need not worry and should return to the back courtyard. Let this servant assist you with washing up and having breakfast first."

They left early in the day, so they hadn’t had breakfast.

Originally, they intended to have it after returning, but who knew the Emperor would show up midway.

The Second Prince looked worriedly at the room, but there was not a sound.

Seeing Dong Yuzhong and Nanny Du both speaking gently, he reluctantly left.

Before leaving, he said.

"If Lady Lin wakes up, come and call me quickly."

"Yes, this servant understands."

The one who replied was Qiu Ming, whose expression had now returned to its usual sternness.

Xia An was not foolish, seeing the situation, it was clear that the little mistress likely pretended to faint.

Ultimately, it was for their sake, wasn’t it?

Otherwise, if those ten lashes were delivered, it wouldn’t be easy to bear!

After thinking for a while, Xia An spoke to Dong Yuzhong.

"This servant will go check on the mistress and prepare some breakfast for her, leaving it to Mr. Dong to keep watch here."

"Go ahead, go ahead."

Dong Yuzhong looked at the people in the room, thinking they all seemed clever, but were actually foolish.

They couldn’t even figure out why the Emperor was so furious.

So he signaled to Qiu Ming, and the two of them retreated to the courtyard for a private chat.

"How many days has it been since His Majesty last visited Huifang Courtyard, and why hasn’t anyone from your side even bothered to inquire?"

As soon as Dong Yuzhong said this, Qiu Ming immediately understood.

It turned out the issue was with this!

No wonder their expressions were so off.

But wasn’t Ming Changzai serving the Emperor there?

So why...

"Master, it’s just... the mistress didn’t tell us to, so we didn’t..."

"Serving at the imperial court for so long, and you still don’t understand the Emperor’s mind? You don’t even give a hint to the little mistress? If you really get punished, you deserve it!"

Qiu Ming was silent.

At this moment, he felt that Master Dong Yuzhong truly made sense!

He glanced at the room, silently praying, hoping the mistress would have good fortune.

Inside the room, after everyone had left.

The Emperor gave a cold snort and said.

"Stop pretending, get up, I won’t punish you."

Hearing this, Lin Wanyi finally slowly opened her eyes.

She showed a slight embarrassed smile towards the Emperor, yet the Emperor’s expression was bad.

His eyes were filled with both anger and displeasure.

However, he kept it suppressed and did not erupt.

"Your Majesty... this concubine won’t dare anymore, please don’t be angry."

In front of him, Lin Wanyi rarely acted coquettishly like this.

All of a sudden, the Emperor didn’t know whether to get angry or not.

He could only keep a stern face and remain silent.

Lin Wanyi had never had a cold war with the Emperor before.

For one, there was no time; for another, there was no opportunity.

But seeing the Emperor seemingly unwilling to speak to her, she felt that saying more would be futile.

If she said something wrong, who knows who might get blamed?

So she simply remained silent, lying quietly in the Emperor’s embrace.

It must be said, the Emperor’s body was quite good for warming up.

Seeing her unwilling to utter another word, the Emperor felt both angry and helpless.

After that night, he had confided the past regarding Empress Xu to Lin Wanyi.

He had hoped Lin Wanyi would understand his thoughts and grow closer with him.

Who knew she showed no reaction at all?

Additionally, he was trying to investigate any underhanded dealings by the Xu Family, so he had repeatedly summoned Ming Changzai to Qiqing Hall.

The rumors outside had been spreading for days; all the concubines were stirring.

Yet Huifang Courtyard remained so quiet as if completely unaware.

Not even sending someone to inquire.

He had underestimated Lin Wanyi; her heart was cold.

Impossible to warm!

Thinking of this, the Emperor swallowed his words.

Feeling deeply unsatisfied, he straightforwardly said.

"I’ve been summoning Ming Changzai these past days."

Lin Wanyi found it strange; after such a long pause, he only said this.

What else?

Not knowing what the Emperor intended, she tentatively replied.

"Ming Changzai’s dance at the palace banquet was indeed excellent. It’s only natural for Your Majesty to appreciate it."

"When did I ever say I liked her? I already told you it was due to Empress Xu’s matters!"

Lin Wanyi awkwardly smiled.

Wasn’t she just playing along with his conversation? The Emperor’s moods were truly unpredictable and hard to serve.

"This concubine knows. So... has Your Majesty discovered anything?"

"Not for now."

"Oh."

In a few words, the topic was closed again.

Sometimes the Emperor even doubted if she was truly clueless or just pretending.

Clearly smart and perceptive, she usually grasped the meaning of anything said casually.

But today she resembled paste, becoming clingier the more they talked.

Unexpectedly, Lin Wanyi suddenly thought of something, curiously asked.

"Just now, did Your Majesty call this concubine by her maiden name?"

"Yes."

"How did Your Majesty know?"

Truthfully, the Emperor had heard it twice before.

Once when Lin Xingzhi saved a drowning Lin Wanyi and blurted it out.

The other when Mr. Lin, upon hearing of Lin Wanyi’s poisoning, anxiously shouted it out.

Just now, in his haste, seeing her faint, fearing something happened to her physically, he naturally called out.

Now that it was brought up again, it felt a bit awkward.

But how could he admit this? Therefore, he said.

"If I, the Emperor, wish to know something, what could there be that I’m not aware of in this world?"

The imperial authority and pride truly revealed.

Lin Wanyi was speechless; the Emperor’s quirks were truly numerous.

It was just a maiden name, she was merely curious, and he turned it into a showcase of his abilities?