CHAPTER 178: CHAPTER 178: CHILDREN’S FUTURE

"The Second Princess hasn’t fully grown yet, but when she reaches six or seven months, she will definitely look even more beautiful than now."

The Second Prince nodded, utterly convinced by what Lin Wanyi said.

Both the Imperial Consort Lan and the Emperor are very good-looking, so naturally, the child won’t be unattractive.

After chatting for a while and noticing that the Second Princess seemed a bit tired and wanted to sleep, they handed her over to the wet nurse and Nanny Du to look after.

Then they returned to the Huifang Courtyard.

Lin Wanyi had lost weight these days, partly due to being busy and partly from walking back and forth between the two courtyards.

She deeply felt that her legs had become thinner.

Fortunately, Xia An massaged her every day, so she didn’t feel much soreness or swelling.

Back at the Huifang Courtyard, the Second Prince knew that his father and Lady Lin had words to exchange.

Understanding this, he found an excuse to return to the rear courtyard.

In the main hall, the Emperor held Lin Wanyi in his arms and said with great sympathy.

"These days have been hard on you and Nanny Du."

"Your Majesty need not worry too much, I’m young and recover quickly, but Nanny Du is indeed exhausted; I’ve noticed she’s grown some gray hairs. Once Nanny Ji arrives, let Nanny Du rest for a few days."

"Yes, I’ve also asked the Inner Court Department to select a few honest maids for Nanny Ji and the wet nurse. There shouldn’t be a shortage of people for the Second Princess, but it’s the Second Prince who might be lacking."

It turns out that those left by the Imperial Consort Lan have mostly been cleared out by Nanny Du recently.

Even the once domineering Nanny Duan has been sent away to the Summer Palace under false pretenses, never to return to the palace.

Therefore, except for Nanny Du, the Second Prince indeed lacked people.

"Since Your Majesty says so, I assume suitable people have already been selected."

"Indeed. One Chief Eunuch, four maids, and four little eunuchs have all been chosen. But this rear courtyard is too small to bust with activity. Let them first serve in the Yihua Palace, and in the spring, they will move to the Prince’s Residence with the Second Prince."

The Prince’s Residence is a separate living quarters.

Once the princes begin their education, they all move there.

Since teachers come daily to instruct them, it is quite distant from the Emperor’s harem.

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanyi’s first thought wasn’t about the move to Yihua Palace.

Rather, she thought of the Second Prince moving to the Prince’s Residence.

She frowned as she recalled many past events.

"The Second Prince is only six, does he have to move to the Prince’s Residence on his own? I thought they lived separately at around ten."

"What you’re referring to is leaving the palace to open a residence. The Third Prince went to the Prince’s Residence when he was four to study with tutors. The Second Prince has been delayed for quite a while and naturally needs to catch up."

Though the Emperor spoke with authority, Lin Wanyi both agreed and disagreed.

For the Royal Family, any prince who grows up and survives is of utmost importance, and they must be nurtured wholeheartedly to select the best among them to inherit the throne.

But a child of six, if pampered, might still be in his mother’s arms asking for sweets, whereas the Second Prince must live a life of reading in the morning and riding and shooting in the afternoon.

Who knows if he can endure it.

Though worried, she refrained from confronting the Emperor and instead expressed her concerns gently.

"What Your Majesty said is quite right, but is the Second Prince physically strong enough?"

With those words, the Emperor’s worries became apparent.

Though he appears healthier than before, the early mornings and rigorous activities might be too much.

"In a few days, I will consult Doctor Dou. If his health doesn’t significantly improve, I won’t force it."

Lin Wanyi nodded; she felt that the Second Prince’s priorities weren’t about studying or training but rather in restoring his fragile health, otherwise, a leaking vessel couldn’t hold much water.

Exhausting him to the point where he becomes weaker than before would be counterproductive.

"Qianqian."

"Hmm?"

"Doctor Cheng told me that the Imperial Consort Lan won’t make it past the end of this year."

Hearing this, Lin Wanyi showed a hint of surprise.

She didn’t want the conversations between her and her second aunt to reach the Emperor, as it would cause unnecessary suspicion towards the Dong Family.

After all, palace matters weren’t something they could casually comment on.

Especially since her second aunt Mrs. Yun was from an ordinary family.

"This..."

The Emperor, engrossed in his own emotions, didn’t notice Lin Wanyi’s expression.

Then he revealed his plan.

"I’m thinking of entrusting you with the upbringing of the Second Princess. Once we return to the palace, I’ll promote you to the concubine position, grant you the main hall of Yihua Palace, with the Second Prince in the rear hall and the Second Princess in your previous Xianyi Palace. What do you think?"

The concerns of her second aunt had indeed come true.

In just four months in the palace, from a mere concubine at the lowest rank to Lin Pin, the head of a palace, and "blessed with both a son and a daughter."

It’s easy to imagine what kind of turmoil she would face.

Not only in the harem, but even in the court, there would be accusations of her seducing the Emperor, wouldn’t there?

Isn’t this how the ancient Yang Guifei stayed by the Emperor’s side, enjoying his exclusive favor?

But what was the result?

She had no desire to become the next Yang Guifei.

Thus, she promptly refused.

"Please reconsider, Your Majesty. What have I done to deserve such a position?"

"I have contemplated for a long time; no one but you can sincerely care for her. Her life has been difficult enough, and if she isn’t treated well in the future, I, as her father, would indeed let her down."

"And the Second Prince, you have raised him well. If he were forced to move away from you upon returning to the palace, it might be counterproductive."

The Emperor’s arrangements were seamless, yet Lin Wanyi felt as if she were becoming a shield, to be treated as an adversary by many in the harem.

She thought for a moment and said.

"It is not that I am unwilling to care for the Second Prince and Second Princess. It’s just that as a mere concubine, I’m unworthy of such a high position. I have remembered Your Majesty’s kindness, but repeatedly going against palace rules because of me would endanger not only me but also the Second Prince and Second Princess."

The logic couldn’t be lost on the Emperor.

Yet without promoting to the concubine rank, how could Lin Wanyi legitimately raise the prince and princess?

"If Your Majesty finds it difficult, perhaps we should stay at the traveling palace with the Second Prince and Second Princess. The Huifang Courtyard here is more leisurely and free than the palace, and conducive to their recovery."

Lin Wanyi’s suggestion, in essence, was to muddle through.

Considering she had "been poisoned," staying to recuperate at the traveling palace and taking more care of the prince and princess would seem reasonable.