CHAPTER 179: CHAPTER 179: ALONE IN THE EMPTY BOUDOIR

A concubine who can be left with the Emperor at the traveling palace does not seem to be particularly favored.

This way, she can avoid many calamities.

It’s just...

Lin Wanyi looked up and saw the Emperor’s unwilling expression, smiling somewhat awkwardly.

However, the Emperor is about to "remain alone in the empty boudoir."

It must be said that Lin Wanyi’s suggestion is indeed the most suitable for the current situation.

It can resolve the crisis of Lin Wanyi being overly favored, and also allow her to justifiably take care of the two children at the traveling palace.

From any angle, this is an excellent decision.

The Huifang Courtyard might be small, but there are plenty of other courtyards nearby.

Preparing a larger one to accommodate both the Second Prince and the Second Princess is not a difficult task.

Only the Emperor’s expression doesn’t look good.

Thinking about returning to the palace alone without Lin Wanyi by his side.

He becomes agitated.

"What do you mean? Do you intend to leave me and live a carefree life?"

Lin Wanyi was speechless.

What carefree life?

Though the Second Prince is already grown, the Second Princess is still in her swaddling clothes.

While there are nanny and wet nurse to help, it is still quite a task.

Otherwise, how could she have slimmed down so quickly in recent days?

But in front of the Emperor, even if she felt agitated, she couldn’t express it directly.

Instead, she shrugged and said.

"I entered the palace to serve the Emperor, and soon after came the Second Prince and then the Second Princess. Even if I wanted a carefree life, there wouldn’t be an opportunity for it."

These words amused the Emperor.

His deep, ink-black eyes looked at Lin Wanyi, seemingly reluctant but also weighing the pros and cons.

From Lin Wanyi’s understanding of the Emperor, she felt the Emperor would agree to this request.

Although he has feelings for her, when it comes to the nation and the court, these feelings are too fragile.

Lin Wanyi has always led a life that makes herself comfortable.

If she truly agreed to return to the palace and take on a concubine position, she would be courting disaster unknowingly.

The Emperor noticed the determination in her eyes and replied slowly after a moment.

"I need a few days to think. There’s still time until October, so we’ll talk then."

Lin Wanyi didn’t push.

As the Emperor said, there’s still plenty of time.

After acknowledging with a "Hmm," she closed her eyes.

The most urgent thing for her now is to get a good sleep.

Perhaps it was because the Emperor’s embrace was wonderful, or maybe because she knew Nanny Ji was coming, Lin Wanyi slept especially soundly.

When she woke up again, it was already the next day.

And beside her, the Emperor was long gone.

After smiling knowingly, she called out to Chunqi outside to assist her in getting up.

It shows that the Emperor is quite considerate.

Since Mrs. Yun entered the traveling palace.

He no longer stayed overnight at Huifang Courtyard, remaining in Qiqing Hall instead.

Occasionally, he would summon some concubines to visit, which avoided rumors.

Such as the recently favored Ming Changzai, or the Noble Princess Consort Ying who is nearing childbirth.

Only Princess Consort Lan, who has just given birth, has been forgotten.

To outsiders, it seems Princess Consort Lan is affected by the Second Princess’s fate, and the Emperor is cautious.

Otherwise, how could it be almost a month since giving birth and yet still not see the Emperor?

They are not foolish, nor are they on exceptionally good terms with Princess Consort Lan.

Thus, under the Emperor’s deliberate neglect, even visitors are scarce at Princess Consort Lan’s courtyard.

Initially, Princess Consort Lan could comfort herself, thinking the Emperor is busy caring for the Second Princess.

But gradually, she felt something was off.

Being busy doesn’t mean he can’t spare even a little time.

All other concubines are now nowhere to be found.

Princesses are not as precious as Princes, but being part of the Imperial Family, there should at least be congratulations.

Yet none have been seen.

The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became.

Adding to her already poor health, symptoms of weakness and soreness began to appear.

One day, Zhuimeng brought medicine to her.

She couldn’t even muster the energy to sit up, with her body feeling weak and soft.

"How many days have passed since I gave birth to a daughter, why is the bleeding not stopping and seems to be increasing? Where is Doctor Cheng? Call him; I have questions."

Speaking, she pushed the medicine bowl away.

If she can’t identify the cause, the medicine won’t help.

It’s meaningless.

Adding to her pallor.

She had looked herself over carefully while bedridden these past two days; she no longer possessed the vitality she once had.

Her complexion no longer appeared rosy, sometimes even distressingly pale.

She has seen mothers during their confinement; none are as weak and unable to self-care as she is.

Zhuimeng heard Princess Consort Lan’s words, feeling nervous as if drums were beating in her heart.

Fearing she might slip and cause Princess Consort Lan further distress, inadvertently adding another layer of death sentence.

Thus, she comforted her.

"Your Highness, please don’t worry. You suffered greatly during childbirth, and Doctor Cheng said it requires more than half a year of rest to recover, and it’s only been a few days."

"I’m tired of hearing that. Where’s Zhuixia? Isn’t she supposed to be back after worshipping her family? Why isn’t she back after so long? If she were here, she could nurse me back to health, and next time, I could have a son!

Nowadays, Princess Consort Lan thinks far ahead.

The Second Princess is merely a fallback; for her to make a name for herself in the palace, she needs a Prince to support her.

However, with the continuous bleeding now, how can she serve the Holy Emperor?

Without serving him, how could she ever become pregnant?

Thus, she was quite anxious.

The situation with Zhuixia was even more troublesome, and Zhuimeng didn’t know how to respond.

Seeing her hesitating, Princess Consort Lan immediately grew suspicious.

"What’s wrong? Is something wrong with her?"

"Your Highness, no...nothing’s wrong, Zhuixia...the old lady said she would keep her home for a few days, so she’ll be back later..."

Zhuimeng’s words weren’t even finished before Princess Consort Lan interrupted her.

Glaring with anger at Zhuimeng, she scolded.

"Do you think I’m a fool? With Zhuixia’s looks, if she stayed at home, likely she’d be fought over by her brothers. What’s the mother keeping her home for? To cause trouble?"

Despite being naive, every time the Emperor visited, Zhuixia was always hidden away.

The reason Princess Consort Lan trusted her was first because of her medical skills, and second because she behaved herself and never flirted with the Emperor.

Thus, she kept her here.

Zhuimeng, upon hearing Princess Consort Lan criticize, immediately knelt down in fear.

Unable to speak clearly.

"Maid is not meaning that...maid, maid didn’t mean it intentionally, it’s..."

"What is it? Speak!"

Princess Consort Lan was already impatient, but she barely shouted before feeling out of breath.