CHAPTER 193: CHAPTER 193: LONGING BETWEEN TWO PLACES

The members of the Ling family tried to persuade Ling Yan with kind words, fearing that once Ling Yan got stubborn, nothing would be easy to resolve.

Especially Lord Pei, who was usually a mild-mannered person who did not compete or fight.

But now, he was desperately pleading.

After all, the lives of their three family members were in the hands of Princess Consort Yi. How could he not be anxious?

However, Ling Yan acted like he was not afraid of dying, and even said that they were unworthy to be ministers of Da Wei.

His words were righteous and stern, leaving people unable to refute.

In the end, Old Master Ling personally knocked him out and then had him locked in a room, finally putting an end to this farce.

The Third Young Master Liu, who had just recently gotten out of prison, hadn’t even enjoyed a few good days before being dragged back to prison, with his mouth and nose covered, by people sent by Princess Consort Yi.

It was an endless cycle of coming out and going back in.

The Old Madam of Northwest Marquis was crying her heart out at home.

In the end, it was Ruan Ming who frightened her into silence with a few words.

"If the Old Madam is not afraid of the Liu family being impeached completely, then continue to indulge the Third Young Master. Princess Consort Yi asked the servant to convey a message: if there is a next time, she will act righteously and expose this to Your Majesty, and by then, not even the son of heaven can protect the Third Young Master."

After saying these words, Ruan Ming left the Marquis Mansion.

The Old Madam was left gritting her teeth, feeling furious towards the granddaughter she had always liked.

Once the Third Young Master Liu returned to prison, this prison escape affair was suppressed by the crowd.

But once an event has happened, it cannot go completely unnoticed.

A few days later.

The Classical Examination Department, which was directly managed by the Emperor, was not to be trifled with. After gathering and organizing all the information, they sent people to urgently and secretly deliver it to the place where the imperial carriage was passing.

It had only been a little over ten days since they left the capital, and they were accompanied by a large retinue.

So no matter how quickly they moved, they were not very far away.

Within just two days, successive messages were delivered to the Emperor.

Upon seeing the words of the Fourth Prince’s safe birth, he was delighted.

No matter what, the children were his flesh and blood, and their well-being was worth more than anything.

But this happiness did not last for half a moment before he saw the matter of the Liu family.

The joy in his eyes quickly turned to irritation.

He was displeased with how Princess Consort Yi handled things.

But for Noble Princess Consort Ying and the Fourth Prince, it was an opportune moment to live safely.

No matter how unwilling he was, it was not a good moment to issue orders.

So he instructed Dong Yuzhong.

"Tell the people of the Classical Examination Department to proceed with caution. Everything should wait for my return."

After thinking for a moment, he added.

"Then tell Quan Fu to be more attentive to the matters within Yao Yue Palace, especially to ensure the Fourth Prince grows up safely."

"Yes, your servant obeys!"

After taking care of these matters, he finally revealed his sleeve.

It was densely embroidered with cloud patterns, all from Lin Wanyi’s hand.

He was missing Lin Wanyi dearly at this moment.

Although he received updates from the traveling palace every few days, he still disliked these cold words.

He longed for her warmth, her intelligence, her stubbornness, and her tranquility.

No matter what she was like, she was always full of life.

Thinking of this, his resolve only grew stronger.

But that thought, for now, was not something he could share with others.

Longing always transformed into certain tangible objects, making people nostalgic for everything that once was.

For instance, now Lin Wanyi was looking at the Emperor’s masterpiece, hastily produced by the Jixian Institute, lost in thought.

This painting was beautifully mounted, perfectly matching the elegance of the artwork itself.

Originally, it was supposed to hang in Huifang Courtyard, but Lin Wanyi had already moved to Ruiyang Pavilion.

Naturally, the painting would accompany its owner.

Thus, it was hung prominently in the main room of Ruiyang Pavilion, at the entrance, high above.

Just like the Emperor, overlooking everyone in the courtyard.

A picturesque scene of a household by the stream.

Others might look at the landscape in the painting, but she cared more about the inconspicuous parts.

If she could, she also wished to live this secluded life.

Picking dewdrops in the morning, boating on the lake at noon, and stargazing at night.

Day after day, living comfortably and freely.

But she knew this was impossible.

Not to mention she was in the palace, being able to pretend to ’escape the world’ in the traveling palace was already a great favor from the Emperor.

Anything else would be pure fantasy.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but chuckle in self-mockery, then brushed off these trivial thoughts, focusing on waiting.

Today was the day Second Aunt Mrs. Yun was entering the palace to treat the Second Princess.

The Inner Court Department had also sent a message saying her mother would accompany them into the palace.

However, to avoid trouble should outsiders learn of this, her identity had to be somewhat compromised.

She could only enter as Mrs. Yun’s maidservant.

Lin Wanyi felt it was a bit hard on her mother, but Mrs. Dong felt that being able to see her daughter, not to mention as a maidservant, even if it was as someone else, she was happy to do so.

Therefore, aside from the people around Lin Wanyi knowing that Mrs. Dong would accompany her into the palace, no one else was aware.

Firstly, they had never seen Mrs. Dong, and secondly, they couldn’t approach the main courtyard.

Moreover, since it was to treat the Second Princess, who dared to voice an objection?

After waiting and waiting until the first day of the next month, the two of them finally arrived late.

Mrs. Dong’s attire this time was much more low-key compared to the first time she returned.

She even deliberately aged her face a bit, fearing to cause trouble for Lin Wanyi.

Her walking posture and serving gestures had also been practiced beforehand.

Therefore, along the way, they aroused no suspicion.

People thought she was just an ordinary maidservant.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, Chunqi and Xia An were already waiting at the door.

Seeing the two of them arrive, they were all smiles and laughter.

"This servant greets the Second Madam."

The two performed a half-curtsy, which was proper in context.

Since the last time Mrs. Yun left the palace, it had already been half a month.

Having stayed from July to mid-August, now that it was the end of August, the days seemed to fly by.

And Mrs. Dong, it had been nearly two months since she last saw Lin Wanyi.

Her originally calm demeanor faltered when she entered the inner room and saw Lin Wanyi, unable to hold back the tears in her eyes.

"Mother..."

"Qianqian..."

Now with no outsiders around, she could finally call Lin Wanyi by her given name.

She intended to follow the etiquette to greet Lin Wanyi, but Lin Wanyi supported her and helped her up.

"The doors are closed, Mother and Second Aunt need not stand on ceremony. Our time together isn’t long; let’s not waste it on such formalities."

"Alright, alright, we’ll do as you say."

Lin Wanyi had them sit by her side, then asked.