CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 68 HUIFANG COURTYARD

Lin Wanyi smiled gently, her expression full of tenderness.

"The servant greets the young mistress."

"The servant greets the young mistress."

Chunqi and Xiao Luzi hurriedly came forward to greet Lin Wanyi.

"Stand up, you’ve tidied up well."

Saying this, she took off two rings from her finger and had Xia An pass them over.

Both were happy to receive the gifts; these rewards were secondary, ensuring the young mistress was happy and comfortable in her stay was most important.

"Thank you for your gift, young mistress."

"Shall I take the young mistress for a tour around? There are many things here that the Emperor personally had sent, fearing the young mistress might not be accustomed. They were altered to reflect your home."

No wonder she felt such a sense of familiarity upon entering, so that explains it.

"Let’s go for a walk."

This Huifang Courtyard is located on the west side of the traveling palace, the closest courtyard to Zeping State.

On Zeping State, there is a solitary courtyard named Qiqing Hall, the late Emperor’s favorite place when he was alive.

Due to the continuous expansion of the Royal Garden at the back, this area became somewhat "distant."

Yet, the concubines prefer to stay closer to Qin Xian Hall where the Emperor resides, convenient for gaining his favor, thus most reside on the east side.

This arrangement suited Lin Wanyi’s intentions.

The traveling palace is not like the Imperial City, with more relaxed regulations and normal frequent comings and goings.

But coming here was originally for summer leisure rather than focusing on socializing with the concubines, which seemed a waste.

So, being further away has its benefits.

Lin Guifei’s meticulous arrangement accidentally fulfilled Lin Wanyi’s desire to shirk duties.

If she knew Lin Wanyi’s thoughts at this moment, she might be furious.

"The courtyard may not seem large, but the surrounding scenery is nice; I’ve already walked around. To the north is a Lotus Lake; in a month, it will be filled with blooming lotuses. You enjoy boating the most, right? We can go."

"To the south leads to a small path toward Zeping State. I’ve asked, currently there’s nobody living there, if the concubines wish to go up and take a look, it’s permitted."

"Then there’s the peach forest behind us, which seems ready to bear fruit. Once the peaches ripen, I’ll make peach preserve for you. Don’t you love peach flesh in syrup? Freshly picked peaches make the sweetest syrup!"

Chunqi introduced the area to Lin Wanyi while walking.

Her eloquent manner certainly matched her personality.

She could familiarize herself with any place and arrange things so well; Lin Wanyi was pleased to hear.

While they roamed outside, Xia An was inside organizing and arranging things neatly.

Many of Lin Wanyi’s accustomed items, like pillows and quilts, and some leisure books, were all brought over.

Most importantly, the fabric and thread for sewing clothes for His Majesty, which Lin Wanyi instructed should all be brought before they set out.

She straightforwardly mentioned that if the sun became too intense, it was more comfortable hiding inside the house embroidering clothes.

Xia An chuckled, without exposing her lazy tendencies.

Once Lin Wanyi had finished touring with Chunqi, she seemed entirely transformed from her time in the Imperial City.

It felt like she had returned to her days in the East Cross Courtyard; the smile on Lin Wanyi’s face had never faded.

"Young mistress, have a seat. I’ve already stewed soup in the small kitchen, just need to fry two dishes, and it’ll be ready to eat."

"There’s a small kitchen here as well?"

"Yes, I’ve asked; they say each courtyard in the traveling palace comes with a small kitchen to meet any of the mistress’s dining needs. Unlike the palace, where the Imperial Kitchen is nearby, delivering items is easy, so if you want to cook yourself, you simply collect ingredients daily from the dining hall."

"That’s convenient for you, we shall enjoy good food."

Chunqi’s cooking skills were so praised that even the Emperor complimented directly, and most meals in Xianyi Palace were cooked by her.

Initially thought visiting the traveling palace would be inconvenient, unexpectedly it was just like before.

Lin Wanyi grew more fond of Huifang Courtyard, feeling it was even more free and comfortable than living in Xianyi Palace.

Looking at the lush scenery outside, I felt better than any day since entering the palace.

After the mistress and servants enjoyed their fill, Qiu Ming detailed the rules and arrangements of the traveling palace.

"At the traveling palace, the mistresses only need to pay respects to the Imperial Concubine every first and fifteenth day, then they can spend their time freely. The annual Mid-Autumn Banquet is held at Wanhe Building, with notifications sent half a month in advance with arrangements to each place. A gift might be required that the mistress sends to the Emperor, showing your sincerity."

"Is that the custom?"

"Yes."

Lin Wanyi felt somewhat uncomfortable with such public gifting rules.

Yet palace rules stood, even if she disliked it, she could only comply.

But deciding what to send delivered a headache.

Not too outstanding, yet not too perfunctory, truly a bother.

With two months still remaining, she wasn’t in a rush, comfortably focusing on her needlework first.

As dusk approached, Lin Wanyi planned to bathe, change, and sleep after a day’s activities.

Who knew Dong Yuzhong appeared outside.

Walking from Qin Xian Hall to Huifang Courtyard takes nearly half an hour, why did he come?

"Mr. Dong, is there something urgent?"

"Replying to young mistress, the Emperor has commanded tomorrow’s lunch to be held at Shengjing Building in Qin Xian Hall, with all concubines present, so the servant hurried to inform you."

"It’s late, thank Mr. Dong for coming all this way, Chunqi, serve tea to Mr. Dong."

"Yes."

"Walking this distance did make me a bit thirsty, thank you for the tea!"

Dong Yuzhong smiled, taking the tea and drinking it in one gulp.

Idle chit-chat followed before having Qiu Ming escort him out, reminding him to carry a palace lantern on his way, lest he trip in the dark.

Afterward, she headed to the side room to bathe and change.

Immersed in the warm bathtub, the day’s fatigue washed away.

The tub had nourishing dew, brought by Chunqi from home.

Mrs. Dong had spent a fortune on the premium Yulan Nourishing Dew from outside; frequently used, it carried an aroma and made skin smooth and fair.

The Yulan scent was finely blended, not overwhelmingly sweet, simply reassuring.

Summer Xia used the same Yulan Nourishing Dew to wash and brush Lin Wanyi’s hair.

Looking at the ink-like cascade of hair, Xia An couldn’t help but exclaim.

"The young mistress is truly beautiful."

She recalled her initial encounter with Lin Wanyi, stunned by her lovely appearance.

Such beauty was both subtle and captivating.

It wasn’t just the exquisite features, but also the vibrant and peaceful temperament.

This beauty lacked aloofness or arrogance, with a touch of accessibility, no wonder His Majesty often sought her out.