Chapter 129: Chapter 129: Borrowing Someone’s Hand
Lin Wanyi was immensely grateful to him.
To be honest, she was indeed quite fortunate.
Since entering the palace, the first person she met was Mr. Qin.
It was also because of him that she acquired the loyal servant, Xiao Luzi.
And then a series of events, in many instances, it was him who helped manage things.
Even though she was always polite to him in daily life, in the harem, such politeness was quite ordinary.
Sometimes Lin Wanyi really did not understand why Qin An, a Vice Director of the Inner Court Department, would assist her so much.
"Then I’ll bother you, Mr. Qin."
Saying this, she still had Xia An send up a purse.
A thousand words of thanks were of course necessary, but the reward that should be given couldn’t be neglected either.
Qin An did not refuse and accepted the purse before formally seeing Mrs. Dong off.
"Mother, please rest assured, your daughter will take good care of herself in the palace. If there is a chance, we will meet again."
Although she said so, the palace rules were strict.
Who knew if the opportunity to meet again would come after this instance?
Besides, her heart still held much worry about her brother’s matters.
Thus, she mustered the courage to mention something.
"Mr. Qin, regarding my natal family’s matters, if it is convenient, could I trouble you to send a message? It is not a big matter, just let me know that the family is healthy and everything is well."
Lin Wanyi said this in front of so many people.
In fact, she was also taking a gamble.
A gamble on Qin An’s numerous assistance, a gamble that Qin An would agree.
Qin An looked slightly surprised but soon raised a smile.
"Don’t worry, my lady. As long as it does not violate palace rules, what the servant can manage will be managed well for you."
The words weren’t spoken directly, but the meaning was clear enough.
What Lin Wanyi asked wasn’t much, just for the news that her brother had passed the difficult times to be brought into the palace.
That way, she could be a little less worried.
Accompanying them to the courtyard gate and a long distance, only then did Lin Wanyi stop.
Not until Mrs. Dong’s figure could no longer be seen did she let out a long sigh.
"Accompanying a friend, there must eventually be a farewell, my lady, don’t be overly sad."
"Mm, I know, let’s head back."
Lin Wanyi walked along the way, thinking all the while.
The news her mother brought to the palace this time was indeed surprising.
Though the second branch and the main branch had disputes, after so many years, tiffs mostly stayed verbal.
Why this time was there such a big outburst of anger?
Thinking it over, likely there was only one reason.
And that was Lin Guifei felt threatened, thus had someone relay a message to suppress the main branch’s arrogance.
Princess Rongkang was cautious by nature, although domineering, she wouldn’t leave room for criticism.
Therefore, this matter must have been done by her foolish and malicious aunt-in-law Mrs. Wang from the second branch.
After this episode, she would probably behave herself for a while.
But when she came to her senses, she would surely seek revenge!
Yet the Dong Family was just a merchant family; could they really withstand the consecutive attacks from the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Prince Zhan Mansion, and the Wang Family?
The answer was obvious.
Thinking this, her returning gaze showed even more determination.
Since Lin Guifei felt greatly threatened, why not find her something even more threatening to divert her attention?
And someone to match would naturally be Princess Consort Yi.
A few days ago, she learned from Qiu Ming that the Liu Family encountered trouble, so naturally, Princess Consort Yi, being from the Liu Family, would be anxious and fretful.
But how could she do so secretly to connect with Princess Consort Yi?
And even leveraging Princess Consort Yi afterward to impart a lesson to Lin Guifei?
Lin Wanyi couldn’t stop pondering in her mind.
When she returned to the courtyard, she saw the Second Prince already waiting under the veranda.
When he saw her enter, his face did not look good.
He immediately came over to comfort her.
"Lady Lin, don’t be sad, there will always be an opportunity to meet Mrs. Lin again."
Looking at the Second Prince’s innocent appearance, Lin Wanyi smiled wryly.
She didn’t wish the family disputes to disturb his mind.
So she opened her mouth to reply.
"The Second Prince is right. Did you enjoy your lunch today?"
"Mm, Chunqi specially made what I like, and I had two large bowls of rice."
What he referred to as large bowls were, in fact, just regular bowls.
But compared to before, ever since coming to the Huifang Courtyard, indeed he had eaten a lot more.
One evening, Nanny Du remarked, always feeling the Second Prince’s clothes seemed a bit short.
Taking them up for a comparison, they found that it was indeed the case.
Therefore, the embroidery workshop came over again to measure the size anew to tailor new clothes for the Second Prince.
Lin Wanyi also agreed to make two sets of winter clothes for him, just that, for now, the materials hadn’t been chosen yet.
The reason for making winter clothes was because she had accumulated too much needlework.
Ever since the Emperor wore the summer clothes and normal wear she made, the ones sent from the embroidery workshop were set aside.
On a typical day, he wore mostly these, so gradually they were not quite enough.
Lin Wanyi could only continue making summer clothes after finishing autumn clothes, and after autumn clothes, choose fabrics for making fur coats.
After this busy process, there was no relaxation throughout the year.
Managing to make time for the Second Prince was already quite good.
Therefore, the Second Prince bore no complaints.
He was actually quite expectant.
"Being able to eat is a blessing, it means our Second Prince’s health is gradually improving."
"Nanny Du said the same. I’m older than the Third Prince, yet not as tall, but if I eat more, I’ll naturally grow taller!"
The Second Prince was full of confidence, but Lin Wanyi did not take it seriously.
This issue of growing taller indeed had a lot to do with one’s parents.
Princess Consort Yi came from a military family, so over generations, the children born into the family were likely to be especially robust.
Thus the Third Prince was naturally more significant and agile compared to others.
Lin Wanyi hadn’t met Princess Consort Su and didn’t know what kind of woman she was.
But just looking at things from the Emperor’s end, growing tall wasn’t a difficult matter.
So she encouraged him by saying.
"No problem at all, our Second Prince will surely grow tall!"
The two exchanged smiles, easing much of Lin Wanyi’s earlier worries.
Dinner was shared with the Second Prince, and the Emperor did not show up.
It was unusually rare for Lin Wanyi to ask Qiu Ming to inquire about the Emperor’s whereabouts.
This prompted the servants at Huifang Courtyard to be curious.
"My lady, what brings this?"
Usually, when the Emperor came frequently, my lady wore a worried expression.
If one day the Emperor didn’t come, she was more than glad for the peace.
Why today would she inquire about where the Emperor is?
Could it be that she’s had a change of heart?
"Ah, I didn’t even know that His Majesty had arranged so much behind the scenes, thinking it was just a matter of meeting according to palace rules."
One had to admit, Mrs. Dong’s arrival did let Lin Wanyi learn some things the Emperor never mentioned.
"I guess His Majesty was afraid my lady would be troubled by the poisoning incident, so this arrangement was made, hoping that your family would come to see you and be at ease."