Chapter 240: Chapter 240: Relocation Out of the Palace
Lin Wanyi is not foolish; although the recent rumors haven’t reached her ears, she can easily guess that they are nothing positive.
As for matters within Qian’an Hall, Dong Yuzhong naturally kept them tightly under wraps.
Yet, for a day or two one can have excuses, but after four days, especially on the eve of New Year’s, how can not a word leak out?
So, if they continue to stay here.
Once the festivities are over, the Emperor’s first order of business might be to face numerous memorials denouncing their sibling duo for their arrogance and ignorance of the heavens.
Lin Wanyi doesn’t want the Emperor to be put in a difficult position, nor does she wish for her brother’s reputation to suffer further damage.
Thus, leaving Qian’an Hall is presently the most urgent matter for both siblings.
What Lin Wanyi spoke of was exactly what the Emperor had in mind.
He did not wish for Lin Wanyi to just return to the palace only to be labeled as "arrogant due to favoritism" and "insensible," which wouldn’t bode well for her future.
Hence, he initially intended to speak up.
However, just after seeing her uncomfortable and nauseous state, he held back.
Unexpectedly, she took the initiative to speak.
He then explained on his own accord.
"If in the traveling palace, I can arrange things properly. But in the Imperial City, openly favoring you would give others ammunition against you, thus, your request aligns with my intentions."
He then pulled Lin Wanyi’s hand over and offered comfort.
"Rest assured, I will ensure your brother is well sent out of the palace. Your grandfather’s house has many doctors and can care for him better. Once he recovers and returns, I promise his future will be boundless!"
Lin Wanyi smiled gently.
There was a mix of heartache and solace in that smile.
The heartache was that she never expected her brother’s future to be traded for like this.
But the solace was that after this incident, her brother will secure a place either in the court or before the Emperor.
After lunch, Lin Wanyi went to the side hall once more.
Just then, Doctor Dou was feeding water to Lin Xingzhi.
Upon seeing her arrival, he naturally handed the bowl over.
These tasks in the past few days have been all carried out by Lin Wanyi, seriously and meticulously.
When Lin Xingzhi saw his sister arrive, he struggled to express something.
Siblings for many years, Lin Xingzhi’s thoughts were naturally crystal clear to Lin Wanyi.
She quickly comforted him.
"Rest assured, brother, I’ve already mentioned it to His Majesty. You will be moved out of the palace today, and I should also return to Yihua Palace."
Upon hearing his sister say this, the heavy stone in Lin Xingzhi’s heart finally fell.
He thought he would soon perish back then and thus wished to exchange his life for his sister’s prosperous future in the palace.
But unexpectedly, King Yama didn’t accept him.
Now, the longer they stayed in the palace, the more conspicuous they became.
The favorable situation he fought hard for, he didn’t want to see it easily squandered.
Therefore, leaving the palace was an urgent matter.
He is also unable to move, otherwise, he would probably have jumped up to leave.
The side hall of Qian’an Hall isn’t a place where a guard of his status can stay at will.
Forget a few days, even a few hours aren’t acceptable.
"Once you leave the palace, take good care of your injuries, don’t worry about me here."
Lin Xingzhi nodded, even if he wanted to worry right now, he was powerless to act.
So he had to focus on recovering before thinking of anything else.
That afternoon, Lin Xingzhi was sent out of the palace.
Not to mention the numerous rewards, he was escorted back personally by the Fourth Prince.
The main branch of the Lin Family was planning to move houses after the New Year, but unexpectedly, while the younger son’s injuries only just healed, the elder son fell ill.
Fortunately, when he was sent back, he was conscious.
Otherwise, several people in the Dong Family might have fainted out of panic.
"Rest assured, Mr. Lin, His Majesty and I will take care of He Song’s future. Let him focus on recuperating these days."
Only then did Mr. Lin realize how his wife received the title of First-Grade Imperial Decree Lady.
Besides being astonished, he was also deeply pained.
Since Lin Xingzhi chose this path, he didn’t stop him back then, and naturally, he won’t stop him now.
He immediately bowed respectfully in reply.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, and Fourth Prince, for your concern. I will certainly take good care of He Song."
"Good, that’s good."
The Fourth Prince didn’t know much about the whole Dong Family.
But he heard from Dong Yuzhong, close to the Emperor, that the Second Madam Dong was a famed folk doctor who attended to the Second Princess.
Therefore, he smiled and said,
"The entire Dong Family is blessed. If in the future you encounter any difficulties, do not hesitate to seek help at the Prince Mansion."
With that, he took a jade pendant from his person and handed it to Old Master Dong.
The entire Dong Family was humbled and revered.
This was a tremendous honor.
Each person dared not to be negligent.
"Thank you, Fourth Prince, for your favor."
After the Fourth Prince took big strides away, they finally raised their heads to glance at each other.
This New Year passed with both worry and surprise.
Lin Xingzhi had regained consciousness, and with Doctor Dou’s personal instructions to Mr. Dong, his injury now posed little danger, mainly needing rest.
And a slow recovery over time.
Fortunately, his heart’s arteries weren’t damaged, so he would not have any lingering ailments.
With the family’s attentive care, the days Lin Xingzhi spent recovering at the Dong Family were much more reassuring than his time in the palace.
Contrarily, upon returning to Yihua Palace, Lin Wanyi gazed at everything in the main hall with concern.
Previously she thought of hiding in the traveling palace to avoid the storm.
Unexpectedly, she ended up moving into the main hall of Yihua Palace.
Now that she’s at the status of a noble concubine, residing in the main hall is reasonable.
However, the speed of her rise, not to mention others, even she felt it was overly swift.
She let out a shallow sigh.
Beside her, Xia An asked,
"What’s the matter, Your Grace? Is your chest still uncomfortable? Shall I take a look for you?"
She said with the intention of coming forward to check Lin Wanyi’s pulse, but was stopped by her waving hand.
"It’s nothing, I just feel that everything has come too quickly, too unreal, so I am somewhat at a loss."
Upon hearing this, Xia An shared the same sentiment.
Thinking about before April when they entered the palace, they were still at the Lin Xiangfu being subjected to all kinds of difficulties by the West Wing and Princess Rongkang.
Now, they’ve moved into a place they were envious of from the beginning.
Truly a twist of fate.
"Your Grace, rest assured, it’s all His Majesty’s affection for you. Under His Majesty’s protection, you should be able to live stably in the harem."
Lin Wanyi smiled, perhaps that’s not necessarily true.
Excluding Lin Guifei, currently, the only ones higher ranked in the palace than her are Princess Consort Yi and Princess Consort Ying.
What she can rely on right now is minimal.
So, she had better proceed with caution.
Just as she was thinking, she heard Qiu Ming’s voice from outside.
"Your Grace, the Second Prince and Nanny Du are here."
"Mm, have them come in."
"Yes."