Now that the Emperor had ascended the throne, he had been diligent in his duties and loved his people, disdaining luxury. Concubine Lin, ever mindful of the changing times, followed this trend. She had chosen to present silk flowers—practical, reusable, and elegant.
When the brocade tray was brought to Lin Wanyi, she saw irises and oncidiums among the flowers. Without hesitation, she picked the oncidium. The light yellow blooms were simple, understated, and serene amidst the riot of more extravagant flowers. Lin Wanyi admired its quiet beauty.
But Concubine Chu, noticing her choice, couldn't help but sneer. The mockery in her eyes became sharper.
Who does she think she is? Concubine Chu thought bitterly. She just forced herself to apologize to the concubine, pretending to be all composed and peaceful. If she were truly so serene, why would she have entered the palace at all? Why not become a nun in the mountains and avoid seducing His Majesty here?
Once the flowers had been presented, each concubine was expected to express thanks, whether sincere or not. All rose and saluted.
"Imperial Concubine, I thank you for your reward," they said in unison.
At that moment, the curtain lifted, and a graceful voice rang out from outside.
"Oh, Sisters, I'm late. What have you all been doing here?"
A woman entered with a manner that was both elegant and slightly audacious. Her appearance was unremarkable, but there was an undeniable grace and boldness in her step. She wore a water-red satin gown trimmed with delicate floral designs, the stamens made of oriental pearls, which shimmered as she moved.
Concubine Yi looked directly at Concubine Lin, her eyes warm yet calculating. Despite her lower status, she commanded attention with her presence. She walked confidently toward Concubine Lin, slightly bending her knees in a respectful gesture.
Everyone noticed the perfunctory nature of her greeting, but no one dared to comment. Silence descended as heads lowered.
Concubine Lin, sitting with regal composure, greeted her warmly.
"Is Sister here?"
"Greetings, elder sister. The Third Prince wasn't feeling well when he woke this morning, so I called the Imperial Physician to tend to him. It delayed me. Will you blame me, elder sister?"
"Ah? What happened to the Third Prince?"
"He had a lingering cough that wouldn't go away. His Majesty gave him loquat nectar a few days ago, and it seemed to help, but this morning the cough returned. I was afraid His Majesty would worry, so I had the Imperial Physician come."
The Third Prince had always been a robust child, far healthier than his siblings. His cough was a trivial excuse—an excuse, Lin Wanyi thought, but Concubine Yi's lips curled with an air of drama.
Concubine Lin didn't press further but simply nodded, her voice calm.
"I see. Qin He?"
"I am here."
"Please send a basket of snow pears from the vassal territories to Imperial Concubine Yi's palace. Have the palace maids add white fungus and red dates to steam them before sending. It will help relieve the cough."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Concubine Lin's concern for the Third Prince was palpable, and Concubine Yi, her eyes filled with gratitude, replied:
"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, sister. When the Third Prince is better, I will bring him to your palace to play with Princess Mingruo."
Princess Mingruo, Concubine Lin's only daughter, was about four years old. She was beloved by all, though Lin Wanyi could see a flicker of pain in Concubine Lin's eyes at the mention of her daughter. It was a fleeting expression, one that spoke volumes. Lin Wanyi couldn't help but wonder whether Concubine Lin's motives for bringing her into the palace went beyond securing favor.
Concubine Lin had not conceived another child in years, and after giving birth to Princess Mingruo, she had yet to bear a son. The palace, where the emperor's heir was key to holding power, had its own unspoken expectations.
Lin Wanyi couldn't stop herself from glancing at her abdomen, a silent gesture. Is it enough that I have no choice, but now even the unborn are part of the calculation?
With a resigned sigh, she shifted her gaze to Xia An, who had remained quietly at her side. She had other plans in mind.
Meanwhile, the tension in the hall shifted with the arrival of Concubine Yi. Chu Guiren, still stung from her recent defeat, couldn't hide her jealousy. After all, Concubine Yi's family was no ordinary one. Her grandfather had been a renowned military general, one of the regents appointed by the previous emperor. Concubine Yi's power lay not only in her imperial connection but in her martial family ties.
Concubine Chu, eager to gain favor, spoke flatteringly to Concubine Yi.
"The Third Prince is His Majesty's most beloved. Of course, he holds a special place. His Majesty is truly fortunate. When I visited the Third Prince's palace recently, he was reading Strategies of the Warring States—so intelligent and promising. He will surely have a bright future."
Concubine Yi turned and glanced at Chu Guiren, a touch of pride flickering in her eyes.
"Sister Chu, you speak too highly. The Second Prince, of Concubine Lan, is also quite impressive—though a bit delicate. He needs more care."
"Sister Yi, you are right. Concubine Lan is the most favored now, nearly six months pregnant. If she bears a Fourth Prince for His Majesty, it will indeed be a great blessing."
Concubine Yi, a little too smug, looked at Concubine Lin as she spoke, her smile faltering just slightly.
Concubine Lin's smile remained perfectly composed, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.
The two women exchanged silent glances, a subtle game of power played out in their expressions. For the concubines present, the air was thick with unease, as if they too were caught in the silent clash between two powerful forces.
Among the harem's elite, Concubine Lin, Concubine Yi, and Concubine Lan held the most influence. Concubine Lin was the highest-ranked, yet she had only one child after many years—Princess Mingruo. While highly favored, without a prince, her power was limited.
Concubine Yi, born into a military family with deep connections, had the Third Prince in her care—her status was strong despite being lower-ranked. Concubine Lan, although from a weaker family, had recently garnered the most attention, for she was pregnant—something that could change the balance of power in the palace.
Concubine Yi, ever aware of the delicate situation, spoke with a glint of mockery:
"Sister, you're right. The blessings of having many children are unmatched. Something you and I could only envy." Her words struck a raw nerve in Concubine Lin, who had long struggled with her inability to conceive.
The more she yearned for a son, the more elusive it seemed.
But Lin Wanyi was the wild card in this play.
The thought of her stirred something in Concubine Lin's mind, a sudden shift in strategy. Her eyes softened, and with a slight movement, she gestured for Lin Wanyi to come closer.
Taking Lin Wanyi's hand, Concubine Lin spoke to her in a warm, intimate tone. The shift was sudden, but it sent a clear message to all in the room.