From the East Cross Courtyard to Ronghe Hall, there were two moon gates and a small garden in between.
It was a beautiful April day, but at this moment, no one had the heart to admire the flowers. They walked straight through the garden toward Ronghe Hall.
Compared to the simplicity and dignity of the East Cross Courtyard, Ronghe Hall was far more exquisite and luxurious.
The screen wall at the entrance was carved with the characters "Floating with Flowers and Prosperity," and several meticulously trimmed cedars stood like silent sentinels beneath the corridor.
Because Princess Rongkang liked it, a large feng shui vat had been placed in the middle of the yard. Inside, nine golden-tailed koi swam gracefully—personally sourced by the Zhan Palace, each said to be worth a hundred gold pieces. The current head of the Zhan Palace was Princess Rongkang's younger brother. The two siblings had always maintained a harmonious relationship. Moreover, Prime Minister Lin had once been a powerful figure in the previous dynasty, so the families shared deep ties.
But within this grand estate, it was only the eldest branch of the family that had been left out.
Following Mama Liu's lead, the group arrived at the corridor and saw a maid walking out to greet them.
"I, Guyu, greet the Eldest Madam and Second Young Lady. The Old Madam has been waiting for you. Please come in."
The unusually warm welcome raised a sense of unease. Normally, when they paid their respects, such a senior maid would never come out to receive them.
Madam Dong did not respond but glanced sideways at Lin Wanyi with concern in her eyes.
Lin Wanyi simply offered a faint, reassuring smile to calm her mother's nerves.
The mother and daughter straightened their attire and stepped into the inner hall—only to find it already filled with people.
At the center sat the second wife of Prime Minister Lin, the stepmother of Master Lin, and the step-grandmother of Lin Wanyi and her siblings. At that moment, she looked upon them with apparent affection.
She wore an elegant, round-collared double-breasted robe embroidered with blooming peonies, her hair adorned with an ornate five-phoenix gold-inlaid jade hairpin—draped in opulence.
Though she was nearly sixty, she looked no older than her early forties.
"You're here?"
"Daughter-in-law Dong greets Mother-in-law."
"Granddaughter greets Grandmother."
No matter how much resentment the mother and daughter harbored, they still had to pay proper respect to Princess Rongkang. If word got out that their manners were lacking, it would only worsen the eldest wife's standing in the household.
"Come, come."
Princess Rongkang now wore the kind face of a loving elder. She waved Lin Wanyi over.
"I haven't seen you in so long, Yi'er. Come here, let me have a good look at you."
Hearing this, Dong's brows furrowed even more tightly.
Second wife Wang, seated to the right, glanced over and sneered inwardly, though her words were honeyed.
"Mother-in-law, my daughter said Yi'er is like a blossoming flower—such delicate beauty must be nurtured by the finest conditions. It would be a pity to let her wither in the mundane world."
Her implication was clear: Lin Wanyi was born to enter the palace.
Princess Rongkang was clearly pleased. Upon closer inspection, Lin Wanyi was indeed more beautiful than Lin Wanzhou, whom she had raised so carefully.
She was beautiful, but not overly bold—refined, with just the right amount of meekness. And her birth made her easy to control.
Patting the back of Lin Wanyi's hand, Princess Rongkang glanced at Guyu. The maid stepped forward with a brocade tray filled with exquisite, priceless jewelry—all top-quality items.
"I had these made at Zhenbaozhai. Since Yi'er is entering the palace, she must be properly adorned. We can't let others mock the Prime Minister's daughter for lacking refinement."
As the jewelry was passed to Madam Dong, the sight of the golden hairpin pierced her heart like a dagger.
She couldn't hold it in any longer. Struggling, she fell to her knees and pleaded.
"Mother-in-law, I beg your mercy. I have only this one daughter. Once she's sent to the palace, it may be impossible to see her again."
Princess Rongkang's expression darkened. She had been holding Lin Wanyi's hand—but now, she let go.
Seeing Dong's "lack of gratitude," Second Wife Wang immediately spoke up in mock scorn.
"Sister-in-law, I also have only one daughter—Zhou Jie'er—and I sent her to the palace for the family's future and her brothers' prosperity. This is a blessing, yet you speak as if Yi'er is marching off to war. Mind your words."
Second Wife Wang often looked down on Dong, who came from a merchant family, unlike herself, the daughter of the Minister of War. She had caused countless troubles over the years. After her own daughter gained favor and climbed through the ranks in the harem, she grew even more arrogant, treating the first branch with disdain and hostility.
Now that her daughter had seemingly lost favor, she had her sights on Lin Wanyi.
She framed it as sending another girl to "accompany the emperor," but everyone knew the real reason.
"Old Madam, those who manage the household know how hard it is. You've enjoyed the glory of Xiangfu, but now that it's time to contribute, you refuse? Don't forget you have a husband and two sons. If not for others, then for their sake—send Yi'er to the palace for their future."
Princess Rongkang's words were decisive, sealing Lin Wanyi's fate.
Dong gritted her teeth, trembling with anger. But after so many years of humiliation, she had learned to endure. Though she longed to protest, the words caught in her throat.
Not wanting her mother to suffer any more after she left, Lin Wanyi took the initiative. She bowed respectfully and said:
"Grandmother is right. I am willing to contribute to the family's honor and support my father and brother's future. I hope Grandmother will overlook Mother's distress—she has always been respectful and diligent in all matters."
Princess Rongkang looked at her "granddaughter" with satisfaction.
"As expected of the Prime Minister's granddaughter—so sensible and well-spoken. Very good. The imperial edict has already been issued. The palace will send someone to fetch you tomorrow morning. You should prepare."
"Thank you for the reminder, Grandmother. I understand."
Having accomplished her goal, Princess Rongkang had no interest in further conversation and dismissed them.
Back in the East Cross Courtyard, Dong held back her tears until she reached the main house—then broke down.
"My child, what will we do?"
Lin Wanyi's heart ached, but with the power of the first house, refusing the imperial edict would only bring destruction.
Rather than rely on others, she had chosen to face it head-on. Perhaps her entering the palace would at least allow her family to live with more dignity.
She gently wiped away her mother's tears.
"Don't worry, Mother. I'm not going off to die. I'll find a way to protect myself in the palace. But you must also be careful in the backyard. Today's confrontation with Grandmother could have serious consequences. It's better to speak less in the future."
"I'm just… unwilling," Madam Dong choked. "Why must you be the one to pave the way for Lin Wanzhou?"