"I heard from the palace maids around His Majesty that you were very favored by His Majesty last night," Concubine Lin remarked, her voice both intimate and teasing. "Take a few boxes of Dong'e Ejiao to nourish yourself. I believe that in the near future, you will also give birth to a son for His Majesty, right, sister?"
Her words were delivered with an unexpected warmth, as if she genuinely cared for Lin Wanyi. But the moment they left her lips, Lin Wanyi found herself drawn into a political whirlpool.
Concubine Yi, who had been quietly observing, turned her gaze to Lin Wanyi for the first time. She smiled knowingly, her tone smooth as silk.
"The Second Young Lady of the Xiangfu is indeed stunning," Concubine Yi said with a hint of admiration, "though it's a pity that her position is a little low. But with Imperial Concubine Lin's support, it will not be long before she rises to prominence."
Her words, laced with hidden meaning, were no less impactful than Concubine Lin's. One wished for Lin Wanyi to soon bear a son, while the other hinted at a bright future ahead. Both comments were flattering, but in the context of the palace, where every word carried weight, they felt suffocating.
In an ordinary household, such compliments would be welcomed, but here, surrounded by rivals vying for attention and favor, Lin Wanyi could feel the weight of their gazes. She was a last-ranked concubine, but even so, her very presence had caused ripples among the others. The undercurrents of jealousy and ambition were palpable.
Wanting to distance herself from these political games, Lin Wanyi quietly thanked them.
"Thank you, madam, for your kindness," she said, her voice calm but guarded. She did not offer her loyalty in words, but the meaning was clear. Concubine Lin, sensing the underlying message, called over her senior maid, Qin He, who helped Lin Wanyi to her feet before stepping back to give her space.
Concubine Chu, however, was not as composed. Her eyes, which had once been filled with disdain for Lin Wanyi, now blazed with jealousy. She had the highest rank among the new concubines and should have been the most favored. So why was Lin Wanyi, someone who entered the palace through a backdoor, suddenly the center of attention? It was an affront to her pride.
Her frustration simmered, and she couldn't wait to return to Yihua Palace, where she would find a way to handle Lin Wanyi.
The handkerchief in her hand twisted with each passing moment, a silent indication of her inner turmoil. Mu Ying, seated at the farthest corner, couldn't help but furrow her brow at the tension between the concubines. There was something about Lin Wanyi that seemed to draw attention from both the high-ranking and the low-ranking women alike.
"Alright, the palace flowers have been distributed. I still have other matters to attend to. You may all leave," the Empress declared, signaling the end of the gathering.
"Yes, I obey your command," the concubines answered in unison, standing and preparing to depart. As expected, Concubine Yi was the first to leave, followed closely by Chu Guiren, who didn't give the others much attention.
Lin Wanyi, her stomach uneasy from a morning of worry and tension, glanced at Xia An, who was still by her side, worry etched across her face.
"It's alright. Let's return to the palace," Lin Wanyi murmured, trying to ease her maid's concerns.
"Yes, young lady," Xia An replied, her voice soft but full of concern.
As they left Linzhi Palace and took a few steps toward their quarters, a voice called out from behind.
"Sister Lin, Sister Lin."
It was a soft, childlike voice that turned Lin Wanyi's attention. She turned around to find a young concubine—one she hadn't yet placed in the harem's complex web. But the way she addressed Lin Wanyi suggested familiarity, even though they had just met.
Lin Wanyi, calm and composed, asked, "What is your name, sister?"
"I am Mu Ying, a concubine of the right hall in Yihua Palace. Like you, I have just entered the palace," the young woman introduced herself, a shy smile on her lips.
Mu Ying was the daughter of a magistrate from Huaiyang, a family not from the highest circles. Her youth and innocence gave her a softness that contrasted sharply with the ruthless intrigues of the palace. But there was a certain simplicity about her, and her manners were endearing.
"Mu Ying, what's the matter?" Lin Wanyi inquired, sensing that there was something she wanted to say.
Mu Ying, with a sweet smile, moved closer, her tone affectionate as she took Lin Wanyi's arm. "Sister, you just entered the palace yesterday, so you must not be familiar with everything. I came a month earlier and have visited the Imperial Garden several times. Now that it's full of spring colors, I thought we could go together."
When Lin Wanyi hesitated, Mu Ying quickly added, "Sister and I are both from Yihua Palace, it's a good opportunity to get to know each other."
Her tone was filled with hope, her round eyes full of sincerity. She looked like an innocent doe, which made it hard for Lin Wanyi to refuse her.
"Aren't you afraid?" Lin Wanyi asked, understanding the delicate position Mu Ying was in. She had just offended Concubine Chu, who was much higher in rank.
Mu Ying pouted, her voice tinged with defiance. "Sister, you don't know—before you came, Concubine Chu didn't like me either. She's looked down on me for a long time. Even if making friends with you might upset her, I'm not afraid."
Mu Ying's honesty took Lin Wanyi by surprise, and she looked at her with a thoughtful gaze. While it was clear that Mu Ying was trying to gain favor by aligning with her, it was also clear that the young concubine wasn't driven by malice—she was simply seeking security in a palace where power was everything.
Lin Wanyi knew that alliances, even with those whose intentions weren't entirely pure, were crucial in this environment. While Mu Ying might be seeking a stronger protector, she wasn't the first to do so, and she wouldn't be the last. Lin Wanyi saw the advantage of having someone from the same palace as an ally.
One more ally meant one fewer enemy, and at this point, she needed all the allies she could get.
"In that case, I will trouble you to lead the way," Lin Wanyi finally said.
Mu Ying's eyes sparkled with delight. "I knew you were kind-hearted, Sister! I'm so glad!"
With that, Mu Ying happily led Lin Wanyi toward the Imperial Garden, chattering excitedly about the happenings in the palace since her arrival, her words light and carefree.