"Dong Yuzhong."
"Your servant is here."
At the emperor's command, the chief eunuch waiting outside immediately pushed the door open and stepped inside, bowing deeply and respectfully.
"You will serve me dinner. As for Lin Da Ying, bring her a bowl."
"Your servant obeys."
Passing the whisk in his hand to a young eunuch behind him, Dong Yuzhong stepped forward with a smile and said to Lin Wanyi, "My lady, your servant is at your service."
He took the porcelain bowl from her hands and served two bowls of porridge in quick succession. The first was placed before the emperor, and the second was brought to Lin Wanyi. With a respectful tone, Dong Yuzhong said, "My lady, please eat. This is a gift from His Majesty."
She hesitated, glancing at the round stool in front of her. Dong Yuzhong gave her a subtle nod, reassuring her. She eased herself down, sitting only halfway on the stool, and slowly ate the porridge.
Two dishes of side dishes were also served alongside.
Dong Yuzhong busied himself attending to the emperor, but he also placed generous portions of food on the plate in front of Lin Wanyi. If it weren't for the formality of the occasion, she might have wanted to try the tempting side dishes. But her bowl of porridge was nearly empty, and she dared not appear greedy on her first night in the emperor's presence.
Seeing her set down her bowl, Dong Yuzhong offered her no more food. The emperor, however, ate slowly. Lin Wanyi's legs, half-seated as they were, had begun to go numb.
At last, the emperor said softly, "Clear it away."
"Yes," came the immediate reply.
Palace servants entered quickly to remove the dishes and also brought water for them to rinse their mouths.
As the emperor reached for a handkerchief, Lin Wanyi was quick to offer it to him—her small gesture in return for the favor he had shown her. The emperor glanced at her from the side. Her head was slightly lowered, the curve of her neck delicate and elegant—an image of quiet obedience.
After the servants withdrew, Lin Wanyi took a deep breath, gathering her resolve.
"I will wait upon Your Majesty as you retire."
Dazed and uncertain, she followed the emperor through the door into the bedchamber.
Kneeling at the edge of the bed, she was tense, unsure whether she should remove her clothes or wait for the emperor's move.
Before she could decide, dizziness overcame her. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself lying on the brocade quilt.
"Your Majesty…"
Her voice trembled slightly, and to the emperor, it sounded sweetly coquettish. Compared to the still composure she'd shown earlier, this vulnerability brought her unexpectedly to life.
Before she could say more, the candles outside were extinguished.
"Be still," came the emperor's husky voice, laced with desire as his hands moved eagerly.
Cicada-wing gauze. Hibiscus canopy. A night full of spring.
---
She returned to Yihua Palace in a sedan chair. As the curtain lifted, Chunqi and Xia An were already waiting for her, visibly excited.
"Greetings, my lady. May you be at peace."
"Rise."
Perhaps even Lin Wanyi hadn't expected her voice to sound so weary.
Xia An frowned slightly as she looked up. Her lady, once fresh and radiant, now seemed worn down, like a delicate bloom battered by wind and rain. She helped her off the sedan chair and discreetly gave silver to the maid who had escorted her. After seeing the servant off, the master and maids returned to the left wing.
"What time is it?" Lin Wanyi asked.
"Just after midnight."
She had thought it must be much later. All that, and only two hours had passed.
As a lower-ranked concubine, she had no right to stay overnight at Qian'an Palace. Her legs ached. The soreness between them was sharp and unmistakable. Remembering the events of the evening, her cheeks flushed again.
Chunqi and Xia An, both young and inexperienced, understood what it meant to serve the emperor—but they didn't know how to care for her afterward.
"Draw some water for me to wash and rest."
"I'll go at once."
Chunqi left quickly. Hot water was already boiling in the side room, so it didn't take long.
After washing up, Lin Wanyi collapsed into bed. She didn't even have the energy to think. Sleep claimed her almost instantly.
---
It was not until the faint light of dawn crept in that Xia An tiptoed in and gently woke her.
Even after a full night's sleep, Lin Wanyi's body still ached. She sighed to herself.
Being favored was not always a blessing. The physical toll was hard to bear.
"My lady, please drink some water to moisten your throat."
"Mm."
The warm water soothed her dry throat and brought clarity to her foggy mind.
"What time is it?"
"My lady, it's the hour of Mao."
There was still time before the hour of Chen, when she would need to greet the senior consorts. Lin Wanyi gave a quiet order.
"Later, come with me to Linzhi Palace."
"Understood."
Only one maid was needed to accompany her on such a visit. Lin Wanyi had just spent her first night with the emperor—she didn't want to give anyone reason to gossip.
As they spoke, Chunqi entered carrying a copper basin of steaming water. She wrung out a handkerchief and passed it to Lin Wanyi.
"When Xiao Luzi comes, ask if he can go to the imperial kitchen and get some flour. Make some white jade cakes—they're filling and keep well."
"What's the matter, my lady?"
"The cakes from the imperial kitchen weren't enough. I nearly made a fool of myself in front of His Majesty."
"Ah?"
Chunqi's eyes widened. "You weren't hungry in front of the emperor, were you? He didn't get angry, did he?"
"It wasn't that bad. But it nearly was."
Chunqi stomped her foot, looking worried. Then she said earnestly, "Don't worry, my lady. I'll make sure to use plenty of ingredients for those cakes."
Seeing her maid thump her chest in promise, Lin Wanyi couldn't help but laugh.
The rules of Xiangfu were strict. On celebratory days, when visiting Ronghe Hall, one could be gone for half the day. White jade cakes were a practical way to stay full, and they had proven useful many times in the mansion.
Thinking back to the bowl of fish porridge she had barely tasted last night, she sighed. What a waste.
Outside, the first light of morning spilled into the courtyard.
Lin Wanyi rose and began preparing for the day.
This would be her first official appearance among the palace concubines. She couldn't stand out too much, but she couldn't appear too plain either—otherwise, she'd embarrass the Xiangfu, and Concubine Lin would be the first to cause trouble.
After some thought, she asked Xia An to bring a powder-blue satin gown embroidered with bamboo leaves, and a moon-colored double-breasted top.
Her hair was styled according to her rank. On either side of her temple, she pinned a few delicate white jade butterfly hairpins.