I wonder how my mother is doing at home.
And my father, elder brother, and younger brother...
Even if she were pregnant now, her current status wouldn't allow her to see them. She could only hope that when Princess Rongkang next came to pay her respects to the Imperial Concubine, she might bring her mother along.
But how could such good fortune ever fall to the main wife of the Prime Minister's household?
Sigh. No matter how much favor you gain, in the end, you're still under someone else's roof, relying on the whims of others.
As she was lost in thought, Chunqi entered with a bowl of sweet soup.
The warmth and familiar fragrance immediately lifted Lin Wanyi's spirits. This was the taste of home—fragrant, mellow, comforting. Just one whiff transported her back in time.
"My lady, the things in this palace really are of finer quality. Even this sweet soup is clearer than what we had at home," Chunqi remarked as she offered it to her.
Lin Wanyi glanced at the bowl—it was indeed better than before. Back in the Prime Minister's mansion, everything had been strictly rationed. All the best things went to Ronghe Hall and the West Wing Courtyard. What she and her mother received were second-rate, far inferior even to what she had once enjoyed at her grandfather's home.
"I wonder how Mother is doing. Sweet soup was always her favorite…"
Chunqi remained quiet. She wanted to offer words of comfort, but they stuck in her throat. It was Xia An who gently stepped in as she served the soup.
"My lady, if she knew you were missing her, she'd only feel more sorrow."
After a pause, Chunqi tentatively offered, "Can't we send a letter? Now that you're favored by His Majesty and supported by the Imperial Concubine, surely someone in the errand office would be willing to help deliver it."
But Lin Wanyi immediately shook her head.
"No. It hasn't been long since I entered the palace. If word spreads that I'm already trying to send messages home, some will say I'm too homesick, others will claim I've become arrogant from favor."
Chunqi's eyes widened in alarm. "Forgive me, my lady. I didn't realize it would be such a serious matter. I never would've said it if I had known."
Lin Wanyi patted her hand with a gentle smile, trying to reassure her. "That's why I've reminded you so many times—be careful. You have a lively nature, but sometimes you speak without thinking. Learn to pause and reflect first, understand?"
"I do." This time her voice was soft and subdued, far quieter than her bold tone that morning.
She was truly frightened. If her carelessness ever brought trouble to her lady, even dying in apology wouldn't be enough. From that moment on, she silently vowed to talk less and observe more, and think twice before speaking.
Lin Wanyi saw the lesson had taken root, so she didn't continue comforting her.
Some things must be experienced, not merely taught. No one is born calculating or cautious—they're shaped by time and circumstance, day by day.
The palace days flowed slowly—rising at dawn, retiring at dusk. Those with talents could fill their time, while those without could only sit by their doors and stare at the courtyard, awaiting the sound of a sedan chair.
But in the Left Hall, life found its own rhythm.
Lin Wanyi and her two maids were never idle.
After that night in the emperor's bedchamber and the resulting reward, she became the focus of much gossip. Even under the Imperial Concubine's protection, tongues wagged.
Yet she was not fond of court intrigue or showy gestures. Except for her daily greetings at Linzhi Palace, she rarely left the Left Hall. Most of her time was spent in the small kitchen experimenting with dishes with Chunqi, or quietly painting landscapes with Xia An's assistance—much like the quiet days she'd once spent in her courtyard at the Prime Minister's mansion.
She kept her door shut, living quietly.
Seeing this, the outside world grew bored of gossiping about her and moved on to newer targets—other favored concubines with fresher stories.
And just like that, she faded from their lips, replaced by the next object of fascination.
Seven or eight days passed.
That morning, after returning from her greetings at Linzhi Palace, Lin Wanyi was surprised by the arrival of several lengths of timber and a craftsman from the Inner Court Department.
Qin An, the deputy steward, bowed with a warm smile.
"I heard from Xiao Luzi that the young lady was thinking of building a swing beside the pavilion in the backyard, so I brought the finest carpenter in the palace to get started."
Lin Wanyi blinked. She'd only casually mentioned that idea in passing—how had Xiao Luzi picked it up and relayed it so quickly?
Worried that others might interpret it the wrong way, she quickly tried to brush it off.
"That was just idle talk. You've gone to too much trouble, Eunuch Qin."
But Qin An chuckled, clearly used to such modesty.
"There's no trouble at all. Steward Dong has already approved it. I reported it before making arrangements, and it doesn't violate palace rules."
Reported to Steward Dong?
Then… doesn't that mean the emperor likely knows too?
All for a swing?
She sighed inwardly. Perhaps peace and quiet were destined to be short-lived.
Still, she kept her poise.
"Then I must trouble you further, Eunuch Qin," she said politely. Then she turned to Xiao Luzi. "Take them to the backyard. Find a suitable spot. If there's extra wood, build a pergola too."
"Yes, my lady."
If she was destined to be in the spotlight, she might as well accept it and make something of it—perhaps even benefit a little.
She imagined vines growing along the pergola, curling over the swing. By next summer, there would be shade and beauty—a peaceful corner in this gilded cage.
Something she'd never achieved back at the Prime Minister's mansion was now quietly coming true here.
Lin Wanyi chuckled to herself. So this is what favor brings—not just danger, but a chance for something better, too.
Chunqi, unable to hold back her excitement, kept peeking outside. Lin Wanyi noticed and smiled.
"Go have a look, if you like. Just call me when they're finished."
"Yes, my lady!" Chunqi ran out joyfully.
Xia An remained by her side, composed as always.
"Chunqi's moods change so quickly. She was upset just now, and now she's beaming."
"Yes. She has a simple nature—loyal, but a little impetuous. Still, she can be surprisingly focused when she's in the kitchen. Otherwise, her cooking wouldn't be so good."
"True. Ever since we set up our own kitchen, we've hardly touched the food from the imperial one."
Xia An smiled as she helped Lin Wanyi settle in with a book. The atmosphere, for now, was calm.