"When I was a girl at home, I once raised a wild cat. That winter, it snowed heavily, and the poor thing almost froze to death. Chunqi and I brought it back to the yard and nursed it for several months. It was obedient and sweet."
"But when spring came, I searched high and low and couldn't find it. That's when I realized—my small yard was just a temporary stop for it. The world outside was far too vast for it to be content with a bit of warmth in one corner."
Lin Wanyi spoke softly, lost in memory.
"Since then, I understood—forced melons aren't sweet. And people who are forced to stay never truly give their hearts. No matter how capable someone is, if they don't stay by my side willingly, I don't need them. I only want loyalty."
Her words made Xiao Luzi flush with shame.
Lin Wanyi looked reluctant but still suppressed the sympathy in her heart.
This was the palace. One misstep, and you could be swallowed whole.
If Xiao Luzi still reported back to Eunuch Qin, he could not be kept.
Xia An and Chunqi immediately knelt down and declared firmly, "We will serve you with all our hearts, without a shred of disloyalty. If we waver, may we meet a bad end!"
Xiao Luzi followed suit and knelt again, this time with resolve.
"Please don't worry, my lady. I am willing to serve you sincerely, like my two sisters. I will never have a second thought. As for Eunuch Qin—I'll handle that myself."
His words were convincing, but true loyalty can't be judged from a single speech or a few good days. It would take time to prove.
Still, Lin Wanyi chose to trust him—just a little.
She let out a long sigh. "Get up. Words are easy. It's the heart that matters."
"Yes, my lady."
With the swing shed as an opportunity, she gave Xiao Luzi a warning.
Afterward, she never brought it up again, as if it had never happened.
The grapevine seeds were delivered, and Chunqi took Xiao Luzi to plant them in the yard's corner.
Usually cheerful, they were quiet today.
It was Xiao Luzi who broke the silence, his voice low.
"Sister Chunqi… are you disappointed in me?"
The sadness in his voice was genuine. Chunqi's heart tightened.
"My lady is not a harsh person. I've served her for many years, and this was the first time I saw her speak so sternly to someone."
She hesitated, then added, "This palace is truly…"
The rest of the sentence never came, but Xiao Luzi understood.
"Don't worry, sister. I've served many people in the palace, but only you and the young lady have treated me sincerely. I'm not smart, but I know how to repay kindness. I won't do it again."
"I hope so."
Even if she saw the sorrow in his eyes, Chunqi couldn't bring herself to trust him fully. She had to pretend not to see.
Xiao Luzi knew he was in the wrong. Now, the only way forward was to prove himself through action.
He worked harder than before—no complaints, no laziness.
Later that evening:
"My lady, about Xiao Luzi..."
"It's fine. We've nothing to fear from him now. Just be cautious going forward, and don't discuss anything private in front of him."
"Yes."
"And... remind Chunqi not to be too hard on him."
"I understand."
Lin Wanyi returned to her book, though her eyes barely followed the words. Peace in the palace was always short-lived.
By noon, Chunqi hadn't had time to prepare lunch, so they ate the meal from the imperial kitchen.
It wasn't bad.
The soup, made from pork bones and filled with three types of fresh shredded ingredients, was rich and pleasing to the eye.
The tripe was stir-fried with bean sprouts. The meat was chewy, the sprouts crisp. A bit of chili had been added, but Lin Wanyi didn't find it spicy.
"You really can handle spice, my lady!" Chunqi eyed the dish with dread. She feared spicy food more than anything. Just a bite would make her sweat, unlike Lin Wanyi, who ate it easily.
"There was a chef from Shuzhou at my grandfather's house. He loved spicy food and always used spices. At first I couldn't take it, but then... I got used to it. Now I can't go without it."
Xia An laughed. She'd seen that chef back when she was in the Dong household. His love for spice was famous—and somehow, no one dared to scold him.
Perhaps the cooks in the imperial kitchen noticed Lin Wanyi's tastes from past meals and thoughtfully sent this spicy dish.
She ate half a bowl of rice with the tripe and drank a full bowl of bone soup, feeling deeply satisfied.
No wonder people say food is the first need of the people. That feeling of fullness and warmth is comfort itself.
But comfort never lasts long in the palace.
Just as the meal ended, Xiao Luzi came in from the outer courtyard, announcing Eunuch He's arrival.
Lin Wanyi didn't need to be told—she already knew what this meant.
Chunqi's face lit up. It had been so long since the lady had last served the emperor. If there was no summons soon, whispers would start.
Eunuch He, the head chamberlain, looked lean and quiet, but his words were always smooth and polite. He smiled gently.
"Best wishes to you, my lady."
"Eunuch He, please rise."
"Thank you, my lady. I've come today to ask you to prepare yourself. His Majesty has turned over your name tag. The sedan chair will arrive shortly to escort you."
Unlike her first summons, Lin Wanyi was calm this time.