Chi Qinlin entered the palace neither early nor late today, but it was nearly evening when he finished discussing matters with the Emperor.
The emperor still invited Chi Qinlin to stay for dinner, but Chi Qinlin declined.
"Your Majesty knows that if my sister finds out I've entered the palace, she'll start scolding me again. Last time, I was so reckless that I almost caused a disaster, which is why my father scolded me for so many days. I really can't stand hearing him nagging me now."
Seeing this, Pei Yuanhui did not insist on keeping Chi Qinlin.
"Alright, who did you meet up with for drinks this time? You've been sick for days, the effects of alcohol must be kicking in by now, right? I don't have any strong liquor for you to waste here, get out of here."
Pei Yuanhui waved his hand with a laugh, already used to Chi Qinlin constantly calling her "sister."
Chi Qinlin smiled, cupped his hands in farewell, and left.
"I have taken the time to bring some fine wine to drink with Your Majesty."
As he left the Funing Hall, he suddenly noticed the bonsai at the entrance, which was naturally a common bonsai.
What's unusual is what's hanging on that bonsai.
His voice paused for a moment as he spoke.
Chi Qinlin stared for two seconds, and as he walked out of Funing Palace, a playful smile appeared on his lips as he said to Jinyang beside him, "Who was accompanying you before I arrived? Has there been a new favorite in the palace lately?"
Because Chi Qinlin was Consort Chi's younger brother and had been the Emperor's childhood study companion, he dared to ask many questions in front of the Emperor.
Jin Yang hesitated for a moment, but still spoke with perfect discretion: "Yes, during this year's grand selection, several new ladies entered the palace. Among them, Consort Xie and Consort Huo are currently the ones who have won the Emperor's favor."
Jin Yang did not answer the question about accompanying the emperor inside before Chi Qinlin arrived.
Chi Qinlin understood, and waved his hand dismissively, meaning he wouldn't ask any more questions.
This made things easier for him in Jinyang. He personally escorted Chi Qinlin, saying, "It's still early, General, why don't you go and see Consort Chi?"
Chi Qinlin continued waving his hand: "By the time I come out of my sister's palace, the palace gates will probably be locked. I hope I won't offend any of the ladies then."
Seeing that Chi Qinlin said so, Jinyang did not insist: "That's true. You often go to the palace, and you will have plenty of opportunities to see the Imperial Concubine in the future."
Chi Qinlin may not have thought so, but he still went along with Jin Yang's words in a conciliatory manner, without any intention of denying it: "What you say is absolutely right, sir."
Pei Yuanhui noticed the pause in Chi Qinlin's words as he left Funing Palace.
So after Jin Yang sent the young general Yu Lin back, he heard the Emperor's voice.
"Jinyang, what's that placed at the gate today?"
Jin Yang stopped to look when he heard the sound, but they were just two common evergreen bonsai trees, nothing special.
It was only because of the official's question that Jin Yang took a closer look.
Upon closer inspection, some differences were indeed noticeable.
After thinking about it, he finally carried the evergreen bonsai inside untouched.
"His Majesty."
Pei Yuanhui followed the gaze; he had excellent eyesight and immediately noticed something on the bonsai.
He stared at the dark black amulet hanging on the bonsai tree. Two seconds later, he bent down and took the amulet off the branch.
But looking at this amulet, he could recall Huo Qinghe's tender gesture of hanging it on the bonsai branch as she left.
This amulet must have been made from the same piece of cloth as the sachet at Pei Yuanhui's waist. The dark ink color of the amulet suits Pei Yuanhui's taste perfectly.
"She certainly loves to fuss over these youngest daughters' affairs. Let's hang it above my bed in my bedroom."
Jin Yang sensed something was wrong and thought to himself that the Emperor might announce that he would summon Consort Huo tonight.
Jin Yang bowed and smiled, "It is truly remarkable that Consort Huo still cares so much about His Majesty while she is ill."
These words were a veiled criticism that Huo Qinghe's health was not fully recovered.
But Jin Yang's words hit the nail on the head.
Pei Yuanhui couldn't help but think of Huo Qinghe's hoarse voice when they were alone in the inner hall earlier that day.
Huo Qinghe was not fully recovered, so Pei Yuanhui immediately gave up the idea of summoning her.
"The Imperial Medical Academy reported earlier that Consort Lin's health has improved significantly," Jin Yang said cautiously.
"Her health has improved? How long has the new concubine been in the palace?" Pei Yuanhui's expression changed slightly when Jinyang mentioned Consort Lin.
"If you do the math, the new concubine has been in the palace for two months now. Consort Lin has also completed her double confinement period."
Jin Yang spoke in a rather mild tone, clearly afraid of touching on the Emperor's painful memories.
How did Consort Lin lose her child? And how did Consort Chang disappear from the palace so quietly...?
These are all old stories from before the newcomers entered the palace, so naturally few people dare to mention them.
Pei Yuanhui's voice was unusually slow as he gently stroked the sachet at his waist.
"Lin Jieyu, is she feeling better?"
Jin Yang lowered his head even further.
He was the Grand Eunuch in the Emperor's court and had served the Emperor for many years, so it was naturally difficult for the concubines in the harem to easily bribe him.
The reason he dared to speak up for Consort Lin at this moment was naturally for other reasons.
"Consort Lin is still deeply grieving. She rarely sees anyone, and I heard... she feels guilty for misjudging people."
Pei Yuanhui's eyebrows twitched slightly upon hearing this, and he remained silent for a while.
She was just unconsciously stroking the sachet at her waist.
"It is deeply saddening... Ah Ying, go and announce that I will have dinner at Changchun Palace."
Changchun Palace was where Consort Lin lived.
Jin Yang quickly bowed: "With Your Majesty's concern and care, Consort Lin will recover."
"Her life in this palace is not easy. You must keep a close eye on her and not allow anyone to mistreat her," Pei Yuanhui said coldly.
Jin Yang quickly replied, "Yes, this servant will remember it and keep it in mind at all times."
...
The news that the emperor had dined at Changchun Palace spread quickly.
When Baosheng came in to report, the maids clearly showed their disappointment, even more so than Huo Qinghe herself.
Huo Qinghe, however, did not seem too disappointed.
"But I don't seem to have heard of anyone living in Changchun Palace? It's not one of the new people selected to enter the palace this time, is it?" Huo Qinghe picked up her chopsticks and asked.
Now that she knew the Emperor had gone to Changchun Palace today, Huo Qinghe could enjoy her dinner without worry.
It was Green Locust who spoke up to explain, clearly indicating that this was not a secret.
"Consort Lin lives in Changchun Palace. Before entering the palace, Consort Lin was pregnant, but she had a miscarriage and was in confinement, rarely showing her face to anyone."
"But I haven't heard that His Majesty went to see her either?" Huo Qinghe asked again, as if she had thought of something.
Green Locust shook her head: "This servant does not know. But Consort Lin's status is different, so we servants dare not make any comments."
The maids all wore enigmatic expressions.
"I heard that Consort Lin served the Emperor when he was still a prince, but... but the rest is palace secrets that even I don't know much about."
Huo Qinghe understood.
This Consort Lin must have been a palace maid who served His Majesty.
That's quite unusual.
It doesn't seem like the official would take in people from his inner circle.
Can we only explain it by saying that the former emperor was young? Or is there another reason?
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