Chapter 25: Ning Wanyin Competes for Favor

Lingxue Pavilion.

“Good news! News just came from Jingxi Palace, His Majesty is going on a summer hunt and has summoned you to accompany him!” Xiao Guizi reported with a cheerful expression.

Ning Wanyin was still diligently copying a bamboo painting, she felt a pang of anxiety in her heart, but she put on a happy smile and said according to the usual rules, “Thank you for His Majesty’s kindness, everyone in Lingxue Pavilion will be rewarded!”

Lianrui happily went to give Xiao Guizi and the others their rewards.

When she came back, she saw her mistress leaning weakly on the cool couch.

With no outsiders around, the smile on Ning Wanyin’s face faded.

“Mistress, you don’t seem happy, are you afraid of the summer heat and don’t want to go out? Don’t worry, it’s cooler in the mountains than down here, it’s not that hot yet.” Lianrui said with concern.

Ning Wanyin looked at her, “It’s not the weather, it’s the trip.”

Lianrui suddenly understood. In the past, Miss never went out when she was in her boudoir, because going out could lead to all sorts of accidents, no matter how carefully they investigated, it was impossible to guarantee complete safety.

Miss disliked going out the most.

“Miss, don’t worry, His Majesty is going out, safety is definitely guaranteed!” Lianrui said.

Ning Wanyin casually said, “Safe for the Emperor, doesn’t mean it’s safe for me.”

It’s difficult to kill the Emperor, but killing me, there might be opportunities.

The guards in the mountain palace can’t compare to those in the imperial palace.

“Lianrui, the mung bean soup you made today is delicious, it’s perfect for cooling down. Make a bowl and I’ll take it to His Majesty.” Ning Wanyin suddenly said.

…

When Ning Wanyin arrived at Qianxin Palace, there was already a concubine standing outside the palace gate.

“Thank you for His Majesty’s grace, allowing me to accompany him on the summer hunt, I made some snow fungus and lotus seed soup myself, to thank His Majesty, please inform him.” Lady Consort Wen said with a happy expression.

Wang Degui nodded, his gaze fell on Ning Wanyin who was walking over from the other side, his expression became more enthusiastic, “Ning Meiren is also here to thank him?”

Ning Wanyin nodded slightly, this was a bit unfortunate, but her own life was more important, she wouldn’t care about others, Ning Wanyin added, “It’s not just to thank him, I also have something very important to discuss with His Majesty.”

Wang Degui said, “Please wait a moment, I’ll go and inform him.”

In Qianxin Palace.

The Emperor was reviewing memorials.

Wang Degui walked in and reported according to the order of arrival, “Your Majesty, Lady Consort Wen is here to thank you, she brought you some snow fungus and lotus seed soup she made herself.”

“I took her on the summer hunt so she could see her father, not so she could see me.” Helian Qi said coldly without looking up, “Don’t see her.”

Lady Consort Wen had sided with Lady Consort Cen, but her father was loyal to Helian Qi and had done a few good things.

Helian Qi gave the important official another chance to teach his daughter, for the sake of the important official.

Otherwise, if the officials worked for him, but their daughters were demoted by him, it would chill the hearts of the officials.

Wang Degui instantly understood. The Emperor still didn’t want to see Lady Consort Wen.

“Ning Meiren is also here to thank you, she said she has something important to discuss with you.” Wang Degui reported again.

Helian Qi paused his writing with the wolf hair brush, “Let her in.”

…

Soon.

Wang Degui came back, he first looked at Ning Wanyin and said respectfully, “Ning Meiren, His Majesty asks you to come in.”

Then he looked at Lady Consort Wen and said, “His Majesty asks you to go back.”

Ning Wanyin walked in.

Lady Consort Wen looked at her back, she unconsciously clenched her fists, she squeezed out a smile at Wang Degui, “Then… then I”

  The soup, can it be presented to His Majesty…”

  “His Majesty didn’t say to keep it, take it back.” Wang Degui rejected again.

  Lady Consort Wen lowered her head and left with her maids.

  After they were far away.

  The personal maid lowered her voice, “Mistress, don’t be discouraged. Today you just happened to meet Ning Meiren, next time you choose a good time to see His Majesty, he will definitely see you…”

  “She’s so favored, it doesn’t matter if she misses this once, she still wants to compete with me, I haven’t even seen His Majesty…” Lady Consort Wen was annoyed.

  The maid comforted her, “His Majesty thought of you this time, you will definitely be favored soon!”

  “Yes, His Majesty took me on the summer hunt, he must want me to serve him in the mountain palace, I have to prepare well…” A glimmer of ambition flashed in Lady Consort Wen’s eyes.

  …

  In Qianxin Palace.

  The fragrance of snow pine wafted, five-colored beads hung down.

  Ning Wanyin knelt on the ground, bowing respectfully, “His Majesty took me on the summer hunt, such an honor, I am overwhelmed with joy, I specially came to thank you.”

  “Get to the point.” Helian Qi was very busy today, he didn’t want to waste words, he got straight to the point.

  “I have been timid and shy since I was young, I don’t dare to go out. This time I’m accompanying you, being surrounded by mountains and wild beasts, I feel even more terrified…” Ning Wanyin lowered her eyes, her usually clear voice was soft and weak.

  Helian Qi stopped reviewing the memorials, his gaze fell on Ning Wanyin, his eyes were unreadable, “You don’t want to go?”

  The edict has been issued, His Majesty’s word is law, how can it be changed?

  Moreover, you don’t want to accompany the Emperor?

  Serving the Emperor is the duty of a concubine, not going is dereliction of duty.

  “Your Majesty, please allow me to explain, I am overjoyed to be able to accompany you on the summer hunt, how could I not want to go? It’s just… I’m timid, only your Majesty’s dragon energy can make me feel at ease. So I dare to request that Your Majesty allow me to live in the same room with you, eat together, and never leave your side day or night.” Ning Wanyin’s face flushed slightly.

  It might be possible to attack a concubine, but it’s almost impossible to poison or assassinate the Emperor.

  If even the Emperor’s security can be breached, I don’t need to bother, it’s my fate to die.

  Helian Qi was stunned for a moment before he realized, she said all this, just to live with me?

  It’s rare to see Ning Wanyin so eager to compete for favor.

  “There’s no such precedent.” Helian Qi said casually.

  Tears welled up in Ning Wanyin’s eyes, she looked disappointed, she retreated, “It’s my fault for overstepping, Your Majesty is busy with state affairs, please take care of yourself. I’ll take my leave.”

  Helian Qi’s gaze fell on the little woman’s aggrieved appearance, he changed his tone, “I didn’t say no.”

  He could roughly guess Ning Wanyin’s thoughts.

  Last time the officials impeached her, this time she wants to meet the princes and ministers, she wants to throw the word “favor” in their faces to show her authority, it’s harmless.

  There’s no palace rule that says the Emperor can’t live with a concubine when he’s traveling.

  Moreover, she is his publicly acknowledged favorite, he is also happy to let this image of his favorite concubine be deeply rooted in people’s minds.

  “Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!” Ning Wanyin immediately looked surprised and thanked him.

  Actually, she had already anticipated this, asking the Emperor for help, what’s easy for him to agree to.

  Of course, it’s irrelevant to him, but it’s something she’s grateful for.

  A simple favor can make a useful pawn grateful to him, why not?

  …

  On the fifth day of April, the Emperor went on a summer hunt in Zijin Mountain, staying at the Zijin Mountain Palace.

  Many princes and ministers from the capital accompanied him, setting up camp on both sides of the palace.

  Lady Consort Xue secretly summoned the newly appointed head chef. Last time, the Imperial Kitchen listened to Lady Consort Xue’s orders and gave Ning Wanyin spoiled food, now they have a new person, but they still dare not offend the Xue and Cen families.

  “The outside is not as safe as the imperial palace, if anything goes wrong with the food, it’s not your fault.” Lady Consort Xue looked at the eunuch calmly, “This is a good place for Ning Wanyin to be buried, with green mountains and clear waters.”

  The head chef knelt down with a thud, “Lady Consort, Ning Meiren is living with His Majesty, I would never dare…”

  “What? She’s living with the Emperor?” Lady Consort Xue frowned, a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

  Then naturally, no one would dare to tamper with the Emperor’s food.

  Forget it, anyway, she already had a plan to deal with Ning Wanyin, today was just a whim, a new idea she had.