Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 436: Dismissing Palace Attendants

The last New Year’s Eve of the 19th year of Yuanhe was spent by the Emperor with Lin Wanyi.

Imperial Concubine Yi committed suicide in Qian’an Hall, in full view of everyone.

In addition to the escape of the Marquis of Northwest and his son,

it basically declared to the world that the Third Prince had no chance, and the Liu Family had fallen.

What was expected to rise was Consort Yining, who had been coldly treated for a while and became the most honorable person in the entire palace.

Not just her, even all the children in Yihua Palace followed suit.

Especially the Fifth Prince.

Those who were obsessed with politics believed that the Fifth Prince would definitely be the future Emperor and began trying every way to contact Yihua Palace.

However, after inquiring all around, they found no opening at all.

Her maternal families, the Dong Family and the Lin Family, originally had officials in the court who either resigned or were sick.

Outsiders were not received at all, even if they wanted to curry favor it was useless.

And Yihua Palace was even harder to penetrate.

Those with a bit of power at home, which one wasn’t troubled.

Because this lady neither liked holding banquets nor making friends with nobles.

The only good relationship was with the Fourth Prince Consort.

But now the Fourth Prince Consort was still ill, and with the Fourth Prince’s crazy attitude some time ago, who dared to approach.

Therefore, they were also struggling without a way forward.

This back and forth allowed Lin Wanyi to have a peaceful New Year.

Lin Wanyi leaned in the Emperor’s arms, looking at the moonlight outside.

It should have been a joyful night, but for some reason, the big stone in Lin Wanyi’s heart had not completely fallen.

Perhaps Imperial Concubine Yi’s death was too tragic.

Or maybe because the Marquis of Northwest was not captured and brought to justice.

So it wasn’t over yet.

Recalling what the Emperor just told her, she felt a chill.

"What’s wrong? Are you unwell?"

The Emperor tightened his arms, holding her closer.

Lin Wanyi shook her head.

Speaking somewhat dazedly.

"I really didn’t expect the Liu Family to hide so many schemes. Fortunately, you let us retreat first, otherwise, if the children had seen that scene, wouldn’t they have nightmares every day?"

"Don’t worry, the Liu Family brought ruin upon themselves with their misdeeds. Liu Xu’er’s suicide was deserved, and as for the Marquis of Northwest, he thought he could return safely? That’s just a fool’s dream!"

As he said this, a sharp glint flashed in the Emperor’s eyes.

If not for needing to spare his life, to let him personally see the collapse of the Northwest Army.

How could the Emperor let the tiger return to the mountain?

Hearing this, Lin Wanyi couldn’t help but marvel once again at the Emperor’s astuteness.

Everyone thought the Marquis of Northwest received the news and fled early.

But now, she knew.

The one who deliberately tore open that gap was the Emperor.

Fortunately, the Dong Family and Lin Family bore no disloyalty, otherwise, they would live in fear every day.

Amidst the wind and snow, the Marquis of Northwest was frantically fleeing.

He thought the Emperor had no fallback plan.

But little did he know, waiting for him was an inescapable net!

The first month of the 20th year of Yuanhe.

For fifteen entire days, the Emperor openly stayed at Yihua Palace.

He no longer needed to consider anyone else’s thoughts outside and could just do whatever he liked.

And Lin Wanyi could also avoid the outside disturbances.

Content to stay with the Emperor.

These past months had been exhausting for her, physically and mentally she wasn’t in good shape.

So right after New Year’s Eve, the Second Madam Mrs. Yun was urgently summoned to the palace to personally check Lin Wanyi’s pulse.

Indeed, this pregnancy was not in a good condition, causing more harm to the body.

The Emperor frowned upon hearing this and lost his previous expectations for the child.

His primary concern became Lin Wanyi’s health.

But fortunately, the child wasn’t too big yet, and there were still about five months until the due date.

Therefore, with quiet rest, it could still be nursed back to health.

Hearing this, the Emperor finally relaxed.

He said to the Second Madam Mrs. Yun.

"Then, let’s trouble the Second Madam to ensure Qianqian has a safe delivery."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I know what to do."

Afterwards, a cascade of supplements and medicinal herbs flooded into Yihua Palace.

Thus, the news of Lin Wanyi’s pregnancy naturally could not be kept secret.

Upon hearing the news, both inside and outside the palace, everyone couldn’t help but admire.

One could not deny that Consort Yining’s fortune was indeed quite remarkable!

Not only were obstacles cleared away, and she held a high position.

She now added another source of joy.

No one in the harem could compete with her.

Hence, the outside ministers put even more efforts into connecting with the Imperial Consort.

They couldn’t start with the Dong Family or Lin Family.

Instead, they set their sights on the Feng family and the Dou family.

After all, besides these two, there were no others who had become her in-laws before the Consort’s rise.

One must admit, they had a keen eye for judging people.

However, the leaders of the Feng family and the Dou family were both smart.

One, although not a military general, had always been a loyal minister to the Emperor for years, with no intention of climbing.

The other had retired from the Imperial Hospital, focusing entirely on arranging the happy affairs for his little grandson and the Dong family’s Second Miss, keeping mostly to themselves.

Therefore, outsiders found it challenging to latch onto any opportunity.

Compared to the restless outside of the palace, these days inside have been relatively calm.

In Cining Palace.

The Empress Dowager received the news from Qin An, the newly appointed Chief of the Inner Court Department.

Originally, the Emperor and Lin Wanyi intended to personally deliver the news, but the continuous heavy snow over the past few days made it impossible to move.

So they had to send Qin An instead.

With a smile, he said.

"Congratulations, Empress Dowager, and happiness to you. The Imperial Concubine is pregnant again, estimated to be due in four to five months, adding yet another Prince or Princess to the palace."

"Oh? Well, that indeed is a joyous event, but is it really just one?"

"Yes, just one, according to the Second Madam Mrs. Yun’s personal examination."

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager finally felt at ease.

Experiencing twin pregnancies as before, once was enough.

To avoid breaking the peaceful days again.

This time, there were no concubines to "share" in raising the child.

So, she gave instructions.

"That’s good. Seeing her complexion, it’s clear this pregnancy has caused much suffering. The Emperor will surely give orders to take good care of her, and as the newly appointed Chief of the Inner Court Department, you should also do your best."

"Rest assured, Empress Dowager, this servant is kindly favored by the Emperor and knows what to do."

Qin An’s respectful and courteous demeanor reassured the Empress Dowager.

So after a few simple instructions, she let him leave.

On his way back, Qin An looked at the endlessly falling snow and couldn’t help but think a little more.

It’s fate indeed that Chief Quan Fu, who had diligently served in the palace for decades, never got toppled.

He had prevented subordinates from rising up, yet never imagined that it would be those above him who removed his cap.

When he was expelled from the palace to go to the Imperial Manor, he seemed completely drained of his spirit.