Li Wan’er, hearing their lively conversation, could not resist wanting to join in.
But she was afraid of saying sothing inappropriate and becoming a laughingstock among them.
Lin Wanyi saw at a glance her hesitation and, after so thought, spoke first.
"Speaking of which, after you marry Little Four, you should also pay respects to the Empress Dowager. Even your second brother and sister-in-law, as well as your second sister and brother-in-law, did so after getting married. At that point, if you and Little Four have no prior engagents, you can go with us."
Hearing this, Li Wan’er’s lips curled up with a hint of delight.
"Can I, the subject’s daughter, really?"
"By then, you will be Princess Pei. Why shouldn’t you pay respects to the Grand Empress Dowager?"
Li Wan’er naturally understood this, but Prince Pei was to stay in the palace until after the New Year.
If they also followed to Wutai Mountain and Lushan Academy,
and did not return to their fiefdom, would people have things to say about them?
She did not want to cause Prince Pei trouble because of her. Husband and wife are of one body, after all.
The Third Princess, perceptive and wise, understood Li Wan’er’s concern.
Thus, she glanced at her own mother and spoke.
"Miss Li need not worry. Both the Emperor and the Crown Prince place great trust in the Han King and Prince Pei."
Though her words were not explicit, those present were intelligent enough to grasp her aning.
The Han Prince Consort also smiled at her, making her intentions clear.
Thus, Li Wan’er’s anxious heart was finally put at ease.
Standing up, she respectfully addressed Lin Wanyi.
"I will follow the Imperial Concubine’s arrangents."
"Good, good."
The group chatted further about the matter of marriage.
After having lunch, Li Wan’er then bade farewell and left the palace.
As for the Han Prince Consort, she needed to attend to her children and also left the Yihua Palace.
But Lin Xiruo and the Third Princess remained comfortably.
They returned to their respective chambers.
Even though Lin Xiruo had married, her entire chamber remained as it was before.
The Third Princess, though having a mansion outside the palace, was especially happy to return to the environnt she was familiar with.
In the main hall, Xia An accompanied Lin Wanyi, massaging her shoulders.
Seeing the light snow falling outside, Lin Wanyi couldn’t help but recall many past events at the traveling palace.
When Prince Pei was four years old, Princess Consort Ying eventually succumbed and passed away from illness.
It was said that she left peacefully, without suffering.
Moreover, her attendants Rong Jia and Rong Le followed by taking poison as well.
Considering Prince Pei’s dignity, the Emperor still ordered her burial with the rites of an Imperial Consort.
However, Princess Consort Ying had long lost favor, so whether these so-called rites were actually carried out in full was uncertain.
The Imperial Mausoleum was already crowded with too many concubines buried within.
This sotis led Lin Wanyi to ponder about her own affairs after death.
In all honesty, no one would want to be buried alongside so many other won, even after death.
Therefore, from the very start, Lin Wanyi wanted to find a place for herself alone and be buried there.
Yet, if she were to bring this matter up to the Emperor, he might overthink it.
Thus, it had been delayed all this while.
While she was lost in these old thoughts, soone hurried in from outside.
Upon entering, the person greeted Lin Wanyi.
"Servant Qin An greets Your Majesty."
"Mr. Qin? Why are you here at this ti?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, the servant is here to deliver the gift list by command. The Emperor has said that when the people from the Eastern Palace get married, generous gifts should be prepared to enhance the joy."
Hearing this, Lin Wanyi smiled.
"It is considerate of Your Majesty, thinking so thoroughly."
She then asked Xia An to bring the gift list over for a careful look.
There were four identical copies, all in accordance with palace regulations, flawless in anyone’s eye.
After reviewing it, Lin Wanyi handed the list back and said.
"Mr. Qin has organized everything well. Just prepare according to this list."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
With official matters discussed, naturally, personal conversation followed.
Seeing joy in Qin An’s eyes, Lin Wanyi asked curiously.
"Has sothing good happened? You seem very pleased."
Mr. Qin chuckled, softening the indifference about him.
"Xiao Luzi returned from Yunzhou with the Han King. This was the first ti I saw him in a long while. He has grown quite robust. He ntioned that the Han King found him an honest heir to adopt, soone who will offer incense and paper money after he passes. I was overjoyed."
Hearing this, Lin Wanyi was also delighted.
On closer look, Qin An’s temples were a bit grayed.
By reckoning, he was nearly sixty.
He served in this palace all his life and, seeing his younger brother achieve such a fortune, could not forget the hardships endured earlier. Naturally, it was a cause for happiness.
Thinking it over, she directly asked.
"Mr. Qin, having served in the palace for so many years, have you ever thought about retiring to your hotown?"
"Retire to my hotown?"
Qin An was taken aback by Lin Wanyi’s sudden question.
"Yes, if you are willing, I can make arrangents. Since Xiao Luzi is living comfortably in Yunzhou, joining your apprentice as his ntor would be fitting, wouldn’t it?"
Qin An never imagined this and was montarily speechless with surprise.
But soon, his eyes filled with gratitude and excitent.
"Your Majesty, you are not jesting with this servant, are you?"
After all, for elderly eunuchs like him with status in the palace, there were only two ways to a peaceful retirent.
One was a new Emperor ascending the throne, the other was the Emperor’s benevolence.
Otherwise, in old age, they would have to remain with the Servant Supervisor Departnt until taken away in a simple coffin upon death.
Unexpectedly, the Imperial Consort pointed him to such a path.
How could he not be moved?
Moreover, being with his younger brother, he was keen to et this honest heir.
Lin Wanyi saw his expression and shared in his joy.
"When have I ever joked with you? Mr. Qin, think it over first. If you truly wish to, inform , and I will arrange it. Anyway, the Han King will remain in the capital until after the Lantern Festival. You have over two months to think clearly. If you decide to leave, preparations within the Inner Court Departnt should be made, understood?"
Qin An was so moved he imdiately knelt again.
Expressing his gratitude profusely to Lin Wanyi.
"Your Majesty’s kindness, this servant will rember for life."
Such an attitude made things quite clear.
He indeed had a reputation in the palace.
But no matter how prominent, it was rely transient like a morning breeze.
The Inner Court Departnt once had Quan Fu as Chief, today it has Qin An, and tomorrow there will be another.
Each reign brings new officials, and the palace’s winds have never stood still for anyone.
Moreover, he was but a re servant.
Thus, he naturally wished to leave the palace.
And being with his brother, he was eager to see what this honest heir would be like.
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