A layer of peach blossom powder had been applied to her face, fully revealing her creamy and flawless complexion.
Seeing Lin Wanyi tidy from head to toe, Xia An and Chunqi finally stopped.
"This outfit of Miss Lin really leaves nothing to be criticized."
Xia An needed to know more about the rules, so she understood the stakes involved.
"Let's go, don't miss the hour."
"Yes."
This was the second time Lin Wanyi went to Linzi Palace, and this time she didn't pay attention to the scenery along the way.
In early April, the morning air carried a slight chill.
Fortunately, her clothing was not thin, and coupled with the walk to Linzi Palace, she did not feel cold.
As soon as she entered the palace gate, a palace maid who was sweeping greeted her with a smile, though her eyes were far from sincere.
"Miss Lin, you've arrived."
"Mm."
"This servant has been waiting here for a long time, just wishing to congratulate Miss Lin first."
Everyone knew the meaning behind her words, though her eyes were darting around.
Standing behind Lin Wanyi, Xia An was somewhat annoyed, thinking this palace maid was truly ignorant of the rules.
Clearly, her own mistress wanted to keep a low profile, yet this maid rushed ahead to congratulate, as if afraid others wouldn't know it was their mistress who attended to His Majesty last night?
Really, she just adds to the chaos.
Lin Wanyi disliked such fawning people the most, but since she was inside Linzi Palace, she couldn't show any displeasure, so she replied with a slight smile.
"It's all thanks to the Imperial Concubine's blessing."
A harmless remark, and then she quickly walked into the courtyard and stood under the corridor.
The palace maid had intended to entrap some more words, but it was like punching cotton, not yielding anything substantial.
Secretly annoyed, she thought Miss Lin was a slippery eel.
But considering that there was no future being a sweeping maid in Linzi Palace, it might be better to start fresh by following Miss Lin.
If she went now, at least she would be a second-class palace maid. If Miss Lin ever gained favor, wouldn't she also rise alongside?
The more she thought about it, the more energetically she swept with her broom.
Under the corridor of the main hall, several concubines were already standing when Lin Wanyi arrived, and she curtsied to them, receiving only a roll of their eyes and a cold snort in return.
One could easily guess why.
They looked down on her, a low-ranking concubine who came through the back door and had served the Emperor, but they were reluctant to act against her due to her connection with Lin Guifei.
Thus, Lin Wanyi stood obediently under the corridor, waiting for Lin Guifei's summons.
It had to be said, if she didn't have Lin Guifei's protection at this moment, she would've suffered quite a bit.
So, when there's a big thigh to hold onto, it's better to cling to it!
As the concubines in the palace entered the gates of Linzi Palace one after another, the originally spacious courtyard was quickly filled with people.
Seeing this, Lin Wanyi realized why the women in the palace all wanted to climb up.
If not in a high position, they'd be drowned either by the battles or by the crowd.
As she pondered this, she saw Qin He, whom she had met yesterday, come out of the inner hall, bow to the concubines, and then say with a smile.
"The Imperial Concubine is now ready, please come in, ladies."
"Yes."
A room full of women gathered together would cause anyone to feel overwhelmed.
The main hall of Linzi Palace had a throne set in the center, with intricate carvings resembling brocade and phoenix birds.
The Imperial Concubine was also dressed grandly today.
She wore a palace gown embroidered with double lotus patterns, with a ruby step-shaking ornament in a matching pattern on her hairpin, complementing her majestic demeanor.
Below her willow-leaf-shaped eyebrows were a pair of upward-tilting phoenix eyes, giving an impression of looking down on everyone from her high position.
The Empress Dowager had gone to Wutai Mountain for meditation and prayer, and Empress Xu had passed away three years ago, making Lin Guifei the highest-ranking woman in the palace, naturally commanding respect.
Everyone sat according to their rank on the purple sandalwood chairs below, listening to what the Imperial Concubine had to say.
However, the first seat to her left and right were still vacant, and the first question from the Imperial Concubine was about them.
"Where are Princess Consort Yi and Princess Consort Lan?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Lady Lan felt unwell this morning, so a palace attendant was sent to inform that she won't be attending today's morning greetings. As for Princess Consort Yi, she is probably still on her way."
The implication was that no explanation had been received from their palaces.
This statement made Lin Wanyi alert.
It seemed that Princess Consort Yi was a tough opponent, daring to come late on days of palace assembly, suggesting either continuous favor from the Emperor or strong family power, otherwise, how could she openly defy Lin Guifei!
Lin Guifei, with a calm expression, then addressed the concubines below.
"Since Sister Yi is still on her way, let's have some tea first, and when she arrives, we'll talk all together."
Truly, there wasn't a single woman in the palace who wasn't shrewd.
Princess Consort Yi's absence caused the morning greeting time to be postponed, and the blame would ultimately fall on her, truly a way of shifting responsibility.
Once the Imperial Concubine finished speaking, the Chief Palace Maid Qin He directed others to serve pre-rain Dragon Well tea and exquisite snacks.
"This pre-rain Dragon Well tea was just tributed this year; His Majesty rewarded me with some, so today I will share it with you sisters, do taste it, it's truly delicious."
"Your Majesty is so considerate of us, this precious imperial tea, even the scent feels luxurious to this servant."
The speaker was a not very outstanding looking palace concubine, appearing somewhat older.
Her palace gown was made of light purple soft satin, embroidered with patterns of entwined treasures, appearing simple but not of high rank.
"Sister Du always knows how to jest; recently, I acquired a red coral hairpin, seemingly novel, I bestow it to you for your enjoyment."
As soon as the words fell, another Chief Palace Maid, Qin Liu, brought a brocade tray, respectfully presenting it to Du Changzai.
Du Changzai's eyes lit up with surprise, finally, her efforts of currying favor paid off, as it seemed the Imperial Concubine intended to promote her.
She had been with the Emperor since the ninth year of Yuanhe, and eight years had passed.
Her rank was still just a Changzai; let alone comparing with old favorites, among the newly admitted concubines, Lady Chu and Ms. Ming, who were both higher ranked than her.
In terms of looks, figure, family status, and talent, they all far surpassed her.
If she didn't strive to find a patron, she feared she would end up neglected like weeds by the city wall.
With this in mind, she immediately rose and gave a half-body salute to Lin Guifei, speaking with a trace of excitement.
"This servant thanks Your Majesty for the reward."
Such an eager fawning posture irritated a bright-eyed woman sitting above.
She looked at Du Changzai with eyes full of scorn; though she said nothing, the meaning was clear.
Truly a country bumpkin out of favor, getting so joyful over a mere coral hairpin.