From the East Cross Courtyard to Ronghe Hall, there were two Moon Gates and a small garden in between.
It was just the perfect time of April, yet at this moment, no one had the interest to wander through the garden, marching straight to Ronghe Hall instead.
Compared to the simplicity and elegance of the East Cross Courtyard, Ronghe Hall was much more exquisite and grand.
On the entrance wall, carvings of flowers prosper in bloom were buoyant, and a few well-pruned pine trees stood guard in the corners.
All because Princess Rongkang liked it, there was a large feng shui jar placed in the center of the courtyard, with nine golden-tailed koi fish swimming inside, specially procured by the Prince Zhan Mansion, said to be worth a hundred gold.
The current head of the Prince Zhan Mansion is the biological brother of Princess Rongkang, and the two have always had a good relationship. Plus, Prime Minister Lin was a figure who could rally support in the previous dynasty, so the families were on very good terms.
Yet within all this, it was the main family that was uniquely left out.
Following Nanny Liu's steps, a group of people walked under the veranda, only to be greeted by a maid who lifted the curtain to welcome them.
"Servant Gu Yu greets the First Madam and Second Miss. The Old Madam has been waiting for you for a long time, please come in quickly."
Such eagerness made one wary, for usually during the morning greetings, one would not see this first-class female servant coming out to receive them.
Mrs. Dong did not reply, turning sideways to glance at Lin Wanyi, her worry evident.
Yet Lin Wanyi gave a faint smile, soothing all her mother's anxieties.
The mother and daughter slightly tidied their attire before entering the inner hall, finding it already filled with people.
Sitting at the head was naturally the Prime Minister Lin's stepwife, Mr. Lin's stepmother, the step-grandmother of Lin Wanyi and others, who was looking at them quite lovingly at the moment.
She wore an opulent round-collared jacket with peony branch embroidery, her hair adorned with a five-phoenix gold inlaid jade hairpin, making her appear exceedingly luxurious.
Clearly nearly sixty years old, yet maintained as if she were just over forty, looking extremely youthful.
"Here?"
"Daughter-in-law Mrs. Dong greets mother-in-law, wishing mother-in-law well."
"Granddaughter greets grandmother, wishing grandmother well."
Even with much reluctance, the mother and daughter had to courteously salute to Princess Rongkang, otherwise, if others found fault, wouldn't it just add insult to injury to the main family?
"Quickly, rise."
At this moment, Princess Rongkang seemed very much like a loving elder to her juniors, beckoning Lin Wanyi, "Haven't seen Yi for some time, come over, let me have a look."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Dong's brows furrowed tighter.
The Second Madam Mrs. Wang, sitting to the right, caught sight of this and sneered inwardly, though her mouth spoke sweet words.
"Mother-in-law, you see, I always said Yi is as beautiful as a flower, and at such a tender age, naturally needs to be nurtured in good feng shui, otherwise, if tainted by the mundane world, wouldn't it be a pity?"
The implication was that she seemed destined to enter the palace.
Princess Rongkang also thought it was not bad. Upon closer inspection, she seemed even more wonderful than the Wan Zhou she had raised with much care.
Beautiful but not ostentatious, with her family holding leverage, it was easiest to manage her.
So she patted Lin Wanyi's hand back, glanced at Gu Yu standing beside her, who brought out a tray of exquisite jewelry, not to say priceless, but all of fine quality.
"This was crafted by Treasure House for Yi. Since you are to enter the palace, you should have something to dignify your appearance, lest others mock us, saying the Prime Minister's Mansion sent off a shabby young lady."
The items were placed in front of Mrs. Dong, the golden pins once again piercing her heart.
She immediately struggled to kneel and said.
"Please, mother-in-law, have mercy on my daughter and me. I only have this one daughter; if she enters the palace, it will be difficult to see her again in the future."
Upon Mrs. Dong expressing her discontent, Princess Rongkang's face turned unpleasant. She let go of Lin Wanyi's hand.
The Second Madam Mrs. Wang saw her ungrateful behavior and immediately ridiculed.
"Sister-in-law, I also have only Wanzhou, yet I sent her to the palace for the sake of the family's future and her brother's future. You speak as if sending Yi to war, be careful of the misfortune that may come from the mouth!"
The Second Madam Mrs. Wang, being the daughter of the Minister of War, had always looked down on Mrs. Dong's merchant background.
Over the years, she had secretly plotted against her, especially after her daughter became favored and rose in the palace, ignoring the main family.
Now, worried about her daughter's favor in the harem, she set her sights on the main family's daughter.
Supposedly for companionship in the palace, but the real reason was known to everyone.
"Eldest sister-in-law, you just don't realize how expensive the cost of managing a household is. You've enjoyed much of the Prime Minister's Mansion's splendor, now, when it's time to contribute, you refuse. Don't forget, you have a husband and sons, think for their future too, and you should send Yi to the palace."
With one word from Princess Rongkang, the matter was settled.
Mrs. Dong, filled with resentment, bit hard on her silver teeth. Yet after years of oppression, she had grown used to enduring humiliation and did not know how to retort even if she wanted to.
However, Lin Wanyi did not want her mother's situation to be as difficult after she left.
Therefore, she respectfully saluted Princess Rongkang again and said.
"Grandmother is right. Your granddaughter is willing to contribute to the family's honor and her father and brother's future. I hope grandmother will be lenient with my mother for her respect over the years."
Looking at this "granddaughter," Princess Rongkang felt quite satisfied.
"After all, she is the Prime Minister's own granddaughter, seeing things three points more clearly than others. Very well, the imperial decree for entering the palace has already arrived. Tomorrow morning, someone from the palace will come to escort you, so prepare yourself."
"Thank you for grandmother's reminder, your granddaughter understands."
After this main matter was settled, Princess Rongkang lost interest in further engaging with the mother and daughter, so she found an excuse to have someone escort them back to the East Cross Courtyard.
Mrs. Dong held back her tears until she returned to her courtyard and entered the main house to silently cry.
"My child, what should we do?"
Her mother's lament made Lin Wanyi feel troubled, but given the main family's ability, to refuse the imperial decree would be to court disaster.
Rather than depend on the charity of others, it would be better to comply and adapt.
Once she entered the palace, hopefully, her family would live more comfortably.
So Lin Wanyi wiped Mrs. Dong's tears with a handkerchief and softly comforted her.
"Mother, do not worry, I'm not going to my death. After entering the palace, I'll find ways to protect myself. In this back courtyard, you must act cautiously too. Avoid contradicting the Old Madam like today in the future."
"I just can't accept it, why should you be used to pave the way for Lin Wanzhou?"