Upon hearing this, it would be false to say the Empress Dowager is not surprised. No wonder she used a handkerchief to cover her mouth and nose just now, so that’s why. But twins, it’s not necessarily... Yet seeing the Emperor had no intention of hiding, the Empress Dowager understood the situation. If she previously thought the Emperor was merely speaking, now it was clear. He really placed this woman in his heart. Even to ignore misfortunes, this aroused a bit of anger in the Empress Dowager. "Are you telling me this today, Emperor, out of fear I might harm her?" "Mother is joking. Her child is Mother’s grandchild too. In what world would a grandmother harm her grandchild? I’m just sharing this, not to hide it from Mother. This news hasn’t been made public yet; I wanted Mother to know first as a matter of courtesy." Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager’s lips curled slightly. She glanced at the Emperor she hadn’t seen in years; he was as earnest as before. Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager didn’t say much. She just gave one instruction. "Let her come to greet me in a couple of days. I truly want to see what capabilities this Noble Concubine has to earn such attention from the Emperor." "Yes, I will surely inform her, and let her properly come to greet Mother." "You’re not worried I might make things difficult for her?" "Mother’s character, I understand; the nature of the Noble Concubine, I also understand, so I am not worried." When he said this, his eyes were clear. Both respectful to the Empress Dowager and extremely confident in Lin Wanyi. Suddenly, the words Hui Yue had spoken to her last night rang in the Empress Dowager’s ears. "The Emperor has an Evil Concubine by his side. I saw them dining together in BaBao Building, yet no one in the palace knows about it; surely the Evil Concubine convinced the Emperor to leave the palace!" Immediately, her thoughts about Lin Wanyi became more unpredictable. After a moment of silence, the Empress Dowager waved her hand and said. "Go, go, I’ll speak of other things after meeting her." "Yes, I shall take my leave now." The Emperor left Cining Palace, pondered, and then proceeded to Yihua Palace. Although heading there now was a bit conspicuous, since he had already informed the Empress Dowager, he was not afraid of other concubines finding out that Lin Wanyi was pregnant. Therefore, there was no need for excessive concealment. In the main hall, Lin Wanyi was not particularly surprised about the Empress Dowager wanting to see her. But she was slightly worried about the Emperor expressing his feelings so openly. What kind of person the Empress Dowager was, she did not know yet. She only heard from the Emperor and the old eunuchs and nannies serving him. Therefore, she still had to explore and find out for herself. "Did the Empress Dowager mention when she would summon me?" "Just these next couple of days, when the opportunity arises, it could be at Cining Palace for diagnosis, spreading the news would be possible too." Suddenly recalling Princess Consort Ying’s gaze, she spoke to the Emperor without reservation. "Princess Consort Ying probably guessed already, given she had once concealed her own pregnancy similarly." The Emperor seemed unsurprised by this news. Get full chapters from N0velFire.ɴet Princess Consort Ying has never been a fool; if not for redirecting her attention to family matters outside the palace then, she might have known even earlier. Yet, the Emperor didn’t mention this to Lin Wanyi. He merely spoke briefly about events outside the palace. As for the efforts behind the scenes, he didn’t mention a word. Since there were too many families and matters involved, Lin Wanyi was now pregnant, and less worry would be beneficial. Thus, he continued reassuringly. "It’s alright, knowing or not, it’s only a matter of days before everyone knows." After exchanging brief words, news arrived from Princess Consort Yi. Saying the palace banquet had been prepared. Just waiting for everyone to attend. The Empress Dowager’s welcome banquet was even more grand than when the Emperor returned from Taishan. Back then, only the harem concubines participated. But today, all the royal family members were to attend. The previous time they gathered this comprehensively was during the Dragon Boat Festival banquet. When the Fourth Prince and Fourth Prince Consort arrived, Lin Wanyi saw. However, due to peculiar circumstances, she could only nod slightly in acknowledgment. Seeing this, the Fourth Prince returned a broad smile. The Fourth Prince Consort rarely saw the Fourth Prince show such attitude towards the Emperor’s concubines, thus curiously asked after sitting down. "Did you know the Noble Concubine beforehand, Prince?" The Fourth Prince shook his head. "Not particularly acquainted with the Noble Concubine, but have a deep impression of her brother." Since Lin Xingzhi became famous after that battle, who in Shengjing City doesn’t know of his situation? The Fourth Prince has always cherished talent, especially since this person came from the Imperial Armor Army, he surely knows much. Thus, the Fourth Prince Consort smiled and said. "Lin Xiang’s eldest grandson is now quite popular. Heard there have been over a dozen matchmakers trying to propose engagements for the city’s maidens." The Fourth Prince was evidently unprepared for this. But after a moment’s thought, it seemed rather normal. He is now bright and promising, it’s no surprise the hungry wolves would come around. Therefore, he smiled and said. "A shame this Prince doesn’t have a daughter, otherwise Lin Xingzhi indeed seems decent." The Fourth Prince Consort glanced at him and calmly replied. "Forget it; I already have a husband devoted to soldiers like sons. If there was a daughter, I’d find her a husband who would stay by her side every day, so as not to solemnly sigh together with windows between mother and daughter." Obviously, the Fourth Prince Consort was quite dissatisfied with him spending too much time in the barracks. Seeing his old wife angry, the Fourth Prince immediately laughed apologetically. "Wait a couple of years until these lads can independently manage affairs, then I’ll surely step down to accompany you traveling." "Truer than imperial gold!" Disrupted by his antics, the displeasure just rising in Fourth Prince Consort dissipated as well. In truth, after being married for so many years, she understood the Fourth Prince’s character fully. Thus, she was merely teasing him with words. As they chatted and joked merrily here, meanwhile, Princess Consort Ying began to challenge Lin Wanyi. "Haven’t seen you leaving the palace much lately, tending to the Second Princess must be tiring." She raised her wine cup towards Lin Wanyi and said. "Sister honors you with a toast, younger sister; you should give me some face." Harmony among the palace concubines is indeed pleasant. Unfortunately, Lin Wanyi’s current condition was unsuitable, so she gently declined. "I’m not good at drinking, afraid I can’t accompany you, Princess Consort, to enjoy." In times past, Lin Wanyi might have sweetened her words more.