"I’ve heard that the Noble Princess Consort Yi Ning clashed with the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager’s furious voice echoed from the side hall. Following this, the noble consort fainted from anxiety, and after the Imperial Physician’s diagnosis, it was revealed that the Noble Consort has been pregnant for over four months. Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager was not pleased and ordered Noble Princess Consort Yi Ning to be sent back to Yihua Palace, without any mention of lifting restrictions, only instructing the Imperial Physician to check her pulse for peace daily, with no other arrangements." The incident happened at Qian’an Hall, and naturally, they were the first to know. As for the other concubines in the various palace halls, it would likely take some time for them to learn of these events. "Where is the Empress Dowager?" "She stormed back to Cining Palace, and I heard she smashed quite a few tea cups. The palace attendants are still tidying up the side hall." The Emperor understood this was an act, but the act was too convincing. What if it harmed her pregnancy? He wanted to see Lin Wanyi, but the Empress Dowager’s decree was there. He couldn’t overstep. Otherwise, if the Empress Dowager were displeased, Lin Wanyi’s days would truly become difficult. After all, he was well aware of the Empress Dowager’s methods. Having grown up witnessing the affairs of the state and the harem, no one could contend with the Empress Dowager! Thinking of this made the Emperor even more agitated. "Inform Qin An and Doctor Dou to take good care of the noble consort and child. If there’s even a mistake, I want their heads!" Dong Yuzhong responded promptly, but also tried to soothe the Emperor. "Your Majesty, don’t worry too much. The news from the Noble Consort’s side can be communicated. If Your Majesty wishes to send messages inside, I can make arrangements." This was the most vexing issue for him. A year without seeing Lin Wanyi, of course, once her child was born, he naturally planned to visit. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novel•fire.net So it would be about five months at most. But the Emperor was still very displeased. Last time at Taishan, they hadn’t seen each other for several months. Now, she’s confined again; though separated by mere steps, he couldn’t see her. It’s truly frustrating to look at any place. As he was sulking, he heard someone approaching from outside. "Feng Enhai, following the Empress Dowager’s decree, brings items to the Emperor and requests to see His Majesty." Feng Enhai was an old attendant serving beside the Empress Dowager. Why would he appear today? Could there be other instructions? Feng Enhai entered holding a food box, and upon seeing it, the Emperor frowned. "The Empress Dowager thought the Emperor ate little at the palace banquet, worried that you might be hungry, and specially sent items to fill your stomach, also saying you’d surely like them. Don’t lose them." The Empress Dowager’s words were spoken as if the Emperor were a reckless youngster prone to smashing things. This dissipated some of his earlier displeasure. "Tell the Empress Dowager not to worry, I will use them." "In that case, I will take my leave." Saying this, Feng Enhai retreated and left. Dong Yuzhong accepted the food box, holding it lightly. He presented it to the Emperor and said. "Your Majesty, please have some. It’s the Empress Dowager’s kind intention." The Emperor took a deep breath, and after a moment, relaxed enough to speak. Upon opening the box, it wasn’t food inside, but a small box. Its appearance was somewhat rustic, seemingly aged. Curious, the Emperor reached to grab it but was stopped by Dong Yuzhong. "Your Majesty, let me do it." Nobody knew what was inside the box. In case it was dangerous, the Emperor could avoid harm. Taking a deep breath, Dong Yuzhong cautiously turned the box’s back to himself, slowly opening it, finally realizing there was no reaction. He then presented it to the Emperor. Inside lay a map made of cowhide, but Dong Yuzhong didn’t see its details. The Emperor picked it up and opened it. At first, he frowned, but the more he scrutinized it, the more he felt enlightened. "I knew the Empress Dowager would make arrangements." Turning his anger into joy, he said to Dong Yuzhong. "Go, summon Lin Xingzhi for me, and be cautious not to let others know of his presence." Lin Xingzhi was originally scheduled to return to palace duty, though initially planned for May. Advancing by more than half a month wasn’t troublesome. Especially with dusk falling, wearing an Imperial Guard uniform and keeping one’s face down, nobody would notice. Thus, after waiting nearly an hour, Lin Xingzhi appeared before the Emperor. "Your humble servant Lin Xingzhi greets the Emperor." "Thank you, Your Majesty." Lin Xingzhi was puzzled as to why the Emperor suddenly summoned him to the palace, most concerned that his younger sister might be in trouble. Indeed, he heard from Dong Yuzhong. Lin Wanyi offended the Empress Dowager and Princess, thus was confined. But she was pregnant, so Lin Xingzhi pondered how to plead for leniency from the Emperor. Before he spoke, the Emperor gestured him to rise and come to the desk. Handing him the cowhide map. Lin Xingzhi was unclear of its significance, and after scrutinizing for a while, he quietly asked. "Does Your Majesty want to reopen the underground secret passage?" "Hmm, other tasks can be delayed, first reopen from Qian’an Hall to Yihua Palace." Once the Emperor spoke, even a fool like Lin Xingzhi understood. The Emperor intended to stage a secret plan! If the Empress Dowager discovered it, wouldn’t his sister bear another blame? Since ancient times, emperors were seldom wrong; it was always those beauties blamed. He didn’t want his sister to take this condemned path. "Please consider thrice, Your Majesty. This concerns the nation’s foundation; the Emperor should not act recklessly for mere affection." The Emperor was speechless. Why was everyone worried he’d become a foolish ruler? Lin Wanyi thought so, the Empress Dowager thought so, now even Lin Xingzhi thought so. Since the Empress Dowager sent the map, her intention was clear. Repairs were certainly meant for Imperial City’s underground tunnels, but which one to prioritize remained at his discretion. Lin Wanyi was due for childbirth in months, and whether the secret passage could be completed in time was uncertain. Why did Lin Xingzhi make it sound as though he meant harm? Firm in thought, he said. "Lin Guard is overly cautious; I act for the entire Imperial Family’s safety. In case of emergency, there’s a hiding place. Though my inclination to repair Yihua Palace’s passage is personal, Qianqian is over four months pregnant, a path means additional safety. Would you not wish it?" With this reasoning, how could Lin Xingzhi refuse?