"I shall do my utmost!" Then he carefully examined the map, ensuring he had memorized it, and returned it to the Emperor. The Emperor looked at him curiously. "Photographic memory?" "Your Majesty gives me too much credit; it’s just that my father taught us some methods for memorizing maps when we were young." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ N0velFire.ɴet Upon hearing Lin Xingzhi mention his father, the Emperor suddenly recalled. Previously, when discussing family matters with Lin Wanyi, he learned that Mr. Lin was quite skilled. Especially talented in woodworking. Thinking of this, he asked. "Does your father know about secret passage mechanisms?" "I do not know much about this, but my father is indeed skilled in craftsmanship." "Hmm, then you pave the way first. Once it’s done, have your father design it properly." Since it’s an escape route, some mechanisms must naturally be added. Otherwise, if an outsider discovers it, wouldn’t it be a straight path for capturing them? Therefore, since there is a secret passage, it must be well-handled, with no room for error. While the Emperor was organizing this, others in the palaces were not idle either. The news of Lin Wanyi’s confinement had not made them happy for long, and soon it was known to all that she was pregnant! In Yao Yue Palace, Princess Consort Ying was quite displeased about this. "Had I known she was such a scheming person, I should have taken action before she had wings to fly. Now, she seeks protection for herself, claiming to be confined, when she just wishes to peacefully nurture her pregnancy?" Mu Changzai, sitting beside her, was also puzzled by the matter. "When did the Noble Consort become pregnant? It’s been more than four months since it was revealed. Truly, she can hide well!" "Counting the days, as we guessed, it likely happened on that night at the traveling palace." "Hmph, she just lucked out! Even so, she managed to conceive!" Doctor Dou’s words seem unreliable. Didn’t he say pregnancy was difficult? How long has it been? Mu Changzai couldn’t understand, but Princess Consort Ying’s concerns were beyond that at the moment. "I feel that there’s something more to this. Could it be that the Emperor is protecting her, allowing her to hide it for so long?" She managed to hide it then because she had spent many years in the palace without standing out. So not many people paid attention to her. But everything she got after years of effort seemed easy for Lin Wanyi. Though she’s confined now, it’s indeed a good chance to nurture her fetus. No one could disturb her. If she gives birth to a Prince, wouldn’t her Fourth Prince have another competitor? The most troublesome part is, several members of her maternal family have recently fallen, leaving her with no chance to latch onto any power in the court, which is unfavorable for the Fourth Prince! That’s why she dreads Lin Wanyi and her child so much. "My lady, don’t overthink. Look at today’s palace banquet; if the Emperor intended to protect her, would the Noble Consort still be confined? When Your Highness’s pregnancy was announced, you were immediately promoted. Even if she safely gives birth to the child, so what? The Empress Dowager doesn’t favor her at all." The matter of Lin Wanyi contradicting the Empress Dowager spread wildly. Therefore, everyone knew the Empress Dowager disliked Lin Wanyi. Plus, at the recent palace banquet, where the Fourth Prince Consort slapped Princess Huiyue, the Empress Dowager directed her anger at Lin Wanyi. So what if she got the favor of the Fourth Prince Mansion, she now has many more opponents. Not to mention, Princess Huiyue was the first to be at odds with Lin Wanyi! After hearing Mu Changzai’s words, Princess Consort Ying felt considerably better. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Thus, Princess Consort Ying concocted a plan; thinking of it made the corners of her mouth rise in a smile. In Yuexiu Palace, Princess Consort Yi’s attitude towards Lin Wanyi’s pregnancy was unpredictable. "To get pregnant with so little favor, truly a blessed fate." Perhaps not interested in the Emperor, Princess Consort Yi was not much threatened by Lin Wanyi’s pregnancy. Previously, her discord with Lin Guifei was simply because of that person and the Prime Minister’s Mansion. But she’s somewhat aware of the Lin Family’s situation, hence, faced with Lin Wanyi, who was forced into the palace and had little favor, she bore little animosity. In her eyes, she only cared about the future of the Liu Family and the Third Prince. After all, looking around, among all the Emperor’s sons, her Third Prince seemed the most noble and promising. Therefore, compared to Princess Consort Ying’s concerns, Princess Consort Yi appeared much more composed. "Since she’s pregnant, do not withhold anything in terms of food and living. I will not tolerate any mistreatment in my jurisdiction of the harem, lest it damages my reputation for being harsh and unkind, understood?" "Yes, Your Highness, the Chief Manager Quan has already been informed, and he will take care of it." "Hmm, anyway, the child is not liked by the Empress Dowager, so don’t worry about it for now. How is the search for a study companion for the Third Prince?" "Your Highness, after you released this news, several of the ladies have already requested to visit you. The servant has carefully screened them, and the six young gentlemen on this list are all excellent. Please take a look, Your Highness." Ruyi handed over the booklet, and Princess Consort Yi began to review it meticulously. Indeed, they are from good families, but further observation of the youngsters themselves is needed before making a decision. "Hmm, well done. I remember there’s a Jade Rabbit Hairpin that looks quite nice. Reward yourself with it." "Thank you, Your Highness." "Alright, let’s freshen up. It’s been a busy day; I am weary. Let’s rest earlier." "Yes, Your Highness." That night, apart from the serene and restful slumber in Princess Consort Yi’s palace, many other palaces found themselves restless throughout the long night. Lin Wanyi, the latest to enter the palace and with the greatest difficulty in bearing children, was surprisingly pregnant. Yet, they showed no progress. Not even a chance to serve the Emperor, how could they possibly conceive the heir? Compared to Chu Daying’s vehement complaints, Noble Lady Bai’s place remained quiet. Meanwhile, Ming rushed to Concubine Qian’s palace through the night, where Yi Changzai was already seated. Seeing Ming, Yi Changzai couldn’t help but scoff. "Ming, serving the Emperor for so long without any sign of progress, look at the Noble Consort, she’s climbed the ranks swiftly, and now she’s even pregnant. In the future, her status in the palace is unlikely to be shaken." She already has both sons and daughters, and now she’s pregnant. Though confined, everyone with brains knows. Once the child is born, this confinement will probably be lifted. At most, the confinement might last five months; this realization made everyone present extremely displeased. Hearing this, Ming would have usually retorted promptly. But now she instead felt a deep mournful sorrow.