For the other concubines, being confined might be the hardest thing to endure. But for Lin Wanyi, this was actually the most comfortable time for her. Rather than being speculated about while waddling around outside, hiding in Yihua Palace felt more comfortable. Since entering June, the summer weather had become increasingly unbearable. The sun hung high in the sky. Just taking a few more steps under it left one drenched in sweat. In Yihua Palace, ice was used early, but apart from the coolness inside the room, the courtyard was still sweltering. On the Imperial Concubine’s Couch by the bright window, Lin Wanyi was resting with her eyes closed. Xia An was beside her, using a fan to provide a gentle breeze, but if you looked closely, sweat still lingered among the strands of hair on her forehead. Lin Wanyi truly disliked being sticky. Therefore, every day she would bathe in warm water to remove the sweat. Probably due to having twins, her belly now at just over six months looked as if she was seven or eight months along. Under the meticulous care of Mrs. Yun, the baby grew without her gaining much weight. Thus, her limbs remained slender, only her face appeared slightly fuller. But it wasn’t very noticeable. Having little sun exposure, even her walks were scheduled for the morning or after dinner, made her skin even fairer. Her summer clothes were cool and light, so from a distance, she looked like a lovely white jade dumpling wrapped in light gauze. As the Emperor emerged from the secret passage, he happened to witness this scene. Xia An, worried about startling Lin Wanyi, didn’t make a sound, she simply nodded gracefully and withdrew. It must be said, Lin Xingzhi seemed to have a talent for refurbishing the palace’s secret tunnels. Originally left over from the previous dynasty, they hadn’t been used for years, so they needed complete renovation and cleaning. Like a maze, organizing them wasn’t an easy task either. But he had a strong sense of direction, and with Jiang Huanqing, created hidden rooms that ordinary people couldn’t find. They drilled some holes for ventilation and stored water, food, bedding, and medicine. Apart from being slightly dim and cramped, they were hardly different from regular living quarters. Following the Emperor’s order, they first repaired the passage from Qian’an Hall to Yihua Palace, taking just over fifty days. Thus, one night, when the Emperor suddenly appeared beside Lin Wanyi on her bed, it almost scared her into fainting. Fortunately, the moonlight was bright enough, so the Emperor’s face was clearly visible to Lin Wanyi. Otherwise, she might indeed have shouted for help. The Emperor still remembered Lin Wanyi’s expression that night. First terror, then confusion, and finally joy, as she threw herself into his arms, sweetly saying, "I missed Your Majesty." Had it been in the past, the Emperor wouldn’t have even imagined Lin Wanyi clinging to him . So he embraced her, talking half the night away. Poor Xia An, upon waking the next day to bring Lin Wanyi warm water, was startled. Therefore, in all of Yihua Palace, besides Xia An, Qiu Ming, and Nanny Du who were close to Lin Wanyi, no one else knew. Most of the time, the Emperor visited Lin Wanyi at night. Firstly, because government affairs were indeed busy, and secondly, at night, when everyone was asleep, it was easier to hide his absence from Qian’an Hall. To this end, Lin Xingzhi and Dong Yuzhong were constantly covering up. Thus, their "secret meetings" had gone on for over half a month without anyone noticing. However, on one particularly hot evening, the Empress Dowager in Cining Palace heard cats meowing outside. She casually remarked, "In the summer, even cats go into heat?" Leaving everyone clueless about what she meant. Taking the fan from Xia An’s hand, the Emperor took over where she had left off. Fanning Lin Wanyi gently, the fan’s force differed with his strength. Lin Wanyi woke from her nap, opening her eyes to see the Emperor. "Your Majesty? Why are you here?" The Emperor had indeed crafted an impressive secret passage. One could walk directly from the study cabinet. And since the study was connected to Lin Wanyi’s bedchamber, there was no concern about being discovered. Seeing Xia An had exited, he signaled to Qiu Ming at the door. He quickly caught on, and then found an excuse to dismiss the palace attendants watering the flowers in the courtyard. Original content can be found at N()velFire.net As a result, the main hall inside had only the Emperor and Lin Wanyi. Under the corridor, Qiu Ming and Xia An stood guard. Upon seeing Lin Wanyi awoken, he helped her sit up. "Today’s government affairs were not many, finished reviewing the memorials and left idle, so I came to keep you company." Lin Wanyi understood the Emperor’s meaning, by now they should have gone to the traveling palace for the summer, staying until this day was solely because of her. Pushing the date back repeatedly didn’t help, in three days, they still had to set off. "Hmm, then if there’s nothing for the next few days, Your Majesty, come often. Once we go to the traveling palace, we truly won’t see each other." Perhaps because she was pregnant, and her pregnancy was particularly troublesome this time. Lin Wanyi seemed to cling to the Emperor more than before. "The Empress Dowager struggles in the summer, so going to the traveling palace is necessary. Once I settle her in, I’ll find an excuse to return. Second Madam mentioned twins are prone to early birth, especially after seven months, precautions are needed. I can’t help but worry if I’m not by your side, still better to stay with you." Saying this, he placed his hand on Lin Wanyi’s belly. As if sensing the Emperor’s presence, her belly suddenly twitched. Lin Wanyi let out a small sound of surprise and then laughed, saying. "This child must be quite mischievous, never staying still in my belly, especially before lunch and dinner, always causing a fuss until full." Her eyes filled with maternal love as she spoke. Hearing this delighted the Emperor too, though not his first time as a parent, he always tended to overindulge Lin Wanyi. And his affection extended to the child in her belly. "Eat as much as you like, having strength at birth is important." "Yes, I eat plenty, Chunqi changes the dishes daily. Do you see, doesn’t my belly seem to grow daily?" Saying so, she tugged her clothes aside, revealing a round belly. Her belly now was smooth and without a trace of stretch marks. Occasionally, it hardened and felt uncomfortable. Her back also tended to ache. Briefly sitting would require walking for relief, else the discomfort increased. Xia An frequently massaged her cautiously, careful not to harm the baby.