noffsinger Chapter 306 Do You Know? Lin Yitang 20
Chapter 306 Do You Know? Lin Yitang 20
The Emperor decided to hold a grand celebration for Zhao Huiyue's first birthday. Princess Ankang, who was the wife of Consort Shang, passed away in March of the fifth year of the Qingli era.
Consort Du has been unwell recently. Lin Yitang has feelings for Consort Du, and when Zhao Huiyue is a little older, Lin Yitang will take Zhao Huiyue to visit Consort Du.
Consort Du doted on Zhao Huiyue. She did give birth to a princess, but the princess died young, and she never had any more children.
Her relationship with the current Emperor Renzong of Song was merely a facade; her palace was often empty and quiet. The arrival of Zhao Huiyue allowed Consort Du to experience kinship and blood ties.
The weather was nice that day, and with Zhao Huiyue's first birthday banquet approaching, and Lin Yitang not yet in control of the palace, she didn't need to be busy. All she had to do was attend the banquet properly.
Lin Yitang led Zhao Huiyue to Consort Du's palace. As soon as they entered, Zhao Huiyue greeted them familiarly, "Huiyue, come here."
Consort Du looked at Lin Yitang with a guilty expression, carefully picked up Zhao Huiyue, and scolded, "Huiyue is just a little person, how can she walk?"
Lin Yitang originally wanted to hold Zhao Huiyue, but as soon as they arrived at the palace, Zhao Huiyue started to fuss about getting down. Lin Yitang didn't usually spoil Zhao Huiyue; children don't need to be raised too meticulously, and sometimes they need to "suffer a little."
Lin Yitang had met Princess Fukang three years after entering the palace. She was a few years older than Zhao Huiyue, but at the age of five, she still needed her wet nurse to carry her all day long. After walking for a while, she would be out of breath. It seemed that Princess Fukang's health was not very good.
"Your Majesty, you spoil her too much." Lin Yitang saw Zhao Huiyue sit in Consort Du's lap.
Zhao Huiyue was able to speak at ten months old, initially just uttering one word at a time. Now at twelve months old, she can express herself.
The two listened to Zhao Huiyue's childlike words and played with her for a while. Lin Yitang then asked the wet nurse to take Zhao Huiyue away to rest for a while.
Consort Du had already arranged for someone to give Zhao Huiyue a room to rest in. When Lin Yitang saw that Consort Du had sent Zhao Huiyue away, she understood that Consort Du had something to say to her.
"In the imperial harem, raising a child is more difficult than giving birth to one." Consort Du seemed to be recalling something.
Lin Yitang didn't disturb Consort Du, understanding that she was thinking of her child.
“Lady Lin, I know you’re not simple, but Princess Fushou is so young and adorable…”
“I really can’t bear it. I’m just barely surviving now, and these people are no use to me.” Consort Du gestured to Granny Li to hand the booklet to Lin Yitang.
Lin Yitang had no idea that Consort Du would give her the power she had built up over the years. Of course, as long as Consort Du was alive, those people probably wouldn't be loyal to her. Moreover, after so many years, Lin Yitang needed to think things through carefully.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Lin Yitang graciously accepted Consort Du's kindness.
After Zhao Huiyue woke up after sleeping for half an hour, Lin Yitang stayed with her for a while longer before taking her back to Wutong Pavilion.
Returning to Wutong Pavilion required passing Huanbi Pond and the garden. Before even getting close, she heard two concubines talking. She could have avoided them, but the two walked straight towards her, leaving Lin Yitang with no choice but to walk away.
"Greetings, Consort Zhang." Lin Yitang, being of lower rank, naturally needed to pay her respects to Consort Zhang. As for Consort Zhou, whose rank was lower than Lin Yitang's, she did not need Lin Yitang to perform the ceremony.
"Consort Lin, may your makeup be done well." Lady Zhou bowed.
Consort Zhang raised an eyebrow, her tone haughty: "Lady Lin, it's been a long time since I've seen you."
Consort Zhang doesn't go to pay her respects to the Empress, and there haven't been any banquets recently. Lin Yitang wouldn't have any relationship with Consort Zhang, so naturally she wouldn't go to the Phoenix Palace to visit Consort Zhang.
"Your Highness, what are you saying? I just don't like to go out much. The weather is nice today, and I thought Princess Fushou hasn't been out for a long time, so I took her out for a stroll." Lin Yitang subtly changed the subject.
Consort Zhang turned to the side and saw Zhao Huiyue. Zhao Huiyue was lovely, with a good figure and a healthy blush on her face. Consort Zhang immediately thought of her three daughters. As for Lady Zhou, she had her head down, and no one knew what she was thinking.
"You're so lucky. I hope you'll always be lucky," Consort Zhang said sourly after glancing at Zhao Huiyue for a few moments.
It wasn't a blessing. Back then, four concubines were pregnant, two of whom miscarried, and Consort Shang gave birth to a child, but the child died young.
"Thank you, Consort Zhang. I appreciate your kind words," Lin Yitang said.
Consort Zhang really disliked dealing with people like Lin Yitang. Lin Yitang spoke in a slippery, unpretentious way, as if she had just been given the cold shoulder.
After Consort Zhang left, Lin Yitang was worried about encountering other concubines, so she quickly left with Zhao Huiyue.