With the marriage settled, the next step was the formal betrothal. Both sides were sincere, and the process went smoothly. To ensure she had a grand send-off, Wu Caiwei even asked A Mu Yun for money. A Mu Yun was incredibly generous, happy to finally be the one providing financial support after living so many lives where Wu Caiwei was always the benefactor.
Lin Ziyou, seeing money flow out like water, initially wanted to contribute. After all, she had businesses in Fucheng. Though her ventures hadn't expanded much since they left, they were still doing well, and she had a comfortable amount of funds. However, Wu Caiwei didn't give her the opportunity.
Meanwhile, within the confines of the deep palace, Lin Ziqin's days were far less pleasant. Autumn was fast approaching, yet the autumn clothing for her courtyard had not been distributed. Her personal maid, Nian En, had gone to the Imperial Household Department to urge them numerous times. Each time, they had readily agreed, but when it came time for distribution, her courtyard was always overlooked.
"Autumn is coming, and the weather will soon turn cold. If we don't receive our autumn clothes soon, what will we do?" Nian En's anxiety was understandable. While the maids could make do with last year's clothes, what about their mistress? She couldn't constantly wear old garments.
"We've been in the palace for over a year now, and we haven't even seen the Emperor. All those who entered with me have been promoted, yet I'm still stuck in the same place. Even the eunuchs and maids in the palace are starting to bully us. This is just the beginning; if it continues like this, I'll grow old and die alone in this palace, living a life worse than a mere maid. I can't go on like this. I need to fight for myself." Lin Ziyou looked at Nian En calmly. She had been contemplating this issue for days.
Tears welled up in Nian En's eyes as she nodded frantically while crying. Only they knew the hardship they had endured over the past year.
Every time they went to the imperial kitchens to collect meals, they were always last in line. By the time they received their food, it was already cold. In summer, it was manageable, but in winter, a thick layer of grease would congeal on the surface, making the food unappetizing.
Having the worst food and clothing was one thing, but what was most unbearable was not receiving charcoal during the harsh winter. Others received white charcoal, while they were given black charcoal that emitted black smoke. If the quantity had been sufficient, it would have at least been useful. However, they were unwilling to even provide adequate amounts of this black charcoal. On several occasions, when she went to collect it, the Imperial Household Department was warm from the burning charcoal. After a brief stay inside, it became unbearably hot. Yet, when it was their turn, they claimed there wasn't enough charcoal. For many nights, she shivered uncontrollably from the cold.
Recounting these experiences, they felt their lives in the Lin mansion were far better. At least then, they were happy and carefree, with no worries about food, clothing, shelter, or transportation. The thought of her and her mistress enduring such declining treatment in the deep palace for another year made them feel they had to take a chance, even at the risk of their lives.
Similar thoughts were brewing in the mind of Lady Lü. Reflecting on the past year, she had used all her tricks to barely climb two ranks, becoming a Lady. Meanwhile, Wei Ling, that "beautiful simpleton," because her father was a Duke, could practically do as she pleased in the palace, offending nearly everyone, yet had still been promoted to Jieyu in a short time. This imbalance festered in her heart.
"My Lady, my father sent another letter yesterday, urging us to find a way to be promoted again and to get closer to His Majesty to give him a leg up. What do you think we should do to attract His Majesty's attention?" her personal maid, Yu Mo, asked cautiously.
"I've been pondering this lately. I've been thinking day and night, and I've finally come up with a good plan. It's just a matter of who we'll have to sacrifice," she said with some hesitation.
"Oh? What good plan has my Lady thought of? Tell me, perhaps I can offer some advice." Mo Yu's spirits lifted upon hearing this. It wasn't that they wanted to step on others to rise; over a year had passed, and in another year, new entrants would arrive. They had to secure a good position before the newcomers arrived, otherwise, with thousands of beauties in the harem, His Majesty would eventually forget about her.
"Didn't I bring our family's heirloom? It was part of my mother's dowry. If it were to go missing, and we made a big fuss searching for it, it would surely reach His Majesty's ears, and we could also eliminate a competitor," Lady Lü said, contemplating.
In truth, deep down, she felt that if Lin Ziyou were still in the palace, she would have definitely used this plan against her. After all, Lin Ziyou was relatively naive and trusted her implicitly. With her beauty, if nothing untoward had happened, she would undoubtedly have gained His Majesty's favor. It would be the perfect opportunity to get rid of her.
She didn't know why she suddenly thought of Lin Ziyou, who had been banished from the palace over a year ago. She just felt that if Lin Ziyou were in the palace, she would definitely do something like this.
"This is indeed a good plan. I've thought it over and over, and it seems most suitable to use against Lady Li. After all, those of higher status have no real interaction with us; they are always aloof. It's impossible to quietly place something in their courtyards. Among those of similar status, only Lady Li, who has been gaining momentum lately, has a relatively good relationship with us. When my Lady goes to chat with her, I can discreetly execute our plan."
Lady Lü's family had a complex inner courtyard with many wives and concubines. The current Madam Lü was not Lady Lü's birth mother. For them, mistress and servant, to survive the treacherous currents of the backyard was no small feat, and they were ruthless when it came to scheming against others. Mo Yu was very cunning. When meeting the personal maids of other ladies, she was always cheerful and outgoing, adept at dealing with people. Just last time, she had visited the room of Lady Li's personal maid.
One had to know that people in the palace were highly guarded. To be allowed into someone's private chambers indicated that their relationship was more than ordinary.
Lady Lü thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. Although it was a pity she couldn't scheme against someone of higher rank, currently, Lady Li was the only one she could target.
Both were doers and immediately put their plan into action. Soon, they tidied themselves up, got ready, and headed to her palace.
They were both only titled "Lady" and did not have separate palaces. Unfortunately for Lady Li, she shared a palace with Wei Ling. Since they were there, Lady Lü naturally had to pay her respects to Consort Wei first. However, Wei Ling rarely paid her any mind and didn't even show herself.
Nevertheless, Lady Lü was accustomed to this and smoothly proceeded to visit Lady Li.
"Alas, in the harem, you are my only friend. Anyone who wants to visit me must first pay their respects to her. Just thinking about it gives me a headache; not everyone can tolerate her temper." This was also why she had recently been intensifying her efforts to keep the Emperor's favor. As long as her rank increased, she could become the mistress of a palace. She prayed for that day to arrive soon.
"Honestly, I'm also a bit intimidated, but who else would I miss? Didn't you say last time that you liked Huang Ziyuan's paintings? I secretly had someone bring one in. Quickly, take a look." As she spoke, Lady Lü unfurled the painting she held.