Chapter 248: Chapter 248 Sincere Intentions
"What I fear is someone causing you trouble that I cannot protect against, so let’s wait. Once I have dealt with the affairs of the previous era, I will immediately confer the title of Empress upon you. I want you to be the Empress who watches over the vast lands of Da Wei with me."
The Emperor’s words were as surprising to Lin Wanyi as fireworks.
Empress?
That was an honor and status she had never dreamed of.
"Your Majesty..."
"I know you don’t care for these outward accolades, but I hope you can be. Becoming the Empress means we can share life’s joys and sorrows, and though my fate means it’s impossible for me to have only you in this life, in the next life, I will find you and be with you alone, for a lifetime."
Listening to the Emperor speak like this, Lin Wanyi was deeply moved.
Previously, the Emperor’s affection for her was driven by a sense of inevitable possession.
Now, it was still the same, yet he had developed a tenderness not typical of emperors.
He would consider Lin Wanyi’s situation in the harem and openly safeguard her interests, even having thought as far ahead as the next life.
How could Lin Wanyi not be touched by this?
She sighed deeply, turned around, and embraced the Emperor.
Even though she still had reservations in her heart, she was no longer as restrained with her feelings as before.
"I understand, Your Majesty."
She made no direct response to the Emperor’s words.
Because many things were involved, she could not engage in them.
The Emperor also understood that this was probably the best response she could give, so he did not forcefully demand her to swear eternal vows with him.
In any case, the Imperial Palace was vast, and the days were long.
They would take their time living together.
Compared to sweet proclamations and oaths, he preferred these peaceful days.
They were calm yet reassuring.
That night, Lin Wanyi stayed at Wen’s former residence.
Besides, others assumed that the newly elevated Noble Consort was feeling wronged by the Emperor, so it was not unusual for her to stay secluded.
As for the Emperor, it was only natural for him to be a bit more indulgent with sleep due to the exhaustion from handling state affairs.
Watching Lin Wanyi sleep soundly in his arms, the Emperor looked like a satisfied panther.
Well-fed, he displayed a leisurely and content expression.
In contrast, Lin Wanyi was quite worn out.
Before arriving at Wen’s former residence, she had not expected that she would be unable to get out of bed for three days.
If she had known, she would never have stepped in there.
From New Year’s Eve to the second day of the New Year, the Emperor didn’t leave the premises with her.
He helped her dress and wash in the morning, and once they were satiated, they would commence conversations spanning poetry, songs, humanity, and the universe.
Her emotions were like a kite, fluctuating up and down.
At one moment, worrying that rumors might harm their reputations.
At another, feeling dizzy from the Emperor’s relentless affection.
Eventually, she simply didn’t have the energy to resist, completely at his mercy!
There were times when she really couldn’t bear it anymore.
She held onto the Emperor’s head, almost in tears, saying:
"Your Majesty, a past emperor engaged in nightly activities with seventy-two women, can you guess what happened?"
"I don’t guess."
"Your Majesty, excessiveness is harmful to the body."
"I’m not afraid."
"Your Majesty, you’ve been indoors for three days; the ministers and concubines will be worried."
"It’s New Year; who would disturb us?"
"Your Majesty, did you take elixir?"
...
Lin Wanyi wore an expression of utter resignation, while the only responses she received were waves of passion, storming through one after another!
On the night of the second day, during a stormy evening,
The Emperor seemed to have "calmed down," so he specifically went to visit the secluded Noble Consort in the palace.
From then on, the palace started buzzing with activity once again.
The concubines began adorning themselves extravagantly and offering all sorts of gifts at the imperial court.
Some offered sachets, some food, some sang songs in the Imperial Garden, and some intentionally fell on the Emperor’s path back at night.
In short, the concubines were more enthusiastic than ever.
Only around Lin Wanyi, the smell of medicine became even more pronounced.
Xia An looked worriedly at Lin Wanyi, as she continually drank bowl after bowl of medicinal concoctions, feeling unsettled.
He said,
"My Lady, didn’t you say you didn’t want to conceive? Why have you been taking fertility medications these past two days?"
Lin Wanyi sighed deeply.
"Do you think I want this? But I’ve been with His Majesty for three days, and you weren’t there. I’m afraid it might already be... Taking the medicine now won’t likely help."
"If I truly am expecting, I need to take care of myself. I don’t want to end up like Princess Consort Lan, who passed away shortly after her child was born."
"Touch wood, touch wood! It’s New Year, such words are inauspicious!"
Xia An immediately took Lin Wanyi’s hand and knocked on the wooden table.
Lin Wanyi, feeling a bit superstitious, didn’t stop him and even tapped on it herself.
Regarding children, she had always preferred to postpone, so Xia An had been managing and regulating for her.
There hadn’t been any mistakes in the past half year.
But this time, it indeed caught her by surprise.
Who knows how many times she and the Emperor fooled around at Wen’s former residence.
And Xia An was not there.
So many things were uncertain now.
If indeed a child was conceived now, she needed to care for herself well, give birth successfully, and take good care to protect him for life.
Lin Wanyi had never intended for her child to compete for anything, she only hoped for their health and happiness.
To be a carefree Prince or a happy-go-lucky Princess would be just perfect.
Upon hearing Lin Wanyi express this, Xia An’s demeanor also became more serious.
Then, with determination, he said,
"Don’t worry, My Lady, with my presence, I will surely ensure a safe delivery for you."
Lin Wanyi couldn’t help but laugh and cry.
"Don’t be anxious; there’s no certainty yet."
But alas, Xia An couldn’t hear it by this point, as countless recipes for dietary and medicinal supplements had already formed in his mind, just awaiting the confirmation of Lin Wanyi’s pregnancy.
It must be said, Xia An as a loyal servant was indeed exceptional.
If Lin Wanyi didn’t want to conceive, he would ensure no surprises occurred.
If Lin Wanyi wanted to conceive, he guaranteed a safe delivery.
The Dong Family had chosen someone not only loyal but also meticulous in thought.
In the following days, Lin Wanyi noticed a change in the dishes.
They seemed to contain more nourishing ingredients.
Curiously, Lin Wanyi looked at Chunqi, about to ask but Chunqi declared righteously,
"Winter is indeed a time for nourishment, so that by spring one’s body can be in good condition. My Lady, rest assured, with me here, you’ll be well-fed and healthy."
In her heart, she added a final note: ensuring you are healthy during your pregnancy, with both mother and child in safety and well-being!
Unfortunately, Lin Wanyi was unaware of Chunqi’s hidden thoughts.