Chapter 97

Consort Xian said slowly, "No one has been admitted into the Imperial Harem in the past two years. On top of that, His Majesty's visits to the harem have been less frequent as of late. There are only familiar faces here, perhaps His Majesty is already disinterested with the rest of the harem. Although you've entered the harem many years ago, your beauty has not faded from when you first came here. I'm sure His Majesty will like you."

Xiao Lan still continued to reply in a soft voice, "Consort Xian, surely you jest."

Consort Xian took her hand and smiled meaningfully, "The red plum blossoms in the palace have been blooming very nicely as of late. It would be a beautiful sight to behold amongst the snowy landscape. Let's plan a day where you can accompany me to enjoy watching the plum blossoms."

Lin Feilu finished eating the snack in her hand when heard Xiao Lan reply, "Understood."

The concubines in the Imperial Harem had always been worried that Consort Xian would push Xiao Lan back into the eyes of Emperor Lin.

And it was about to finally happen.

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On the way back to Mingyue Palace, Xiao Lan was mostly silent.

From the moment she took the initiative to get close to Consort Xian, she was actually mentally prepared. But when this moment really came, she felt somewhat complicated. But she knew in her heart that this was the only way that she could entrench a foothold in this palace life. In the very least, she should do it for her children.

Hidden under her sleeves, her cold fingers were held by a pair of warm and soft little hands. Her daughter asked her in a soft voice filled with concern, "Mother, do you not want to meet Father?"

Xiao Lan was stunned. She wrapped her little hand with her fingers and smiled, "It's not up for me to decide. His Majesty is our sovereign, we have no say in what will happen."

The palace servants were clearing snow from the roads. Only a few clumps of snow would periodically fall from the tree branches, their falling sound was muted by the howling winds. Lin Feilu asked, "Mother, you told me before that you liked someone else before entering the palace. Are you sad because you still miss that person?"

Xiao Lan did not expect her daughter to remember her little monologue from some time ago. After a long silence, she sighed softly and said as she walked, "I was a little sad when I first entered the palace, but I have learned to let go of it in the last two years. He has already married a wife. I've heard that his wife gave birth to a pair of sons and daughters for him. Now that the lute and zither are in harmony, and he has both sons and daughters, Mother is happy for him."

(T/N: "Lute and zither in harmony" is a Chinese saying that refers to a harmonious and happy marriage between husband and wife.)

She paused, then said again, "It's just that the Emperor's favor is unpredictable. Once you step into the harem to fight for His Majesty's favor, I am afraid that in the days to come, our lives will no longer be peaceful."

She was worried that she would not be capable enough to protect her two children.

Lin Feilu squeezed her finger and smiled to relieve her fears, "Mother, don't be afraid, I'm here for you."

Xiao Lan patted her little head, she felt grateful for her daughter. Her son was poisoned since infancy which turned him into a fool, but her daughter was born so wise and intelligent. Now that she thought about it, perhaps this was the Heavens' way of compensating her.