Chapter 227: Chapter 227 Qin An Serves the Master
Lin Wanyi understands well how to speak pleasing words now.
The Emperor glanced at her, visibly pleased with what she said.
It was worth going through all this just to accompany her.
"In a few days, it will be your birthday. Is there anything you desire? I will gift it to you."
Lin Wanyi was taken aback, completely unexpected that the Emperor would say this.
The twenty-second day of the twelfth month marks Lin Wanyi’s eighteenth birthday.
She originally planned to simply spend it like the Second Prince.
After all, the Emperor would not be present, nor her family.
No matter how lively it becomes, it would be pointless.
Yet, the Emperor returned and asked her about birthday gifts, leaving her speechless.
"What’s wrong, speechless?"
"Pardon me, Your Majesty; I didn’t think of anything at the moment."
"No problem, just think about it and tell me once you’ve decided."
Then he unbound both their hair and tied it loosely with silk ribbons, allowing them to continue drying.
With nothing else to do, the two resumed their conversation about various topics.
After not seeing each other for several months, Lin Wanyi shared quite a lot about the Second Prince and Second Princess with the Emperor.
Listening warmly, the Emperor would occasionally ask questions.
Such as whether the Second Prince’s health would allow for running and jumping come spring, even practicing riding and archery on horseback.
And whether the Second Princess, who has started eating rice porridge, needed to add some meat broth.
These were things he had never paid attention to before.
Previously, Empress Xu mainly spoke about the Eldest Prince’s studies and rarely mentioned his daily life, not to mention other concubines.
Therefore, he was quite interested.
The two chatted pleasantly for most of the night, finding the conversation increasingly intriguing.
Until finally, when the sky started showing a tinge of light, they embraced and fell asleep.
They slept through to noon the next day.
The Second Prince and Second Princess had already finished their lunch without seeing the door of the main room open.
The Second Prince mumbled a couple of sentences.
"Why haven’t Father and Lady Lin gotten up yet? I’m waiting to pay respects."
Beside him, Xiao Luzi was at a loss for how to respond.
Instead, Nanny Du calmly replied.
"Your father has traveled tirelessly through the snowstorm to return; naturally, he needs more rest. Miss Lin is attending to the Emperor and must be watching over him, so it’s normal not to get up."
Hearing this, Xiao Luzi admired her greatly.
After all, Nanny Du, experienced through the years, explained it flawlessly.
Then he said to the Second Prince.
"Why don’t I take you to the back garden to build a snowman? In a few days, when the ice in the back pool becomes thicker, I’ll perform some ice-skating for you."
Upon hearing this, the Second Prince became excited.
"You know ice-skating?!"
"I’m skinny, so I skate quite smoothly, and I used to stay by Bright Lake, so I picked up some skills."
"Great! We won’t build a snowman now; let’s go see how the ice on the pool is. I’ve never seen ice-skating before."
It’s easy to please a young child, especially one like the Second Prince who’s been sick indoors most of the time.
Having seen nothing, everything naturally appears novel.
So, under the guidance of Nanny Du and Xiao Luzi, they headed towards the pond in the backyard.
Meanwhile, the Second Princess was still napping in the room, spending most of the day asleep.
Thus, the wet nurse and Nanny Ji quietly accompanied her.
Engaged in sewing work, they did not disturb the front courtyard.
Qiu Ming stood in the corridor, as calm as ever.
Xia An came over from the small kitchen, noticing that the door remained firmly closed, and then said.
"Mr. Qiu, let me keep watch; you go and have something to eat. If the Emperor and Miss Lin wake up later, I’ll call for you."
Qiu Ming turned to glance inside, seeing no movement.
He nodded in approval.
Currently, within the main chamber, only Qiu Ming, Xia An, and Chunqi were serving.
Surely, not enough hands, but to prevent word from getting out, it had to be this way.
In the small kitchen, Chunqi had already prepared Qiu Ming’s meals.
Given the cold weather, all the dishes were kept warm in bamboo steamers, allowing Qiu Ming to enjoy them hot and just right.
Next to Ruiyang Pavilion’s small kitchen was a small room with low tables set up for the palace attendants’ meals.
Just as Qiu Ming was eating, someone swept in through the curtain.
It was Qin An.
Shedding some snow from her body upon entering, she shook it off.
Qiu Ming stood up immediately and said.
"What’s brought you here, Mr. Qin?"
"Thinking you might be short-handed here, I decided to come and lend a hand."
Without entering the main room, he was already captivated by the aroma of the food.
Having had a bite before coming, yet intrigued by Chunqi’s culinary skills, another helping seemed fitting.
He spoke casually, while Qiu Ming sensed more depth in the situation.
At the traveling palace, Lin Wanyi being the sole concubine in the harem, diligence is expected.
Yet Mr. Qin, the Vice Director of the Inner Court Department, hurriedly came to assist, seemed somewhat unwarranted.
Perhaps he aimed to leave a good impression at the imperial court.
After all, one never knows when the opportunity for advancement may arise.
If not now for currying favor, when?
So, smiling, he said.
"Thank you for the trouble, Mr. Qin."
Before handing over the chopsticks, Xia An rushed over.
"The Emperor and Miss Lin have awakened."
Followed by bringing hot water and a copper basin beforehand for washing.
Qiu Ming, semi-full, stood up to leave, only to be pressed down by Mr. Qin.
"I’ll go, you finish eating; come over when you’re done."
Qiu Ming hesitated, yet maintained composure.
"Well, thank you, Mr. Qin."
"Don’t mention it."
Immediately following Xia An to the main room.
Qiu Ming didn’t idle; he quickly swallowed a few more bites and hurriedly washed up.
Inside the main room, Lin Wanyi and the Emperor had risen.
Xia An came in to attend to Lin Wanyi, with Qin An heading straight to the Emperor.
Upon seeing Qin An approaching, Lin Wanyi was somewhat surprised.
"What’s brought you here, Mr. Qin?"
"Miss Lin, many palace attendants from Ruiyang Pavilion have been sent back to Yihua Palace, fearing there’s a shortage of manpower here, so I came to offer some support."
"You certainly have foresight."
The Emperor raised his hand, allowing him to assist in dressing.
"Your Majesty speaks too kindly, this is what a servant should do."
I must say, Qin An takes his duties as Chief of the Inner Court Department seriously, even serving the Emperor with notable skill.
In short, when it comes to dressing, once he tended to the Emperor, it became particularly snug and proper.
The Emperor glanced over clearly pleased with his attendance.
Thus he spoke.
"You remain in the Inner Court Department, that is a waste of talent."
Implying a desire to transfer him to the imperial court.