Chapter 303 Encountering Concubines

Lin Mengya came to hold Baisu’s hands as well. It was a cold winter night, but with them warming each other, it didn’t seem difficult to get through it.

“It’ll be fine. He and I hit it off. Besides, he has done me a favor previously. It proves that he is a good man. Do you remember? The first time I met you, Baiji, and even Xiaoyu, I supposed that we could get along well with each other. As a result, we became a family.”

Baisu helplessly sighed. She hadn’t considered Lin Mengya to be an approachable master until they had gotten familiar.

Lin Mengya had always been treating her enemies heartlessly, but she would become gentle when it came to those she cared about.

That explained why many friends around her would like to sacrifice their lives for her.

However, Lin Mengya had no idea about this.

“Young Master told me to protect you before he left. But according to Mr. Qiu, we may encounter more dangers in the Court of Imperial Physicians than back in Prince Yu’s Mansion.”

In fact, Lin Mengya was already aware of that.

Except for the four doctors, like four mountains, Su Tong, the Assistant Minister of the Court of Imperial Physicians, would not be that simple.

Su Tong looked friendly, but Lin Mengya could tell that the other doctors stood in awe of him. Even the four great doctors might work to please him.

Lin Mengya made an assumption for herself. Wherever people existed, there would be fights and schemes. The messier the Court of Imperial Physicians became, the more helpful to her to make a profit.

The moon radiated cold light, not colder than any human heart.

The Court of Imperial Physicians was noisy by the day, while it turned particularly lonely, desolate by night. Other than several doctors on duty, most of the doctors would leave the palace and return to their homes.

In the inner hall of the Court of Imperial Physicians, Su Tong and Jiang Kai were warming themselves around a copper fire pan. Their weathered faces wore gloomy expressions.

“You’ve witnessed for yourself today. Princess Yu is not like a common person. She’s a tough enemy.”

Su Tong’s face was reflected by the orange fire light, making is look especially tough as he was warming himself by the fire.

“Hmph! Just an immature girl. She’s still unexperienced, even after being taught by Lin Muzhi and Prince Yu. “She showed off her control over needles and didn’t know how to hide her weak points. Does such a stupid girl scare you, Su Tong?”

Jiang Kai’s temper was still like a powder keg. He gave Su Tong a sideways glance and then spoke with contempt.

Su Tong didn’t get angry, as if he had already gotten used to his fiery temper. Instead, Su Tong picked up the boiling water on the stove, replenished for himself, and said calmly, “This girl is not terrified enough. Lin Muzhi and Prince Yu must have had a perfect plan so that they dared to send her to the palace. But you should keep alert. Don’t forget, according to seniority, you’re her uncle.”

Su Tong’s words seemed to arouse a period of memories Jiang Kai refused to recall.

After humming heavily, Jiang Kai’s eyes exposed his loathing for a moment.

“The Jiang Family is in the last time of peace-time. The Emperor’s health condition becomes poorer day after day. One day, Concubine De or the Jiang Family will become yesterday’s story. What the Jiang Family owes to me, I’ll make them pay!”

His loose facial muscles toughened because of his anger.

Presently, Jiang Kai was already not the doctor who should heal the wounded and rescue the dying.

Jiang Kai sprang to his feet, as if he wanted to stop the topic, and then left in a huff.

Only Su Tong was left, watching the burning charcoal in front of him.

He still kept calm and emotionless, even after he had managed to stir up Jiang Kai’s hidden fury.

Whoever managed to get such a high position, had a story.

If they all stuck their stories in their minds like Jiang Kai, then, none of them could make greater achievements.

However, Jiang Kai could be used to examine how powerful Lin Mengya was.

Su Tong slightly sighed. It will be harder to survive in the palace.

Lin Mengya slept well the previous night. She had a good adaptive capacity.

Early that morning, Pearl and Agate were quick with their hands to serve her to get dressed and washed, because they had been violently tricked by her.

Pearl’s face looked dreadfully pale with big dark circles. She was helplessly watching Lin Mengya in panic, as if the latter was a demon from hell.

“You…”

When the first word came out, Pearl’s hands trembled, and then the comb dropped down on the ground.

Pearl was frightened to burst into tears. She immediately knelt down on the ground to kowtow for Lin Mengya’s forgiveness.

“Please forgive me, Your Highness! It was not on purpose! Please forgive me, Your Highness!”

Lin Mengya looked at Pearl, constantly apologizing, and felt it was amusing. It seemed that she had cast a lifetime shadow on her.

“Stand up. I’m not a bloodthirsty devil. I won’t blame you for such a petty thing.”

Baisu stood by and was indifferent to others. She didn’t care about, like a beauty living in the icy mountain. It made others lose the courage to disturb her.

However, Pearl was terrified. Lin Mengya had to call Agate next to her to help her partner get up.

Lin Mengya had dealt them a head-on blow. She understood that regulation on people should be about balance. With the two free labors, she and Baisu didn’t need to be busy with boring things.

“You’ve been working in the palace. I have a bad temper, but I always put the saddle on the right horse. If you fulfill your duty, I won’t punish you for a petty mistake. There are fewer rules here than in other palaces. But you’re supposed to be obedient. Am I clear?”

Lin Mengya showed no emotion and tried to speak in a kind voice.

After exchanging glances, Pearl and Agate stood up and gave a grateful bow.

“Yes, we’ll abide by your order, Your Highness.”

Lin Mengya nodded and knew clearly that there was mixed affectation in their reaction.

Those masters living in the palace were not kind people. Aunt Jinyue had mentioned by accident before that a private punishment for those servants, who disobeyed rules, existed in every palace.

Lin Mengya would not beat her servants to death so easily. However, if they should be taught a lesson, there were dozens of cruel and torturous methods.

The previous day, Lin Mengya had struck when they had been unprepared.

Although she could not trust Pearl and Agate, they did do better in combing her hair than Baisu and running errands, after serving for so long in the palace.

It was New Year. As a new-married woman, Lin Mengya should put on bright-colored clothes.

However, the Emperor was not in good health, and the banquet had turned into a disaster. Lin Mengya chose ebony, satin dress with fine gold, and paired it with a red, lined jacket with turn-down collar. She also put on a pair of embroidery shoes with pearls and jades.

A golden hairpin with mutton-fat jades was on her head, which made her long hair like ink. When she walked in the empty street, her new, beautiful dress made her look like jade, sending forth a differently beautiful aura from those women sticking to conventions in the palace.

“Today, you’ll also be busy in the Court of Imperial Physicians for a day, Master?”

Baisu followed Lin Mengya closely. Today, Agate was ordered to accompany her. She was smart to keep a distance from them and not to come closer.

After pondering, Lin Mengya nodded. She had yet to give up on checking the Emperor’s case file. Yesterday, Su Tong had managed to deceive her and had not shown it to her. Today, no matter what, she would definitely get it.

“The palace’s food is less delicate than that in our house. Can you bear it?”

Baisu looked worried. This morning, Lin Mengya had eaten a little, so Baisu had misunderstood that she had not gotten used to the food in the palace.

Lin Mengya was not particular about food. After five years in the college dining room, everything able to be digested by her stomach could be swallowed up by her.

She had eaten little because she had been preoccupied.

“Don’t worry about that. I’m an adult. I can take care of myself.”

Lin Mengya grabbed Baisu’s hands and lightly comforted her.

When they were about to say something intimate, an arrogant voice suddenly interrupted them.

“Hey, who is this beauty? Why are you not greeting me? Are your eyes on the top of your head?”

It could be told from her condescending tone that she was clearly an obstinate person.

Lin Mengya lifted her head and saw several beauties in the palace’s attires standing not far away and watching her.

Their dresses betrayed that they might be concubines. However, the most beautiful woman among them was glaring at Lin Mengya like she was her enemy.

“Chongrong Yun, Jieyu Hui, Beauty Cheng, I’m Agate from Servants Administration. This is Princess Yu.”

Agate reacted smartly. Lin Mengya kept it in mind.

Surprisingly, the three names were unfamiliar. She met them for the first time.

According to etiquette, Lin Mengya was a first-rank princess. But she was an outside princess and a junior, so she was supposed to make a half greeting.

Naturally, Lin Mengya did not want to make trouble on the first days. Therefore, she decided to endure, even when they had spoken rudely.

“Greetings, Your Highness. I just entered the palace. If there’s anything wrong, please tell me, Your Highness.”

Chongrong Yun had a delicate appearance and wore gorgeous clothes.

She slightly nodded and gave her a gentle smile with curiosity.

A young, beautiful lady, standing at her left, looked the same age as Lin Mengya. She was curiously scanning Lin Mengya from head to toes. She might be the youngest among them and wore the simplest clothes. Lin Mengya guessed that she was Beauty Cheng.

However, the beautiful lady with a less resplendent dress than Chongrong Yun was standing at the latter’s right. For no reason, Lin Mengya detected some resentment in Chongrong Yun’s eyes, directed at her.

So odd. I’m not Concubine Yang to seek a trouble with my father-in-law. Why would Lady of Handsome Fairness hate me so much?