Lin Wan accompanied the emperor in Jianzhang Palace for a meal and soon took her leave.

  On the second day, He Liangji was penalized by the emperor for wearing a Yue-style hairpin and had her monthly allowance deducted for three months.

  This small matter did not cause any waves. He Shi's arrogance was well-known throughout the palace, although it didn't match that of Empress Chang and Consort Gui, but her overbearing and willful appearance had already left a deep impression on people and had been resented by many. The consorts all felt that it was because the Emperor could no longer tolerate He Shi's arrogance that he decided to punish her in this way.

  The penalty of deducting salary is indeed not a severe punishment. The He family has parents and brothers working in the salt industry, with a wealth of tens of thousands, and they don't care about this little monthly salary in the palace.

  However, in the following days, the emperor never summoned He Shi again. He Shi seemed to have fallen out of favor.

  It wasn't until then that the people in the palace realized that things were not as simple as they had thought.

  At that time, An Lingji was sitting in the crimson smoke building with Lin Yuan, laughing and talking: "He Shi used to rely on her beauty, had many petty thoughts, and thought she could win over the emperor's heart! Unexpectedly, she lost favor so quickly."

  Lin Yandan smiled faintly: "Accompanying the king is like accompanying a tiger, it's better to be cautious and careful in this palace. If you're not careful with your actions, who knows when the emperor will become displeased." Shangguan Li was arrogant because she had capital, her family background was prominent, her appearance was stunning, and she had many schemes. What capital did a small He Shi have to squander?

  What happened on the way that day, since it was An Shi who was bullied and not favored by the emperor, the emperor would not take it to heart, and Lin Wan also did not plan to start with An Shi. But He Shi said she was startled by Cai He and dropped her hairpin, just as An Shi said, it's possible that He Shi did it on purpose.

  He Lianji was also clever, willing to use the blue field jade hairpin to exchange for Cai He's life. Because of the preciousness of the hairpin, if the He family made a fuss about it to the emperor and coquettishly pleaded with him, Tuoba Hong would not only execute Cai He but also implicate An Lingji. Unfortunately, Lin Yuanshu was one step ahead of her.

  Tuoba Hong is not a good person to fool around with, Lin Yan added some oil and vinegar, and he suspected that He Shi was intentionally throwing away the hairpin. The life of Cai He was not worth pitying, nor was An Ling Ji, but the hairpin was worth as much as the Blue River Jade, and it was also given by Tuoba Hong himself. If He Shi really did throw it away on purpose, what would Tuoba Hong think when he saw it?

  Originally in He's heart, his intention was to use it as a means to harm people.

  It would have been a different story if Madame He had spoken in front of the Emperor. Even if she really went to Jianzhang Palace to clarify, Lin Wan didn't worry, because in this harem, the Emperor's heart favors whoever he believes. With Consort Hui there, could the Emperor still believe others?

  The imperial concubines were all unaware of the inside story and thought that He Shi's cold treatment was due to her arrogance.

  "This He Lianji, since being punished and losing favor, will probably not dare to bully the consorts for a while." An Lingji smiled softly, her face full of joy: "The consort doesn't know how to thank Your Majesty properly. Since entering the palace, the consort has been bullied by He and Ren, it's been unbearable. If it weren't for Your Majesty standing up for me this time, I don't know what would have happened to me later."

  An Lingji did not know what Lin Wan said in front of the Emperor, but seeing He Lianji lose favor overnight, she naturally knew it was Lin Wan's great achievement. In her heart, she secretly admired Lin Wan. It is said that Hui Bin Niangniang is favored above all six palaces, but this is the first time she has seen Hui Bin's skills. However, in just a few hours, she was able to bring He Lianji down to earth, and Hui Bin's great favor is not wrong. But He Lianji is not a fool either, previously she was also quite favored.

  An Lingji watched the situation with a cold eye, secretly delighted and somewhat apprehensive in her heart. She had found such a powerful backer for herself, but she didn't know whether it was good fortune or bad luck.

  Lin Wan glanced at her slightly, looking at the respectful expression on her face, and smiled with pursed lips: "Ling Ji is too polite. I just lent a hand, and it's not worth Ling Ji's thanks. Besides, didn't Ling Ji give me the precious 'Jade Face Lotus Cream'?"

  As she spoke, she couldn't help but reach out and touch her cheek. The rouge given by Anshi was indeed not an ordinary product. It had only been two days since she used it, and her cheeks were already as smooth as silk. Her yellow spots on her face had become more severe recently, and even the Jiaolan rouge could hardly cover them up. Fortunately, Anshi had sent over some Yu Mian Furong cream, which solved her urgent problem. She hadn't expected that someone like Anshi, who didn't come from a prominent background, would have such good things in her possession.

  "Concubine has a little toy to play with, let the empress see it." An Lingji lowered her head and said: "If the empress likes it, concubine will give the empress this rouge formula. This thing is not difficult to make, but there is one kind of fragrance in it that is very hard to get."

  Lin Wan did not expect to gain so much this time, originally thinking that An Shi's body had no value, but the Jade Face Lotus Cream was a treasure worth a city. Looking at An Shi's skin as white as snow, she knew the preciousness of the Jade Face Lotus Cream.

  Lin Wan naturally nodded and smiled: "It seems that the princess's vision is not wrong, Ling Ji is a sincere person." Lian Fangzi took it out, which was the last trump card on An Lingji's body.

  "Concubines will still have to rely on your support and protection in the future." An Lingji dared not to be arrogant.

  Lin Wan looked at her, a faint smile on her face: "We are both the emperor's concubines, so it's not like we can help each other. As for the future, if you want to stand firm in the palace, you'll have to rely on yourself. Now that He Shi has fallen out of favor with the emperor, this is a good opportunity for you."

  An Lingji's eyes changed expression for a moment, then immediately returned to normal, only smiling and answering: "It is the teachings of Princess Hui."

  The two of them just chatted idly and passed the time.

  An Lingji sat for a while before leaving, she could see that this Consort Hui was a solitary person and even if she wanted to get close to her, she didn't like overly intimate relationships.

  As soon as she stepped out of the Hongyan Building, a woman with simple and elegant attire walked in, bowed her head and greeted her before leaving. An Lingji couldn't help but take another look, and when the woman was far away, she asked the palace maid beside her: "Who was the person who came in? I heard that Concubine Hui doesn't like concubines to visit."

  "It seems to be the imperial concubine Wang, who lives in the Huayang Palace." A palace maid with a good memory replied: "Imperial Concubine Wang has been serving the Emperor for six or seven years. I heard that she was originally just a laundry maid, but she was favored by the Emperor after being noticed by him. However, her appearance is ordinary and there's nothing outstanding about her. After that one night when she received imperial favor, she was never again favored, and all these years she has remained just an imperial concubine, struggling to get by in the palace."

  An Lingji let out a soft "oh" and didn't think much of it. She had just noticed that the hair ornaments on Wang Cai's bun were all outdated, not even a decent piece of jade pendant, An Lingji felt a slight pang in her heart, warning herself that this was what happened when one fell out of favor.

  ***

  After He Liangyu was abandoned, everyone in the palace was overjoyed. The He family's usual arrogance had long since offended many people, and now that they were down on their luck, there were plenty of people who were eager to kick them while they were down.

  Without He's favoritism, Consort Quan and Noble Consort Wen's favor grew even stronger. The two of them wouldn't invite any jealousy, actually the imperial consorts disliked the several ladies from the He family who were married into the palace through arrangement, they always thought themselves superior to those selected through the imperial selection process.

  When He's imperial favor declined, Zhao Shi, a palace maid of Xianfu Palace, gained favor.

  Tuoba Hong's fondness for the Zhao family was in no way concealed, and he even summoned her to his presence for three days, bestowing upon her large quantities of rare treasures.

  Although the people in the palace were not resentful, it was fortunate that Zhao's family came from a scholarly background and had a good temperament. Whether or not she gained favor, she remained humble and courteous. As time passed, her relationships with the people in the palace also improved.

  In the Zhao family palace, the main position was actually held by Concubine Tian. Rumors spread within the palace that Zhao had originally been mediocre, but suddenly gained favor because on that day when the Emperor went to Xianfu Palace to visit the Fifth Imperial Son, Concubine Tian took the opportunity to introduce Zhao to the Emperor.

  It's not uncommon to see people currying favor in the palace, and the consorts all say that Zhao is lucky to have Consort Hui as her backing. But Zhao's title was Shu Jie, and years ago, Consort Hui had also been a Shu Jie. Thinking about it quietly, perhaps this Zhao would have a boundless future like Consort Hui.

  At one time, Xianfeng Palace was extremely popular.

  When all the concubines went to Xianfu Palace to pay their respects, An Lingji sat idly in front of her own palace gate, looking despondent.

  "Is the young master upset about Zhao Shu Ji's affair?" Asked Cai He, who had already recovered from his injuries and was serving by his side, sincerely advising: "Shu Ji's favor is expected, with the support of Lady Tian, why worry that there will be no day to rise? However, Shu Ji's temperament is vastly different from Lian Ji's. Now that Lian Ji has lost favor, the young master's days are also easier."

  Although Cai Wan's wound had healed, a two-inch-long scar remained on her cheek, which would never fade. A woman's face was the most precious thing to her, and even as a palace maid, she hoped to leave the palace and get married after turning 25. Cai Wan mentioned He Lianji with gritted teeth.

  An Lingji slightly regained her composure, pulled over Cai Wan's hand and said: "I'm not sulking. It's just that I feel the days in this palace are too difficult, with only one emperor but so many beautiful concubines coming to compete with each other. Even if Lin Ji loses power, there is still Shu Ji."

  Moreover, she didn't envy Shu Ji either. She had long heard about the smoothness of Tian Pin. After meeting Hui Bin, she dared not underestimate Tian Pin, who was on par with Hui Bin. Shu Ji obtained today's imperial favor under Tian Pin's support, but what price did she pay for it?

  It was just that day when Huisheng's words were still in her ears. She was afraid that she couldn't afford to pay the price of Shugui, and Huisheng wouldn't help her as much as Tianpin did, at most she would slightly pull her hand at the right time.

  Looking at the scar on Cai Wan's face again, thinking of that day when He Lian Ji was severely beaten on her back, An Ling Ji's fingers gradually tightened.

  Still have to rely on oneself...

  Although Anling was eager to win favor, she did not find any opportunities in a short period of time. Her residence was the relatively remote Wanchun Palace among the twelve palaces, and the main position Cheng Guiren had only reached her current position by seniority, but actually had no power or prestige, no favor or status. The other palace consorts who lived with her were also transparent people in the palace, and Wanchun Palace was filled with a gloomy atmosphere.

  Living in such a place, it's hard for Anling to see the emperor. Fortunately, she is not a restless person, and every day she quietly waits for an opportunity to take action.

  Half a month has passed again. Unconsciously, Lin Wan's birthday is approaching, which is on August 6th.