Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 380: Fishing at Lotus Pond

It’s a pity, but the Fifth Prince doesn’t care about any of this.

Under the protection of the nanny, he dashed over.

Grabbing Lin Wanyi’s sleeve, he exclaimed.

"Consort, consort, consort..."

Such cuteness made Lin Wanyi’s initial intention to scold him vanish immediately.

The Emperor also watched the Fifth Prince with a smile in his eyes.

He couldn’t help but feel in his heart that this child was indeed smart, able to recognize and clearly articulate his mother consort’s title at such a young age.

With good guidance, he is destined to be a fine prospect in the future!

"Alright, don’t steal your sister’s spotlight. Today is her birthday. Behave properly, understand?"

Lin Wanyi gently pinched the Fifth Prince’s little cheek as a warning.

The Fifth Prince revealed a few small white teeth and nodded as if he understood.

Seeing this, everyone burst into laughter.

The Second Princess’s birthday banquet was set for noon.

So after finishing breakfast, they were taken near the Lotus Pond.

A new pavilion had been built there, with its balustrades standing high.

The middle was divided with hollow wooden carvings, allowing the children to appreciate the beauty of the Lotus Pond without the risk of falling into the water.

With over a dozen nannies, eunuchs, and guards attending around them, there was nothing to fear at all.

Lin Wanyi was uncommonly happy as well.

Being there, one could always feel the fragrance of lotus flowers and the endless green of the lotus leaves.

Both the eyes and the soul could be greatly refreshed.

Qiu Ming, being of clever mind, hurried to have the Inner Court Department make a few fishing rods suitable for the children.

Passing through the hollow holes, they cast the hooks into the water, and whether they caught any fish was purely a matter of luck.

The Second Prince, being older, naturally had more patience.

Unfortunately, after waiting for quite a while, there was no response to his hook, while the Fourth Prince beside him was the first to catch a fish.

Being young and weak,

when the fishing rod moved slightly, the nannies and eunuchs next to him took over and started pulling it back.

In no time, with a little tug, the fish was exhausted.

Once they reeled it in, it was indeed a well-fed and plump carp.

The Fourth Prince clapped his hands happily and then pointed to the Second Princess.

The meaning was clear.

Though it was the Fourth Prince who caught the fish, it was meant for the Second Princess to eat.

Being able to enjoy such a meaningful carp at her birthday banquet, the Second Princess was evidently pleased as well.

So she joined in clapping with joy.

The Fifth Prince, not understanding the reason but eager to join in the excitement, laughed louder than anyone else.

He inadvertently made the Second Prince and Fifth Princess next to him look truly well-behaved and quiet.

"Our Fourth Prince is truly remarkable!"

Lin Wanyi praised him sincerely.

"When your birthday comes in a few days, let the Second Sister catch a fish for you to eat, alright?"

Lin Wanyi spoke as loudly as possible, and the Fourth Prince, upon listening intently, understood.

He smiled warmly and swiftly nodded!

Lin Wanyi spent quite some time playing with the children at the Lotus Pond, showing no signs of leaving.

However, the Empress Dowager, Consort Qian, and Princess Ming Ruo approached the Lotus Pond.

With a company of more than ten, they appeared quite grand.

Lin Wanyi rose and quickly walked over to greet them.

No matter what, she must show respect to the Empress Dowager.

"This subject greets the Empress Dowager, and wishes the Empress Dowager good health."

"Rise."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager."

Likewise, Consort Qian and Princess Ming Ruo had to pay respects to her.

"This subject greets the Imperial Concubine and wishes her good health."

"Your daughter greets the Imperial Concubine and wishes her good health." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"You’re too polite, noble concubine."

Turning her gaze to Princess Ming Ruo, who was curiously looking at the games her siblings were playing not far away.

With a slight smile, Lin Wanyi suggested.

"The children are playing fishing. If the Eldest Princess wishes, she may join them. There are small fishing rods available beside them."

Then she pointed to the place.

Ming Ruo naturally felt a burst of excitement, but considering her status as a princess, she glanced back at the Empress Dowager.

Upon seeing her nod calmly, she gleefully ran over.

Inside the pavilion, all the children glanced over.

The Second Prince maintained a somewhat distant attitude towards Princess Ming Ruo.

He wasn’t overly enthusiastic, nor did he put on a cold face.

However, the Second Princess was quite hospitable.

She looked at Ming Ruo, then approached to hand over a fishing rod.

Smiling with her eyes, she said.

"Sister, play."

Ming Ruo couldn’t quite describe her emotions at that moment.

There was a subtle sourness in her nose.

Especially when she saw the pouches she gave adorned on the Second and Third Princesses’ clothes, she felt even more moved.

Previously at Linzi Palace, she was not close to her other siblings.

She even rather looked down on them.

Like the Second Prince, whom she had a grudge against before.

Therefore, she didn’t expect the Second Prince to treat her kindly.

Thus, when she sat down, she was closer to the Second Princess and Fourth Prince.

All three of them didn’t have their mothers by their side, so there was a bit of shared melancholy.

But she quickly realized that the Second Princess and Fourth Prince lacked her cautiousness and self-pity.

They were exceptionally optimistic, sunny and generous.

Ming Ruo didn’t know if they would be as happy if they stayed with their birth mothers.

But now, she was sure that the Imperial Concubine genuinely cared for these "outsider" children.

Thinking of this, she felt a tiny bit of envy.

But she quickly came to peace with it.

Lived under the Empress Dowager’s care, she counted it as another kind of fortune.

So one should cherish what they have now instead of always envying what others possess!

Realizing this, Ming Ruo became much more enlightened.

She also began to let go of her grudge, sincerely enjoying the fun of fishing.

Having such carefree and joyful times with siblings was rare.

Lin Wanyi, after helping the Empress Dowager to her seat, gazed at the children, lost in contemplation.

Consort Qian smiled and was the first to speak up.

"No wonder the Emperor insisted on sending the Fourth Prince to Yihua Palace for the Imperial Concubine’s care; it turns out being with his siblings brings him far more happiness."

The smile on his face was more than Consort Qian had seen before.

Children are unlike adults; they can’t pretend to be happy.

When they’re upset, they cry; when they’re happy, they laugh.

It’s as clear as that.

From this, Consort Qian found a lot of relief.

When she looked at Lin Wanyi, she had additional respect.

"You’re too modest, noble concubine. I heard that the day you took care of the Fourth Prince very well. After coming to Yihua Palace, he seldom falls ill, thanks to your efforts."

The two never had any conflicts, and due to the children’s issues, they shared more mutual understanding.

They exchanged smiles, with everything understood without words.

However, the Empress Dowager, seated at the center, remained silent the whole time.