Winter swiftly descended upon the northern lands. It felt like autumn was over before anyone had any real chance to enjoy it. The temperature dropped drastically, leaving only a biting chill. In previous years, Mingyue Palace never received any charcoal. The firewood provided by the Imperial Household Department used to give off so much smoke that it was impossible to use. Thus, winter was the most difficult time of the year to get through.
However, this year was different. The Imperial Household Department had sent people to send a sufficient amount of charcoal. Moreover, they were polite the entire time. They even supplied all kinds of heating equipment which they had ‘conveniently’ left out in previous years.
Not long ago, Emperor Lin inspected the fourth prince’s homework and found that he had completely memorized “The Analects of Confucius”. To his amazement, not only could his son recite it, but he also understood the meaning of every sentence. Emperor Lin was very happy and praised Consort Xian for educating her son well.
Since Consort Xian received her merits, naturally she did not forget her benefactor from Mingyue Palace. From time to time, she would send people over to deliver all kinds of health supplements, herbs and fruits. Yunyou made medicinal meals from the herbs Consort Xian had sent to them. Xiao Lan’s health finally took a turn for the better. Her cheeks were rosier, making her look more beautiful than before.
Even Lin Feilu had gained weight recently. She squeezed the flesh on her small belly and declared, “At this rate I will end up having to start dieting at a young age.”
It was very cold outside so people would refrain from going outside and would stay indoors. This was despite the fact that it had not even begun snowing yet. It was just cold and the scenery outside was not beautiful, just gray and dreary. The palace grounds were slowly becoming deserted. However, Lin Feilu still stuck to her routine of going out every day. She mainly did this for two purposes: first, to exercise and to keep herself in good shape; and second, to increase her chances of encountering new NPCs.
As luck would have it, she did not encounter any NPCs and instead managed to stumble right into a mini-boss.
The eldest princess Lin Nianzhi had been running around on a wild goose chase for quite some time now.
In truth, Lin Nianzhi was very angry. In the beginning, she actually sent someone to keep an eye on Mingyue Palace. As soon as Lin Feilu went out, one of her servants would follow her secretly, then send a message back to report on Lin Feilu’s whereabouts.
However, by the time Lin Nianzhi had arrived at the reported area, Lin Feilu was no longer there. It was only after she had arrived that a palace eunuch came running up to her and gave his report while heavily panting, “Princess, the Fifth Princess is now headed towards Gaofeng Pavilion.”
After that, Lin Nianzhi led her servants to Gaofeng Pavilion.
When she arrived, Lin Feilu had disappeared again. After a while, the same eunuch came running over again as he reported while crying, “Princess, the Fifth Princess has gone to the Royal Viewing Terrace again.”
Lin Nianzhi was exhausted by this constant game of cat and mouse.
How can this girl run so much?! Does she have four legs???
However, Lin Feilu was not deliberately avoiding her. She did not even know Lin Nianzhi was running all over the Imperial Palace, all just to encounter her. Lin Feilu had always enjoyed wandering around. It was only now that Lin Nianzhi finally got the opportunity to follow after her.
The eunuch who had been sprinting back and forth reported again, “Princess, the Fifth Princess is feeding fish at Changxi Pavilion now. She will not be able to leave for some time!”
Lin Nianzhi could not even be bothered to finish her hot porridge. She wiped her mouth clean and ran straight to Changxi Pavilion.
The cold winds blew. Changxi Pavilion was a cluster of nine pavilions situated along a stream of river that runs through the Imperial Palace. From a distance, the scenery of the pavilions were distinct as they looked like nine rings intertwining with one another. Wrapped inside her warm, white cloak, Lin Feilu sat on the edge of the pavilion in the center. Her legs were dangling in the air as she sprinkled fish feed into the lake.