The old lady had her suspicions and immediately took action. On one hand, she had people investigate news from the Fourth Prince’s household. On the other hand, she quickly wrote a letter and had it urgently delivered to her son.

In the dream world, she had seen that the one who ultimately ascended to the throne was the Fourth Prince, but she wasn’t clear about the Fourth Prince’s rear courtyard. However, looking at the Fourth Prince’s household situation now, this year was also a selection year. The palace should assign people to the Fourth Prince, which was why Noble Consort De had met with many people. But she also had another son, and compared to her eldest son, she doted more on her younger son.

The Fourteenth Prince would marry this year. His principal consort would certainly be a selection candidate of noble birth. This had nothing to do with her two granddaughters, but neither could she ensure that Noble Consort De wouldn’t also assign beautiful selection candidates to the Fourteenth Prince’s household.

In other words, if Noble Consort De took a liking to them, going to the Fourth Prince’s household was possible, and going to the Fourteenth Prince was also possible. As for the Thirteenth Prince, although he could also be considered part of the Yonghe Palace, he ultimately wasn’t born of Noble Consort De. He had already married and was still young. The possibility of Noble Consort De proactively adding people to his rear courtyard was minimal.

What the masters in the palace thought, she outside the palace couldn’t decide, but she wouldn’t do nothing.

She couldn’t make decisions, but she could still exert some influence.

Although the old lady hadn’t considered this possibility before, if she could choose, without question, between these two brothers she would choose the Fourth Prince.

If her granddaughter went to the Fourth Prince’s household and gave birth to offspring, regardless of gender, after the Fourth Prince ascended to the throne, the Lin family would become extremely secure.

Undoubtedly, the Emperor’s rear palace was a complex place, but it was also a path to ascend to heaven in one step.

Not to mention anything else, just say if she truly entered the Fourth Prince’s rear courtyard and gave birth to a daughter, that would be a princess. If she gave birth to a son and didn’t compete for that supreme throne, at the highest he could be enfeoffed as a Prince of First Rank or Prince of Second Rank, at the lowest as a Prince of Third or Fourth Rank – generations without worry of food or clothing. With their status, as long as they didn’t commit major crimes warranting beheading, they would basically come to this world to enjoy life.

As the maternal family of an imperial prince or princess, the Lin family could also rise with the tide.

However, the risks would also increase accordingly. If they were carelessly drawn into some scheme or succession struggle, the destruction of the entire clan wasn’t rare.

So now the old lady felt somewhat fortunate – fortunate that she couldn’t decide her granddaughters’ destination.

Otherwise she couldn’t guarantee what she would do.

Whether she would have her granddaughters take a gamble for that possible future of the Lin family.

Now the only thing she and her son could do was increase the weight of their two granddaughters’ worth. If they were truly selected, let the granddaughters go to the Fourth Prince’s rear courtyard if possible.

The Fourteenth Prince’s rear courtyard, if not entirely prominent Manchu clans, was close to it. Going there would be worse than going to the Fourth Prince’s rear courtyard.

She hoped her son would handle this assignment well. The Emperor was wise and would certainly see it, willing to grant the Lin family a favor…

Lin Ruhai received the letter urgently delivered by servants. After reading it, his brows furrowed, his eyes grave.

During this imperial commissioner journey, he had successively contacted several princes – the Fourth Prince, the Ninth Prince, and the Thirteenth Prince.

However, he hadn’t encountered much regarding succession struggles. One reason was that his travels were under His Majesty’s watchful eyes. Those princes absolutely wouldn’t want the Emperor to see what they were doing privately.

Another reason was that they were imperial princes after all and wouldn’t urgently curry favor like those below them.

Noble Consort De’s summons – to whom did she want to assign them?

Under her were the Fourth Prince and the Fourteenth Prince. Going down further was also the Thirteenth.

The Fourth Prince walked the path of assistance. At least currently Lin Ruhai hadn’t seen him intend to personally enter the fray. He was impartial in enforcing the law. Although he followed behind the Crown Prince, one couldn’t say he was completely the Crown Prince’s faction. When someone on the Crown Prince’s side committed errors, he treated them equally.

The Fourteenth Prince was still young now, but he had also heard rumors about him. He was Noble Consort De’s youngest son. Between her two sons, Noble Consort De doted more on him. Regarding the selection of the Fourteenth’s principal consort, before the selection Noble Consort De had already viewed daughters from several families – all major clans.

Before the principal consort entered, the secondary consort who entered was from the Shu Shu Jueluo clan, who had already given birth to a son last year.

Looking at it this way, if Noble Consort De wanted to assign people to the Fourteenth Prince’s rear courtyard, most would also be prominent Manchu clans.

As for the Fourth Prince’s side, there weren’t many prominent Manchu clans. Apart from the principal consort, there were no notable families.

If assigned there, whether as a secondary consort or side consort was uncertain.

Thinking of this, Lin Ruhai quickly made his decision.

He was already wrapping things up. Now he could return to the capital to report on his duties.

So Lin Ruhai returned travel-worn and weary. Upon returning, he first went to the imperial palace to report.

Only afterward did he return to the Lin household.

He had lost quite a bit of weight, his face weathered. Compared to before, he looked several years older, even though less than a year had passed since he left the capital.

Seeing him like this, the old lady was heartbroken. “Did this assignment take you to the harsh, frigid northern lands? How could it consume a person so?”

Lin Ruhai only smiled without speaking.

Where he went was also a secret.

Seeing this, the old lady didn’t ask further and told him to hurry back to rest. They could talk slowly later.

With three concubines and an outer study, Lin Ruhai went directly to Yun Shuyao’s courtyard, washed up, ate, then fell asleep.

When he first entered, Yun Shuyao had noticed the redness in his eyes. He had cried.

Cried in the imperial palace?

But seeing no sorrow in his expression, had he emotionally cried with Kangxi in the imperial palace hall?

Yun Shuyao had her guesses but didn’t disturb him, letting him sleep well.

When he woke, warm water and hot porridge awaited him.

Lin Ruhai wasn’t hurried and ate methodically.

Yun Shuyao: “Master, is the assignment complete? The next transfer order…”

Lin Ruhai: “The assignment is complete. No rush. First I’ll stay in the capital and observe.”

Yun Shuyao didn’t ask further about this: “Is there any news from the palace? Are Luo Yu and the others doing well in the palace?”

Lin Ruhai silently shook his head. “No news is the best news. Let’s wait for the second round results.” He also didn’t know what the final result would be.

He had done all he could.

Yun Shuyao sighed. Although she had long prepared herself psychologically for facing imperial power in feudal society, watching her daughters’ futures uncertain, she felt her mental preparation was still somewhat insufficient.

Ultimately, she still wasn’t strong enough.

Her desire to become stronger intensified another degree.

“Master, you’ve worked hard. Did everything go smoothly this time?”

Lin Ruhai smiled slightly: “Not hard at all.” That latter question, he chose to avoid.

Seeing this, Yun Shuyao changed the topic and told him about major and minor affairs that had occurred at home in his absence.

Although he should know everything, some details he might not be very clear about.

After finishing, he went to the outer study and called Chen Yu over as well.

Regarding his son’s previous dangers, the letters had already explained things very clearly, but not enough.

Lin Ruhai still wanted to hear his son personally recount everything from beginning to end.

As he spoke, Chen Yu keenly discovered something. “Father, with my sisters in the palace for selection, has some situation occurred?”

Lin Ruhai looked at his son, somewhat gratified. He was beginning to grow up. But these palace matters were still too early for him.

Moreover, even if he knew, it was useless. Their hands couldn’t reach into the imperial palace.

Chen Yu saw that Father didn’t want to speak: “Father, if we know about things early, there’s one more person to think of solutions early. Even if we can’t help, when one’s mood is troubled, I can share the burden.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll tell you.” Lin Ruhai somewhat helplessly gave up. Telling him these things was fine. If marriage arrangements were early, he would also be someone about to establish his own family.

So Chen Yu learned about his two sisters participating in the palace selection being summoned by Noble Consort De.

His mind rapidly worked. Noble Consort De had the Fourth Prince and the Fourteenth Prince. Going down further was also the Thirteenth.

“It shouldn’t be the Fourteenth Prince. He’s having his principal consort arranged this year. Assigning others as well would be too face-slapping. The Fourteenth Prince already has a secondary consort. With Noble Consort De’s doting on the Fourteenth Prince, she shouldn’t want to see the couple have knots in their hearts from the start.” Mainly, having knots made it difficult to have legitimate grandchildren.

His Majesty cared about legitimate versus concubine-born. They also cared about legitimate versus concubine-born.

Chen Yu didn’t know much about the Thirteenth Prince’s situation.

He only knew the Thirteenth Prince was accomplished in both civil and martial arts and had already married, but he wasn’t clear about his rear courtyard situation and offspring.

But this year the Thirteenth Prince was only eighteen. As long as his rear courtyard wasn’t empty, probably no one would be assigned there either.

“Most likely the Fourth Prince. His rear courtyard doesn’t have many people. Sons, excluding the deceased one, he only has two, one of whom isn’t even a year old yet. We don’t know if he can be raised successfully. He also only has one daughter. The Fourth Prince is already twenty-six.”

At this age, one couldn’t say he was young anymore. This number of offspring truly wasn’t many.

Not knowing was fine, but after learning this, Chen Yu also began to worry. Those outside the palace truly were powerless in this matter.

He became somewhat anxious.

If his sisters married other people, as their brother he was confident he could protect them and not let them be bullied by their in-laws. But if they entered the imperial family, which household would dare treat imperial men as ordinary sons-in-law?

Lin Ruhai knew this point, which was why he hadn’t wanted to speak earlier.

Seeing his tightly furrowed brows, Lin Ruhai tested him and confirmed he hadn’t been lazy during this time. “Show me the assignment Master Xu gave you.”

Hearing Father’s question, Chen Yu collected his emotions: “Father, it’s here. I have a question here…”

In questions and answers, time quickly passed.

Lin Ruhai left the outer study, leaving Chen Yu to work on the essay topic, and went to his mother’s quarters.

He talked with Daiyu for a while and had some refreshments together.

Watching Daiyu increasingly resemble her mother, Lin Ruhai felt somewhat emotional.

Daiyu: “Father, you must take good care of your health.”

She couldn’t help but admonish: “While away on assignment, did you not properly eat meals on time and rest? How can you ruin your health?”

Lin Ruhai looked at his younger daughter’s caring expression and candid nature, and smiled: “I understand. I’ll eat meals properly. Daiyu, have you been properly listening to Doctor Zhou?”

Daiyu raised her chin slightly: “Naturally I have.”

The old lady smiled watching her little granddaughter’s spirited expression, very satisfied in her heart: “Daiyu is an obedient good child…”

Only after Daiyu went for her midday rest did mother and son discuss palace matters.

The old lady: “It wasn’t convenient to speak in the letter before. You’ve had contact with several princes. What do you think of them?”

On Noble Consort De’s side were three princes. This time he had contact with two princes.

Speaking of these princes, Lin Ruhai had to admire that His Majesty not only knew how to procreate, but the princes he produced were each excellent. Comparing this to his own family’s sparse bloodline made Lin Ruhai sigh.

“Have you become particularly close with any of these princes?”

Hearing Mother ask this, Lin Ruhai’s expression remained unchanged, but he became alert. Was Mother asking this because she wanted to take sides?

However, he quickly heard Mother’s next words. “Do you think these three have thoughts of competing?”

Lin Ruhai gently shook his head. “Can’t tell with the Fourth Prince. The Ninth Prince has given up.” If he hadn’t given up, he wouldn’t have spread his business reputation throughout the capital, indulging his followers in competing with the people for profit. To want to be emperor with such a reputation wouldn’t work. “He’s on good terms with the Eighth Prince, and the Eighth Prince follows behind the First Prince.”

“The Thirteenth Prince is outstanding in both civil and martial matters, but he’s still quite young now.” Lin Ruhai couldn’t make a definitive judgment.

The old lady nodded. What she actually wanted to ask about was only the Fourth Prince, but she couldn’t ask it that way.

“What did you say to the Emperor when you entered the palace yesterday?”

Lin Ruhai sighed. He had used a joking tone about bad luck to chat with the Emperor about the incidents his son encountered, expressing gratitude that no accidents occurred and this sole sprout was still well.

The Emperor would certainly take it to heart. He could discern from this talk his emphasis on his children. He also vaguely revealed the meaning of not seeking great futures for his children, only wanting them to live safely. If the Emperor became suspicious and investigated, perhaps he could uncover some information he himself hadn’t discovered.

Concerning his only son, Lin Ruhai had deployed all his connections to investigate the mastermind behind the scenes, but none matched.

He didn’t want to see a next time. Another reason prompting him to do this was that his journey as imperial commissioner hadn’t gone smoothly either. Faintly, he felt someone was targeting him, but just like his son’s situation.

Speaking of it, it could be classified as bad luck, but successive bad luck wasn’t simply coincidence.

He didn’t believe it was coincidence.

His son’s bad luck this time could have resulted in an accident.

He was the same – he had nearly lost his life, but he didn’t plan to speak of it and frighten Mother.

This time going out, he was carrying imperial orders. Even if certain people found the Lin family displeasing, they wouldn’t choose this timing.

Combining these two matters, the Emperor couldn’t possibly not take it seriously.

The old lady was silent for a long time. Even on her son’s end there had been various troubles. “Let’s go to Huguo Temple again. How about you fall ill?” This would be a good opportunity to show loyalty.

They talked for a long time, until maids came to remind them that the evening banquet was about to begin.

This was a small family banquet. The whole family, including the concubines, ate a reunion meal together.

During the feast, Concubine Mei kept sending resentful glances.

Master had gone to so many places – why didn’t he come to her courtyard?

That very night, Lin Ruhai fell ill.

His illness didn’t make anyone in the household suspicious. From his appearance alone, one could see how arduous this assignment had been. Falling ill wasn’t strange.

Yun Shuyao also didn’t suspect. He was truly ill and even developed a fever.

With his illness, his planned visits were also postponed. After news of his illness spread, the Emperor even specially sent imperial physicians to examine him.

Undoubtedly, this represented the Emperor’s regard for him.

So those who came to visit the sick were considerably more numerous and enthusiastic than expected.

Originally Jia She didn’t want to move. He thought such matters should be left to his younger brother, but his younger brother somehow refused no matter what.

Add to that Mother crying over there, and he had no choice but to tidy himself up and come visit his brother-in-law.

Seeing him lying on the sickbed looking so gaunt, Jia She was startled. “You really suffered greatly on this assignment.”

Although his brother-in-law still looked handsome, his complexion was considerably worse than before: “What did the doctor say?”

“Just overworked. Rest for a period and he’ll be fine.”

Fell ill from overwork? Jia She was very sympathetic. Brother-in-law’s work as an official was too arduous.

Jia Lian, seeing his uncle had lost so much weight, also hastily expressed solicitous concern, then asked if there was anywhere he could help – handling miscellaneous matters wouldn’t be a problem for him.

Lin Ruhai smiled slightly: “Lian’er is too kind. I’m not seriously ill.”

Returning and relating what he saw, Grandmother Jia lightly frowned. “Not seriously ill?”

“No.”

“That’s good then.” Grandmother Jia closed her eyes and privately sighed. “Have people pay more attention to news from the Lin household. Lian’er, visit your uncle’s place more often. Your cousin is still young and hasn’t married yet. Help look after things somewhat.”

She didn’t know what position he would receive this time. And those two “granddaughters” in the palace – she didn’t know what futures they would have. Yet her Yuanchun was still serving as a lady secretary under Noble Consort De… The more she thought, the more Grandmother Jia felt restless and irritable.

Jia Lian readily agreed.

Yun Shuyao also wanted to know where Lin Ruhai would go next. However, so far she felt the current situation was best. If the transfer order came down, he would probably have to go to another region.

Now the selection results weren’t out yet, and the daughters’ marriage arrangements weren’t settled either.

If he had to leave, at that time it would only be Lin Ruhai going to his post first.

During this time, in her leisure she had been imitating the protective amulet Chen Yu brought back from Huguo Temple. Unfortunately though.

She didn’t know if it was because of her unsettled mood or because of different cultivation systems – even though she traced the pattern identically and used her ability, there was no progress.

Yun Shuyao didn’t give up. She practiced daily, becoming slightly more skilled each day than before. Although she had learned the form, she hadn’t learned the “intent.” She was making progress, so there was hope.

In this waiting, the imperial edict arrived.

The entire Lin household changed into formal attire, set up an incense table, opened the main gate wide, and welcomed the edict—