Chapter 609: Chapter 607: Invited Away by Princess Consort Yang
Today is the day Lin Wanwan enters the palace to give the Grand Empress Zhangsun a peace pulse, Lin Wanwan brings two servants, a man and a woman, rides to the front of the Imperial Palace, and enters alone carrying a wooden medicine box.
The Grand Empress Zhangsunâs pregnancy is quite stable, she had some pregnancy reactions before, but after receiving acupuncture several times from both Lin Wanwan and Elder Sun, she no longer has any reactions and feels much more comfortable.
Lin Wanwan always checks the peace pulse quickly, regarding prenatal education, she now recites it like reading a book to the Grand Empress Zhangsun, focusing on theory, the actual execution of prenatal education doesnât require Lin Wanwanâs personal involvement, the musicians from the palace are always busy with it.
Today while at the Grand Empress Zhangsunâs palace, she also encounters the Crown Prince Li Chengqian and the future Tang Gaozong Li Zhi who came to offer their respects.
Li Zhi asks Lin Wanwan with concern about little Qingyuâs condition, ever since their last farewell, the little one has frequently been talking about sister Qingyu.
After all, the only person he has played so joyfully with since childhood is Qingyu. As a result, Li Zhi canât forget about Qingyu and her array of diversely fascinating toys.
The Grand Empress Zhangsun, hearing Li Zhi talk, has developed curiosity about Qingyu, and tells Lin Wanwan that she should bring Qingyu into the palace next time when convenient.
Bringing into the palace is impossible unless the Grand Empress Zhangsun directly orders it, otherwise Lin Wanwan will just assume itâs pleasantries.
After handling the little one Li Zhi, Lin Wanwan exits Lizheng Hall. She didnât encounter Li Lizhi today at the Grand Empress Zhangsunâs palace and doesnât plan to seek her out.
Lin Wanwan doesnât enjoy staying in the Imperial Palace longer, once business is done, she wants to leave.
As a result, not long after leaving the door of Lizheng Hall today, she is stopped by a palace maid in a blue dress.
The palace maid comes from the residence of Princess Consort Yang, saying Princess Consort Yang invites Lin Wanwan to give her a pulse check.
Although Li Shimin previously stated that Lin Wanwan, as a female doctor, doesnât need to attend to anyone other than the Empress, this evidently doesnât include the four consorts.
If the four consorts want to summon Lin Wanwan for a pulse check, she has no way to refuse. This damned imperial society, even the Emperorâs concubines arenât ordinary concubines, they still possess higher status.
Lin Wanwan ponders for a moment and decides to follow the palace maid.
Since the invitation comes, she might as well go and take a look.
Actually, Lin Wanwan doesnât think the invitation is truly for a pulse check, she believes Princess Consort Yang must have other matters. But she canât figure out what it might be, so she simply goes to explore.
Curiosity can kill a cat!
Lin Wanwan is genuinely curious about this historically renowned beauty, wondering what kind of person she truly is. Given a rare opportunity, she decides to meet her.
Compared to Lizheng Hall, which is close to the Emperorâs sleeping quarters, where the Grand Empress Zhangsun resides, Princess Consort Yangâs residence is relatively far away, which also indicates how distinct the hierarchy of Li Shiminâs harem is.
From the residence itself, the separation is clear.
The Empress is the Empress, supremely noble, while a consort is just a consort, no matter how favored, she cannot surpass the Empress.
After walking for about fifteen minutes, the palace maid leading the way finally stops, arriving at the sleeping quarters of Princess Consort Yang.
Following the palace maidâs notification inside, shortly after, a lazy and enchanting voice rings out: "Is Lin Leâan here? Please come in."
Lin Wanwan steps into the hall, getting slightly overwhelmed by the rich fragrance within, wondering how much incense is burning here?
"This humble servant Lin Wanwan, pays respect to Princess Consort Yang," Lin Wanwan performs the bowing ceremony.
In the palace, apart from encountering the Emperor, Empress, and Eastern Palace Crown Prince where she must perform a solemn bow, for others she can perform a milder ceremonial bow.
Lin Wanwan is reluctant to kneel, so if she can avoid bowing, she certainly will.
"Rise." Leaning on the beauty couch, Princess Consort Yangâs gaze flows over Lin Wanwan, "Lin Leâan, these days I feel uncomfortable eating anything, could you kindly check whatâs wrong with me."
"Yes." Lin Wanwan steps forward to check the pulse, then catches a full view of the beauty before her.
Her eyes resemble moonlight, her face like a jade plate, exquisitely glamorous, truly an earthly beauty akin to peach blossoms.
Indeed, a beauty that can be passed down in history books is extraordinary.
This woman, Lin Wanwan once encountered her when she first entered the palace, near the Grand Empress Zhangsunâs palace gate. At that time, the other was sitting high in a palanquin with curtains surrounding, preventing a clear view, only remembering the other had exceedingly fair skin.
Now, seeing her clearly, the impact is overwhelming, such a degree of beauty isnât often matched by the medically enhanced entertainment circle beauties in modern society.
No wonder Li Shimin shows affection towards her children.
Among the many concubinesâ children, few receive Li Shiminâs fatherly love, and Princess Consort Yangâs son, Prince Wu Li Ke, counts as one of them.
While thinking chaotically about various historical guesses regarding Princess Consort Yang, Lin Wanwan proceeds with diagnosing her pulse.
The body isnât very healthy, based on the pulse, she is consumed with worries and shows signs of breast hyperplasia.
After all, women in the deep palace can hardly avoid worries. Most of them must tread cautiously every step to secure their place in the harem.
After diagnosing the pulse, it isnât necessary to prescribe medication (prescribing for the consorts in the Great Tang Dynasty is a complex procedure), she merely provides oral advice on self-cultivation, completing the task.
Lin Wanwan just stands up ready to bid farewell when Yang speaks softly, "Iâve heard the soap and perfumed soap formula circulating in the palace were invented by Wanwan, is it true?"
Turns out, itâs about money!
Showing her true intention, Princess Consort Yang finally reveals the real purpose of inviting Lin Wanwan for the pulse check.
However, Lin Wanwan isnât a charitable philanthropist. With Li Lizhi already invested, Lin Wanwan doesnât intend to further share profits with anyone.
"Yes, I am indeed engaged in the matter of soap and perfumed soap," Lin Wanwan replies, "but the Soap and Music Workshop isnât operated by me alone, Princess Changle also holds shares."
The meaning is clear, if you want to capitalize on this business opportunity, first deal with Princess Changle.
Yang gazes at Lin Wanwan for a moment, then suddenly smiles brightly, "Indeed, very brave."
Lingering in Princess Consort Yangâs palace with feigned mutual civility for long enough, Lin Wanwan finally leaves before losing patience, retaining proper manners.
Even the Emperorâs concubines lacking funds envy Li Lizhiâs booming soap business, but Lin Wanwan canât cater to so many people.
The noblesâ lives have nothing to do with her, sheâs focused on her own endeavors.
Not long after exiting the Imperial Palace, a person on horseback stops in front of Lin Wanwanâs steed: "Is the honorable Village Lady Leâan here?"
The voice is slightly high-pitched, differing from ordinary men.
"Indeed, I am she," Lin Wanwan replies, "Which household are you from?"
"I serve Mistress Xiao, having heard the Village Lady Leâan has entered the city today, I came to deliver an invitation from our mistress for a flower appreciation gathering the day after tomorrow, requesting Lin Leâanâs presence."
Mistress Xiao, surname Xiao? Who could it be? Could it be Empress Xiao, Xiao Chongâs grand-aunt?