Qiu Ming immediately answered yes and left at a brisk pace for Linzhi Palace.
Inside the room, Xia An looked at Lin Wanyi, eyes full of worry.
"My lady…"
"In the end, I was naive, thinking I could stay hidden here and enjoy peaceful days. Forget it — help me up. I haven't been on my feet for days, my legs have gone stiff."
In the Left Hall, Xia An supported Lin Wanyi as they paced slowly back and forth.
The movements were not large, but after being confined to bed for so many days, even this little bit of exercise left her legs sore.
"My lady, you'd better not push yourself. There's an old saying that 'injuries to tendons and bones take a hundred days to heal.' Be careful or you might end up with lingering problems, aching bones when it's cold or rainy."
"Don't worry. I know my own body, and I'll be careful."
Lin Wanyi rested for a bit, then had Xia An gently massage her legs to loosen up the muscles and tendons.
Over the next few days, it seemed as if everyone in the Left Hall had agreed to start getting out of bed and walking around.
The one who recovered fastest was Xiaoluzi. As soon as the physicians cleared him, he changed into a clean, sharp set of clothes and went straight to report to Qiu Ming.
"Eunuch Qiu, I'm all recovered now. Whatever you need from me, just give the word."
Qiu Ming looked him up and down — his complexion was rosy, and after days of good food and rest, his energy had returned. He gave a small smile.
"Young folks heal fast."
Xiaoluzi grinned, then asked politely:
"Eunuch Qiu, would you like me to recite the new palace rules? I haven't been idle these past days."
"No need. Passing by your quarters these two days, I've heard you practicing well enough. But remember — memorizing them is only the first step. You must truly take them to heart."
"Rest assured, I will keep them firmly in mind."
"Good."
Qiu Ming looked at him with a bit of approval in his eyes.
For a servant, the biggest pitfalls were arrogance or hopeless despair.
They had already suffered a beating and been assigned the lowest tasks in the harem; if they couldn't respect themselves, how could anyone else respect them?
Xiaoluzi had decent talent. If properly trained, he could go far.
Thinking of this, Qiu Ming said:
"His Majesty liked the nightwear the young lady made and ordered several more. You should go to the Internal Affairs Office and summon the head women of the silk storehouse and the embroidery workshop here. Also, go see your master and let him know you're safe — he's been so worried lately he's practically got sores on his lips."
Hearing this, Xiaoluzi felt both sad and happy.
Ever since entering the palace, he had been looked after by Eunuch Qin. After years together, they'd built a strong bond.
The young lady had never opposed him keeping in touch with his teacher — she only disliked him gossiping about the Left Hall's affairs.
Remembering this, he nodded.
"Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch Qiu. I understand."
With that, he hurried toward the Internal Affairs Office.
Not long after, the head women from the silk storehouse and the embroidery workshop arrived together.
They were familiar with Madam Fan from the silk storehouse already. The woman beside her looked somewhat thin but had sharp, clever eyes — this was the current head of embroidery.
"This servant Fan Baoju greets the young lady, and wishes you blessings."
"This servant Chang Haie greets the young lady, and wishes you blessings."
Lin Wanyi, whose legs were still weak, was sitting by the bright window couch with a light blanket over her lap.
"Please rise, both of you."
"Thank you, my lady."
"Thank you, my lady."
Chang Haie, the embroidery head, looked up to examine Lin Wanyi, seeing her gentle temperament and faint smile, which made people want to draw closer.
She couldn't help but silently sigh: no wonder this woman had captured His Majesty's heart in just half a month.
Beautiful, and skilled.
She dared not slack off even a bit, and spoke politely:
"Did the young lady summon us about sewing nightwear for His Majesty?"
This Chang-madam was quite straightforward, revealing the purpose right away. But who knew how much of that "frankness" was genuine?
Lin Wanyi showed no change of expression and replied:
"Madam Chang, you're very forthright, so I won't beat around the bush either. Since this is to make clothes for His Majesty, the fabrics and threads must be carefully selected. I don't know what stock the palace holds, so I called you both here to ask."
Madam Chang, seeming perfectly at ease, answered smoothly:
"My lady, you're asking the right person. Let me explain the embroidery workshop's situation to you."
Then she began talking non-stop, from their honors and awards to the number of registered embroiderers — practically spilling their entire bottom line.
But Lin Wanyi did not hear what she truly wanted to know.
Chang Haie was still speaking with enthusiasm when Lin Wanyi coughed twice.
Qiu Ming, who was standing by, immediately understood.
He cut in coldly:
"Madam, please focus on the important parts. The young lady is still recovering and does not have the strength to listen to idle chatter."
His tone carried a faint edge, and Madam Chang, knowing Qiu Ming's cold nature, dared not show off again.
She then spoke more directly:
"Currently the workshop uses mainly three kinds of silk thread: pure silk, mulberry silk, and ice silk, with a palette of 394 plant-dyed colors. They are bright, vivid, and durable."
"Do you have tears-amber thread or honey-dyed thread?"
Hearing that, Madam Chang's proud expression faded.
So this Lin lady was a connoisseur — she had asked straight for the rarest threads.
She looked a bit awkward and replied:
"Most of the embroidery threads are tribute goods. Tears-amber and honey-dyed threads take too long to make, so they are in short supply. Sometimes we have them, but stocks are low. If you need them, we can bring what is available, but it might not be enough for an entire garment."
"That's fine. Bring what you have. Also, if you have brocade white thread and copper-red thread, gather some of those for me as well."
This request startled Madam Chang.
The materials she had asked for were not luxurious, but their techniques were complex, so the workshop rarely used them.
They (the embroiderers) preferred using silk threads with bright, vivid colors that would shimmer brilliantly under the sunlight. That way, whether they were embroidering golden dragons for His Majesty or floral patterns for the concubines, the results would always be eye-catching.
Madam Chang had wanted to keep talking, but Lin Wanyi cut her off.
She turned her gaze toward Madam Fan, who had not yet spoken, and asked:
"What about the stock in the silk storehouse?"
Madam Fan was not like Madam Chang, who struggled to stay on topic. She immediately took a booklet out from her sleeve.