Chapter 93 Hidden Schemes

Ever since Nian Shilan entered the household, she has thoroughly ignited the competitive spirit among the women in the inner quarters, but unfortunately, it has had little effect, and Consort Nian remains the only one who stands out.

Yinzhen was busy with state affairs, so he didn't spend more time in the inner palace, only about seven or eight days a month. His primary consort, Yixiu, occupied the first and fifteenth of the month, while his secondary consorts occupied four or five days, leaving only one or two days for the remaining women to share.

Those with children are fine, since the prince values ​​offspring. Even if they don't stay overnight, he will often come to take care of them. But those without children are very anxious.

Of these, the gentlest suffer the most.

After all, before Nian Shilan entered the mansion, due to some of Yinzhen's ideas, in the eyes of outsiders, if Rouze could occupy three out of the seven or eight days that Yinzhen had been in the inner palace, she could be considered a "favored concubine".

Rou naturally thought so too, after all, apart from being neglected for a period of time when she first entered the manor due to her dishonorable entry, her treatment had not been bad since she became favored. Even though there was a brief period of falling out of favor, she quickly recovered.

Rouze believed that this meant Yinzhen truly loved her, but unfortunately, she was in poor health and had not been able to conceive. However, because Yinzhen continued to dote on her, she was not too worried, until Nian Shilan entered the household.

"Fourth Prince, has Fourth Prince fallen in love with Consort Nian?" To show that she was different from the other women in the harem, Rouze privately called Yinzhen this. Seeing that Yinzhen didn't say anything, she assumed that this was an intimate term that belonged only to the two of them.

But now, while calling out "Si Lang," Rou Ze leans weakly against the headboard, weeping sadly.

"How could that be? Princess, the Prince has your heart, his feelings for Consort Nian are just a passing fancy." Xuewen secretly rolled her eyes, speechless at her mistress who was only interested in love and romance. If her whole family weren't under the control of the Ulanara clan, she would have already found a way to run away.

"Yes, yes, Princess, don't be sad. With the Prince's affection for you, what is Consort Nian? The important thing now is to have a child as soon as possible. Once you have a child, the Prince's heart will naturally return."

Xueqin, standing nearby, also chimed in with her advice, but her intentions were so obvious that Xuewen couldn't help but glance at her. Unfortunately, Rou remained completely oblivious, instead becoming increasingly expectant.

"Really? As long as we have a child, Si Lang will change his mind?" Rou Ze subconsciously touched her belly, her desire to have a child reaching its peak at this moment.

“Of course, having a child will surely remind the prince of how good the princess is. The prince loves the princess so much, what can’t he get after the princess gives birth to the little prince?” Xueqin said meaningfully, her words carrying an alluring tone.

"Yes, as long as there's a child, my child with the prince..." Rouze touched her belly, lost in beautiful daydreams.

"..." Xuewen was about to cry. Could she still stay in this courtyard? A love-struck master, a colleague with ill intentions, and her own slacking off, plus pregnancy and childbirth—Xuewen felt that her future was bleak.

...

"Xueqin, what do you want to do?" After serving Rouze and getting her to rest, Xuewen pulled Xueqin back to the servants' room and questioned her with a cold face.

"Xuewen, what are you saying? I didn't mean to do anything." Xueqin stared innocently at Xuewen with her big eyes wide open.

"Don't play dumb. Hasn't the princess treated you well? Why are you trying to instigate her?" Xuewen scolded in a low voice. Although Rou was a bit simple-minded, a bit clueless, and a bit out of touch with reality, she was still quite good to the maids who served her closely.

Otherwise, Xuewen wouldn't just talk about giving up while actually serving them diligently.

"Xuewen, we're all maids from the Ulanara clan. What could I possibly do to the princess? Don't worry, the princess is inherently noble and naturally deserves everything she has. For the glory of the Ulanara clan, Xuewen... you won't stop me, right?"

Xueqin wore a faint smile as she gently brushed Xuewen's shoulder, as if dusting her off, and whispered softly in her ear.

Xuewen felt a chill run through her body, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her. She understood the threat in Xueqin's words, thought about her family who were still under the control of the Ulanara clan, closed her eyes tightly, and nodded stiffly.

"Of course...of course not."

After warning Xuewen and making sure she wouldn't cause trouble, Xueqin walked into the courtyard with an unchanged smile, greeted the maids amicably, and left the courtyard under the guise of Rouze. She met up with a stranger, a young eunuch, in a secluded, cramped corner.

"How is it?" The eunuch, his face hidden behind his hat brim, asked softly.

Xueqin showed a hint of disdain on her face and replied indifferently, "Girl Rouze is too soft-hearted, but she is also easy to control. I will influence her slowly."

"That's good. I've already arranged for her to be transferred to Qilan Courtyard. Avoid meeting her unless absolutely necessary. Keep a close eye on Princess Rouze and make sure she doesn't ruin the master's important plans."

Between the two, the eunuch clearly held a higher status, and Xueqin could only obediently listen to what he said.

"Yes, I have always taken care of the princess's meals. Without the master's order, the princess will not be able to get pregnant."

"That's good. Master's plan can't be rushed. Just be careful in your daily life and don't give yourself away. Go back now."

After the young eunuch finished speaking, he looked around and, finding no one else, quietly left. After he left, Xueqin also glanced around, and seeing nothing amiss, she put on a smile again and walked into the courtyard.

"Tsk," Yinzhen shook his head and withdrew his mental energy. Who would have thought that just relaxing and spreading his mental energy around the mansion would lead to him catching two little mice?

She doesn't seem particularly bright, but among the short, she's the tallest; at least she's added some fun to the long-quiet backyard. Indeed, welcoming Nian Shilan into the household was a worthwhile endeavor; it's sure to unleash all sorts of strange and unpredictable things.

"Not bad, not bad at all." Yinzhen smiled. Sure enough, if he relaxed his control over the household a little, someone would take the initiative to put on a good show for him.

He's not in a hurry to find out who's behind these two little mice anymore; he just hopes they can live up to his expectations and put on a good show. They've been lurking in the mansion for so long, they should have some abilities by now, right?

Thinking about it, it was all thanks to Nian Shilan. So, in a good mood, Prince Yong walked out of his study and casually ordered, "Go to Qilan Courtyard."

Yinzhen led his men toward Qilan Courtyard. Along the way, the women in the inner quarters, having received the news, felt even more bitter and jealous of Nian Shilan's favor.

[Host, host, do you like Nian Shilan that much?] 555 couldn't contain its curiosity and, out of sight of others, half of its cat body clung to Yinzhen's shoulder.

Yinzhen smiled and silently replied in his heart, "Yes, I like her. I like the passionate love she exudes, the honesty she shows, and most of all, the joy she brings..."