When I met Emperor Kangxi in Rehe a few years ago, he was a sprightly old man. But in recent years, probably due to the torment of illness and the passing of his elders, Kangxi looks no different from any other elderly man.

Although she says she's in much better spirits now, Qian Shengyan believes she's truly in her twilight years.

However, perhaps because Qian Shengyan was different from the others, she knew the exact time of Kangxi's death, so she felt that Kangxi looked even older at this moment.

That year, the war in the Northwest became intense, and the title of General Yinzhen was repeatedly mentioned. Nian Gengyao was also promoted one after another for his military achievements, and his reputation in the capital became increasingly prominent.

After the Golden Festival, news spread that "Nian Shi" was three months pregnant. Everyone in the mansion was both envious and jealous. Li Shi said countless sour things to Ulanara Shi and Qian Shengyan, and even urged Qian Shengyan to go and find Nian Shi.

As someone who knew the inside story, Qian Shengyan naturally ignored Nian's instigation. After dealing with Nian, she turned around and saw the dejected Hongli. Only then did Qian Shengyan realize that she had forgotten something.

At that time, Hongli had personally experienced Lady Nian's madness, and he was already old enough to understand things. He also knew about Qian Shengyan's miscarriage. The reason why Lady Nian's pregnancy was being publicized so much was because Yinzhen wanted "her" to "give birth" to the child.

Qian Shengyan thought for a moment. Hongli always said that he had grown up and was no longer a child. He had been intelligent and sensible since he was a child. Perhaps, there were some things she could tell him?

And if she didn't tell him, the little guy would keep looking at her with those worried eyes, and then at his father with those righteous indignation eyes, it was really...

She revealed that Nian had been replaced by another person and that the pregnancy was fake. She also explained that there would be a fake little brother in the future, but it shouldn't be taken seriously.

The event happened so suddenly that Hongli was completely stunned.

He blinked his grape-like black eyes and asked the crucial question: "Why did my father do that?"

"I can't tell you this right now; we can only wait for Hongli to figure it out himself." Qian Shengyan wasn't being deliberately mysterious. The main issue was that discussing this matter would involve the struggle for the throne among the nine princes and various aspects of Kangxi's reign. She really didn't know how to explain these things without speaking ill of Kangxi, so she could only figure it out herself. "Also, can Hongli keep everything about Lady Nian a secret?"

"Can't I tell my sister either?" Hongli asked, puzzled.

Qian Shengyan tapped his little nose: "No, you can't tell anyone, okay?"

Hongli agreed in a daze, and then went back in a daze.

When Yinzhen arrived that evening, he smiled and asked, "Did you tell Hongli?"

"How did you know, Master?" Qian Shengyan was somewhat surprised. Was Hongli really so bad at keeping secrets?

Speaking of this, Yinzhen wanted to laugh even more: "When I went to see him tonight, he finally agreed to talk to me."

Qian Shengyan: ...

My good son, you're such a precious baby! You even know how to protect your mother!

In December, Empress Xiaohui Zhang held another memorial service. At the behest of the Emperor, Prince Yinzhen and two other princes went to pay their respects.

The Lunar New Year's Eve passed by uneventfully. Emperor Kangxi was unwell and concerned about the war at the front, so the New Year's Eve banquet ended early. After the group returned to the Prince's Mansion, Yinzhen was unmoved by the look that Ulanara gave him and simply said, "It's getting late, everyone go back and rest."

"Yes." The heavily pregnant "Nian Shi" bowed and was the first to leave. Qian Shengyan also took her two children and left.

Lady Geng was waiting at the door early in the morning. After picking up Hongzhou, she left. Hongshi, who was now fifteen years old, had moved out of the backyard and was now following Yinzhen back to the front.

Ulanara bit her lip somewhat uneasily. Over the years, she had seen how favored Nian Shi had become, but because she had always been sickly, they rarely met, and since neither of them had children, she could tolerate it.

But now, now...

With Nian Gengyao's numerous military achievements and Lady Nian's pregnancy stable, if Nian Gengyao were to return victorious and Lady Nian were to give birth to a son, would she still have a place in this household?

"My lady... how about we make some soup and send it to the front?" Yanruo suggested softly. Ulanara's eyes flickered slightly, and she sighed again.

The palace rules dictate that the emperor should rest at the empress's residence on the first and fifteenth of each month. However, the empress's position has been vacant for many years, and the various princely residences naturally no longer follow this rule. The princes can rest wherever they want, and given that Ulanara is now of such an age, there is really no need for them to compete for it.

But she... was just afraid...

If only the prince could come and comfort her, even if it was just a hollow promise, Ulanara would feel at ease.

She returned to the main courtyard and sat there for a long time, but she still couldn't fall asleep. When it got a little brighter outside, Ulanara couldn't stand it any longer and got up to call her maid: "We still have to go to the palace to pay New Year's respects today. Let's prepare early and then... go ahead and wait for the prince."

So Ulanara got ready early and went to the front yard without having breakfast, but to her surprise, the prince was not there.

When asked where the guard prince had gone, no one answered. Ulanara was both puzzled and uneasy. After waiting for a while, she saw Yinzhen and Qian Shengyan walking over with two children, chatting and laughing.

Ulanara immediately understood.

The prince didn't go to Dongyou Courtyard early this morning; he stayed there last night...

Yesterday's return to the front courtyard was just for show; who knows where the prince will go afterward?

She watched the approaching group, which truly seemed to be a family of four, her body trembling slightly, and suddenly understood what it meant to be superfluous...

Nian's favor?

Those who say that Lady Nian is favored should come here and see how the Prince and Lady Qian get along. After seeing it, they will understand what true favor means!

No, this is more than just pampering...

Ulanara's throat tightened, and she was still in a daze when Qian Shengyan saw her first and immediately curtsied, saying, "Your Highness, Your Highness has arrived so early today."

"Hmm... Your Highness." Ulanara gave a mechanical bow, and Yinzhen nodded casually. Soon after, a eunuch brought over the horses and helped the masters mount their carriages.

After waiting a while, "Madam Nian" finally arrived late. She was heavily pregnant and walked hurriedly. She greeted the prince and said, "Your Highness, Madam, I overslept."

"It's alright, you're pregnant, it's good for you to sleep a little longer." Ulanara unconsciously became much kinder to "Nian Shi", which made "Nian Shi" a little uneasy. She subconsciously glanced at Qian Shengyan, only to find that Qian Shengyan was also in a daze.

Ulanara sat alone in the carriage at the front, and sighed deeply.

She had misunderstood Lady Nian before, thinking that the prince truly doted on her, but who could have imagined...