As Qian Shengyan stood up to express her gratitude, she thought to herself that it seemed Yinzhen really cared about this matter, as he had even brought up the issue of Nian Gengyao's job change.

However, she didn't really care.

To be shameless, she now has the favor she desires, the children she wants, and a bit of power. Moreover, Yinzhen isn't the type to be fickle or easily bored. As long as she doesn't do anything reckless, Yinzhen will at least give her some face.

So what about the Nian family?

Don't even mention the fear of Lady Nian stealing the emperor's favor; even if Lady Nian weren't here today, there would be many more women in the future. If you're discussing the concept of monogamy with a native-born Qing prince, you should at least look at the Fujin (Prince's wife) first—she's the principal wife.

Qian Shengyan didn't think she had the ability or the expectation, so she just waited to be a long-lived empress dowager, hehe.

Seeing that Qian Shengyan truly didn't care about the Nian family matter, Yinzhen felt relieved and thought she was sensible, but for some reason, he was still a little annoyed.

He grew up in the palace from a young age. His childhood sweetheart, Consort Tong, was extremely jealous. Whenever the Emperor showed more favor to a woman for a few days, she would get angry.

He didn't like that kind of woman, so he intentionally kept the women in his backyard in check, but now he's actually met one who's incredibly generous and doesn't get jealous at all...

Suddenly, Yinzhen understood why his father still doted on Consort Tong, even though he knew she had that kind of personality.

Jealousy can sometimes be a source of fun.

Yinzhen pursed his lips and looked at Qian Shengyan. Qian Shengyan was about to get up and get dressed when she felt his gaze, turned around and looked back, then was startled.

Why are you angry again?

She...didn't do anything, did she?

While Qian Shengyan was still pondering to herself, Yinzhen asked in a low voice, "You don't mind if Lady Nian comes to the manor?"

Qian Shengyan: ? ? ?

What kind of dog problem is this?

She didn't understand the question, but she understood Yinzhen all too well.

This man is a dog.

She can't ignore it, and she can't ignore it either; whatever she does will be wrong unless he's satisfied.

Now, how can she please him? By showing that she cares about him.

Qian Shengyan understood in a second, and her eyes immediately reddened.

But she quickly turned her face away, leaving only her profile for Yinzhen, saying, "How could I possibly mind?" but the corners of her lips were turned down, and if you listened carefully, you could hear a hint of sobbing in her voice.

Yinzhen immediately softened, understanding Qian Shengyan's concerns—even if she was now a concubine, how could she be separated from a secondary consort by a mere step? It was a world of difference, a hurdle that many people could never overcome in their entire lives.

If she gets angry and jealous regardless of the consequences, she will seem petty and immature, especially since Lady Nian was betrothed by the Emperor and has two older brothers; her family background is undeniable.

Qian Shengyan really didn't dare to mind.

But does she really not mind?

Looking at those eyes that immediately turned red, how could she possibly not mind?

Yinzhen gently pulled her shoulders to face him, but she still turned her face away from him, her eyes were even redder, and her long eyelashes trembled slightly, as if she was about to burst into tears at any moment.

For a moment, Yinzhen didn't know what to say. He simply pulled her into his arms, patted her gently, and then kissed her on the head: "I was wrong, I... shouldn't have asked."

Qian Shengyan tried hard to hold back her tears in his arms, but couldn't help rolling her eyes when she heard these words.

You bastard, you asked the question you shouldn't have, and now you've made me hold my breath until my eyes are red.

As they embraced, the atmosphere changed. Yinzhen kissed her from the top of her head to her forehead, then to her red eyes, and then he couldn't stop.

Qian Shengyan also deliberately indulged him, and the two had a rare celebration on their hundredth anniversary. Afterwards, Qian Shengyan took the opportunity to stay in bed until lunchtime.

The whole day was spent in "warmth," and perhaps feeling guilty, Yinzhen began to call Qian Shengyan "Master Qian" from that day on.

It sounds nice, but Qian Shengyan herself knows that a concubine's wife is no real mistress.

At least now that he has a title, it's barely considered legitimate for him to manage things in the garden.

As August arrived, the lingering heat of late summer made the weather even hotter. The Summer Palace, with its shady trees, was relatively cool, and the Lion Grove Garden wasn't too hot as long as you weren't in direct sunlight.

A letter arrived from the manor, informing them that Lady Nian had been brought into the manor by the end of July. Although the prince was not present, Lady Ulanara still presided over a ceremony. The courtyard assigned to Lady Nian was rather disgusting; it was located north of Qian Shengyan's courtyard, with the two courtyards closely connected and separated only by a wall.

When Qian Shengyan heard the news, she just laughed it off. It didn't matter. Even if they lived in the same courtyard, it wouldn't be a problem. However, it was kind of the Fujin to go to such lengths, and she should prepare a proper thank-you gift.

"Master, shouldn't we tell the Prince about this?" Qingxue asked hesitantly as she packed her things. She had only just realized, when she pulled out the menstrual pad she had brought, that Qian Shengyan hadn't had her period even once since arriving in Rehe.

Qian Shengyan didn't seem to care: "I haven't even seen the imperial physician yet, what's there to say?"

"It's been almost two months..." Qingxue was pleasantly surprised, but still worried. "Should we tell the Prince?"

Qian Shengyan lay lazily on the chaise longue, calculating the time, and felt that if she didn't speak up soon, Yinzhen would probably come to find her for some exercise.

She didn't know before, but she did it anyway. Now that she has to protect the child in her womb, Qian Shengyan naturally refuses to do anything dangerous again.

She propped her head up and thought for a moment, then agreed with Qingxue's suggestion and sent someone to call Doctor Zhou over.

When Yinzhen returned in the afternoon, he was greeted by a group of beaming faces.

But no one told him the reason; they simply knelt down and told the prince to go to the Pianyun Shujuan Palace to find out.

What did Qian Shengyan prepare?

Yinzhen arrived at Pianyun Shujuan Palace with doubts, but found no one in the main room. Qingxue greeted him and led him into the inner room, where Qian Shengyan, dressed in loose and comfortable home clothes, was about to get up and bow.

"No need, what's wrong with you today?" Yinzhen picked up the teacup and took a sip. Finding the temperature and taste unpleasant, he took another sip. Then he heard Qian Shengyan say:

"I felt unwell today, so I called Doctor Zhou to come and see me. Doctor Zhou said... I am almost two months pregnant."

"Pfft, cough cough cough..." Yinzhen choked on his tea and coughed repeatedly. Qian Shengyan, who had deliberately chosen to speak while he was drinking water, pretended to be panicked and patted his back: "Oh dear, Your Highness, are you alright?"

"I'm alright," Yinzhen said, recovering his composure. He took Qian Shengyan's hand, his eyes shining brightly. "You're pregnant... really?"

"How could I dare to deceive Your Highness about this matter?" Qian Shengyan said with a smile.

Yinzhen laughed, his laughter growing wider and wider. He patted Qian Shengyan's hand: "Good, good, how long has it been? Almost two months? Was it... that you got pregnant before coming to Rehe? Or just after we arrived here?"

He stood up happily and paced around the room. "This child is quite interesting. He has a special connection to Rehe, and he arrived just as you were promoted to concubine. He's a lucky and good child."