Yinzhen was both amused and exasperated by Qian Shengyan's question. He hadn't misunderstood the meaning in her tone—it wasn't jealousy or disdain, but rather anticipation.

He longed for the arrival of a new concubine and hoped that he wouldn't have to worry about anything.

How could there be such a woman!

When Yinzhen's stubborn temper flared up, he found it amusing and insisted on letting her take charge. This time, he not only brought over the gatekeeper's invitation, but also the household account books and the plaques for the main courtyard, and gave them to Qian Shengyan.

Qian Shengyan was really about to cry: "Master..."

"Alright." Yinzhen feigned anger, glaring at her. "I think you're getting spoiled and arrogant. What, are you supposed to contradict me?"

Qian Shengyan knew he was faking anger, but her heart still skipped a beat.

Yes, she was careless.

Even if Yinzhen was lenient with her, he was still a prince, a prince of the first rank, and the future emperor. She couldn't just ignore his words because he was willing to sit on her bed and patiently coax her.

At this moment, Yinzhen's anger was feigned, but what he said might not have been untrue.

It wasn't a big deal, but it certainly served as a wake-up call for her, and thankfully, it came early enough.

Qian Shengyan pursed her lips, not immediately changing her attitude, but tugged at Yinzhen's sleeve and whispered, "I know, this servant will listen to you, Master."

Yinzhen nodded in satisfaction, took her hand, and then looked at Su Peisheng: "What did Doctor Zhou say?"

Qian Shengyan and Su Peisheng were both taken aback by his direct question. Su Peisheng was momentarily stunned, while Qian Shengyan hurriedly stood up, saying, "Master, this servant will go check on Yuanshou first..."

"Let's listen together, so you'll have a better understanding," Yinzhen said calmly.

Qian Shengyan had no idea what she needed to know, but Yinzhen's demands were irrefutable, whether it was Su Peisheng, Doctor Zhou, or even herself.

She had no choice but to sit down again and wait for Su Peisheng to call Doctor Zhou in, then listened attentively to Geng's condition.

When Qian Shengyan heard Doctor Zhou say that Madam Geng was not acting abnormally today, she couldn't help but be a little surprised. She even glanced at Yinzhen somewhat inappropriately, but when she saw that he was just expressionless and not acting abnormally, she immediately understood what Madam Geng meant by what she did today.

To stir up trouble when there is none is clearly an attempt to create something.

This... is probably why Yinzhen made her listen to Doctor Zhou's report?

Doctor Zhou glanced quickly at Yinzhen's reaction, feeling slightly reassured, and spoke with perfect composure: "Gege's pregnancy is as it always has been, with no changes."

"Hmm." Yinzhen nodded, then asked directly, "Approximately how many months can it be maintained?"

After he said that, there was silence all around. Qian Shengyan turned her head to look at him in disbelief, completely unable to understand why he would say such things in front of her.

Could it be that he found out?

He knew Qingxue would inquire about these things, so he knew she must have known all along, and therefore disdained to pretend.

So... is he subtly expressing his dissatisfaction?

Qian Shengyan was even considering whether to get up and apologize, but with her hand still being held by Yinzhen, she was somewhat at a loss and asked in a trembling voice, "Your Highness..."

Doctor Zhou was also taken aback, but quickly calmed down and respectfully replied, "Even if Hua Tuo were alive, Princess Geng's pregnancy could only be saved for six months at most."

"Hmm." Yinzhen held Qian Shengyan's fingers and casually waved his hand. Su Peisheng quickly stepped forward and led Doctor Zhou away from the main hall.

Qian Shengyan was getting restless. She keenly sensed that Yinzhen was being somewhat aggressive today, but for some reason, this feeling of being out of control made her very uneasy. She looked at Yinzhen with slightly trembling eyes, her lips moving slightly, but she didn't know what to say.

Yinzhen glanced at her, then laughed, "Were you frightened?" He patted her hand reassuringly, "It's alright. I just wanted to tell you that Geng's pregnancy was doomed from the start, but she wanted to drag you into it. If you understand this, you'll have more power to protect yourself and trust me more, hmm?"

Qian Shengyan stared blankly at him, seemingly understanding yet not quite, only letting out a silly "Huh?" which amused Yinzhen. He raised his hand and pinched her cheek, then squeezed her rosy lips before standing up and saying, "Alright, we have to get up early to go to the palace tomorrow, so I'll rest in the front tonight."

"Oh... Oh, Your Majesty, is Yuan Shou going again tomorrow?" Qian Shengyan asked hastily, but to her surprise, Yinzhen nodded and said, "Yes, Yuan Shou is very lovable. The Empress specifically instructed that we bring him to the palace these next few days."

Qian Shengyan: ...

Well, having a son who's too lovable isn't always a good thing.

After seeing Yinzhen off, Qian Shengyan returned to the warm pavilion, sighed, and slumped weakly onto the table to reflect on herself.

Things have been going too smoothly for her lately. With the primary wife and secondary primary wife confined to their quarters, no one in the entire inner courtyard is around. She's starting to vaguely see Yinzhen as her boyfriend, or rather, as the father of her child. After all, Yinzhen is responsible for Yuanshou and dotes on her, which has made her... cross the line.

This is not only a man, but also a monarch...

Su Peisheng and the others always addressed Yinzhen as "Master," for he was indeed the master of the Yongqin Prince's Mansion.

Although Qian Shengyan called herself a "servant," she never really considered herself a servant—modern people, sweet talk is nothing special, haven't you seen how many college students are vying to be their roommate's father?

She never cared about her status, and she didn't care about the concubine position that was within her grasp but ultimately slipped through her fingers. Her lack of ambition and willingness to compete was not because she was indifferent to fame and fortune; on the contrary, it was precisely because she knew that she would be the biggest winner in the end, so she was never in a hurry.

But... one has to live long enough to reach the day Yuan Shou ascends the throne...

Especially... according to later records, Qianlong's birth mother was a member of the Niohuru clan of the Bordered Yellow Banner, not a Han Chinese named Qian Shengyan...

Qian Shengyan suddenly felt a chill. She hugged her knees and slowly, slowly buried her head.

Having been transmigrated for so long, this was the first time she had experienced what it meant to be "when the ruler commands the subject to die, the subject has no choice but to die."

Even though Yinzhen has not yet ascended the throne, he can confine Empress Xiaojingxian (Ulanara clan) to the main courtyard with a single word and even strip her of her power to manage the household. In the future, he could also change Yuanshou's birth mother with a single word and give that Niohuru clan member a son...

She had been misled by the tenderness of men in bed, thinking that her life could continue so simply. She thought that with her foresight and the information Qingxue had gathered, she could avoid all calamities. But she forgot that men were the source of all the troubles.

Qingxue happened to come in and was startled to see Qian Shengyan curled up in a small ball. She hurriedly stepped forward, supported her shoulders, and asked, "Princess? What's wrong, Princess? Are you feeling unwell?"

“Qingxue…” Qian Shengyan looked up, her eyes slightly red, but then she smiled, “You’re right.”

Not fighting, not grabbing, and not clinging to favor—that's not being a saint, that's being a fool.