"Little Jinzi, didn't you sleep well last night?" The Ninth Prince chuckled and glanced at him with amusement.

Xiao Jin, leaning on the table, stared at the mess on the floor, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets, and stammered, "No, no, sir, please come and see."

"What's wrong? Why are you making such a fuss?" Ninth Prince walked over impatiently.

Little Jinzi pointed to a foot sticking out from under the desk, "Master, I don't know where this little maid came from, but she's been sleeping in your study."

The Ninth Prince was furious and shouted, "Drag him out! Anyone who dares to break in again will be beaten to death!" The study was an important place in the mansion; how could anyone be allowed to barge in so casually?

"twitter"

Little Jinzi couldn't help but look at the girl sleeping soundly on the ground with pity. Why did she have to barge into the master's study? She was practically asking for trouble.

Nan was half asleep when she felt someone tugging at her foot. How annoying! She was sleeping soundly.

"Ah Tang, so noisy." She grumbled, kicked the person away, turned around, and continued to sleep soundly, hugging her blanket.

The Ninth Prince, who had just turned around, froze. What did he hear? Ah Tang, there was only one person in the world who dared to call him that.

Nan Yi, his face filled with wild joy, pushed Xiao Jinzi away, trying to wake the person on the ground, but Xiao Jinzi was still standing there blankly.

"Ahem, go and fetch some pastries so I can have a bite before going to court."

Little Jinzi was confused. Why wasn't Master angry anymore? Could it be that this girl had won Master's favor and was about to rise to a higher social status?

"Aren't you going? If you delay my court session, I'll punish you." Ninth Prince glared at the clueless Little Jinzi.

"This servant will go immediately."

After dismissing his personal attendant, the Ninth Prince brought over the candles. He lifted a corner of the quilt on the ground, revealing Nan's profile. She was fast asleep, her face flushed, looking quite adorable.

The Ninth Prince stared blankly for a moment. He put the candle back on the table and picked up the quilt and the person from the ground.

He returned from drinking last night and didn't realize how long Nan Yi had slept there. It was freezing cold, and there was no stove in the study. He, a man, was alright, but how could a woman endure it?

After spending half the night under the table, Nan moved to the couch, where her body could finally stretch out, and she snuggled into the warmth.

The Ninth Prince sat to the side, tucking her in, then frowned, almost forgetting the most important thing: Nan Yi had suddenly appeared in his study and hadn't returned home all night. What was the reason?

The fur coat was comfortable to lie on. Nan Yi smacked her lips, but her nose was a little itchy. She scratched it a couple of times, but it still itched when she put her head down. She opened her eyes groggily and reached out to touch it. Hmm, isn't this the couch in A-Tang's study? Why is she lying on it?

"woke up."

"Ah Tang?" Nan Yi yawned. "It's not even dawn yet, are you going to court?" She stretched her leg, "Ouch~"

Hearing her gasp, the Ninth Prince quickly asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"I've been rolling around all night, my legs are a little sore." She sat up and wrapped the blanket around herself. "Sigh, you go ahead and do your work, but I'll need to borrow your study for a few days, and also pay for a few meals."

"Nan Yi, what happened? Why are you hiding? Is it because Fourth Brother..." Ninth Prince sensed something was wrong in her tone and assumed that Fourth Brother had bullied her, so his face immediately darkened.

"Don't ask me any more questions about my affairs. Just pretend you've never seen me. I'll only stay for three days, and then I'll leave."

Nan Yi didn't want to tell him what had happened to her. She wasn't the original owner of this body, and she wasn't going to put on that pitiful and complaining act. She could handle her own affairs.

This time, it's a permanent departure. However, they will never see Ah Tang again, and they feel a little reluctant to part with her. They have been very tolerant of her for the past three years.

To be honest, in the Qing Dynasty, the only person she couldn't let go of wasn't the Fourth Master, but rather the few rare friends she had made.

Xiao Xi, A Tang, the Eighth Prince, Zhen Zhen, the Tenth Prince, and several maids in Wan Yue Pavilion.

Alas, we cannot say goodbye; it may be the last time we meet.

The Ninth Prince thought she would return to the manor after three days of hiding, so he didn't think much of it. Little did he expect that she would leave the capital and never come back.

Nan Yi threw a tantrum at her fourth brother, and she was so angry that she hid outside and refused to return to the mansion. It seems that her fourth brother must have done something to hurt her.

The affairs of the inner quarters are nothing more than the power struggles among women. In the fourth brother's inner quarters, Nan Yi is favored, and the brothers have heard about it. They feel sad but also happy for her. Next is Consort Nian.

Given Nan Yi's personality, the idea of ​​her vying for favor isn't that he looks down on her; it's just that Nan Yi isn't the type of person who would compete for favor.

She was too genuine and straightforward, without any guile. In the prince's harem, a woman without a bit of scheming and calculation would probably find it difficult to survive.

He and the myna bird had talked privately about how Nan Yi was tough on the outside but soft on the inside, and didn't know how to humble himself to please others. Even if he gained favor, it probably wouldn't last long.

If one has one or two sons to rely on, one can maintain one's position and avoid a miserable future.

She stormed out in a huff after only a short conversation.

The Ninth Prince reached out and massaged the back of her knees. "Are you feeling better?"

"Hmm, I'm feeling better. You go ahead and get busy, but don't forget to bring me lunch." She lay down again. "I'm going to sleep a little longer; it's only four in the morning."

"Alright, I'll tell Xiao Jinzi. You go to sleep." After tucking her in, the Ninth Prince sighed inwardly, went out to the study, gave Xiao Jinzi a few instructions, and then hurried off to court.

They met the eighth and tenth brothers in front of the palace gate, and the three of them walked forward together.

"Today, Father Emperor will discuss the disaster relief in Gansu at the court meeting. As previously agreed, Luo Gang will be nominated. He is a calm and steady man who has made great achievements in his ten years of service. Father Emperor also appreciates him highly. He volunteered to join the city, so this opportunity is just right for him."

“Eighth Brother is right.” Tenth Prince nodded. “If he is smart and does this job well, he should be promoted when he comes back. Ninth Brother, what do you think?”

"Ninth Brother, Ninth Brother, what are you thinking about?" The Tenth Prince nudged the Ninth Prince, who was lost in thought.

"Oh, it's nothing."

The Ninth Prince strode forward. There was a little woman hiding in the study of the mansion. He was worried that she was hungry, cold, or bored. He just couldn't concentrate.

"Hey, Eighth Prince, why is Ninth Prince so distracted?" the Tenth Prince asked his Eighth Prince in a low voice.

The Eighth Prince shook his head. He was perfectly fine when they were drinking last night.

"Never mind him, we'll go to the palace later and act accordingly," said the Eighth Prince.

"Okay, little brother knows what to do."

Halfway through the court assembly, the Eighth Prince mentioned Luo Gang. Kangxi glanced at the officials below; everyone was waiting for his decision, but the Ninth Prince…

"Ninth Prince, what do you think?"

The Ninth Prince was still lost in thought when the Tenth Prince, standing next to him, became anxious. "Ninth Brother, what are you thinking about? Father is calling you."

"Oh." The Ninth Prince's expression turned serious, and he quickly stepped forward. "Reporting to Father Emperor, I believe that Luo Gang is capable of undertaking this important task."

"Yes, all my ministers have no objection. Issue an imperial decree appointing Luo Gang as imperial envoy to go to Gansu immediately to take charge of disaster relief."

"Your Majesty, we obey your decree! Long live the Emperor!"

After the court session ended, the Ninth Prince did not leave. Instead, he secretly observed the Fourth Prince and saw him and the Thirteenth Prince walking in a hurry.

It seems that Fourth Brother is worried because Nan Yi didn't come home last night.