To make things easier for Yiren, she went out of the mansion almost every day. Li Yi and Li Er seemed to have received instructions from Yinzhen and followed closely behind Nan Yi.

After spending two days at Xiao Xi's house, he invited Zhenzhen Wanqing to play at Huikeju. Perhaps knowing that she was in a bad mood, Zhenzhen Wanqing brought it up when she returned to the mansion and chatted with the gentlemen.

The next day, several friends took the initiative to invite her. Eighth Master, Ninth Master, and Tenth Master also brought their entourages. Thirteenth Master came to join in the fun, bringing Xu Huaiyu with him.

Separated by two screens, Nan Yi listened to their lively conversation and discovered that Yin Tang and Xu Huaiyu were quite close. The two even seemed to have a mutual appreciation. Xu Huaiyu's words subtly flattered Yin Tang, which even she, an outsider, found pleasing to the ear, let alone Yin Tang.

Xu Huaiyu was truly an extraordinary person.

Nan Yi was puzzled as to what Fourth Uncle and Thirteen were up to, knowing full well that Xu Huaiyu was a problematic person.

Does Yinzhen know?

She tried several times to find an opportunity to ask Yinzhen or the Thirteenth Prince, but she didn't get the chance. Finally, she got really anxious and ordered Yiren to find Xiaojinzi to pass on a message to Yinzhen.

She made an excuse to change her clothes and waited for Yin Tang in the backyard of Huike Residence.

A moment later, Yinzhen rushed over. "What's wrong? Xiao Jinzi said you have something urgent to tell me."

"It's important, come with me."

Nan Yi was anxious and grabbed Yin Tang's sleeve, pulling him towards a corner of the courtyard. This scene was witnessed by Thirteen, who was also changing clothes.

He seemed incredulous, and a sudden surge of anger rose within him. In his fury, he silently followed behind the two men.

Reaching a dead end, Nan Yi stopped, turned her head to look at a corner, frowned thoughtfully, and turned to look at Yin Tang, "What's wrong with you? How come you're hanging out with that Xu Huaiyu?"

He thought it was something serious. In front of the woman he loved, Yinzhen's machismo subsided a bit, and he became a little more patient, but that was all.

"I thought it was something serious. Don't worry about things outside. Just eat well and have fun. At least you'll need some money. I've recently closed a few big deals..."

Yin Tang was unconcerned. He privately thought that Xu Huaiyu was quite capable and talented, and had great insight into business matters. They were like-minded people, so he naturally valued him to some extent.

"You're kidding me! I'm talking about serious business. That Xu Huaiyu has problems, so don't get too close to him." Nan Yi kicked him angrily. "Didn't you notice that he's been flattering you all along, always fawning over you? What kind of good person is such a sycophant?"

Instead of being angry, Yinzhen laughed, his laughter coming softly from his throat. The affection in his eyes was almost overflowing. He gently tapped her forehead with his folding fan and said softly, "So you're worried about me. It's no wonder I think of you every day, afraid that you'll be wronged in Fourth Brother's backyard."

"Bullshit! Do you think I'm the kind of person who takes it lying down? Hey, did you even listen to what I said? Xu Huaiyu really has problems. I can't go into the details, but he's shady, has ulterior motives, and is a very dangerous person."

When Xu Huaiyu returned from Shicheng that time, the Fourth Master and the Thirteenth Master also witnessed Xu Huaiyu and his maid's strange behavior.

Only she, the Fourth Prince, and the Thirteenth Emperor Kangxi knew about the Stone City incident. They were acting on a secret imperial decree, meaning that whether it succeeded or not, it was a matter to be kept secret.

"Really, you have to believe me. He's not as harmless as he seems. You have to be careful and not fall into his trap."

Nan Yi spoke very seriously. When Yin Tang saw her furrowed brows and worried expression, he was immediately filled with tenderness and his love for her grew stronger.

What could be more joyful than someone you like caring about you?

Knowing this fact, the Ninth Prince was overjoyed. His way of expressing his joy was simple and direct: he threw silver notes at the prince.

However, for a long time now, Nan Yi has said she doesn't like banknotes. She has saved quite a lot herself, and since she doesn't spend much on daily expenses, jewelry and precious objects are more practical.

The Ninth Prince heard from Wanqing that Nan Yi was in a bad mood, so he specially found a lot of good things to cheer her up.

"I've prepared some small items. Little Gold will give them to your maid. Remember to keep an eye out for them. If there's anything you want, just tell me next time we meet, and I'll buy it for you."

"No need, I don't need anything." She had just robbed the Nian family's warehouse and had seen too many good things, so she had long lost her enthusiasm for pursuing money.

Knowing he hadn't heard her warning, she said, "What I just said is up to you whether you want to listen or not. When you go out these days, take more guards with you. That way, you won't lose anything. Consider it my advice, even if it's just me being overly concerned."

"Since you've said so, I'll definitely listen. Don't worry, in the capital, who dares to mess with me?" Yin Tang said smugly.

Nan Yi didn't want to persuade him anymore; he wanted him to suffer a loss before he would realize how dangerous it was to offend someone like Tai Sui.

Xu Huaiyu was not from the capital. If he had malicious intentions, he could simply leave after he was done. In such a vast territory as the Qing Dynasty, he could easily find a place to hide and then be found like a needle in a haystack.

"Alright, as long as you know what's going on." She sighed softly, then turned to another matter, "Wanqing has lost a lot of weight lately, and she seems preoccupied. There's always a look of weariness between her brows. Her maid said she doesn't sleep well at night. Please take good care of her."

She frowned, breathed on her frozen hands to warm them, and then abruptly changed the subject, asking, "What kind of person is your primary wife?"

"Are you cold?" Yinzhen reached out and took her hands in his palms, rubbing them together. Then he asked, "Why are you asking her?"

Nan smiled and said, "I'm just curious."

She couldn't very well say that Wanqing's maid complained to Yiren that the primary consort in Ninth Master's mansion was quite good to the women in the mansion, but harbored considerable resentment towards Wanqing.

Wanqing wasn't particularly favored in the Ninth Prince's household, and Yinzhen didn't show her any extra favor just because Nan Yi and Wanqing were close.

As a secondary consort, her rank was such that it was impossible for Yinzhen to neglect her.

Although the two women were on opposite sides of the household, Wanqing entered the family before Dong Eshi and had managed the household for two years. In terms of seniority, she was older than the primary wife.

The maid said that there were many women in Ninth Master's mansion, but their master didn't seem to favor any of them. He treated their master normally, but steadily, and would come to keep him company a few days a month.

The problem lies here. Dong E's wife must have seen this point and felt that Ninth Prince treated Xiao Guo's wife, Wanqing, differently, which inevitably made her resentful.

The other concubines and princesses were only favored by the master for a while before being abandoned. Why was Xiao Guo Wanqing different? That means she must be special in the Ninth Master's heart.

One particular thing was enough to annoy her and make Xiao Guoshi Wanqing angry.

“A-Ning is a very gentle person, outwardly soft but inwardly strong. She manages the household very well. Of course, she is not lacking in the ways of a woman. She occasionally gets a little jealous, but it is harmless. Father has assigned a very suitable primary wife to the prince.”

Suitable—just two words were enough to define the primary consort in his mind.

Yinzhen stroked her warm hands, tapped his folding fan in his palm, and his mind wandered for a moment.

He thought that if that intelligent and clever woman hadn't met Nan Yi, he might have fallen in love with her.