Ning Cui was so frightened that she left the room. Inside, the Eighth Prince's wife, who had been married for many years, had never seen the prince so angry. She wondered what she had done to offend him and felt uneasy.

"Master, what's wrong? Are you not satisfied with the maids at Ziwei Pavilion?" Eighth Princess Consort asked, forcing a smile.

Even at this point, he didn't forget to put down the four maids who served him.

She didn't sleep a wink last night; the sadness in her heart was suffocating her.

"Stop trying to fool me! I'm asking you, what did you say to Mother when you went to the palace?" the Eighth Prince asked angrily.

The Eighth Prince's wife paused slightly, not daring to look directly at the enraged Eighth Prince. She lowered her eyes and said in a low voice, "It was just casual conversation, why do you ask such a question, Master? Did Mother say something?"

This expression of the Fujin is usually so strong; when has she ever been so guilty? The Eighth Prince narrowed his eyes slightly. "If it's just casual conversation, then what are you worried about? What will Mother say to the Prince? Fujin, are you feeling guilty?"

The Eighth Prince's wife forced herself to stay alert. "Your Highness is joking. I have nothing to hide."

"If you're not guilty, then raise your head and look at me, or come with me to the palace and confront Mother."

"No." The Eighth Prince's wife couldn't hold back. If she went to the palace, Consort Liang might not stand by her side. The prince was her weakness, but wasn't he also her weakness?

If things go wrong, a few more concubines might be forced into the household. Feeling guilty and in the wrong, how could she refuse?

The Eighth Prince's heart sank. "So, when the Fujin (Prince Consort) went to the palace to talk with Mother, she was actually forcing her to take action against Nan Yi, or perhaps, she had no choice but to take action."

The Eighth Prince's wife's heart skipped a beat, and she panicked. "My lord, you can't blame me. If you hadn't had someone else in your heart, how could I have lost my senses? My lord, please forgive me. I will never dare to do it again."

"Stop talking. It's my own business that I have someone else in my heart, but you're taking it out on her. She doesn't even know I have such thoughts. Forgive me? Ha, then go and beg Mother. If Nan Yi is alright, I can forgive you. But if she is in trouble, don't blame me for being heartless."

The Eighth Prince turned and left.

The Eighth Prince's wife slumped on the ground. The prince admitted it; he admitted that he still had feelings for that vile woman.

However, what saddened her even more was that the Eighth Prince promoted two of his concubines to the rank of maidservant and even granted them courtyards to live in.

This matter not only caused a stir in the Eighth Prince's residence, but the Ninth Prince also came to see his brother early in the morning. Upon hearing that his brother had finally taken a concubine, he was overjoyed.

If Nan Yi hadn't been seriously ill, he would have definitely dragged the enlightened myna bird along for a good drink.

"Eighth Brother, congratulations." The Ninth Prince offered his congratulations with a blank expression.

A hint of unease flashed across the Eighth Prince's face, but he quickly relaxed and asked, "How is Nan Yi doing?"

"I don't know, my younger brother doesn't dare to go, and my fourth brother is angry with him," the Ninth Prince said dejectedly. "Eighth brother, why don't you go to the palace and ask Consort Liang about Nan Yi's visit? What is the reason she suddenly summoned Nan Yi?"

"No need." The Eighth Prince was no longer worried and calmly stood behind his desk practicing calligraphy.

"Oh, what do you mean?" Ninth Prince was also exhausted. His brothers were all giving him riddles. "I'm so anxious, and you still have the mood to practice calligraphy."

A sharp glint flashed in the Eighth Prince's lowered eyes. Born as a prince, he couldn't even have his own freedom. How tragic.

"Nan Yi will be fine, just wait patiently."

He wasn't without worry about Nan Yi, but he knew his mother's character well. She cherished even a plum blossom, let alone a living person.

Nan Yi is the concubine listed on the imperial edict by the fourth prince. She has a noble status, and if she dares to touch Nan Yi, the emperor may not agree.

Many of the palace maids and nannies in Songyanzhai were the Emperor's people.

The calamity that Nan Yi encountered was probably just a warning from his mother—yes, a warning to him.

If he can't control his heart, his mother will really take action. There are plenty of ways to make someone die quietly in the palace.

Upon hearing this, the Ninth Prince stood up abruptly, shouting angrily, "Patience, patience! Nan Yi is so sick, he doesn't even remember people anymore, how can I stand it, Eighth Brother..."

“It’s my fault that she’s been dragged into this,” the Eighth Prince suddenly said. He put down his pen, walked over to the Ninth Prince with his hands behind his back, patted the Ninth Prince’s shoulder, and said meaningfully, “Ninth Brother, if it’s for Nan Yi’s good, you’d better stay away.”

“Eighth Brother,” the Ninth Prince’s heart skipped a beat. He was about to ask again when the Eighth Prince raised his hand to stop him.

He earnestly advised, "There are some people you should let go of. If you can't, then keep them deep in your heart and never let anyone see them. Otherwise, you will harm yourself and others."

The Ninth Prince remained silent, his expression shifting repeatedly as he struggled with his thoughts. What was the Eighth Prince implying? Harming others would harm both himself and others; harming others... Could it be that the Eighth Prince...?

Therefore, Nan Yi's illness is indeed related to the myna bird. Consort Liang has taken action and is warning the myna bird.

Ah~ When the Ninth Prince learned the truth, his heart felt as if it were being torn apart; he couldn't let it go.

Her feelings were like silk threads, which she unintentionally wove into a dense net, trapping him within it, from which he could never escape.

She was already married, and he had long since given up on any fantasies. He just wanted to see her happy, to meet her occasionally, and to know that she was doing well was enough for him. Was even this little bit of hope to be taken away from him?

The Ninth Prince seemed to have taken the Eighth Prince's reminder to heart, and left absentmindedly. As he walked, he somehow ended up in front of the Fourth Prince's residence.

Seeing him standing in front of the Fourth Prince's mansion in a daze, Xiao Jinzi asked softly, "Master, are you going to visit Master Tong?"

The Ninth Prince was taken aback. He glanced at the plaque in front of the mansion gate, and the Eighth Prince's words came back to his ears. When did his thoughts become so obvious?

not good.

"You blind servant, I have something to discuss with Fourth Brother, what nonsense are you spouting?" Ninth Prince angrily turned and left.

Xiao Jinzi was scolded and secretly clicked his tongue, thinking to himself, "That's really something. If there's something to discuss with the Fourth Prince, why did he leave? He's not being honest."

When Nan Yi fell ill, many people in the Fourth Uncle's backyard got the news, but no one dared to plot against him at this time. However, many secretly gloated.

The fifteenth was the day when the concubines in the back courtyard would pay their respects to Lady Nara. In the Lan Courtyard, Lady Yi asked Yinzhen, who was coaxing his master, "Your Highness, since the master is like this, he cannot pay his respects to the Fujin. Should I go to the main courtyard to ask for leave?"

Yinzhen shook his head, "No need. I have already spoken with my wife. Lady Tong is not feeling well, so the greetings will be temporarily waived."

Yiren bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for intervening for my master."

Nan Yi was displeased that the two of them were talking and ignoring her. She pointed at Yi Ren and ordered, "Yi Ren, I want to eat red bean cake."

Yiren chuckled, "Your Majesty, the kitchen may not have made any today. I will go and ask Granny Zhao to make red bean cakes for you. Your Majesty will have to wait a while."

Nan Yi waved his hand impatiently, "Go quickly, go quickly."

As soon as Yiren left, she happily climbed onto Yinzhen's lap, hugged his neck, and complained, "Yiren is so annoying. She won't let me do this or that, and she won't even let me leave the courtyard."

"She's doing this for your own good. Once you're better, I'll take you out to play. But during this time, you have to be obedient." Yinzhen coaxed her gently with a smile, putting one arm around her waist and taking some pastries from the plate to feed her with his other hand.