Yinzhen looked at his youngest daughter with a calm expression. Yingge was only ten years old and could not withstand her imposing and cold-faced father.

Prince Yong held a pivotal position in the court and wielded considerable influence. Even high-ranking officials dared not act presumptuously in his presence, let alone his young daughter.

A bead of sweat appeared on Yingge's forehead. She nervously twisted her hands, her gaze furtively drifting towards the inner room's curtain, but there was no sound from inside.

She was still too naive. She thought that if she barged in and caused trouble for her father, at least her mother would step in, say a few words of advice, and prevent her father from punishing her.

If someone gets into trouble, their mothers will always say a few good words for them.

She was still young and had no idea that her mother, Tong, would not even show her face.

What should I do? My mother will be angry.

Yinzhen always paid attention to the upbringing of his children, and Yinggege's actions were tantamount to telling him that he was still too lenient with his daughters.

"Lanzhi, send the princess back and hand her over to the governess for strict instruction. Also, have Su Peisheng invite the imperial physician to the manor to check the concubine's pulse."

"Yes, ma'am." Lanzhi pulled the terrified Yinggege away.

In Xiu Ning Courtyard, a maidservant rushed in, looking flustered. "Master, something terrible has happened! The master has ordered his men to keep a close watch on Ying Gege and have the matrons give her a severe dressing-down."

"Clatter!" The teacup in Niu Gulu's hand fell to the ground. She hurriedly got up, and in her anxiety, her head started to ache even more.

"Master, please be careful." The maid hurriedly stopped her. "Master, don't be anxious. Let's find out what happened and see if we can plead with the Prince to release the young master as soon as possible."

"Yes, yes, my head is throbbing and I'm confused." Niu Gulu helped the maid to her feet and asked what was wrong.

"Ping'er, can you please find out why His Highness suddenly punished Ying'er?"

Ping'er, a second-class maid, stammered and dared not look directly at the concubine. Her expression revealed that something was amiss, and it was likely that Ying'er had made a grave mistake.

Niu Gulu became even more anxious and urged, "At this point, tell the truth."

Ping'er knelt on the ground, head bowed, and recounted the foolish things Ying Gege had done: "For some reason, Gege broke into Lan Courtyard and even tried to enter Consort Tong's inner chamber."

“Impossible.” Niu Gulu’s wife refused to believe it. “That girl is always well-mannered. How could she inexplicably barge into Lan Courtyard? Besides, didn’t the Prince just issue an order forbidding anyone in the manor from disturbing Tong’s peace? I specifically instructed Ying’er about this.”

Ping'er was also very confused. The princess was always clever, and such a rude thing would not be done by even the youngest prince in the mansion, let alone Princess Ying.

"I heard that Princess Ying went to the Orchid Courtyard because her master had a terrible headache. It seems she wanted to ask the prince to come and see her master. The princess is just being filial."

"Foolish!" Niu Gulu was furious. This girl, if she has a headache, she should just call the imperial physician to take a look. Can the master treat her?

Her outburst might make the master think she's using illness to curry favor, and the whole mansion is probably waiting to see her make a fool of herself.

Tong was imprisoned for ten years, but the master never forgot her, and kept the courtyard and servants she was used to in good condition for her.

As soon as she returned, the master couldn't wait to enter the Orchid Courtyard. Everyone in the backyard was jealous, but no one dared to be so tactless as to go and make trouble in front of the master at this time.

“That brat, she really knows how to make her mother miserable. Ouch, my head,” Niu Gulu groaned, rubbing her throbbing forehead.

The maids had watched the princess grow up and were worried that she would suffer under the care of the governesses. They said, "Princess, please think of a way. The princess is delicate and precious. Those governesses are strict and mean and they won't give her any face. Last time, the princess came back crying."

Niu Gulu waved his hand irritably, "Never mind her for now, let that girl suffer a bit."

She felt sorry for her daughter, but she couldn't disregard the prince's orders.

As the maids were about to leave, Niohuru called them back, "Wait, think of a way to get the Fourth Prince back to the manor."

Ping'er and Tao'er were overjoyed. Their mistress couldn't bear to see the princess punished. If the Fourth Prince returned and pleaded for the princess, the nannies would be lenient, and the princess wouldn't have to suffer too much.

In the Lan Courtyard, Yinzhen was handling several urgent official documents in the outer room, while Yiren was combing his hair in the inner room and casually mentioned Yinggege.

"Master, it seems that Yinggege has been used as a pawn."

Nan Yi curled the corners of her lips; someone else was trying to annoy her again.

The princesses in the manor are strictly disciplined, and every action and command is governed by rules. Princess Ying's impetuous intrusion suggests that she was likely instigated by someone.

"I heard that before Yinggege came to Lanyuan, she met Huangege."

"Wen's daughter?" Nan asked in surprise.

“Yes, but Wen Gege doesn’t seem like that kind of person. I’m afraid there’s someone pulling the strings behind the scenes,” Yiren said, expressing her suspicion.

Yiren applied moisturizing cream to her master's face, but Nanyi stopped her, saying, "No, my face has been a bit oily these past few days."

Nan snuggled into the covers, picked up a storybook, and said, "You go and rest. Let Lanzhi keep watch."

"This?" Yiren tidied up the dressing table. "Master, tonight..." She wanted to say that she was worried that if her master needed water at night, she would not feel at ease having someone else serve her.

But she was too embarrassed to say it aloud, her face flushed with worry.

Nan Yi didn't notice Yi Ren's unusual behavior. "Hurry up and rest. Aren't you tired during the day?"

Yiren opened her mouth, but ultimately didn't say anything and left the inner room.

After Yinzhen finished dealing with the official documents, the maid helped him wash up, leaving only the two of them in the inner room.

Having not shared a bed for a long time, Fourth Master was understandably excited and restless.

Nan only showed some nervousness at this moment, after the Fourth Master got into bed and lay down beside her.

When Yinzhen took her hand, he found her body stiff, her almond-shaped eyes glaring at him, and she said angrily, "Not yet, behave yourself." She was even trying to shrink further into the bed.

The fourth uncle was immediately filled with pity. He took her hand in his palm and said with a smile, "Alright, let's have a chat."

He gently inquired about her life in the Forbidden Garden. As they chatted, the night grew late, and Nan Yi, unable to resist her sleepiness, quietly fell asleep.

She was so sleepy that even when the Fourth Uncle got up to go to court, he didn't wake her.

The day that Xiao Xi and Zhen Zhen had agreed upon arrived. At the private room reserved at Huyue Restaurant, Xiao Xi and Zhen Zhen were already waiting.

Zhenzhen came up to them and said, "Our master has booked the entire Huyuelou restaurant today. Enjoy yourself and eat to your heart's content, don't be shy."

Nan Yi casually asked, "Is Tenth Master coming?"

Zhenzhen smiled and said, "If I'm in a hurry, I will come. It's been a long time since you've seen each other. Master often talks about you in the manor, always worried that you're suffering inside."

"The Tenth Prince is benevolent and righteous. My situation is much better than the Thirteenth Prince's. I also have personal maids and eunuchs to serve me. There's nothing wrong with that."

Xiao Xi nodded, and when she spoke of the Thirteenth Prince, she said with a look of regret, "The Thirteenth Prince was so dashing back then, but after more than ten years, he has already grown gray hair."

Nan Yi, "You've met the Thirteenth Prince?"

Xiao Xi said, "Yes, I saw him. When the Emperor summoned me, the Thirteenth Prince was also there."

The three best friends ate and drank together, and the Huyue Restaurant even invited a storyteller to tell stories to the three of them separately.