Back at the mansion, before Nan could even settle into his seat, the gatekeeper announced, "Consort Niu Gulu has arrived."

She paused for a moment, then realized that it must be about Princess Ying. As for pleading for her, she shook her head. "Please tell Consort Niu Gulu that I am a little tired and will not be receiving guests. I will speak to the Prince about Princess Ying."

The gatekeeper had already received instructions from the head steward of the inner courtyard that if her master refused, she should not see anyone. She mumbled an agreement and withdrew.

With no one to bother her, life in the mansion was relatively peaceful, and she resumed her old habits from her time in the Yong Prince's mansion.

Every two or three days, she would report to the Fourth Master, telling him where she was going to play and when she would return to the mansion. The Fourth Master knew she was very bored, so he didn't restrict her and let her go out to play. He only told her not to show her face in front of outsiders and to keep a low profile.

The first few times, he secretly sent people to protect her, but after a few times, the guards could only apologize.

For no other reason than that they couldn't keep up with Master Tong. Good heavens, his skills were far beyond their reach.

Yinzhen remembered that Tongshi had taken medicine to disperse her internal energy, so how could she still know kung fu? That evening, he asked Tongshi out of curiosity, and she simply said, "I started practicing again."

The greatest gain from Nan Yi Forbidden Garden was her diligent practice of martial arts day and night, especially her internal strength. She never slacked off. Heaven rewards those who work hard, and she dared to say that even Zheng Yong might not be her match now.

Yinzhen, still worried, instructed, "In that case, you must be careful and not reveal it to outsiders. Your father has given a clear order."

"I know, I'm just that stupid." Nan Yi rolled her eyes at him. Was Kangxi concerned about her skills or did he lose face by dispelling her power?

It took four top imperial guards working together to subdue her; he should be wary of her.

After washing up that day, the Fourth Master took a booklet in his hand, sat down to the side, and watched the maids apply a layer of something that was supposedly a face mask to Tong Shi's face.

Nan Yi, lying on his back, said, "Don't talk to me for the next 15 minutes, or you'll get wrinkles."

Yinzhen shook his head and chuckled. He picked up the booklet, remembered something, and said, "Xiao Xi is leaving. Father Emperor has appointed her as the General of Xining. She will be setting off soon. Do you want to get together with her? Once she leaves, we won't see her for two years."

"Huh?" Nan Yi struggled to get up.

Yinzhen held her down, "Don't talk, reading novels will make you wrinkle."

Nan Yi rolled her eyes in annoyance. She said she wouldn't talk, but he still flirted with her. Xiao Xi was getting promoted and was leaving for two years.

Two years. Can her body hold out for another two years?

"You've been back at the manor for half a month. I've already invited Physician Wu to come and examine you tomorrow. Don't let yourself develop any illnesses while you were there. Remember to tell Physician Wu if you feel unwell."

"Yiren is going home to visit her family tomorrow. Give her three days off. I'll need to call Qingyun and the others to come and serve her for a few days."

Nan Yi initially wanted to say no, but then, remembering that she and her servant hadn't seen each other for many years, she acquiesced.

Yinzhen's gaze fell on the book, reading it casually while his mouth was also busy, and it was unclear how many words he actually absorbed.

After rambling on for a while, seeing that there was no sound around him, he turned his head and his lips twitched.

"I forgot."

Nan Yi pursed his lips. This Fourth Uncle, who was originally a cold-faced prince, was usually sparing with his words and taciturn. But the cruel hand of time has not only turned him into an uncle, but also given him the habit of being a chatterbox.

Lying there was boring, and Nan couldn't move her mouth, so she pulled Fourth Uncle's hand and wrote the character "Shun" on his hand, meaning she wanted him to tell her what Xiao Shunzi was doing.

"He's doing great. I don't know what you fed him, he's gotten so fat. Did you feed all the good food to that servant? He's so lucky to have such a good master like you."

Nan's eyes darted around. There wasn't much good food to eat. The vegetables grown in the yard were just a few. With skillful hands, she could come up with some new and interesting dishes, but after ten years, she was tired of eating them.

Zheng Yong would occasionally bring in some ingredients to improve their meals. Sometimes, when she was really craving something, she would also take some ingredients from Qinglian.

The chaos that occurred in Tongzhou during those two years came in handy.

To be honest, she hasn't seen Brother Yong since she got out; she should find some time to meet him.

"I'm sending Xiao Shunzi to Guangdong. You're always thinking about seafood, so I'll have him bring back a lot to Beijing to satisfy your cravings."

"......" What? She sounds like a glutton.

"And let him lose some weight while he's at it."

"Pfft~" Nan Yi couldn't help but wonder how such down-to-earth words could come out of the Fourth Uncle's mouth.

Yinzhen solemnly reminded him, "Be careful, wrinkles."

"Damn it, this bastard!" Nan Yi punched him lightly, then slightly parted her lips and said, "Get out, don't bother me."

Yinzhen smiled and took her hand, placing it on his lap.

After Nan Yi washed her face, Yinzhen noticed that Tong Shi's face seemed a bit more radiant. "Hmm, not bad. I'll have Su Peisheng get you some more of the finest pearls."

"Thank you, sir, the more the better," Nan Yi said without any politeness.

Finally finished, Yinzhen put down the book, got up, put his arm around Nan Yi, and walked towards the bed. Nan Yi felt helpless at such an obvious intention.

However, for half a month, he came every day, slept in the same bed, and shared the same blanket, but Nan Yi had no intention of taking him any further.

It's impossible for things to continue like this.

However, she was rejecting it in her heart.

When a woman likes someone, she feels both psychologically and physiologically anticipation and pleasure when that person gets close to her.

Having been through so much with Fourth Uncle, experiencing heartbreak and disappointment, and then being separated for many years, what expectation or pleasure could there be in their relationship?

The obstacle has been created, and I fear it will never be eliminated in this lifetime.

No matter how good he is to her, he can't make up for the hurt he caused her before.

On the one hand, they don't want to feel wronged, but on the other hand, they have to compromise.

A hint of bitterness flashed in Nan Yi's slightly lowered eyes, and her heart clenched. She raised her hand to press her chest, concealing her displeasure, then looked up and smiled gently. Her curved eyebrows and eyes were soft, warm, and charming, and her bright eyes seemed to sparkle with starlight.

She shook the Fourth Uncle's hand, leaned lightly on his shoulder, and began to coax him, "Are you free tomorrow? Come with me for a spring outing."

Yinzhen smiled broadly, his eyes full of doting affection, and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Tomorrow won't work. After the court assembly, Physician Wu will be coming to the manor. I'll spend time with you during your next day off."

"Okay, how much longer is Xiu Mo going to go out? It's not fun for me to go out alone. Xi Xi is busy all day, and Zhen Zhen has to take care of two little ones. I'm bored too."

"About ten days, be patient. You haven't been to the villa in a long time, I'll accompany you there for a few days."

"Really?" Nan Yi exclaimed softly, reaching out to hug Fourth Uncle's neck. "It's a promise, you can't go back on your word."

Her face was as beautiful as a flower, her eyes as gentle as water, and she was as innocent as ever. Yinzhen's gaze darkened slightly. "I am a man of my word, and I would never break my promise to a woman like you."

After saying that, he picked up Nan Yi in one swift motion, his gaze fixed on her, and gently placed her on the brocade quilt before leaning down.