When Yinzhen arrived, the scene was eerie: his ninth brother was blocking the road, and his younger sister-in-law seemed to be trembling... Was she crying?

Standing there helplessly, Madam Tong watched as the maidservant attending to her tiptoed and drew circles.

"Yier"

Nan Yi froze slightly, exchanged a quick glance with the Ninth Prince, who had his back to Yinzhen, and walked over to him. She then used the handkerchief covering her mouth to slightly murmur the corners of her lips.

The Ninth Prince paused for a moment, turned around, and said, "Greetings, Fourth Brother."

“Ninth Brother, there’s no need for such formalities,” he added, “The banquet is about to begin, don’t be late.”

"I understand, thank you, Fourth Brother," he said, pulling Xiao Guo aside. He didn't know what to say, but Xiao Guo smiled shyly through her tears, gently patting Ninth Prince's chest with her delicate hand. She then called for someone to come forward to touch up her makeup, and Ninth Prince waited quietly.

...

"You are beautiful too."

"?"

Nan Yi was taken aback. Was he speaking? Was it a love confession?

Yinzhen's lips curled slightly, and he walked forward with a hint of unease.

Nan Yi smiled dismissively and said, "Not as good as Sister Nian."

Yinzhen glanced at her, his eyes still showing displeasure. Why was she being mentioned again? The barely perceptible smile vanished instantly, and he said in a light and indifferent tone, "Why aren't you following behind the Fujin? I thought you were lost again?"

A hint of sarcasm played on her lips. How thoughtful of her to only realize she was missing after so long. She really wasn't... well, Tong Yilan was truly pathetic.

Her reply was tinged with resentment: "How could that be? The palace scenery was so captivating that I was so engrossed in looking at it that when I turned around, the Prince and Princess were nowhere to be seen."

With his wife on the left, Lady Nian on the right, and Lady Li and Lady Qi behind him, he was already quite fortunate in love, yet he still had room for others.

It was a perfectly normal explanation, but Yinzhen felt something was off about it, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Was it because he blamed her for leaving her behind? But he hadn't come out to look for her as soon as he realized she was missing. So what was she complaining about? Her words were sarcastic and made him furious.

Yinzhen frowned, glanced at her unexpectedly, and then walked forward. Nan Yi, however, stood still, staring straight ahead, then casually looked into the distance, her thoughts wandering to some unknown corner.

She really is everywhere. It seems like she's not competing with her for a man, but she's always hanging around in front of her, which is annoying.

Dressed in a light pink palace gown, Lady Nian stood gracefully at the entrance of the Imperial Garden, gazing tenderly at the approaching Prince Yinzhen.

Yinzhen noticed it too, his expression softened instantly, and he quickened his pace. After a few steps, he suddenly stopped and turned around. Seeing that Tongshi was not moving, he frowned and said, "Aren't you coming up?"

Nan Yi smiled weakly and said softly, "My body aches, and I can't walk."

Yinzhen's expression changed slightly. He took a few steps over, put his arm around her, and pulled her into his arms. "You've only just recovered and you're already causing trouble. No wonder it hurts. I don't know what to say to you."

After thinking about it, he felt sorry for her and said, "You don't need to go to the palace banquet. I'll find a place for you to rest and then come to pick you up after the banquet."

Nan Yi chuckled softly and said coquettishly, "Okay—" Her tone was more obedient, gentle, and melodious than ever before.

Yinzhen found it extremely pleasing to the ear and was extremely satisfied. He said very gently, "If you continue to be this obedient, I will have much less to worry about."

Nan Yi secretly curled her lip and muttered to herself, "They really want to turn me into a yes-man." Besides, the manor doesn't need another one like her.

Yinzhen pretended not to hear, feeling slightly helpless. Considering her discomfort, he decided to bear with it for the time being.

The two arrived at a quiet little pavilion, surrounded by lush green trees and beautiful scenery. Judging from its appearance, it was a place for people to rest temporarily, and it was well taken care of by eunuchs. When they saw them arrive, the eunuchs hurriedly stepped forward to greet them.

After a brief look around, the two entered a small room on the right. Yinzhen helped her to sit down on the couch by the window. Before they were even settled, they vaguely heard a greeting. He and she exchanged a glance, then frowned and looked towards the door. A pleasant and clear voice came from inside, "Greetings, Consort Nian."

Nan Yi frowned deeply, biting her lip as she glanced sideways at the figure who had leisurely entered. Why was she always there wherever she went?

They're really pressing in relentlessly, leaving no time to catch your breath. They're even capable of tailing and following you closely.

Yinzhen didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

"Greetings to the master, may the master be well."

"Hmm, why didn't you go to the banquet?"

Lady Nian chuckled, a worried expression on her face, and said, "I noticed that Sister Tong seemed unwell just now, and I was worried about her, so I came to check on her." She then bowed slightly to the south, "Sister Tong."

"...Sister Tong, are you feeling alright? Should we ask the Emperor to summon the imperial physician to take a look?" As she spoke, her beautiful eyes glanced at Yinzhen, as if seeking his opinion. Yinzhen nodded slightly.

She smiled and walked to the door, instructing the eunuch to summon the imperial physician.

Nan Yi was annoyed, very annoyed, and also very angry. They clearly disliked each other, yet she still put on an act of sisterly affection. Yinzhen fell for this act, but she wasn't going to play along. She was too lazy to waste time with her. Such a shameless woman was truly rare. She was practically saying "I hate you," but he just ignored her completely.

"Sister Tong, you..."

"We're not familiar with each other." He stood up straight, intending to brush past her and give her a disdainful look, but before he could even get close enough to touch her side, he was already standing there.

"Ah—" Before Nan Yi could react, Nian Shi inexplicably collapsed to the ground, her delicate brows furrowed, and she groaned softly, as if she were enduring pain, which was particularly heartbreaking.

A gust of wind swept by, and Lady Nian had already been picked up by Yinzhen and placed on the couch where she had just been lying, asking repeatedly, "How are you? Where did you fall?"

Nian nestled her head in his arms and whispered, "I'm fine, Master, you don't need to worry." Although she said she was fine, she secretly reached out and gently rubbed her waist.

Yinzhen saw everything, turned around angrily, his face cold and his eyes icy, and said in a low voice, "Tong Shi, haven't you made enough of a scene? How long are you going to keep making trouble?"

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