Chapter 41 Favoring Rouze
The next day, those who arrived at Yunshui Residence before Yinzhen were showered with gifts.
By the time Yinzhen finished dealing with the Ministry of Revenue's affairs and arrived at Yunshui Residence, it was almost time for dinner. Song Wan'er, dressed in a loose-fitting cheongsam with a pink base and blue butterflies, and draped with a rabbit fur cloak embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns, stood gracefully at the courtyard gate, waiting for him.
"You are pregnant, why wait outside?" Yinzhen quickly stepped forward and helped Song Wan'er up from her bow.
Song Wan'er's eyelashes fluttered, and a fleeting glint of tears crossed her eyes as she looked at Yinzhen. "Your Highness, I'm just happy..."
Yinzhen held her hand tightly, said nothing, and led her into the house.
Song Wan'er watched his retreating figure, deeply moved. Although the two had broken the ice more than a month ago, she knew that the pain from the passing of the eldest princess was still difficult to heal. This child's arrival was timely, allowing them to stop running away and gradually soothe the scars in their hearts.
Perhaps, this is because the eldest princess couldn't bear to leave her parents and has been reincarnated. Holding this hope, she longs to give birth to a princess more than the princes the maids yearn for. To bring her eldest princess back into the world, and this time she will surely protect her well…
Dinner was served quickly. Having come to her senses, Song Wan'er spoke gently to Yinzhen, who reciprocated with his concern. However, a fleeting thought crossed his eyes as he looked at certain dishes.
That night, the two were filled with tenderness, as if they had returned to the time when they were just pregnant with the eldest princess. Yinzhen stayed with Song Wan'er at Yunshui Residence for three days.
Whether he rested in the front yard or stayed overnight at Qi Yuebin's or several of his concubines' places, he never forgot to visit Song Wan'er during the day.
So everyone in the back courtyard knew that Consort Song had regained favor because of her pregnancy. But no one noticed that Yinzhen hadn't rested in the main courtyard for half a month.
Although he continued to visit the eldest prince, Yuan Kang, frequently at the main courtyard, he never stayed overnight. Others couldn't tell, but Yi Xiu was terrified.
"Jianqiu, did I do something wrong? How could Prince, how could..." Yixiu could no longer remain calm, her gaze towards Jianqiu filled with fear and unease.
Jianqiu looked at her with heartache and comforted her, "Princess, don't panic. The Prince hasn't expressed any dissatisfaction with you. He must be busy with affairs, or perhaps the women in the inner quarters have played some tricks..."
“Yes, you’re right,” as if she had found a suitable reason, suppressing her unease, Yixiu’s anger turned to the others in the backyard, “It’s not that Master doesn’t care about me, it’s all those women in the backyard. Especially Song Shi, who dares to challenge my position just because she’s pregnant…”
Thinking about how much Yinzhen had favored Yunshui Residence during this time, Yixiu felt jealous. "Jianqiu, speed things up! Yunshui Residence cannot be allowed to stay..."
Not only was Yixiu restless, but Rouze, who had never received any favor since entering the manor, was even more resentful. Even though her maidservants advised her that the Prince harbored resentment over what had happened in the past, which was why he hadn't shown her favor, Rouze couldn't wait any longer. After so many failures, when would she finally be able to overcome the Prince's lingering resentment?
The prince has always been at odds with her; does that mean she's destined to remain unfavored forever?
So, in a fit of despair, Rouze put on a slightly revealing dance costume and returned to the lakeside where they first met to perform the Dance of the Startled Swan.
She recreated the scene of their first meeting, showcasing her most skillful dance. Even if the Prince was angry, it would be good if she could get his attention.
Yes, Rouze didn't really expect to gain favor through such a "chance encounter." She only hoped to at least ease the slightest distance between herself and the Prince. It was all or nothing; Rouze simply couldn't bear to remain so obscure and unknown in the backyard.
But to everyone's surprise, Rou became the favorite!
The news spread like wildfire through the backyard. Everyone was surprised that Rouze had suddenly become the favorite, especially because of her dancing. Everyone knew what had happened back then. But no matter how much they couldn't understand it, Rouze had become the favorite, and the Prince had stayed for three days straight.
Three days later, Rouze was moved from the remote courtyard to the exquisite and elegant Wangyue Pavilion near the front yard. Gifts were continuously sent into Wangyue Pavilion, and the decoration of the entire courtyard was further enhanced. Rouze suddenly became the new favorite of the Prince.
"Jianqiu, why? Why did the Prince take a liking to Rouze? Has he forgotten..." Yixiu had a slight headache. She was on guard against Song Wan'er, but Rouze found a loophole and stood out, winning favor with her stunning dance.
Has Prince Bellor truly fallen for Rouze? Does he disregard everything else, and no longer care about the past hurts?
She had only recently become a Fujin (principal wife), and her happy days had just begun. But suddenly, she found that everything was out of control. Song was pregnant, Rou was favored, and her peaceful days were soon disrupted by turmoil.
Before Jianqiu could speak, Xiuxia walked over, her face pale and her expression panicked. Upon seeing Yixiu, she knelt down with a thud.
"Madam... Eunuch Su, Eunuch Su has brought Chef Chen from the main kitchen. He said that the Prince said Chef Chen is loyal to the main courtyard, so he will stay and serve the main courtyard..."
Xiu Xia's voice gradually faded, and Yi Xiu instantly turned pale, his body swaying and about to collapse.
“Fujin…” Although Jianqiu was also afraid, she immediately supported Yixiu’s body.
"Jianqiu, Master knows, he knows..." In a flash, Yixiu understood everything. Whether it was his frequent attention to Yunshui Residence or his favoritism towards Rouze, it was all a warning to her.
Unfortunately, she realized this too late and never stopped targeting Song Wan'er's diet. That's why the Prince sent her directly to the main courtyard.
Has Yinzhen completely abandoned her...?
Yixiu couldn't stop her tears. More painful than being discovered for harming someone was Yinzhen's loss of trust and love. She ignored the maids' advice and sat listlessly until evening.
"Fujin, Fujin, the Prince is here." Ignoring Yixiu's instructions not to be disturbed, Jianqiu rushed in, her face uneasy.
"The master is here..." Yixiu's eyes lit up instantly, then dimmed again, fearing that Yinzhen had come to pronounce her fate. Filled with unease and anticipation, Yixiu tidied herself up simply with Jianqiu's help, but she couldn't hide the redness in her eyes.
Yinzhen arrived in the evening with a cold expression. He neither reprimanded nor comforted her, making Yixiu restless.
"Your Highness..." He wanted to ask, but didn't know what to ask.
"Today is the fifteenth... Go wash up and rest." Yinzhen didn't say anything more and turned to go to the cubicle to wash up.
Yixiu suddenly realized that it was already the fifteenth. The Prince still came to the main courtyard out of consideration for her, but he was unwilling to say much to her. Yixiu was both touched and bitter. Only then did she vaguely realize that she had made a mistake and should not have made a move on Song Shi...
The night was dark. Yixiu lay beside Yinzhen, the two of them very close. Yet, Yixiu felt a great distance between them, filled with fear and unease, but dared not utter a word. Looking at Yinzhen, whose eyes had already closed, she silently shed tears.
"Don't let such clever ideas about food incompatibilities appear in your backyard anymore."
After an unknown amount of time, Yinzhen suddenly spoke. Yixiu's heart sank completely. Sure enough, the Prince knew everything; he must think she was a vicious woman…
"Xiao Yi, you are my wife."
After saying this, Yinzhen didn't speak again. Yixiu understood the meaning behind his words, knowing that Yinzhen was letting her go and was also trying to comfort her.
With the dust settled, Yixiu truly regretted her actions. She shouldn't have doubted the Prince's feelings for her, and she shouldn't have done such a thing out of fear. Although the Prince had spared her this time because of his affection for her, she knew that their relationship would never be the same again, and she truly regretted it…
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