"Alright, alright, it's good that you're back. Go wash your hands and come eat!"
The palace maids inside worked quickly and efficiently, clearing the table and setting out the food, dishes, and utensils before everyone moved on.
Yunyi didn't follow the rule of not speaking while eating or sleeping. While eating, she asked her sons how their studies and life in the palace were going.
"Don't worry, Mother. Mama treats us very well. She brings us things from time to time, and she takes care of everything we need in terms of clothing, food, shelter, and transportation every day. We are doing very well."
Hongyao, as the eldest brother, was the first to speak up and explain, and the second and third brothers nodded in agreement.
Yunyi trusted her eldest son's words, as he was the most reliable and dependable. So she didn't ask any further questions and instead changed the subject.
The relationship between Consort De and the Fourth Prince was somewhat strained, but Consort De, as the grandmother, doted on her grandson.
Yunyi guessed that, on the one hand, it was because Hongyao was her first grandson and a pair of twins, an auspicious sign. In addition, Hongyao was smart and sweet-talking from a young age, making him especially popular with adults. Naturally, Consort De liked this eldest grandson even more.
Because of Hongyao, and by extension, Consort De had a better relationship with Yunyi, and also showed more affection for her other grandsons.
If it were the previous cold relationship between Consort De and the Fourth Prince, Yunyi would definitely not feel at ease sending her sons to the palace to study. But now it's better, with a high-ranking consort and her own grandmother taking care of her, she can feel more at ease.
After going to Lengshuang Courtyard that day, Niohuru was in a daze.
At a young age, she was deeply in love with the Fourth Prince and full of hope for her future. However, apart from the first night he came, he was unwilling to come for a long time afterward.
Niohuru was anxious but helpless, and could only stay alone in her empty room every night, waiting for her husband to come.
One day, two days, and half a year passed in the blink of an eye. Fourth Master strictly followed his plan, and the time he entered and left the backyard was very fixed.
Niohuru watched coldly. The prince only came to her place once a month. If everyone was about the same, it would be fine. But the concubine was on par with the prince, and the prince went to rest there five days a month.
This was somewhat unbearable for her, who was proud and considered herself the first Manchu princess after the Fujin (a title for a high-ranking official).
As if guided by some strange force, she found herself back at Lengshuang Courtyard, but this time, she was all alone, without any maids accompanying her.
There were no guards at the entrance of Lengshuang Courtyard, and there were no other courtyards around. It stood quietly in the most secluded corner of the backyard, and no one came near.
Actually, at first there were two old women guarding the door, but as time went on, there were no more guards.
Uya was confined inside and forbidden from leaving, and no one else was allowed to enter. Her three meals a day were passed in through a small hole in the doorway.
Upon reaching the entrance, Niohuru lowered her head and wandered aimlessly around, lost in thought.
Suddenly, she seemed to hear some faint sounds.
Thinking she was hallucinating, Niohuru didn't pay much attention, but then the sound grew louder and louder, faintly resembling a woman's cry.
"Come here, come here!"
This time, Lady Niohuru heard it clearly. There was indeed someone speaking. She pricked up her ears to listen carefully and found that the voice was coming from the gate.
I walked cautiously to the entrance of Cold Frost Courtyard, when suddenly the small opening in the door opened.
"ah!"
A disheveled face appeared from a small mouth, startling Niohuru.
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I am a person, a living person."
Seeing that the visitor was frightened, the human face spoke, explained a few words, and then asked questions.
"I am Princess Wuya, who are you?"
After patting her violently beating heart, it took Niohuru a long time to calm down.
A smile appeared on her lips. "Hello, Sister Wuya. I am Niohuru, a newly arrived princess. You can call me Yuqin."
"Oh! It's Sister Yuqin. I've been confined for so long, it's been so long since I've seen a new face."
Niohuru peered through the small opening at the person inside. Although she was somewhat disheveled and her clothes were unkempt, she seemed normal enough, and her speech was quite logical. So, she relaxed and began to talk to Wuya.
The two chatted for a while. Niohuru was still young, but she learned a lot from Uya.
Seeing that it was getting late, Uya urged Niohuru to go back first.
“Little sister, if you have time, come and talk to your older sister often. During these years of being confined, I have never seen a stranger, and I am extremely frustrated.”
"Don't worry, sister. I've learned a lot from today's conversation. It's my blessing to be able to chat with you."
After exchanging pleasantries, Niohuru got up and left.
Through the small opening in the door, Uya's eyes were dark as she stared intently at Niohuru's departing figure.
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