Qingyin curtsied and said, "Your Majesty, Nian Shilan, pays respects to the Tenth Princess Consort."
The Tenth Princess was somewhat surprised. "You've seen me before?" If she had, she couldn't possibly not remember such a beautiful woman. She thought with a face full of doubt.
Qingyin smiled faintly, "I have never met the Tenth Princess Consort, but I once had a great fondness for Mongolia, so I remembered the Tenth Princess Consort's name."
"I see. But it's quite a coincidence that my sister is Prince Yong's concubine. Why don't we take a walk together?"
Qingyin looked at the expectant Tenth Princess and nodded with amusement.
The two of them walked intimately to a more open bamboo grove. The crystal-clear stream water was only about knee-deep. The sounds of unknown birds mingled with the fragrance of bamboo and flowers, making them feel relaxed.
The uninhibited Tenth Princess took off her shoes, rolled up her skirt, and plunged into the water. The icy, stimulating sensation made her shiver. Her eyes lit up, and she enthusiastically invited Qingyin to join in.
Qingyin was somewhat tempted, so she reassured Songzhi and Dongmei and joined in as well.
Seeing that Qingyin had also come to sit down, the Tenth Prince's Consort eagerly patted a small pebble off the ground for Qingyin, overjoyed. She was of high status, and her peers were all the primary consorts. Don't think she couldn't see that those primary consorts looked down on her because she was from Mongolia. Their eyes were full of disdain, yet they spoke to her as if it were a favor, as if she wanted to talk to them. Now, she had finally met a beautiful woman who suited her taste, and she finally had someone to talk to.
There was nothing by the stream, but the two girls, who were about the same age, were still chatting happily. Although it was mostly the Tenth Prince's wife who was talking and Qingyin was listening, both of them were very pleased, especially the Tenth Prince's wife, who had been cooped up in the Qing Dynasty. She enthusiastically talked about everything from the flowers she had seen in Mongolia to the stories of which families in the east and west had switched the crown prince with a cat, favored concubines and wives, and so on.
Qingyin was stunned. It has to be said that this Tenth Princess Consort was quite good at gossiping. She asked curiously, "Where did you find out about this?"
Staring at Qingyin's beautiful, inquisitive eyes, the Tenth Prince's mind became even more chaotic. Her desire to share surged, and she completely forgot her master's careful instructions. With a slightly nervous expression, she carefully looked around to make sure no one else was there before sneakily whispering in Qingyin's ear, "This is what our Prince told me."
Upon seeing the lewd Tenth Prince's wife, Qingyin almost pushed her away. However, upon hearing what she heard, she was truly shocked by the couple. They were a match made in heaven. Who would have thought that the usually serious Tenth Prince would be someone who loved to gossip? Qingyin's eyes widened slightly.
Seeing Qingyin's surprise, the Tenth Princess winked and said with a smile, "Alan has to keep this a secret for me, cough, he'll kill me if he finds out I told on him."
Looking at the quirky Tenth Princess Consort, Qingyin smiled and nodded.
The two chatted happily. The hunting banquet lasted for three days, and the two agreed to go out for a stroll together every day. The area left for the women to stroll in, which was carefully cleaned by the servants, was very safe. Apart from some harmless animals such as rabbits, there would be no other ferocious beasts.
Yinzhen returned empty-handed to Qingyin's tent. Looking at the empty figure in his arms, he hesitated and stopped at the door, not daring to go in. Qingyin, who had just returned, saw this.
She asked curiously, "Is Master looking for me? Why don't you go inside?"
Hearing the familiar, soft voice behind him, Yinzhen stiffened. Remembering how Qingyin had seen his foolish hesitation at the door, his face flushed red, then turned pale, then flushed again. He turned around and said with a fawning smile, "Shilan went out to play? Is there anything you need? I'll bring it to you."
Qingyin looked the man up and down suspiciously, scrutinizing him until Yinzhen's palms were sweating, before she finally spoke, "Why is Your Highness so nervous?"
Leading Yinzhen into the tent, Shilan usually held his hand with such charm and enthusiasm, which would have filled Yinzhen with joy. However, today, having left the child with the Emperor, Yinzhen felt a little guilty, both happy and flustered. He hugged Qingyin and sat on the bed, squatting in front of her, lying on his back like a dog that had done something wrong, and said, "Shilan, the child has been left with the Emperor. If you can't bear to part with him, then hit me, but don't hit my face, the Emperor and the others will see."
Thinking something serious had happened, Qingyin looked at Yinzhen, who had lowered his head guiltily, with a complicated expression. She reached out her slender white hands and ruffled Yinzhen's hair into a mess. "I thought you had done something, Your Highness. Pei'er staying with the Emperor is a blessing that others can only dream of. I'm overjoyed, how could I blame you?"
Yinzhen looked up abruptly, and only when he saw the genuine joy in Qingyin's eyes did he feel relieved. He said sincerely, "Although Fupei is doing well with Father, it is the first time he has been away from you in so long. I am worried that you will be sad."
Qingyin didn't say anything more, but gave Yinzhen a kiss.
The kiss on the forehead was fleeting, yet it seemed to carry the owner's unknown fragrance—light yet incredibly pleasant. Yinzhen's eyes instantly darkened, and his throat felt a slight itch. Looking at his fair-skinned, more alluring wife than before, Yinzhen pounced on her, his soft, fragrant voice uttering a few hoarse words, "Shilan, we..."
"No, I haven't washed up yet." Yinzhen didn't use any force, so Qingyin easily pushed away the hot, tall body pressing down on her. She had gone to play by the stream with the Tenth Prince's wife today. Although her feet weren't actually dirty, Qingyin felt that her shoes and calves were sticky and she wanted to wash up. If there were no other options, that would be fine, but when there were, Qingyin wouldn't compromise. She sat up and glared at Yinzhen, who had messed up her hair, while waiting for the servants to bring her water.
Yinzhen felt wronged, but he didn't say anything.
Yinzhen, who had been glared at, dutifully called for people to bring water and set out the water. Once everything was ready, Qingyin looked at the tall figure standing motionless at the door and her face darkened. "Why isn't Your Highness going out yet?"
"I, I'll help Shilan wash."
"No! Sir, you must get out of here."
"Okay, you really don't want me?"
"No need, sir, please leave."
Seeing that he was about to anger Shilan, Yinzhen reluctantly went out. However, even though he was only separated by a tent, he could still faintly hear the ambiguous sounds of water coming from inside despite the cold wind. His face was flushed, and a few drops of water fell on his hands, causing him to shiver.
Dongmei, who was waiting outside, looked at Yinzhen in shock: "Your Highness, you have a nosebleed!"
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