Back at the manor, Liu Qing complained, "It's clearly the Prince who dotes on his wife, but Consort De insists on scolding her. If you ask me, our wife is as beautiful as a fairy and should be pampered." As she spoke, she massaged Rouyin's legs. Rouyin gently tapped her head and said seriously, "You silly girl, how dare you speak ill of your master? You can't do that again."
"We must do whatever Consort De says and not complain. After all, it's not easy for the prince to be caught in the middle."
Liu Qing immediately knelt down in fear, "Yes, Madam." Although Liu Qing was a loyal maid who had grown up with her since childhood, she was somewhat outspoken and needed more guidance.
Wang Mama gently patted the Fujin's head. The young lady she had watched grow up was more precious than her own child. Even though she had grown into a stunningly beautiful woman, in her heart she was still that adorable little girl. If the Fujin hadn't married the Prince, she wouldn't need to be so careful in showing her favor.
Rouyin squeezed the old woman's hand back. "Don't worry, old woman. Once I've recovered my health this year and given birth to a child for the Fourth Master, I'll have someone to rely on."
"I was thinking of you. Your Highness is wise and capable; you will surely give birth to a healthy and intelligent little master." The old woman looked at Rouyu with kindness.
As night fell, Rouyin finished washing up and told everyone to turn off the lights. Liu Qing asked with some doubt, "Madam, aren't we waiting for the Prince?"
"Master won't be coming tonight, let's go to bed." Liu Qing and the other servants were somewhat disappointed, feeling sorry for their master. But by midnight, their master still hadn't come.
Rouyin knew perfectly well that Yinzhen had just listened to Consort De's advice and would not be coming tonight or in the next few days.
Although Yinzhen hadn't visited his wife's courtyard these past few days, he hadn't gone to his concubines either, intending to rest for a few nights in the study in the east courtyard. He sat in the study, looking somewhat heavy-hearted, when the eunuch grinding ink for him suddenly said to him, "Your Highness, why don't we call Lady Song over?" He glared coldly at the eunuch.
Yinzhen angrily said, "How dare you! A mere servant dares to interrupt!" Seeing this, Su Peisheng kicked the eunuch's trouser leg hard, coldly staring at the disheveled little eunuch being dragged away. He thought the foolish boy was blinded by a little silver. Song Shi was also clueless. The prince clearly cared about the Fujin, but he still didn't go. If he just waited patiently, he would definitely favor her.
As the eunuch was being dragged away, he cried out, "Your Highness, I was wrong! Please forgive me this time!"
Yinzhen then remembered that since he hadn't visited his wife these past few days, some opportunistic people had been reporting on him. He worried that his wife must be heartbroken. Yinzhen felt very uncomfortable. He subconsciously avoided thinking about the reasons behind it. He was already aware of the power struggles within the inner quarters, but seeing these things happening to Yin'er made him extremely unhappy. The thought of tears on Yin'er's young, innocent face caused him a pang of heartache.
"Su Peisheng, go to the west courtyard."
Su Peisheng cleverly followed the prince closely to the west courtyard.
Yinzhen hesitated for a moment. He had clearly planned how to greet Yu'er and how to comfort her, but when he arrived in the courtyard and saw Yin'er, who was becoming more and more radiant, he was still stunned.
"Your Highness has arrived, but I was just thinking of asking what gift to prepare for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet at the palace at the beginning of next month," Rouyin said with some surprise, looking at the Fourth Prince who had appeared out of nowhere. It was true that the Fourth Prince in history had a habit of eavesdropping, but fortunately, she had a system that could monitor and report to those around her.
Yinzhen forced himself to remain calm and said, "Yes, Yin'er and I are of one mind, and we just wanted to see you. And Yu'er, don't worry about preparing gifts. I've already prepared them in advance, so we can go together." As he finished speaking, his ears involuntarily turned as red as blood.
Looking at Yinzhen's bright red ears, Rouyin didn't expose him; she saw through his act but didn't say anything.
"Yin'er, the pomegranates in this courtyard have actually blossomed? They should bear fruit soon." Yinzhen looked at Rouyin with delight, his eyes filled with an unconscious tenderness.
"Your Highness has been away for so long, so naturally you wouldn't know the flowers in this courtyard have bloomed. The pomegranate trees are in full bloom these past few days, but I wonder if the fruit will be plentiful?" Listening to the gentle, chattering voice, Yinzhen was overjoyed, even the slightest complaint made him ecstatic. He should have reprimanded his wife for being jealous, but his heart was filled with joy, and the gloom of the past few days had been dispelled.
The afternoon passed quickly, and seeing Yinzhen still sitting on the wooden chair reading, Rouyin knew he was going to rest there.
"Isn't Your Highness going to the study?" Rouyin asked gently.
"No need," Rouyin said to herself. "I'll have dinner and rest with you after I finish reading. I can keep you company while I sit here, and it won't delay our journey." She secretly pursed her lips. Really, with him here, it was even more difficult to lie down and read travelogues.
When the banquet was held, a plate of crispy fried duck, a plate of braised fish in chili oil, a bowl of clear vegetable soup, a plate of Wensi tofu, and several plates of crisp and refreshing pickled vegetables were laid out on the table. Yinzhen ate with Rouyin for a long time and knew that she liked to eat meat but not vegetables, so he couldn't help but nag a little, "Yin'er should eat more vegetarian food to nourish her body and replenish her energy."
Rouyin nodded, but continued to eat some stewed meat, only taking a small amount of vegetables. The food of the ancient nobility was completely comparable to modern cuisine. Not to mention the crispy outside and tender inside of the oil duck, with its rich color, aroma and flavor, one bite left a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth.
Yinzhen sighed, "You..." During this meal, Rouyin was successful again. Liu Qing and the nannies exchanged glances and secretly smiled. Every time the Prince and his wife dined together, the Prince would always say something, but the wife would only say it and not change it. The Prince really did favor his wife.
After finishing their meal, Rouyin and Yinzhen went to the garden together to digest their food.
Yinzhen felt as if he were an ordinary couple, holding his wife's hand. As dusk settled, he thought for a moment that they should just keep walking like that.
Rouyin looked at Yinzhen, who had been holding her hand the whole time, and smiled helplessly. "Your Highness, it's getting late. Let's go back and wash up and rest."
"Okay," Yinzhen replied gently.
As night fell, Rouyin went to bed early. Yinzhen opened and closed his eyes many times beside her, looking back at his sleeping wife. Thinking of his coldness these past few days, he felt a pang of heartache, and he hugged Rouyin back until he gradually fell asleep.
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