The entire month of March passed by in the fields. In April, after the weather warmed up, Emperor Kangxi escorted the Empress Dowager to the northern frontier for summer retreat, ordering six princes, including Yinzhen, to accompany her.
Fortunately, Yinzhen had made preparations beforehand, and the entire garden had been prepared since the end of March. However, the most difficult thing to decide now is who will go with him.
Everyone in the garden heard about this, and those who were interested naturally began making preparations.
Ulanara and Li will not go, and after Yinzhen leaves, Ulanara will return to Prince Yong's residence in the capital. As for the rest...
"My lady, if I remember correctly... I've seen Consort Nian three times today, haven't I?" Qingxue whispered to Qian Shengyan.
Qian Shengyan sighed, pretended not to see it, and continued walking towards the warehouse.
Following Yinzhen's hint, she was to fetch some light fabric to make an undergarment for him.
...I don't know what this prince is thinking. Why not use a perfectly good embroiderer and insist on making her do it? She can do it, but I'm afraid he won't wear it when the time comes.
Fortunately, Yinzhen was aware of the situation and only asked for an undergarment. Qian Shengyan thought that she was going to Rehe soon and would be bored on the way, so she could do some needlework to pass the time.
She planned to practice on Yinzhen first, and once she was skilled enough, she could make clothes for Hongli and Fuerguochun.
"Your Highness, Consort Nian has also arrived," Qingxue whispered behind her.
Qian Shengyan didn't even turn her head: "Let her be. If I can walk this road, so can she. Can I chase her away?"
“That’s true.” Qingxue chuckled. “Logically, she should have gone and bumped into the prince.”
"Wouldn't that make it seem too obvious that she has a purpose?" Qian Shengyan smiled. "Let her be."
Upon arriving at the warehouse, Qian Shengyan personally selected a light-colored, soft fabric. It was light and thin, and felt very smooth to the touch. Qian Shengyan didn't know anything about fabrics, but it was so comfortable that it was definitely suitable for making an undergarment.
After retrieving the materials, Qian Shengyan saw that Nian Shi was still waiting at the intersection. She was getting annoyed. Why didn't she just come over and explain things clearly? Why was she just waving her around like that? Did she have to go and ask her again?
Moreover, based on Qian Shengyan's understanding of Yinzhen, if he went to Rehe, Yinzhen would definitely take Nianshi with him—regardless of whether he truly favored her or not, he would still put on an act.
Sure enough, the list of attendees was released the next day. All three princes and Fuerguochun were going; the Third Princess, having already been betrothed and with her wedding date in November, was to return to her residence to prepare for her wedding. This time, Yinzhen brought an unusually large number of women with him, including Qian Shengyan, Lady Nian, Lady Geng, and Lady Guo.
He brought almost every woman he could.
Everything was arranged, but unexpectedly, Hongshi suddenly fell ill two days before his departure. It wasn't a serious illness, just a cold, but he had a slight fever. Doctor Zhou advised him not to travel far.
Yinzhen went to see Hongshi once, and also questioned the eunuchs who served him carefully. In the end, he said nothing and let Hongshi go back to the mansion with Li Shi.
Hongshi's illness came at such a convenient time that even Qian Shengyan couldn't help but wonder if Hongshi didn't want to go to Rehe. Hongli's words confirmed his suspicion.
“Mother, that night Li Yu was on guard duty and said he saw Third Brother walking outside with wet hair in the middle of the night.”
On the carriage to Rehe, Hongli ate some snacks while talking to Qian Shengyan: "I don't understand, why does Third Brother want to get sick?"
"Empress doesn't know either. Mother and Hongli shouldn't make any wild guesses about him, okay?" Qian Shengyan said gently.
Hongli nodded like a little adult, as if he understood, but then asked, "Does Third Brother want to be with his mother?"
"Shh, let's not talk about this." Qian Shengyan held up what she was holding for Hongli to see. "How are the clothes Mother made?"
Hongli: ...
Qian Shengyan: "Hmm?"
Hongli: "Mother..."
"Mmm," Qian Shengyan said expectantly.
Hongli: "The two sleeves seem to be a little different in length?"
Qian Shengyan: ? ? ?
She hurriedly pressed the clothes down on the small table to compare them, and damn it, they really weren't the same length!
Unfortunately, the scissors weren't in the carriage. Qingxue and the others were worried that the carriage would be bumpy and Qian Shengyan might accidentally hurt herself with the scissors, so they urged her to cut the fabric first. Even so, every time Qian Shengyan used the needle, Qingxue would watch her intently. Now that Qingxue wasn't there, the needles were gone too.
Qian Shengyan angrily made a mark on her sleeve, planning to cut off the longer piece when she parked the car, so that both sides would be the same length.
Hongli stared in disbelief at the sleeve, which was clearly much shorter than his father's arm, and suddenly felt a little worried.
This... won't it turn into his clothes while being cut?
So... is he going to wear it or not?
Filial piety is paramount, making things very difficult for Emperor Hongli.
The carriage moved at a moderate pace, occasionally stopping to rest. By the time they arrived in Rehe, Qian Shengyan had finally finished making her top.
Looking at the sleeves that were getting shorter and shorter as they were being cut, Qian Shengyan fell into deep thought.
It's so hot, I wonder if Yinzhen... would be able to wear short sleeves?
Before she could ask, Qingxue, Lvliu, and the others cut out the shape of the top and told Qian Shengyan to sew it like this and not to use the scissors anymore.
Having no other choice, Qian Shengyan had to make some minor alterations, creating a tie-up mini-skirt for herself...
On their first night in Rehe, Yinzhen wore new clothes, as did Qian Shengyan.
In the familiar Pianyun Shujuan Palace, after washing up, Qian Shengyan came out wearing only a loose inner garment and bare legs.
Yinzhen, who was reading a book, subconsciously looked up and glanced at her. He didn't react for a moment and went back to reading. But after a while, he slowly looked up at Qian Shengyan, who was still walking around the room getting water.
Although Qian Shengyan hadn't dressed so coolly for two years, her ingrained habits made her feel perfectly at ease. She had just taken a sip of warm water when she heard Yinzhen speak: "Yanyan."
"Huh?" Qian Shengyan looked at him, puzzled, with a hint of confusion in her eyes.
Yinzhen watched as the beautiful woman, completely unaware of how alluring she was, turned her head under the lamplight. Her long, flowing hair almost reached her bare thighs, making her both seductive and innocent.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and he beckoned to her, his voice slightly hoarse: "Come here."
Qian Shengyan put down her teacup and obediently walked over: "Master, what's wrong..."
Before she could finish speaking, Yinzhen pulled her down onto the bed...
Originally, the two of them were tired from the long journey and planned to rest early, but who knew that Yinzhen would have such a lack of self-control!
Yes, Qian Shengyan attributed the whole thing to Yinzhen's lack of self-control. As for herself... she did nothing wrong! It's perfectly normal!
But those clothes were no longer wearable.
Consort Qian's first garment, made in her entire life, was worn only once, and then—became nothing but scraps of cloth.
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