Upon hearing the word "Fujin," Yinzhen subconsciously frowned. He intended to refuse, but Qian Shengyan exclaimed "Eh!" in confusion from the side.
Seeing Yinzhen looking at her questioningly, Qian Shengyan was a little embarrassed: "This afternoon, I went to deliver some winter supplies to the Fujin. The Fujin didn't say anything at the time, but I was a little puzzled..."
"Hmph." Yinzhen snorted lightly, not doubting Qian Shengyan's words, but after thinking for a moment, he stood up and said, "Then I'll go see what she has to say."
Qian Shengyan seemed somewhat unwilling, but said nothing, only getting up to see Yinzhen out.
Before leaving, Yinzhen squeezed her hand and patted it, as if to comfort her, and then strode out of the courtyard gate.
"Master..." Qingxue was a little nervous and excited. Qian Shengyan nodded to her and then let out a long sigh of relief.
She didn't know what Ulanara was planning, but it was clear that she was indeed up to something.
That's good. As long as things are moving, that's a good thing.
Strangely, after Yinzhen returned from his trip to Yue Di Yun Ju, he didn't say anything and his expression was very calm. Yue Di Yun Ju also remained silent, so Ulanara continued to stay under house arrest with peace of mind.
Qingxue was getting anxious and wanted to ask Qian Shengyan several times if she should ask the Fujin again, but Qian Shengyan refused. She wanted to wait and see; if Ulanara didn't take action, she could find a way to deal with Li Shi later.
Fearing to alert the enemy, Qian Shengyan had the jacket sent by Li Shi disassembled and washed, and then made a new one using only the outer fabric. The cotton inside was naturally carefully selected, and the outer fabric was also exposed to the sun. However, Qian Shengyan still felt it was not right, so she had it soaked in strong liquor, boiled several times, and then exposed to the sun again before it was finished.
As a result, the intricate embroidery patterns have become somewhat worn, but Qian Shengyan thinks that's just right. It can also create the illusion that she often dresses her children in this style.
On the winter solstice, pots and steamed buns were prepared in the garden, and a feast was held at Lianxi Music Hall. The children ran around and laughed happily. Yinzhen did not discipline them much, but just watched the children with a smile.
Besides Ulanara, who was under house arrest, even Lady Nian came out. However, she was weaker than before after her miscarriage. She sat there as thin as a sheet of paper, not saying a word. Only occasionally when she looked at the children would her eyes light up slightly, but they would quickly dim again.
In previous years, winters were not easy for Nian Shi, but this year was even more difficult. She couldn't finish a banquet; she coughed uncontrollably halfway through the meal and had to take her leave.
Before leaving, Lady Nian looked at Yinzhen several times, her eyes full of expectation. It was clear that she hadn't come out for a meal or to celebrate the winter solstice, but to send a signal to Yinzhen—she had recovered from her confinement and could now receive his favor.
Qian Shengyan also secretly looked at Yinzhen's expression—never mind, his face was basically expressionless outside of Peach Blossom Village.
Guo and Liu also came and sat obediently in the corner. They only came over during the meal to offer Yinzhen two cups of wine, which Yinzhen drank in return. The two women were so happy that their faces were flushed, and their eyes looked at Yinzhen with even more tenderness and anticipation than Nian's.
Yinzhen remained expressionless.
Tsk, what a jerk.
Qian Shengyan chuckled inwardly. Look at all these beauties at the table: Li Shi still retains her charm, Geng Shi is bright and lively, Guo Shi is petite and cute, Liu Shi is gentle and beautiful, and Nian Shi is simply a sickly beauty, both charming and pitiful.
So many beautiful women are vying for that one scoundrel, yet he doesn't fall for it.
Really...
Qian Shengyan covered her lips with the wine cup and secretly mouthed the words "scumbag" to barely express her feelings.
Unfortunately, the scumbag saw it and turned to ask her, "What's wrong? What are you thinking about? Why are you smiling so wickedly?"
Qian Shengyan: ...
As soon as Yinzhen moved, the gazes of the beauties shifted from him to her. Qian Shengyan immediately experienced the feeling of being stared at by beauties, and, well, to be honest, she felt a little embarrassed.
She gave a dignified smile, raised her cup to Yinzhen, and said, "This concubine toasts Your Highness, wishing you a peaceful and healthy winter solstice."
"Hmm." Yinzhen clinked glasses with her, then smiled and drank it all in one gulp. His expression was so vivid that he was already giving her a lot of face.
“Sister, Sister Qian, it’s been so long since you came to the manor, and I haven’t had a chance to have a proper drink with you yet.” Madam Li smiled and raised her cup as well.
Qian Shengyan couldn't refuse, and was about to pour more wine when the wine pot was snatched away by the man next to her.
As Yinzhen casually filled his wine cup, he said, "Drink less, everyone. This pear blossom wine may be light, but it has a strong aftereffect." He paused for a moment, then added, "No more drinking. Everyone should drink tea instead of wine."
Qian Shengyan readily accepted the suggestion, picked up the teacup beside her, smiled at Li's slightly distorted face, and drank the half-cup of warm tea in one gulp.
They said to drink less, but Qian Shengyan had actually drunk quite a bit. She took Qingxue's hand and started walking back, but after a few steps she remembered and turned back to look for them: "Where are Hongli and Foerguochun?"
"His Highness is with her." Qingxue was also helpless. Qian Shengyan was no longer walking on the straight path, obviously a little drunk, but she still remembered to think about the child.
Qian Shengyan said "Oh," took a few steps in silence, then remembered, "Where are Hongli and Foerguochun?"
Qingxue had no choice but to patiently answer again.
Fortunately, Lianxi Paradise and Peach Blossom Valley were not far apart. Qian Shengyan arrived after asking for the third time. Green Willow and Green Smoke and others came up to help Qian Shengyan, and served her to wash up and change into her nightgown. After lying on the bed, Qian Shengyan sat up abruptly: "Where are Hongli and Foerguochun?"
"Go back to sleep, what's wrong?" Yinzhen walked in from the door, with Su Peisheng beside him taking off his cloak.
Qian Shengyan sat on the bed, hugging the blanket, for a long while before letting out an "oh" and lying back down.
Qingxue bowed and said with a smile, "It seems that Master is a little drunk. He has been looking for the Fourth Prince and Little Princess on the way back."
"Go and make a bowl of hangover soup," Yinzhen ordered.
Qingxue withdrew in response. Su Peisheng helped Yinzhen to a side room to wash up. When he returned, Qian Shengyan was being helped by two maids to drink a sip of hangover soup—and then she spat it out.
"It tastes awful!" Qian Shengyan said angrily, patting the quilt.
The two maids wanted to laugh but dared not. Yinzhen walked over and extended his hand: "I am here, you may both leave."
Qingxue and Lvliu bowed and left. Yinzhen picked up the hangover soup, took a sip, and felt that the temperature was just right. He was about to persuade Qian Shengyan to drink it in one gulp when she suddenly grabbed his sleeve.
Qian Shengyan stared at him with wide eyes, her drunken state evident as she asked, "Your Highness?"
"Hmm?" Yinzhen suddenly became interested and wanted to see what she would do when she was drunk.
Who knew that as Qian Shengyan looked at him, her lips suddenly pursed, her eyes reddened, and tears fell.
She cried, "It's so unfair! You have so many beautiful women to sleep with! Waaah, I want some too..."
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