However, Yinzhen did not return that day.
Qian Shengyan breathed a slight sigh of relief, but still had to send someone to inquire where he had gone. Before the eunuch who went to inquire could even leave, Li Defu scurried into the Pianyun Shujuan Hall, wiping his sweat as he said, "Greetings to Master Qian. The Prince sent me to tell you that the Prince is alright, but the Second Prince of the Chengqin Prince's family has suddenly fallen ill, so the Prince cannot return to the manor for the time being."
"Emergency!" Qian Shengyan exclaimed in surprise. During the Qing Dynasty, an emergency was no small matter!
But, "How could he suddenly fall ill?"
"The Second Prince came into contact with outsiders on the way and developed a fever within two days, but he recovered after arriving in Rehe. However, he was not in good spirits, so Prince Cheng took him to the Summer Palace, hoping to help the Second Prince relax..." Li Defu had obviously inquired about the matter thoroughly and replied in detail.
Qian Shengyan clenched the handkerchief in her hand: "His Highness is still not fully recovered, I am really worried..."
"Don't worry, Master Qian. The Prince did not have any contact with Prince Cheng and the others today. It's just that the Summer Palace is under temporary martial law, and the whole group has been detained by the imperial physicians. They should be able to return after the investigation is completed tomorrow," Li Defu comforted him.
Qian Shengyan's heart stirred. At this time, the disease had infected children and might not be effective for adults, but... she had many children here.
Should we take this opportunity to send Yinzhen to the Leshan Study?
But she couldn't bring this up herself.
Qian Shengyan bit her lip to calm herself down, but before she could say anything, she heard hurried footsteps outside. Then she saw a maid lift the curtain for Madam Nian and enter. Madam Nian hurriedly asked Qian Shengyan, "Is there any news about the Prince?"
...For a moment, there was a slight awkwardness in the entire hall.
Logically speaking, Lady Nian is a secondary consort, the highest-ranking woman in the Lion Garden, so the news that the prince couldn't return should have been reported to her.
But neither Yinzhen, nor Zhang Defu who came to deliver the message, nor even Qian Shengyan herself who had been listening for a long time, had forgotten about Nian Shi...
Qian Shengyan coughed lightly: "I was just about to send someone to invite my sister when she arrived." She looked at Zhang Defu and smiled, "Consort Nian is here, so please give her a proper reply."
"Yes." Zhang Defu also broke out in a cold sweat. Others could forget this, but he couldn't. In the end, it was his fault. He quickly knelt down before Lady Nian and said, "Reporting to Consort Nian, His Highness has business to attend to today and will be staying at the Summer Palace."
"What is the matter?" Madam Nian asked, leaning closer.
Zhang Defu seemed to hesitate for a moment, and Qian Shengyan said, "When I asked you just now, you didn't answer. If Consort Nian asks you now, would you still dare to lie?"
"This servant dares not!" Zhang Defu kowtowed and told Nian Shi everything he had said, finally saying, "His Highness asked this servant to pack all the clothes. I don't know how many days we will stay at the Summer Palace."
This also explains why he went straight to the Pianyun Shujuan Hall upon entering and forgot to report to Lady Nian. After all, the prince's affairs were the most important. He had to pack the prince's things first before going to Leshan Academy, and then Lady Nian would have nothing to say.
But Qian Shengyan guessed that Nian was still feeling a little uncomfortable, so she glanced at Zhang Defu again and then looked into the inner room.
Zhang Defu immediately understood: "His Highness has other instructions. The weather has been unpredictable lately, so please take care of yourselves and don't worry His Highness."
Qian Shengyan stood up and curtsied in response. Then, Madam Nian leaned back in her chair and sighed, "The Prince had no choice this time. Well then, go and pack the Prince's clothes." She paused for a moment and then added, "I have nothing to do these days, so I made two robes for the Prince. They're perfect for this time of year. Go to Leshan Academy and get them later."
"Yes, Your servant obeys!" Zhang Defu kowtowed again before getting up, glancing at Qian Shengyan, then turning and heading towards the main hall where Yinzhen resided.
Seeing that although Yinzhen was staying in Pianyun Shujuan Palace, he was not in the same room as Qian Shengyan, Nian Shi's expression became even more pleasant. She even smiled at Qian Shengyan and said, "Now that the prince cannot return, and my health is not good, I will have to rely on you, sister, to take care of things in the garden."
"What are you saying, Consort? With you here, we feel like we have a pillar of support," Qian Shengyan replied sweetly.
Lady Nian chuckled again, said nothing more, and, supported by her maid, rose and gracefully left.
She left, but Qian Shengyan remained seated. After frowning and thinking for a moment, a brilliant idea suddenly struck her.
Since the Nian family is so willing, what difficulty is there for her to help them?
When Zhang Defu finished packing and came out to bid farewell to Qian Shengyan, Qian Shengyan said with a hint of panic, "Just now I noticed that the concubine seemed displeased... Go and get the clothes that Leshan Academy has prepared for the Prince. When you get to the Summer Palace, mention it a few more times."
"Yes, yes, Master Qian is very thoughtful." Zhang Defu was still feeling apprehensive. He looked around and saw that Qingxue and Lvliu were all familiar faces, so he stopped worrying and knelt down to kowtow to Qian Shengyan. "This time, I am very grateful to Master Qian for helping me plan. I will remember your great kindness and virtue forever!"
"It's nothing serious, it's not that serious." Qian Shengyan smiled. "Green Willow, quickly help Eunuch Zhang up."
Green Willow stepped forward in response, not only helping Zhang Defu up, but also slipping him a small purse.
Qian Shengyan smiled and said, "It's not easy for you to run back and forth like this. Have a cup of tea to calm your nerves."
"This servant thanks Master Qian!"
Zhang Defu left, thanking her profusely. Qian Shengyan's smile gradually faded. She took a sip of tea with no expression, and after a moment, sighed again.
Seeing her like this, Qingxue waved for Lvliu and the others to go get hot water and make the bed. She walked over to her side, massaging Qian Shengyan's shoulders as she asked, "What's wrong with you today, Master?"
"You figured it out?" Qian Shengyan smiled wryly.
“Master, you said too much in front of others today,” Qingxue said.
Qian Shengyan sighed and said nothing. Qingxue continued, "Master deliberately reminded Zhang Defu about those clothes... Aren't you afraid that the Prince will go to Leshan Academy first after he returns?"
Upon hearing this, Qian Shengyan lowered her eyes and drooped her lips, looking pitiful. Qingxue paused, her hands still moving, before continuing after a moment: "Did Master do this on purpose?"
“Didn’t you see how Consort treated Hongli today?” Qian Shengyan’s voice was very soft, with a barely perceptible sob in it. “I’m afraid of her… I’m afraid she’ll take my son away…”
"So, does Your Highness think that if she gives birth to one herself, everything will be fine?" Qingxue understood a bit. Moreover, as someone who grew up in the harem, she was quite accepting of the idea of a man going to another concubine's bed. However, "I'm afraid that Consort Nian's health might not be good enough to receive the Emperor's favor. In the end, she'll still have to adopt a prince."
Qian Shengyan: ...
Damn it, she had planned everything, even giving away men, but she never thought of this?
That shouldn't be possible. Historically, Lady Nian was pregnant multiple times, though none of the pregnancies survived. It's safe to say she was favored by the emperor and conceived easily.
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