The following day, Ulanara, along with Lady Nian, Lady Li, two princes, and a princess, arrived at the Yuanmingyuan.
Qian Shengyan naturally had to come out to greet them and pay her respects to each of them, but—it was quite subtle, because they had returned a little late yesterday, Yinzhen hadn't let them change places. The whole family of four was staying at Wanfang Anhe. Now that she had come out of the prince's residence to pay her respects to the princess, one could imagine how unpleasant the faces of the group of women were.
Helpless, Qian Shengyan remained silent and, with her two children, bowed to Ulanara and her two concubines.
"This must be Folgolchun. She is indeed lovely and clever," Ulanara praised.
Qian Shengyan smiled and agreed. The women chatted for a while longer. Of course, it was mostly Li Shi who openly and subtly insulted Qian Shengyan, while Ulanara Shi pretended not to hear. Qian Shengyan couldn't refute it and could only smile.
While laughing, she mentally cursed Yinzhen in various ways.
If Li said a word to her, she would silently curse Yinzhen; if Li scolded her, she would mentally organize different words to curse Yinzhen ten times.
That bastard, it's all his fault!
Fortunately, Ulanara knew when to stop. She told everyone to go back to their respective residences first, and then kept Qian Shengyan behind.
The Yuanmingyuan Garden was large enough, and the courtyards allocated to each person were also very spacious. The Fujin lived in Yue Di Yun Ju, Li Shi lived in Ri Tian Lin Yu, and Nian Shi lived in Ying Shui Lan Xiang.
After Ulanara finished speaking, everyone went to their own residences. Only before leaving, Nian looked back at Ulanara several times, bit her lip, and was helped away by Wei Mama.
Qian Shengyan caught a glimpse of Nian's demeanor out of the corner of her eye and naturally guessed why Ulanara had kept her behind. She picked up a cup of tea, pretended to be oblivious, and waited for Ulanara to speak first.
Unexpectedly, Ulanara sent a gift to Folgochun first, and said that Qian Shengyan had taken good care of the prince and deserved to be rewarded, but she had been unable to meet him in Rehe.
“These are just clothes and jewelry; you can take them and play with them,” Ulanara said gently.
Qian Shengyan stood up and said, "This servant thanks you for your reward, Madam."
Ulanara said that she had made a contribution by giving birth, and although she was promoted to a concubine, it was a reward from the prince. As a concubine, she should also be rewarded.
Qian Shengyan could only get up again to thank him for the reward.
"Alright, we're all sisters, no need to be so formal."
Ulanara's words sound nice, and she sits even more securely.
Qian Shengyan smiled and sat down again, realizing for the first time that this princess consort was quite capable.
With each word "reward," if she were truly arrogant and complacent, she would have been repeatedly beaten down and reminded of her status, unable to muster any more respect for the Fujin.
Ulanara took a sip of tea and smiled, "After saying so much, there's something I still need to say to you."
"This servant begs for instructions from the Madam." Qian Shengyan had no choice but to stand up again.
“Consort Nian was betrothed by the Emperor to the Prince’s formally married consort. She traveled thousands of miles to Rehe to serve the Prince…” Ulanara paused, and Qian Shengyan immediately lowered her head and said, “Yes, this servant often advises the Prince that Consort Nian’s affections should be fulfilled.”
“You are a good person, I have always known that,” Ulanara sighed. “The prince is a bit stubborn, and it’s thanks to you by his side this year that he has been able to persuade him.”
"This servant wouldn't dare," Qian Shengyan quickly replied.
Ulanara smiled and said, "You're still so sensible." She sighed again, "Never mind, I won't talk to you about such empty words. You should persuade the Prince that if Consort Nian could have a son, it would be a good thing."
This time, Qian Shengyan didn't respond. She just stood there with her head down, twisting her fingers without saying a word.
"What? You don't want to?" Ulanara's tone suddenly became stern.
Qian Shengyan quickly replied, "It's not that this servant is unwilling, it's just... Your Highness might not listen..."
"You can try to persuade her, but whether she listens or not is none of your business." Ulanara was getting tired after pretending for so long. She got up and walked out, asking Qian Shengyan, "Do you live in Wanfang Tianhe?"
“Peach Blossom Village wasn’t ready last night, so I’ll be staying in the back hall for now. I’m going to head over there now,” Qian Shengyan said, bowing her head.
Ulanara chuckled, "Shall we go together? By the way, where's Hongli?"
"He probably went out to play," Qian Shengyan said with a smile. "Where's the Fifth Prince?"
Ulanara laughed, "They should be returning to the Cloud Residence in the Moon Land."
The two chatted casually, with Qian Shengyan always trailing behind Ulanara, half a step behind her.
No sooner had they stepped out of Wanfang Anhe than Yinzhen strode back.
Ulanara's eyes lit up for a moment, then dimmed again. She forced a smile and curtsied, saying, "Your Highness has returned."
"Hmm." Yinzhen glanced at her and said something unusually gentle, "You've had a tough year."
“Your Highness…” Ulanara almost lost her composure. She grasped Wu Mama’s hand tightly and smiled, “It is all what I should do.”
"Hmm." Yinzhen replied casually, but then his gaze changed, looking at Qian Shengyan with warmth and tenderness, "Where are you going?"
"Your Highness, this servant is just about to return to Peach Blossom Village," Qian Shengyan said, her eyes lowered.
Yinzhen frowned slightly, wondering if Peach Blossom Village wasn't ready yet. But remembering that Ulanara was still there, he didn't say anything, only said "okay," and prepared to go inside.
"Your Highness," Ulanara suddenly stood up and said to Yinzhen, "Your Highness has just returned from outside and must be tired. Qian, you should serve Your Highness."
Qian Shengyan was stunned for a moment, but when she came to her senses, she curtsied and replied, "Yes, this servant obeys."
Ulanara glanced at her again, her meaning clear, and then, with Wu Mama by the hand, led a group of people away from Wanfang Anhe.
Qian Shengyan sighed, walked to Yinzhen's side, glanced at him, and then lowered her head again.
Yinzhen was puzzled. He wanted to take her hand, but she brushed it away. He frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "Come and help me change my clothes."
"yes."
It was still very hot in August. Yinzhen had just gone to Changchun Garden to pay his respects to Kangxi, and his formal clothes were already half-soaked with sweat. Qian Shengyan felt sorry for him and took off his outer garment, then used a soft towel to wipe his body.
"Your Highness, do it yourself." Yinzhen grabbed her hand, but Qian Shengyan didn't let go, only breaking free to continue wiping him.
After changing their clothes, the two sat on a soft couch by the window. Yinzhen took a sip of tea, glanced at Qian Shengyan, and suddenly laughed.
He grabbed her hand: "What? What were you talking about?"
"It's nothing." Qian Shengyan lowered her head, not letting Yinzhen see her expression. She slowly pulled her hand away, then got up and knelt on the ground, saying softly, "Please, Your Highness... don't be so kind to this servant anymore."
Her words caught Yinzhen off guard, and he was taken aback. Then he became somewhat angry. He held back for a moment and said in a deep voice, "Didn't I tell you that you are not allowed to refer to yourself as a servant anymore?"
"...Master," Qian Shengyan seemed to struggle, and after a moment she said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Please, Master, stay at Ying Shui Lan Xiang tonight."
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