To be honest, Qian Shengyan was a little nervous about meeting Nian Shi.
As a favored concubine of Emperor Yongzheng, and with many erotic descriptions in later unofficial histories, Qian Shengyan, being a woman herself, couldn't help but feel a competitive spirit.
She unconsciously straightened her posture slightly, smoothed the stray hairs on her forehead, and straightened her hairpin—these were probably meaningless actions that she herself did not realize, but they greatly pleased Yinzhen.
Yinzhen simply tapped her white jade hairpin and chuckled softly, "I've given you so many good things, and you don't even know how to wear them."
"You don't go out, aren't you tired of dressing up like a peacock every day?" Qian Shengyan replied casually. As soon as she finished speaking, she saw the peacock herself entering through the door.
Yinzhen: ...
Qian Shengyan: ...
Lady Nian was probably dressed very formally because it was her first time meeting Yinzhen. She wore a gold-purple cheongsam with a fur collar and trim, and upon closer inspection, the fabric was embroidered with subtle gold patterns. She also wore a rather large headdress with many hairpins inserted around it.
Qian Shengyan quickly counted them, and then she was genuinely surprised.
Nine! A full nine kingfisher feather hairpins of different shapes and designs!
Although the Nian family didn't go for a style with a whole ring of inserts, well... how should I put it...
Well, it does look a little bit like a peacock feather...
Because they had just been talking about hairpins, for a moment both Yinzhen and Qian Shengyan were staring intently at her head, not even seeing her face.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May Your Majesty be well."
A soft female voice rang out, and Qian Shengyan shuddered. She immediately curtsied and said, "This concubine greets Consort Qian. May Consort Qian be well."
"Get up, all of you." With a wave of his hand, Yinzhen made Qian Shengyan stand up nimbly without needing Nian Shi to call her.
Ms. Nian had no objections. She sat on a chair to the side, her eyes lowered as if she were a little shy, and remained silent for a long time.
Only then did Qian Shengyan remember to take a good look at this famous Consort Dunsu.
Similar to historical records, this Lady Nian looked somewhat sickly. She sat there with a pale, small face, and seemed delicate and frail.
Qian Shengyan couldn't help but click her tongue inwardly.
This Ms. Nian is truly a completely different type from herself.
Qian Shengyan is also beautiful, but her beauty is flamboyant and glamorous, like a blooming rose. This Nian woman, on the other hand, is like a delicate jasmine, trembling and blooming gently on the branch.
Don't ask which type of man you like. Qian Shengyan knows with her toes that men like all types.
She laughed even more blatantly and praised, "Consort Nian is truly a person of good character."
"My sister is joking," Madam Nian said softly.
Yinzhen then looked up at Lady Nian, then glanced at Qian Shengyan, seemingly lost in thought. After a moment, he squeezed Qian Shengyan's hand under the table before continuing to read.
Qian Shengyan: ...
Is this meant to comfort her?
But she didn't think she was much worse than Nian, did she?
She looked down at herself, and stopped abruptly after just one glance.
Oh, she has a big belly now, so naturally she can't compare to others with their slender figures and stunning beauty.
snort!
Pregnant women's emotions change very quickly. Qian Shengyan suddenly felt a surge of grievance. She simply stood up and curtsied to Yinzhen: "This servant will go and see Hongli."
Without any explanation, Qian Shengyan simply said this and then got up and left.
She didn't care what the new concubine thought, or whether she thought she was spoiled or arrogant. Whatever, she didn't care.
Little did anyone know that Qian Shengyan had only been in the East Warm Pavilion for two minutes when she heard an announcement from outside.
She looked up in surprise and saw Yinzhen stride in, his face showing some displeasure.
...You've already quarreled with his Imperial Noble Consort Nian so soon?
Qian Shengyan stood up and gave a casual bow, but before she could even bend her knees, Yinzhen grabbed her hand and pulled her up.
He made no attempt to hide anything from his son, pulling her to sit beside him and saying unhappily, "You're just leaving Grandpa to her like this?"
Qian Shengyan: ?
Sir, isn't that your new wife? You two need to whisper something to each other, do I have to sit there like a third wheel to light up our day?
But she couldn't say it like that, so Qian Shengyan gave a sweet, fake smile: "What are you saying, Master? Isn't it better for me to be sensible?"
“There’s no need to be so understanding.” Yinzhen sighed. He squeezed Qian Shengyan’s hand, glanced at her belly, and explained with a rare tenderness, “It’s already winter, and she can’t return to the capital. Let her stay at Leshan Academy and we’ll make plans for next spring.”
"It's fine for you to decide on such matters, Your Highness." Qian Shengyan smiled and shook Yinzhen's hand back, as if rewarding him for doing the right thing.
So Yinzhen raised an eyebrow and glanced at her. The two looked at each other for a moment and then both laughed.
At the end of winter, Rehe was hit by another heavy snowfall.
At this time, Qian Shengyan was nearly seven months pregnant. She was wrapped up like a ball by Granny Hu and Qingxue and sat in the pavilion watching Hongli build a snowman.
Li Yu and a few eunuchs played with him, and the group was having a great time. Qian Shengyan watched with a smile while holding a hand warmer. After a while, Yinzhen finished his business and came out. He tied his cloak and walked to Qian Shengyan's side. He touched her face first to make sure it wasn't cold before looking at Hongli.
"Wow, Hongli has built quite a snowball," Yinzhen laughed.
Qian Shengyan nodded, adding a description: "It's bigger than his head!"
The two looked at each other and then laughed.
After laughing, Yinzhen went to play with Hongli, while Qian Shengyan watched with her chin in her hand. After a moment, she stopped laughing and began to reflect on her own state.
Is she a little too fond of Yinzhen?
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