"Master?" Xiao Shunzi was both surprised and frightened, unable to believe it. "How did you know?"
"Besides Steward Su, who would dare wear such high boots!" Wang Baoen kicked him, and Xiao Shunzi immediately reacted, running to open the door in a panic.
Yinzhen strode in and saw two eunuchs kneeling there. He could tell at a glance that they were both wearing new cotton-padded clothes this year, and even their felt hats were new.
He was suddenly moved, nodded to the two men, gave Su Peisheng some instructions, and then went into the main room.
Su Peisheng bowed to see Yinzhen off, and after standing up, he looked at Wang Baoen and the other two and couldn't help but feel a little jealous.
He said with a forced smile, "Oh, gentlemen, please rise. The prince has bestowed a reward upon you. Please follow me."
Upon hearing this, Wang Baoen and Xiao Shunzi exchanged glances, their eyes filled with surprise. They both exclaimed "Eh!" and respectfully led Su Peisheng into the side room.
Su Peisheng was taken care of meticulously by the two brothers and even received a tribute in the end. Although he was still jealous of their good luck in following the right master, well... that's how it is. Could he, Eunuch Su, possibly change to another princess to serve him?
Qian Shengyan didn't leave any maids on night duty today, thinking that everyone should get a good rest during the New Year. Qingxue lived in the back room, while Lvliu, Lvyan, Lvyun, and Lvshui lived in the back side room, which wasn't far from her. She could call out and all the maids would come running.
But no one expected that Prince Yong would return.
Wearing only her nightgown, Qian Shengyan was already lying in bed preparing to sleep. The maids in the backyard were either washing up or chatting, and no one noticed that Yinzhen was approaching the inner room of the main house.
Startled by the footsteps, Qian Shengyan sat up abruptly in bed. Just as she was about to call for help, she heard Yinzhen say, "It's Your Highness."
"Master?" Qian Shengyan was taken aback, never expecting him to suddenly return. She hurriedly got up, barefoot, and tried to get out of bed to pay her respects, but Yinzhen pressed her shoulder down: "No need for formalities, sit down."
Qian Shengyan obediently responded, watching as Yinzhen took off his coat and went to pour water to wash his hands. She couldn't sit still any longer, so she got up and helped him wash up before sitting on the bed with him.
Yinzhen seemed preoccupied tonight, which Qian Shengyan could tell, but she didn't ask any questions. Instead, she knelt behind him and gently massaged his shoulders and back.
Yinzhen must have just washed up briefly in the front courtyard, but I don't know why he came to Dongyou Courtyard again. Qian Shengyan wasn't that curious and just focused on what she was doing.
Despite drinking so much strong tea that night, she wasn't sleepy. After massaging Yinzhen's shoulders and back, she picked up a comb and styled his hair.
The Aisin Gioro family is known for its health-conscious lifestyle, and they typically perform a hundred scalp massages every day. Qian Shengyan didn't know if he had done it today, but with nothing to do, and Yinzhen clearly not wanting to sleep, as he seemed to have something to say, Qian Shengyan could only keep him company and do something so as not to feel like she was just sitting there idly.
Before she could even get her hair done, Qian Shengyan was pulled to the hand by Yinzhen: "You've had a long day, you should rest too."
"The children are very well-behaved, so I'm not tired," Qian Shengyan said with a smile. Unexpectedly, Yinzhen pulled her up and made her sit on his lap.
Qian Shengyan exclaimed "Ah!" and the comb in her hand fell to the ground with a "thud." She tried to pick it up, but Yinzhen grabbed her waist.
"Master... what's wrong?" Seeing his expression, Qian Shengyan was pretty sure that what he wanted to say was probably related to her, but she didn't know what was making him so reluctant to speak.
Yinzhen then pulled her closer to his chest, and after a long while, he sighed softly: "After thinking it over, I think it's best not to let you hear about this from others."
Qian Shengyan raised an eyebrow slightly, but obediently said, "Please speak, Your Highness, I will listen."
"Today, at the palace banquet, Father Emperor..." Yinzhen paused, not mentioning that among the people seated in front, only his family hadn't brought any children, and there were no princes over ten years old. He swallowed his bitterness and continued speaking to Qian Shengyan, "Seeing that there weren't many people in my household, I... designated a concubine..."
Upon hearing this, Qian Shengyan felt reassured. She already knew that Prince Yong had another concubine, who was Nian Gengyao's sister, Lady Nian. She also knew that she had entered the mansion around the last two years, but she didn't know the specific circumstances.
It turns out that the marriage was arranged by Emperor Kangxi himself. No wonder even Li, who had entered the household many years earlier than Nian and had a child, couldn't control her...
She was lost in thought, pondering these things, but Yinzhen thought she was too upset to speak, so he pulled her closer and whispered, "There aren't only two concubines you can have. Wait a moment, I..."
“Master…” Qian Shengyan raised her hand to cover his lips and smiled slightly, “What are you saying, Master? This servant is already very satisfied.”
She presented the facts and reasoned with him, explaining: "As a servant, being able to give birth to Yuanshou is already an immense blessing, let alone being able to see you often, Master. I would never dare to dream of anything more..."
"I know you're a good person..." Yinzhen gently kissed her fingers, then sighed softly, rarely speaking his mind to her. "The only thing the Fujin (principal wife) thinks about is the Ulanara family. As for the concubine... I never intended to give her the power to manage the household. Originally, I only had eyes for you..."
"I understand your intentions, Your Highness." Qian Shengyan spoke sincerely, and she meant it from the bottom of her heart. "I am foolish and cannot possibly bear the responsibility for these things in the Prince's mansion... Please, Your Highness, have pity on me and don't make me do such things anymore!"
She really doesn't want to work!
She has food, drink, a son, and a decent man who comes to sleep with her every few days. Isn't life good enough? Why would she be so desperate as to chase after power? Isn't she exhausted?
Lady Nian, please hurry up and come into the manor! I'm begging you!
Qian Shengyan's sincerity was even more precious in Yinzhen's eyes. His phoenix eyes were filled with guilt and heartache. He took her hand and kissed it, but didn't know what to say. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Is there anything you want?"
Qian Shengyan: ...
What's wrong with this man?! Why does he always ask that same question?!
But seeing the look in Yinzhen's eyes, Qian Shengyan understood slightly. This time she did not refuse. She tilted her head and thought for a moment before saying, "This servant wants to make some toys for Yuanshou."
“Okay.” Yinzhen agreed immediately without hesitation.
Qian Shengyan became happy and sat up straight, counting on her fingers as she told Yinzhen that she wanted to make a small cart that could be pushed around so that Yuanshou could learn to walk; she also wanted to make a slide and swing set in the yard so that Yuanshou could play—of course, she could play with it herself too.
She spoke with great enthusiasm, without any sign of reluctance or frustration. Yinzhen observed her intently for a while and was somewhat surprised to find that Qian Shengyan really didn't care about the rank of concubine.
She remained the same, her mind and attention completely focused on her son, paying no attention to anything else, and not even thinking about planning for his future.
She was truly content.
For a fleeting moment, Yinzhen felt a mix of emotions—a sense of relief, envy, and even a touch of bittersweetness. He gripped Qian Shengyan's waist, leaned down, and kissed her lips, which were still chattering incessantly about the swing…?
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