Nan Yi concealed her trip to the grasslands, only saying that she got lost in Shanxi Province, and then recounted everything that happened afterward without omitting a single detail.
As Yinzhen listened to her recount each event, his heart clenched with anxiety. She described her trip to Shanxi as even more captivating than the storytellers in the teahouses, whetting everyone's appetite.
His mood fluctuated wildly.
After Nan Yi finished speaking, there was silence in the room for a long time as Fourth Uncle pondered the consequences of his actions.
Nan Yi touched his throat and nudged his chest with his elbow.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm so thirsty, I want pear syrup."
Yinzhen stood up. "It's the middle of the night, there's no pear soup. Have someone bring in some warm water."
"No need." Nan propped up her arm and pointed to the silver basin on the table in the middle of the room. "Aunt Qiu has prepared it."
Yinzhen glanced at it, walked to the table and poured a cup of sugar water. He first tested the temperature, and it was fine. The taste was also sweet and refreshing.
Nan Yi drank two cups, and the rest went into Yinzhen's stomach.
"Drink less water. If you drink too much water at night, it will be troublesome to get up at night," Nan Yi reminded her.
Yinzhen shook his head. "Before coming here, I had some wine with the thirteenth prince. He has to leave at four in the morning. I took the opportunity to discuss the matter of Shanxi with him."
He put down his cup and lay back down next to Nan Yi. "I might be a bit busy in the next few days. Just focus on recovering and don't go anywhere except to see the Fujin."
"My wound hurts, I can't walk, and I can't go anywhere," Nan Yi said.
Yinzhen, “…” He knew she was deliberately making excuses, so he paused for a moment and said, “Have Granny Qiu go to the Fujin’s place to ask for leave. If the palace comes to bestow rewards tomorrow, send some to each courtyard so that they can also share in the joy.”
"Pfft~~" Nan Yi couldn't help but suddenly laugh.
Yinzhen frowned. "What are you laughing at? Am I wrong?"
Nan Yi chuckled for a moment, then glanced at him. "Are you sure you don't want me to make enemies? Think back to when the Empress demoted me, they all came to see me laughing and making sarcastic remarks. If I were to distribute the rewards to them now, wouldn't that make them feel embarrassed?"
She never shies away from her words; she says whatever's on her mind.
Yinzhen pursed his lips. He didn't want to admit that his wives and concubines in the harem would kick him when he was down, but he couldn't find the words to refute it.
Seeing that Fourth Master's face was getting uglier and uglier, Nan Yi finally knew when to stop after giving the tiger a good thrashing.
She turned around, put her arm around his waist, and yawned. "Go to sleep, I'm so tired. I haven't slept well these past few days, and I haven't eaten well either. Master, remember to bring me roast duck after court tomorrow."
He swallowed back all his pent-up anger. Yinzhen's lips twitched, and he patted her back. He felt a pang of heartache as he felt the bone digging into his hand.
In the middle of the night, the Fourth Uncle left without a sound. Nan Yi rolled around on the bed a few times and then went back to sleep.
The next day, Qingyun served Nan Yi as he washed and dressed. His lover set the table for him to eat, but Nan Yi suddenly slapped his forehead and told his lover to put down the food.
“Girl, go to Xiao Xi’s house and tell him I have something to discuss with him.” Nan Yi said apologetically, “I’ve been saying I’ll settle your marriage, but I always forget. This time I have to do it. How was it? You should have met Xiao Ran last time. What was your impression? If you like him, I’ll make the decision. If not, I’ll find some other excellent men for you to choose from.”
The lover set out breakfast, picked up the empty food box, blushed, and curtsied to the south, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness. This servant is very satisfied."
When the topic of marriage came up, the lover changed from her usual straightforwardness to shyness and timidity. She turned and ran out of the house.
Nan Yi rubbed the goosebumps on her arm and said, "Ugh, that's so cheesy."
Qingyun laughed and said, "Master has good taste. That Young Master Xiao is a very good person and has a good appearance. Last time when Xiao Xi and his sister came to pay their respects to Master, Master was not here. Aunt Qiu saw them and said they were a good match for each other. Huan'er gets along well with Miss Xiao Er. She said that Young Master Xiao seems to have also taken a fancy to his lover."
"That's great! It seems I have quite a talent for matchmaking." Nan Yi boasted happily. She took Qingyun's hand and said earnestly, "Girl, it'll be your turn next. Don't worry, I'll definitely find you a good husband who suits your taste."
Qingyun blushed and stamped her foot in embarrassment, "Master, how did you end up involving me again?"
Nan Yi released her hand, speaking with a disdainful tone, "Look at you, what's there to be so anxious about? If it were your lover or Yiren, they might be urging your master to hurry up."
She sighed and said, "This time, I went out and saw a lot of things. I felt uneasy. Along the way, I saw those rural couples. Although they had no money, they lived a very comfortable life, working at sunrise and resting at sunset."
Although poverty brings misfortune to couples, you don't need to worry. Find someone poorer, and with the generous dowry I give you, buy more land in the countryside and be a happy landlady.
Of course, if you're rich, you can marry her, but the worst thing is if she brings back a concubine or mistress to annoy you.
Qingyun listened silently, her nose stinging with tears. Her master probably thought of his own situation, which was why he disliked concubines and the like.
She didn't care whether her husband took a concubine or not; what mattered was that he was honest and kind.
Tanruo would be even happier if she could find a man who was willing to spend his whole life with her.
"Yes, I will obey my master."
"That's more like it..."
Huan'er suddenly entered, interrupting their conversation. She curtsied and said, "Greetings, Consort. The Empress has sent someone to deliver a reward. Eunuch Gao and his men are waiting at the courtyard gate. Please come and receive your reward."
"Which lady?" Nan asked.
Huan'er scratched her head. "It looks like the Imperial Concubine."
Nan Yi stood up; it must be Consort Tong.
Qingyun helped her out of the house, and when they reached the courtyard gate, Qiu Ma started chatting with the palace eunuch.
Nan Yi recognized the man who came: Huang Ying, the steward of Jingren Palace. He was accompanied by four eunuchs who stood neatly at the entrance, holding the rewards.
Nan Yi stepped forward with a smile, "I'm so sorry to have troubled Eunuch Huang again today. Thank you, Eunuch Huang. It just so happens that the kitchen made some novel pastries. When we return to the palace later, please ask Eunuch Huang to send some to Her Majesty."
Huang Gonggong bowed deeply and said, "Your Highness will remember Tong's filial piety. This morning, Lijuan said that Your Highness was talking about Tong early in the morning."
"I miss Your Highness too. When I have some free time, I will go to the palace to pay my respects to you," Nan Yi said with a smile, and then ordered Xiao Shunzi to accept the reward from Consort Tong.
Yiren cleverly stepped forward and handed a large red envelope to Eunuch Huang, while the four eunuchs received smaller red envelopes.
Huang Gonggong chuckled as he took the money and stuffed it into his sleeve. Without even looking, he knew his master was wealthy; there must be silver notes inside.
Nan Yi chatted with Eunuch Huang for a while longer. Qingyun had already packed two boxes of pastries from the kitchen, and Eunuch Huang personally carried the food boxes to take his leave.
She was about to turn and go inside when Qingyun pulled her back. "Your Highness, it seems that Consort Nian and Consort Li are coming this way."
"Not only that, but Consort Li and Consort Geng were also following behind," Yiren glanced at them and reminded them.
Nan looked over and remembered what Fourth Uncle had said, "Are they all here to share in the joy?"
Yiren pouted, "In my opinion, they're all just looking for trouble."
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