Xu Huaiyu listened to the conversation coming from the carriage behind, which seemed to be an argument. "Is something wrong with your brothers? Do you need to go and talk to them?"
Thirteen glanced back, a gesture he was already used to. He looked at Xu Huaiyu sideways and asked with a smile, "Brother Xu, you look like you're not married yet?"
"Oh, how so?" He was indeed unmarried and knew nothing about matters between men and women, so he listened attentively.
Thirteen was quite pleased, speaking with the air of someone who had been through it all, “Husbands and wives, they may quarrel at the head of the bed and make up at the foot of the bed. Occasional bickering can also add spice to the relationship. Brother Xu, once you have a wife, you will understand the beauty of it.”
Xu Huaiyu cupped his hands in greeting, "I have learned much from you, brother." As he turned his head, he gave a subtle look to the maid who was turning back ahead.
The maid shook her head almost imperceptibly.
It was too far away; through the carriage curtain, the horse wheels creaked and groaned, and she couldn't hear what the other person was arguing about.
Xu Huaiyu was quite disappointed, because a lot of information is usually obtained from everyday conversations.
Fortunately, he still has more opportunities.
Nan Yi returned to the mansion because the Fourth Master had mentioned that Emperor Kangxi might summon him.
Old Master Kang was the only person she feared in the Qing Dynasty. Zheng Yong was someone whose abilities could allow him to find her hiding place in no time.
I couldn't confront him directly, so I could only become friends with him.
Leaving the mansion was done quietly, and returning was the same.
As the Fourth Prince entered through the main gate, more than a dozen of his beautiful wives and concubines, each with the allure of spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, stood waiting in front of the gate. Upon seeing him, his primary consort, Lady Nara, led her entourage to greet him warmly, saying, "Greetings to Your Highness, Your Highness must be tired from your journey."
Li and Nian, among others, also bowed in greeting.
"rise."
He raised his hand, and waited for his wives and concubines to get up before entering the mansion together.
Lady Nara walked alongside him in front, while Lady Nian, holding her belly behind her, suddenly turned her head and coughed twice. Her maid hurriedly whispered, "Master, what's wrong? You're coughing again. This cold has been lingering for too long."
A hint of resentment flashed in the eyes of the primary wife, but then a perfectly timed look of concern appeared on her face. “Sister Nian, how did you suddenly catch a cold? You didn’t even send a maid to let me know, so I could have summoned the imperial physician for you.”
"Heh~" Standing next to Lady Nian, Consort Li couldn't help but let out a sneer. Her laughter set off a chain reaction, with Lady Wu and the others also chuckling discreetly.
The Nian family's tactic had worked every time, and everyone else knew perfectly well that they just wanted to get more of the master's attention.
Consort Li twirled a handkerchief between her fingers, a hint of disdain in her expression. She gave her personal maid a wink, "Qiuju, quickly go and summon the imperial physician for Consort Nian. Her sister-in-law is of noble health; nothing can be amiss."
"yes."
Lady Nian's expression faltered slightly. She forced a faint smile, a fleeting hint of annoyance and embarrassment in her eyes. She curtsied to Yinzhen and Lady Nara, saying, "It was my fault for being ignorant. It's all because of my poor health. Thank you, Sister Li, for helping to summon the imperial physician."
Yinzhen glanced at his wives and concubines, a feeling of irritation rising in his heart. He pinched the bridge of his nose. After more than ten years of marriage, Nara noticed his gesture and knew he was unhappy.
"Go back inside first. Master just got back, he must be exhausted." A bunch of troublesome brats, trying to win favor without even considering the place.
"Xu'er, go back to your courtyard first and let the imperial physician take a look at you."
After saying this, Yinzhen strode into the house. After several days of carriage travel, he was exhausted and his nerves were on edge. He couldn't help but feel a little disgusted by the petty thoughts between women.
Empress Dowager Nara dismissed all her concubines and served Yinzhen his bath and meals. After he finished eating, Yinzhen put on his court robes and immediately went to the palace to report on the events in Shicheng.
After seeing Yinzhen off, Empress Dowager Nara summoned the imperial physician to inquire about Lady Nian's condition.
How could Lady Nian let Lady Nara find an opening? She did catch a slight chill, but it was so mild as to be negligible.
The imperial physician, having received a bribe, exaggerated the severity of her condition and prescribed several doses of medicine to prevent miscarriage. She could not take any medicine to dispel wind and cold because she was pregnant.
After hearing the imperial physician's lukewarm report, Lady Nara summoned Granny Liu and said, "In the master's name, prepare some things and send them to Weifang Courtyard. Have Gao Wuyong accompany you on the trip."
The Nian family was always extremely vigilant. On the surface, they were extremely grateful for any gifts bestowed upon them by the Plum Academy, but in private, they would secretly throw them into a corner of the storeroom to mold.
It doesn't matter; it's fine if the Nian family is wary of her, but can she guard against everyone?
Thinking you're being clever.
To show that she was sensible, Nian Shi did not eat in the small kitchen like Tong Shi did. She always put her master first, was gentle and considerate, and flattered him in every way.
However, in this mansion, which woman doesn't fawn over the master?
As the primary consort, she never relaxed her control over the household. Even in the seemingly impregnable Wanyue Pavilion, she still managed to place spies.
Not long after Granny Liu left, Lingyu came in and whispered to Lady Nara, "Madam, Consort Wen is pregnant. The imperial physician has diagnosed that she is already three months along."
"Oh." Nara was taken aback by the news. She stroked the rim of her cup and suddenly smiled scornfully. "Another one who thinks she's so clever. It's not easy. She kept it a secret until she was pregnant before the news came out."
How pitiful, scared out of her wits. Well, it's good. "Tell Granny Liu to prepare a copy for Xiuhe Courtyard as well, and tell Madam Wen to take good care of herself during her pregnancy."
Lingyu was slightly taken aback; surprisingly, the Fujin (principal wife) wasn't angry. "This servant obeys."
Wanyue Pavilion
Granny Qiu and the three maids knelt on the ground, while Yiren simply sat cross-legged, resting her chin on her hand, a hint of disappointment in her eyes.
“Master, you have failed again. I thought you could at least hold on for two months. I advised you to take me with you. With my brains, I could have made you have fun outside for half a year without any problem.”
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