Physician Liu immediately understood, withdrew his hand, and waved for the young physician to leave.
"Doctor Liu, my knees are so sore that it's painful to even walk. Please take a look at them."
Nan Yi rolled up his trouser leg, revealing his knee. On his fair legs, two shocking dark bluish-black patches stood out.
Physician Liu frowned as he looked at Nan Yi's exposed calf, sighed inwardly, covered it with a cloth, and stood up, saying, "Please wait a moment, Consort. I need to fetch some hot water. Your leg needs more than just the bruises to fade; it also needs to be warmed."
Nan nodded. In November and December, kneeling on the ground for a long time would chill one to the bone. If not treated in time, one might develop chronic leg pain later on.
After Physician Liu left, Nan Yi leaned against the soft pillows and closed his eyes to rest. In his drowsy state, he felt his knees were very cold. He opened his eyes and was stunned for a moment. "Brother Yong, what brings you here?"
Zheng Yong put down the medicine bottle in his hand, picked up two pieces of gauze and covered Nan Yi's knees where the medicine had been applied. He then used his internal energy to push the medicine into the muscles.
Nan Yi's knees felt sore, swollen, and warm. She laughed and said, "Your method is much more effective than applying hot water."
It promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis, allowing internal energy to reach directly into the meridians.
Zheng Yong shook his head, seemingly helpless. "I really can't do anything with you. Consort De has always been very well-mannered. The fact that she punished you shows how much you've annoyed her."
"Good manners? Are you sure you're talking about the Consort De I know? I've been to the palace four times in five years, and twice I was punished. Each time, I had to kneel for one or two hours. This is something a supposedly well-mannered mother-in-law would do." Nan Yi asked doubtfully, "That's too much..."
That's quite the act; he even managed to fool Zheng Yong, a top-secret agent.
Zheng Yong didn't take it to heart. "It's not that I'm making this assessment. You probably haven't met the other three consorts. Compared to them, Consort De's temperament is relatively mild."
Nan Yi was speechless. "No way, I heard that Consort Liang has a good temper."
Zheng Yong chuckled. Seeing that the medicine in her knee had been absorbed to a sufficient degree, he put down his hand, helped her pull down her trouser leg, walked to the side to wash his hands, and then said, "Consort Liang is not just good-tempered, she has absolutely no temper."
She lived in the palace like a clay figurine, with no sense of presence whatsoever, yet she was held in the heart of the supreme ruler.
"By the way, where is Physician Liu?" Nan Yi looked around, but it was quiet outside, without a sound.
"Knowing you were punished and came to the Imperial Hospital, I had someone hold him back. However, he should be back soon. I'm leaving now. Be careful, and apply hot compresses a few more times. You should be fine."
"Thank you so much, Brother Yong, I'm sorry to trouble you again," Nan said with a smile.
Zheng Yong lowered his sleeves, glanced at her again, lifted the curtain, and stepped out of the room.
He had just left when Physician Liu came in with hot water, apologizing repeatedly, "I'm sorry, I was delayed by some matters outside."
Nan waved his hand, "It's nothing to worry about."
After Yinzhen and the others finished their discussion, they came to the Imperial Hospital to pick up Nan Yi and take her back to her residence. When they left the palace, they carried her to the carriage. Nan Yi cried out in pain and refused to sit down. She grabbed Yinzhen's chest and said, "It hurts. You have to lie flat. I'll sit on the blanket."
Seeing that she was in a lot of pain, Yinzhen couldn't help but scold her in a low voice, "Can't you just be more accommodating? You have to provoke your mother." Although he was scolding her, his tone was tender and gentle.
"I told you I wouldn't go, but you insisted. Fine, you just had to make me suffer. For a whole hour and a half, the Fourteenth Prince pleaded, but the Empress didn't budge. My legs are going to be ruined sooner or later."
"You still think you're right?" Yinzhen was both angry and annoyed. He placed her legs flat on his own lap and gently massaged them. "Your mother wouldn't punish you without reason. Tell me, what did you do to upset your mother?"
Nan Yi pouted and glanced at him sideways. "What can I do? She suddenly hinted that I should cut off all contact with Zhenzhen and Wanqing. Why should I? Zhenzhen and I have been best friends since we were young. Just because you brothers have a disagreement, you want to ruin our friendship? What do men's affairs have to do with us?"
Yinzhen remained silent for a moment. Yi'er was upright and honest, she was straightforward and clear about right and wrong, and her words were not without reason.
The women are innocent in matters of the court, which are decided by the men.
So when she talked with her eighth, ninth, and tenth brothers in the Imperial Garden, he was never angry with her.
Yi'er disliked spending time with the women in the household. One of them, a young woman named Li Jia, had only been to Lan Yuan once when someone started plotting against her.
She only had a handful of close friends; if he were to prevent her from associating with even these few, he might as well lock her in a cage.
"Those gossipy old women in the palace spread rumors about even the smallest things," Nan Yi muttered discontentedly.
"From now on, I will stay with you," Yinzhen said softly, his eyes filled with a deep affection he himself was unaware of.
Nan Yi was taken aback by his words, her eyes flashing. "You, come with me to face the Empress." She glanced questioningly at the Fourth Master, whose eyelids were lowered.
When did he become so considerate? Ever since she returned to the manor, the Fourth Master has been much gentler towards her. During this time, he spends most of his free time at the manor with her. What's going on? Isn't the Fourth Master's true love Lady Nian?
"What are you spacing out for?" Yinzhen rubbed her forehead for a while, and seeing her staring blankly for no reason, he raised his hand and tapped her forehead.
"Since your mother has spoken, just listen to her and keep a low profile in the future," Yinzhen advised her.
"Ah~" Nan Yiwei exclaimed in surprise, "You want me to secretly obey the Empress?"
Yinzhen's face darkened. "Idiot, I'm teaching you to be pragmatic."
Pshaw, they're all the same, there's no difference at all.
If she did that, Consort De would probably be even angrier.
Consort De disliked her association with Zhenzhen and Wanqing, so Nan Yi dared not defy the rules. Even when she was about to go out, Nan Yi would inform Yinzhen and go quietly with Li Yi and Li Er.
Forty-seven years passed in winter, and forty-eight years quietly arrived. In March, the Crown Prince was reinstated, and Emperor Kangxi enfeoffed his sons. The Fourth Prince was enfeoffed as a Prince of the First Rank, Prince Yong of the First Rank.
The layout of the Fourth Prince's residence also changed accordingly. Yinzhen submitted a memorial requesting that Niohuru be made a secondary consort.
Emperor Kangxi granted his permission.
According to seniority, the title of this concubine should have gone to Concubine Qi. The reason for requesting a title for a concubine in the mansion, bypassing Concubine Qi, was because Concubine Ying, a daughter of Niohuru, was favored by Yinzhen, and even Consort De often called her into the palace to keep her company.
In August, it was the Ninth Prince's wife's birthday. Invitations were sent to all the princes' families to attend the banquet. The Fourth Prince's family specifically invited Consort Tong to be their guest.
When the Crown Prince was reinstated, the Ninth Prince was granted the title of Beizi, while the Eighth Prince, who was originally the most popular candidate for Crown Prince, was not granted the title and remained a bald prince.
At the Ninth Prince's residence, Nan Yi presented birthday gifts. During the banquet, she did not see Wan Qing, so she apologized to Lady Nara and left to look for Wan Qing.
Passing by the artificial hill in the garden, I inadvertently caught sight of the Eighth Prince sitting alone beside it, drinking drunkenly.
This man, whom she admired from their first meeting, was always gentle, refined, calm, and reserved. His demeanor was always pleasant and refreshing.
When did she start to drift away from him?
On several occasions, when she went to visit him, she would always see him embracing his wife.
She dared not disturb such a beautiful scene.
Having met many couples in the Qing Dynasty, the Eighth Prince and his wife were a rare and wonderful pair.
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