December 22nd is the Winter Solstice. In northern China, it is customary to eat dumplings on this day. Folk belief holds that eating dumplings on the Winter Solstice will prevent frostbite.
(Just kidding, ever since Su Yu moved to the north, she always eats dumplings on the winter solstice, and her hands still get cold in winter.)
Yiren woke up early and insisted on making dumplings. The weather was getting colder and colder, and Nan couldn't get out of bed, but he couldn't fall asleep lying down either.
She put on a cotton coat and leaned against the headboard, letting Yiren and Xiaoshunzi stomp filling and roll out dough around the brazier.
As the dumplings were being cooked, Yiren pulled her mistress out of bed. Her hand inadvertently touched the warmth of the blankets, and her expression changed slightly. She grabbed her mistress's hand, her face turning extremely pale, and exclaimed, "Mistress, why are your hands so cold? There's not a trace of warmth in the blankets. No, I must ask Lord Zheng to bring two hot water bottles."
"It's not that serious, it's warm enough. My body is like this all year round, don't make a fuss." She put on her shoes, got out of bed, and tidied her hair.
Yiren's eyes still showed worry. "No, that's not it. I serve you every day and know you best. You weren't like this before."
Nan Yi's smile faltered slightly, her gaze darkened, and then she smiled and changed the subject, "I know better than anyone how I used to be. Alright, with you warming my bed every day, I'm not cold at all. Didn't you say the dumplings are cooked? Hurry up and put them on the table, lest they overcook and turn into a meaty mush."
"I'm not worried, Xiao Shunzi is watching over us." Even so, she quickly turned and left the kitchen.
Nan Yi put down the handkerchief and touched her abdomen. It was strange, really. For the past ten years, she had been diligently practicing day and night, single-mindedly trying to restore her internal strength.
Because she was completely focused, her internal strength far surpassed what it used to be, but her body seemed to have really developed serious problems.
"Lord Zheng is here! Greetings, Lord Zheng!" came Yi Ren and Zheng Yong's cheerful greetings from outside the window.
Nan Yi chuckled, lifted the curtain and went out. Zheng Yong walked in like a gust of wind, stood in front of Nan Yi in a few steps, his expression was extremely solemn, his eyes filled with emotions that seemed to be a mixture of joy, excitement and reluctance.
"Brother Yong, what good news? You seem so happy." Nan Yi poured him tea and gestured for him to sit down.
"Nan Yi!"
"Um?"
"You can leave now, Nan Yi."
"Oh," Nan Yi replied casually, then suddenly asked, "What did you say?" What had she heard? She could go out now? She was free?
Zheng Yong's nostrils flared, and he stared at her with extremely bright eyes, excitedly repeating, "I said, you're about to be free."
"Crack!" The sound of a plate breaking came from outside.
Nan glanced at the door and saw Yiren standing there, looking shocked and bewildered.
"Really, Lord Zheng? My master can go out now?" Yiren asked excitedly again.
Zheng Yong glanced at her and nodded heavily.
"Wah~" Yiren burst into tears, crying as she said, "I thought... my master... was going to be locked up here for life, but I never expected... Heaven has eyes, the Emperor is so kind, finally... we can... we can go out."
Hearing the commotion in the kitchen, Xiao Shunzi stood there helplessly, holding a spatula, his eyes red and sniffling from time to time.
Nan Yi was also incredibly excited, so happy that she forgot how to react. For ten years, she had been trapped in this courtyard every day, never stepping out of the gate. If it weren't for the pleasant Xiao Shunzi keeping her company and comforting her, she would have gone crazy long ago.
She has no idea how she managed to get through those thousands of days and nights, those countless sleepless nights when she desperately wanted to go out, but she couldn't leave.
She was no longer the reckless and lawless Nan Yi. She was afraid, afraid that her outrageous behavior would hurt the people around her.
The Tong sisters, Yiren and Xiaoshunzi, Qingyun and the other girls, and Xixi—they all need her.
She said she would be their support.
They can't leave, they can't fall down; even if they go mad, they have to stay in the Forbidden Garden, so that they can always leave behind a legacy for them.
While he was still in a daze, Zheng Yong continued, "The Thirteenth Prince also came out. It was he who brought it up. The Emperor, remembering our past relationship, has already shown signs of relenting."
"Thirteenth Master, it's him! The Thirteenth Master is out! That's great! This guy still has some sense of loyalty. It wasn't for nothing that I climbed over the wall to bring him good food and drink back then."
Nan Yi was filled with mixed emotions. While feeling comforted and moved, she was also a little worried. "Thirteenth Master, is he alright?"
Zheng Yong sighed softly, "Not good. His temples are covered in frost, and he is no longer as heroic and forthright as he used to be. He has become much more reserved and silent."
That's normal. After being locked up for ten years, even the sharpest edges would be smoothed out, and she would no longer have the fiery temper she once had.
It will soon be the 59th year of Kangxi's reign. In the next two years, when the Fourth Prince ascends the throne and becomes emperor, the Thirteenth Prince will enjoy endless favor and be second only to the emperor, the most powerful man in the world.
Nan Yi's hands, resting on her knees, trembled slightly. It wasn't because of the Fourth Master's impending ascension to power; for some reason, she felt a sense of fear and unease.
Stepping out of this courtyard and back into that mansion, back into that unfamiliar place, could she adapt to that kind of life?
"Nan Yi, congratulations." Zheng Yong offered his heartfelt congratulations.
Nan Yi forced a faint smile. "Thank you."
Yiren was so excited she didn't know what to do. She called out, "Today is truly a day to celebrate, Lord Zheng. I've made some dumplings. Why don't you keep some for us?"
"Yes, today is the Winter Solstice, a day for family reunion. Yiren's cooking is quite good," Nan Yi said with a smile.
Zheng Yong nodded, "In that case, I shall respectfully comply."
That night, Nan Yi huddled in bed, her mind a jumble of thoughts. The thought of leaving filled her with unease.
Confined in the Forbidden Garden, living a life isolated from the world, it wasn't as bad as she imagined. If that door opened and she regained her freedom, without having to move away, how wonderful that would be.
After finishing her work, Yiren noticed that her master had been looking dazed ever since Lord Zheng said he could leave the Forbidden Garden, and she couldn't help but feel a little worried.
"Master, what's wrong?"
Nan Yi snapped out of her daze. "Huh? What did you say?"
Yiren sighed inwardly, took off her outer garment, and crawled into the quilt. "I was asking because Lord Zheng said we can leave. You don't look quite right, mistress. What are you worried about? Could it be that you're still reluctant to leave here?"
Nan smiled wryly. This girl always seemed to be able to read her mind.
She wanted to get out; of course she wanted to get out. If it weren't for what happened later, she wouldn't have wanted to stay there for even a second longer.
However, there are some things she will eventually have to face, even if she doesn't confront them.
Seeing that her master remained silent for a long time, Yiren understood that she had probably guessed what her master was thinking.
It doesn't matter where she lives; she'll be wherever her master wants to be. Once she's free, she just wants to go home to see her parents. After that, she'll still come back to be with her master and follow her for the rest of her life.
“Yiren, you miss home, don’t you? Once we’re out, I’ll make sure you return home in style,” Nan Yi suddenly said.
Yiren chuckled, "Then thank you, Master. I won't stand on ceremony with you."
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