Nan Yi was preparing for dinner when, after listening to Eunuch Su's words, he pondered for a long time before instructing Granny Zhao to prepare it.
Yinzhen and the thirteenth prince entered the East Warm Pavilion in the South Hall for their meal. It was early November, and while it was freezing outside, the East Warm Pavilion was warm and cozy inside.
"Sister-in-law Tong, this is really nice, it's so warm," Thirteen casually took off his cloak and handed it to the maid, then took off his boots and got onto the kang (heated brick bed), his demeanor natural, as if he were in his own home.
Nan Yi smiled as she looked at the thirteenth prince, who was even more outgoing than her, and glanced at the people who followed her in. Her expression was calm as she offered him her seat.
Yinzhen stepped forward to stop her, giving her a deep look as if trying to see into her heart. A month was too long.
Qingyun chuckled to himself as he stepped forward to take his master's cloak and left the warm pavilion.
When Nan Yi saw him blocking her way, she went inside to sit down. Yinzhen sat down next to her on the kang (heated brick bed), grabbed her hand, and held her hand tightly between his fingers.
Nan Yi pulled a few times, but found that he was holding her tightly. She raised her other hand and pinched his tiger's mouth fiercely. Yinzhen did not show it on his face, but he was in pain and thought to himself, "She is really ruthless." He had no choice but to let go.
Nan Yi was smug and pleased with herself. After succeeding, she stopped looking at him and only looked at the dishes in front of her.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the East Warm Pavilion froze. Thirteen, after observing the interaction between the two, came to his senses and realized what was strange. Clearly, the two were having a disagreement, and Fourth Brother couldn't bring himself to do it, so he used him as an excuse.
On the kang table, there were still two simple dishes, a soup, and a bowl of white rice in front of her.
Thirteen was surprised. "Sister-in-law Tong, you're eating this?" She wondered if he was short of money for food or if Fourth Brother was just stingy. She glanced at Fourth Brother, thinking, "Is Fourth Brother really that kind of person?"
Yinzhen glared at him, knowing exactly what he was thinking. "Yi'er doesn't like waste," he said, extremely pleased with that about her.
"Oh," Thirteen looked annoyed and glanced at his fourth brother. "They won't let him eat this too, will they? He came here specifically to taste the porridge."
"Don't worry, Thirteenth Master, I guarantee you'll be satisfied later," Nan Yi said with a light laugh.
A moment later, the lover and the lady brought in a food box. Three dishes and a porridge were placed in front of the thirteenth prince, while Yinzhen had nothing in front of him, not even a cup of water. Yet he did not seem angry; he only raised the corner of his mouth and glanced at Nan Yi.
Thirteen glanced at his fourth brother a few times. He remembered that his fourth brother hadn't eaten either. Since his fourth brother wasn't eating, he couldn't very well start eating either.
"Eat yours," Yinzhen said, without a hint of displeasure.
Thirteen looked at the small bowl of porridge, its aroma filling the air. He quickly finished it with a spoon, then squinted his eyes and praised, "It's really good."
"Could we have some more?" Seeing Nan shake her head, she teased, "Sister-in-law Tong wouldn't be so stingy as to not even share this little bit of porridge, would she?"
“That’s all. This is the last bit of food we have this year, and it all ended up in your mouth,” Nan Yi rolled her eyes inwardly. You’re complaining that there’s not enough to eat.
Thirteen was taken aback, then said, "I wonder what ingredients these are? Could you please help me find them?" It was indeed delicious. If he knew the ingredients, his cook could also make it.
Yinzhen's eyes lit up as he looked at Nan Yi, only to be met with two words: "Keep it a secret," silencing the two brothers.
Thirteen shut his mouth, probably because Fourth Brother had no choice. Otherwise, he wouldn't have told Father Emperor to keep it a secret, making all the brothers itchy with curiosity.
Nan Yi had finished eating and put down her chopsticks. As usual, Yinzhen tried to take her bowl and chopsticks, but Nan Yi covered them with her hand and called out, "Qingyun." Qingyun lifted the curtain and came in. "Master?"
"Please tidy up and ask Eunuch Su to prepare the meal for the master."
The person who hit her wants to eat her food? There's no such thing as a free lunch.
Yinzhen's face darkened, and Nan Yi chuckled as she looked back, saying, "Your Highness knows that Lan Courtyard is poor. It's not easy to support a whole courtyard of people with 150 taels of silver. Recently, even Zhao Mama's cats have become thin from hunger, which has made Zhao Mama nag a lot. Please forgive her."
Thirteen looked at Fourth Brother abruptly, gasping in shock. Was this really true? Fourth Brother was too stingy. He only gave 150 taels of silver for household expenses for a courtyard. Not to mention cats, he couldn't even support people. No wonder Sister-in-law Tong's meals were so simple.
Feeling as if his secret had been exposed, Yinzhen was somewhat embarrassed and embarrassed. Seeing the resentful look on Thirteen's face, he scolded, "You've already tasted the porridge, so go back to your residence. Do you expect your brother to escort you?"
Well, no wonder Sister Tong took her anger out on him. Seeing that Fourth Brother was furious, Thirteen dared not provoke him any further and hurriedly got off the kang (a heated brick bed) and left, but turned back when he reached the door.
"What, you can't finish it and you want to take it with you?" Yinzhen snapped at the thirteenth prince, his words sharp and cutting.
Thirteen felt that his fourth brother's great image had plummeted in his mind. The once unfathomable and emotionless fourth prince had vanished without a trace, leaving only a stingy older brother.
Thirteen rummaged through his pockets and pulled out a few silver notes, handing them to Nan Yi. He said, "Sister-in-law Tong, I didn't bring much money with me today, and I didn't bring any gifts either, so I'm afraid I've been impolite. Consider this a small token for your comfort. If you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, I will certainly do my best to help you. Farewell, I'll visit you again another day."
He glanced at his fourth brother, then walked out with his head held high for the first time. Nan Yi picked up the silver notes on the table, saw that it was three thousand taels, covered his mouth and laughed silently. Apart from Yinzhen, the princes of the Aisin Gioro family were all of good character, chivalrous and righteous, and always ready to fight injustice.
After Thirteen left, Nan Yi ignored Yinzhen, got off the kang (heated brick bed), returned to the bedroom, walked to the dressing table, and removed her hair ornaments and hairpins.
As the weather grew colder, she became reluctant to move and would stay in her bedroom when she had nothing to do. The old nanny sent by Consort De did not restrain her. Perhaps money was effective, because after she stuffed another five hundred taels of silver into her pocket.
Yinzhen followed her into the room, hugged her tightly from behind, pressed his head against her neck, and whispered, "Why don't you sleep on the kang? The bed is never warm enough."
Nan pursed her lips, picked at her hair tie and played with it, still remaining silent, thinking to herself, "It's not like you're sleeping, mind your own business."
Yinzhen sighed softly, "You're still angry after making money?" Nan Yi remained silent. He got annoyed, suddenly turned her around, and growled, "Answer me."
“It’s none of your business,” she pushed him away and went to the cabinet to store the silver.
Yinzhen grabbed her arm, turned her around to face him, and softened his tone, saying, "If you don't have enough money, I'll have Su Peisheng send it to you tomorrow."
Nan Yi let him hold her without making a sound. Thinking of what happened that day, she felt a surge of anger in her heart. Then she heard him add, "I've finished copying the 'Admonitions for Women' for you."
Hmph, rare indeed, she already had it. Xiao Xi lived up to expectations and copied it down and sent it over in a few days.
Yinzhen half-carried, half-dragged her to the bedside, lifted the brocade quilt, and only relaxed when he saw a hot water bottle inside. He put her in the quilt, took off his clothes and snuggled in, then groped to take off her outer robe.
"If I don't come looking for you, you won't come looking for me either. Do you know how to climb over the wall?"
He hasn't been going to the backyard much lately, spending most of his time in his study. She doesn't come either, and the longer she waits, the angrier she gets. It's worth getting angry with him over a girl.
Yinzhen tightened his grip on her hands and feet, making it hard for Nan Yi to breathe, so she tried to break free. "Don't move," he hissed. Nan Yi was furious. "You say I won't move? I'll move anyway." As a result, their clothes came undone as they struggled, and the breaths on each other's necks became hot and heavy.
Seeing this, Nan Yi cleverly slipped away and sat on the corner of the bed. Her beautiful eyes stared at Yinzhen with resentment and vigilance. What did he take her for? He would tease her a few times when he thought of her, and then forget about her after he was done. She still hated him for his cold and indifferent attitude when her lover was beaten that day.
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