"What's that on your face? Be careful not to hurt your skin," Ba'er asked curiously, her face completely covered, as if afraid they would see her true face.
Nan touched her face. "The pigments from flowers and plants won't harm the skin and even have beautifying effects, just like pearl powder." Qiu's mother specially mixed it; it'll be great for going out tonight—killing two birds with one stone.
The Eighth Prince sat beside her, and a faint, warm fragrance emanated from her, filling his nostrils, somewhat like the scent of lilies. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.
"It smells nice, doesn't it?" The sudden voice made the Eighth Prince blush slightly, revealing his embarrassment. He turned his face slightly, "Ahem, what smells nice? It smells very good."
Nan pouted, "I don't know. Granny always makes flower juices and pollen for us to use when we take a bath. But I have seen lilies and the like. They always smell so strong that it's unbearable." She continued to complain about her dissatisfaction.
Unexpectedly, when the Eighth Prince heard that he was bathing with flowers in the water, he was reminded of the enchanting scene of Nan Yi bathing in flower petals. Instantly, he felt a surge of heat and his mind became restless.
She seemed oblivious and continued her incessant chatter. The Eighth Prince quickly interrupted her, saying, "I'll go see if the Tenth Brother has arrived yet," and then he fled.
Nan stood there, stunned.
The Tenth Prince did not come in the end, saying that he stayed overnight at the Thirteenth Prince's Residence in the palace. Nan Yi was very angry that he could not catch him, so he had to instruct the Eighth Prince to take care of Xiao Ran's matter.
The next day, Nan began the grueling days of learning manners. The old nanny was finally won over by Qiu Ma and accepted five hundred taels of silver from her. Yiren was so heartbroken that she kept calling her an old hag.
That evening, it was Nan Yi's turn to copy the book. She really couldn't write anything, and she couldn't even hold the pen properly. She was so anxious that she was sweating. Afraid that the maids would notice, she had no choice but to cheat.
"My love, go check if anyone's outside?" Nan Yi whispered to him.
Her lover went out to take a look and shook his head at her.
Nan Yi put away the paper and pen.
"Where is the master?"
"I heard he's in the study today."
Upon hearing this, she leaned close to her lover's ear and whispered, "You stay in my room and keep watch. If he doesn't come back tonight, don't worry, I'll go find the master."
The lover's face twitched, and she nodded in agreement. Only her master could call her "Master," such a young and handsome master.
Nan Yi carefully approached the study and saw the eunuch guarding the door. As she walked over, the eunuch opened his mouth wide when he saw her. Nan Yi put her finger to her lips and shushed him. The eunuch fell silent and stepped back.
She gently pushed open the door and went inside. She saw Yinzhen behind the desk, engrossed in official business, and he didn't notice her. Eunuch Su, who was standing behind him, saw her and wanted to speak up to remind her.
She waved her hand, and Eunuch Su smiled knowingly and left the study.
Nan Yi walked to the table, propped his chin on his hand, and looked at her. Yinzhen suddenly noticed the dark figure in front of the table, looked up, and said, "You..."
"Shh," she said, covering his mouth with her hand.
She moved behind the table and sat on his lap. When Yinzhen suddenly saw her, it would be a lie to say he was unhappy. His hand automatically grasped her slender waist.
Just as he was about to ask her how she got here, he suddenly realized that she had trespassed into the study. His face turned cold, and he said in a low voice, "This is not a place for you. Go back immediately." The study was a sacred place, and even the Fujin (princess) was not allowed to come here. Tong Shi had been presumptuous.
Nan Yi twisted her body on his lap, pouting, and said, "I don't care, you have to help me, otherwise, I won't listen."
Hearing her soft words and knowing she needed his help, Yinzhen suppressed his displeasure and slowly asked, "What is it?"
Nan Yi fawned over him, placing her hand on his shoulder and gently kneading it. "Does it feel good?" Yinzhen smiled slightly, closed his eyes, and enjoyed the moment. "Hmm, not bad."
She felt relieved. "I'll massage you every day from now on, okay?"
“I don’t have that kind of time,” Yinzhen said abruptly upon hearing those words. Did she not know what “every day” meant? If she was trying to curry favor, she had gone too far.
Nan curled her lip slightly. Why didn't he say he was too busy when he went to Lanyuan every day before? She cursed him in her heart, but kept a straight face and said, "Alright, when you have time."
Yinzhen gently touched her cheek, feeling a little reluctant. "Tell me, what is it?" Nan Yi glanced at her and took out the papers and books from her bosom. "Help me copy a book."
"Nonsense! Why don't you copy it yourself?" Yinzhen frowned and scolded her in a low voice. He had really spoiled her. She was becoming more and more ignorant of the rules. Her behavior of being outwardly compliant but inwardly disobedient to her mother was contrary to filial piety.
"Copying books is exhausting. I'm worn out from learning all that nonsense about rules during the day. My whole body was worn out by that old nanny. I have no energy left to copy books."
She filed a complaint with a clear conscience.
Yinzhen looked up at her, his eyes and brows showing exhaustion, his face pale, the rosy complexion of a few days ago gone. His heart clenched slightly, and he nodded involuntarily.
Nan Yi lifted her leg and straddled his lap, hooking her arms around his neck. Her cheek rested against his neck, her warm face touching his chin. She loved it this way, like when she was a child in her adoptive father's arms, his big embrace enveloping her and making her feel safe.
She yawned and whispered, "Then you copy it, I'll rest for a while, call me when you're done," and then peacefully lay on his chest and closed her eyes.
Yinzhen was speechless. The person in his arms breathed more lightly. He looked closely at her eyebrows and eyes, as if he couldn't get enough of her delicate appearance. Something was overflowing in his heart, and he couldn't help but hug her tighter.
Perhaps she wasn't feeling well, she was mumbling something, it was hard to hear. He loosened his grip slightly, it seemed she was really exhausted, even in her sleep her brows were furrowed and her red lips were pouting.
With a sigh, Yinzhen gathered the person together. Seeing the books on the table, he shook his head and chuckled. They had even brought paper; they were well-prepared.
Noticing that no one was grinding ink, he thought of getting up to put her on the couch to sleep. Nan Yi shook her head in dissatisfaction, wrapped her arms around his neck and grabbed the back of the chair, afraid that she would fall to the ground and prevent him from getting up.
Yinzhen pursed his thin lips and glared at her, silently muttering, "This troublesome little devil."
Su Peisheng
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