To avoid giving away the truth, Nan Yi kept a straight face and let her hold his arm, explaining vaguely, "No, the maid got up early to tidy up and asked them to keep things quiet, but we ended up being late."
"Oh, is that so? My sister said that as soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw an absolutely stunning beauty, standing tall and graceful. When she came to her senses, she realized it was really her, elder sister," she said, looking Nan Yi up and down with admiration in her eyes.
After a long while, she said, “Yes, sister is indeed much more beautiful than when she was young. I suppose you are living a good life, which puts my mind at ease.” She tilted her head slightly to look at Nan Yi, her expression sincere.
Nan Yi was slightly curious about what kind of woman she was in the past, so she asked, "You still don't trust me?"
"Yes, you have no idea. You used to be too kind-hearted and always played the good guy. You never complained when you were taken advantage of. Don't you remember how they always bullied you before you got married?" The woman in purple frowned slightly, her words filled with indignation.
Nan Yi shook his head and told the truth, "Sister, you probably don't know, but I stayed in the other courtyard for a while. I fell ill and lost my memory. I've forgotten everything from the past, including you."
"Ah—" the woman in purple exclaimed, covering her mouth. "Really?" Nan Yi nodded.
She quickly grabbed Nan Yi's hand, her eyes instantly reddening, and said, "I knew it. With your personality, it would be fine if you married into an ordinary family, but how could you possibly have an easy life in the royal family's inner court?"
Seeing her heartbroken, Nan realized that this woman had a close relationship with her predecessor. She hurriedly comforted her, saying, "Hey, don't be sad, it's all in the past. Now, if anyone bullies me, I'll fight them."
She is now a semi-recluse, rarely interacting with others and seldom getting into disputes. Besides, given her current personality, it's no surprise who would bully whom.
Just as they were trying to comfort her in a low voice, a male voice rang out, "What's wrong? You're so happy to see her." The two of them turned around, and there stood Lao Shi, looking at them from the courtyard gate.
Nan Yi was surprised to see him and asked, "Why are you here? Could it be that they came too?"
The tenth prince stepped forward and embraced the woman in purple, busily wiping away her tears. He glanced at her and said irritably, "I haven't broken off relations with you, so why can't I come?"
Upon hearing this, Nan Yi's eyes lit up, and she said with great joy, "You can come, you can come, you are especially welcome." Finally, there was one left, who was the usually loud and boisterous Lao Shi, so she quickly invited him into the house.
The woman in purple was stunned. She glanced at the two of them and asked in confusion, "How do you know each other?" She had never heard him mention her before. In the past, when she mentioned Sister Tong to him, he always looked impatient. It was strange.
The Ninth Prince sighed, "Alas, what a tragic fate."
"Who said you have a karmic entanglement with me? Watch your words, or your sister might misunderstand," Nan Yi said, hands on her hips, glaring angrily at the Tenth Prince.
"Oh—Sister Tong?" The woman in purple stared in disbelief. How could Sister Tong have changed like this after getting married? Her behavior was strange, and when she spoke to the master, she was very unrestrained and casual. She didn't seem like a lady from a respectable family at all; she seemed more like a village woman.
Old Ten pulled the woman into the house, seemingly unfazed, and teased, "Zhenzhen, didn't you say she was gentle and kind? I didn't see it."
The woman was originally the concubine of the tenth prince, Wanyan Zhenzhen. She was a close friend of Tong Yilan and married the tenth prince a year ago as his concubine.
Zhenzhen was also puzzled. Fearing that the master would think she was making up a story, she earnestly explained, "I am not lying. My sister said that she had been sick and lost her memory. She didn't even recognize me and asked who I was. I thought my sister was just joking with me."
"You're crying over this?"
Zhenzhen nodded, "Mm."
Nan Yi followed behind them and interjected, "Some things are hard to explain, but it's true that we met during that period."
"You can't lie to us," the tenth brother said, slightly annoyed. The eighth and ninth brothers were so angry that they wanted to break off their friendship with her, but she acted as if nothing had happened.
Nan Yi sighed softly, and after a long while, said, "I still stand by what I said. I didn't lie. Some things can't be explained. Maybe one day you'll understand."
Whether it's the truth or a lie, if someone doesn't want to be her friend, she won't force them. Although she regrets losing two friends, she understands that things can't be forced.
When the tenth prince returned to the mansion, the ninth prince was waiting for him in the study.
"You're back." The Ninth Prince glared at him resentfully.
The tenth prince lifted his robe and sat opposite him, grunted in response, and casually asked, "Didn't you say you had something to do?"
"It's done."
Old Ten's lips twitched, and he smiled and said "oh," dragging out the last syllable. He clearly cared, but he couldn't come up with a better excuse.
He remained calm and didn't speak first, until the Ninth Prince was practically staring him through the skin. Then he shook his sleeves and slowly said, "She's fine. I heard she was sick and lost her memory, forgetting her past."
The Ninth Prince stood up abruptly. "When did this happen?" He stared at the Tenth Prince in astonishment, his mind a jumble. Amnesia? What kind of illness could be so severe?
A sudden, deep pain shot through her heart. What had happened to cause her to lose her memory?
Fourth Brother didn't take care of her, could it be that he didn't like her? Thinking of this, she felt both disappointed and happy. If it were him, he would probably cherish that woman dearly. In the end, they were destined to be apart.
Old Ten leaned to the side, resting his chin on his hand and looking down, and said, "It was right when we met, so I told her it was a tragic fate, hehe."
He rubbed his chin in distress and pondered, "I always feel that she is very contradictory. Today she emphasized to me again that she was not lying, saying that we will understand one day. I can't understand why she won't admit something so obvious. I think there might be a misunderstanding."
The Ninth Prince said angrily, "What misunderstanding? Even if you have amnesia, you don't need to make up a false background to deceive people."
He remained outwardly tough, seemingly unwilling to forgive her easily, but a slight wavering appeared in his heart, and a corner of the icy wall he had built with his heart crumbled.
The tenth prince was slightly embarrassed, and said gently, "My pig brain is like this. Although I feel something is wrong, I can't quite put my finger on what's off. You'll have to have someone investigate. Also, Zhenzhen invited her to come to the manor. I'll let you know the specific time later. If she's coming, I'll make preparations in advance."
On the Dragon Boat Festival, Yinzhen spent the holiday with his wives and concubines. Lady Nara hired an opera troupe, but unfortunately, Nan Yi had no interest at all. He ate melon seeds and snacks with great boredom, sighing one after another.
Standing behind Nan Yi, Yi Ren kept a close eye on everything around her and heard her every move. She kept noticing that Consort Nian would occasionally glance at her mistress.
"master"
"Um?"
"Why does Consort Nian keep looking at you? Look, she's peeking again," Yiren whispered, lowering her eyes.
Nan Yi sneered inwardly. Looking at her? She wasn't looking at her at all; she was clearly showing off. Wherever Yinzhen was, she clung to him and wouldn't leave his side, as if no one knew she was favored.
She slowly stood up, walked to the Prince Consort, and said, "My lord, my wife, I'm feeling a little unwell and would like to rest for a while. I wonder..."
Upon hearing this, Empress Nara looked concerned and said, "Is it serious? Should we call the imperial physician to come and see?"
Nan Yi chuckled and said, "It's alright, I just don't like acting, and the noise is giving me a headache. I'll feel better after lying down."
After a moment's thought, Nara said, "Well, then you should go back and get some rest."
"Thank you, Madam," she bowed and was about to leave when Yinzhen stood up and said, "Let's go together."
Nan Yi was slightly taken aback. Together? She glanced sideways at Nian Shi, who had risen with Yinzhen. Her eyes, filled with unspoken words and deep, resentful affection, made Nan Yi shudder. Goosebumps crept up her arms; it was too nauseating.
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