The Qing Palace Never Meets Spring

When the Fourth Princess arrived at the waterside pavilion, Qingwan and her two children were there. She slowed down and walked over, only to find Moyaqi staring blankly at the water.

Hongtun was intently fishing with his rod, while Qingwan was scattering handfuls of bait into the water. She waved her hand, signaling the people around her to be quiet, worried that they might disturb the fish.

When the men saw her, they naturally greeted her. The Fourth Princess said, "Please sit down."

She walked over to Qingwan and smiled. No wonder Hongtun said the fish in this pond were clumsy and fat, easy to catch. Even though the pond was so big, the area where Qingwan threw fish food probably covered a third of the fish in the pond.

Qingwan put down the jar in her hand and sat down with the Fourth Prince's wife, and they started talking about everyday things.

In the front yard, Yinzhen's anger had not subsided. Seeing that Nian Xialing was probably about to faint, Yinxiang beckoned to Xiao Sula, who was serving in the room, and whispered a few words in his ear.

Xiao Sula shuddered and stole a glance at the door. Although she was afraid of Yinzhen, who was in a fit of anger, she still went to Yinzhen's side and whispered the message to him.

Yinzhen didn't scold anymore, but Yinxiang had already spoken, so he couldn't very well offend Yinxiang.

He left everyone outside and went inside himself.

Those outside the door exchanged bewildered glances, wondering why Yinzhen had stopped. They looked at Dai Duo, the leader, who frowned in thought. In the end, they could only guess that the person inside was Yinzhen's concubine, Nian.

Yinxiang, who was inside, was unaware that he had been mistaken for someone else. He poured tea for Yinzhen, who was still somewhat displeased that Yinxiang had pleaded for Nian Xialing and called him in. Yinzhen glanced at Yinxiang and stepped aside.

Yinxiang stood up, shoved the teacup into Yinzhen's hand, and said with a smile, "Fourth Brother, is it alright if I apologize to you?" Yinxiang bowed slightly, and Yinzhen snorted coldly and took a sip of tea.

Yinxiang then sat back down and said, "Nian Gengyao is arrogant and is a high-ranking official promoted by the Emperor. To put it bluntly, Nian Gengyao probably thinks that his success today has nothing to do with you, Fourth Brother."

Now that the fourteenth prince is riding high, he naturally wants to climb the social ladder. At this point, even a younger sister or a daughter wouldn't be of much use, let alone a younger sister.

Besides, Nian Xialing might not be able to control him. You've vented your anger enough today, and making Nian Xialing kneel in front of so many people for so long is enough to make him feel ashamed. When he gets back, he and his father will discuss it.

Besides, didn't Fourth Brother order Nian Gengyao to send the child back to the capital? Just wait and see what choice Nian Gengyao makes. There's no need to push too hard.

Nian Xialing is not only Nian Gengyao's father, but also the father of Nian Xiyao and his sister-in-law. By making such a grand show of summoning Nian Xialing to kneel, I'm afraid his sister-in-law will come looking for you soon, or at the very least, she'll go to his fourth sister-in-law.

“Nian Xiyao?” Although Nian Xiyao was the eldest son of the Nian family, Yinzhen never took him seriously. After Nian Shi entered the mansion, he had someone inquire about him. Nian Xiyao was older than Nian Gengyao, but he had stumbled and struggled in his official career. He was probably useless. “Just a silly young master. What use is he?”

Yinxiang laughed and said, "This is quite a remarkable person."

Yinzhen wasn't interested in the "beautiful woman" that Yinxiang mentioned, but the phrase "little sister-in-law" reminded him of Nian Xialing, who was still kneeling. He said to the people around him, "Tell them to go back and let Nian Xialing go see the concubine."

He then said to Yinxiang, "Stay for dinner today. There are smoked mushrooms sent from the south. You're always a picky eater, so try some."

The so-called smoked mushrooms are the fragrant mushrooms unique to the South. The plump ones are selected, washed and dried, then soaked in soy sauce for half a day. After being taken out and left to dry for half a day, they are smoked with fennel, pepper powder and cypress branches to infuse them with flavor.

Yinxiang nodded casually: "Okay."

Qingwan and the others had dinner before returning, but Qingwan was with the Fourth Prince's wife, while Hongtun was ahead with Yinxiang and Yinzhen.

When the two returned, they also brought Moyaqi back with them.

A few months later, two pieces of news came from Prince Yong's mansion: one was that Consort Nian was pregnant, and the other was that Nian Gengyao had sent all his children back to the capital to be raised by their father, Nian Xialing.

In the past two years, news of victories from the western wars has been frequently reported, and Yinzhen's prestige has soared. The Fourteenth Prince's residence is almost overrun with visitors, and Yinxiang and Yinzhen's interactions have become more and more frequent.

But Ning Yin... Qingwan withdrew her gaze from her. Her husband's honor did not make her appear triumphant. Her niece, who had become her daughter-in-law, stayed by her side, occasionally shielding her from some social engagements.

"What are you looking at?" Today is the first day of the new year, and everyone is gathered in the palace. Qingwan had just turned her gaze away when the Fourth Princess Consort spoke to her.

Qingwan smiled and said, "It's nothing. I just saw something interesting over there and took a few more glances."

The Fourth Princess followed her gaze and saw that it was Ning Yin. She sighed heavily, "What's bothering you that you've put yourself through this? It makes me uncomfortable to see you like this."

Yinzhen was a powerful general, but it was no secret that he committed adultery on the battlefield and forcibly abducted married women. Although some people impeached him for this, it was not a big deal to Emperor Kangxi, and naturally it did not have a negative impact on Yinzhen.

But how could Ning Yin accept this calmly? As soon as her expression changed slightly, Consort De called her over and scolded her. She was about to become a grandmother, so how could she feel good about it?

Ningyin also noticed the two of them, smiled and chatted with the others for a while, then led Wanyan Shi towards them: "Fourth Sister-in-law, Thirteenth Sister-in-law."

Wanyan also bowed and said, "Greetings, Fourth Aunt and Thirteenth Aunt."

"Good child, get up quickly," said the Fourth Princess Consort. "I'll ask your father to bring you to the garden for a stroll sometime. We're all family. My daughter-in-law has just joined the family. You young people should chat more."

When Emperor Kangxi conferred titles upon the heirs of the various princely families, he omitted Hongshi, the eldest son of Prince Yong's family. In other words, all the other princely families now have heirs, except for Prince Yong's family.

Li has been making a fuss about this for a year, and she still hasn't had enough. To prevent her from saying anything that shouldn't be said outside, the Fourth Prince's wife has stopped letting her go out. Even Hongshi's wife is only allowed to accompany her mother-in-law.

As for Lady Nian, her newborn son, Fu Yi, was in poor health last year, so she stayed at home to care for him and didn't go to the palace. Therefore, although the Yong Prince's residence had two concubines, only the Fourth Prince's wife entered the palace.

"Yes," Wanyan said after glancing at Ningyin.

Ning Yin said, "Go and have a look around. I'll talk to your fourth aunt and the others."

Qingwan and Ningyin had been estranged for many years, and apart from chatting about everyday matters, they didn't know what to say for a while. Fortunately, the relationship between the Fourth Prince's wife and Ningyin, who were sisters-in-law, was quite good, and Qingwan interjected at the right time, so the conversation didn't become awkward.

Zhang Rui had somehow crept over, and Qingwan thought she was mistaken: "Zhang Rui, why aren't you with the Thirteenth Master? What are you doing in the back?"

Zhang Rui said, "Greetings to all the masters. The Thirteenth Prince said that it looks like it's going to snow soon, and the cloak that the Princess Consort is wearing may not be enough to keep out the cold. He asked me to fetch the one that the Princess Consort usually wears and bring it to her."

Mu Xiang stepped forward and took the cloak from Zhang Rui's hand, but Zhang Rui did not leave. Qing Wan had no choice but to say, "What else does your master want to say? Tell him now."

Zhang Rui said, "My master said that the Fujin was not feeling well and told me to watch her change before I went back."

Qingwan was at a loss with the master and servant arguing. The Fourth Princess smiled and pushed her, saying, "Go find a sheltered place to change. It's just that there are many women here, otherwise the Thirteenth Brother would probably have to come and do it himself."

Qingwan said helplessly, "Fortunately, it was you guys, otherwise my reputation for being arrogant would probably have spread."

Fourth Princess Consort laughed and said, "You're already a grandmother, why are you afraid of this?"

Qingwan shook her head and smiled, then led Muxiang to a secluded house.

Ning Yin had been staring at the cloak in Mu Xiang's hand ever since she heard Zhang Rui's words. After Qing Wan left, the Fourth Princess gently tugged at her arm and led her to a less crowded area before saying,

"You have other people in your backyard, and even if the Emperor knew about this, he wouldn't think much of it, and he certainly wouldn't punish your fourteenth brother for it."

"Even Hongming is married now, and in a few years it will be Hongkai's turn. Why are you still being so stubborn about this?"

Ning Yin gave a smile that was more like a grimace: "But I am his wife." She and Yinzhen had been husband and wife for over twenty years, living in perfect harmony. The tenderness Yinxiang showed to Qingwan today was something she had always exclusively possessed from Yinzhen.

When Yinzhen went to war, she knew that when he returned, there would definitely be a new concubine, but she never expected it to be in such a disgraceful way. How could she bear it?

And what about that woman who was forcibly taken from her? How is she going to face her?