The Qing Palace Never Meets Spring

Because of the successive arrivals of the Eighth Prince's wife and Ningyin, Qingwan's mealtime was a little late. As soon as she picked up her chopsticks, Yinxiang entered the room and saw Qingwan eating. He asked in surprise, "Why are you eating at this hour?"

Since Qingwan became pregnant, although Yinxiang no longer spent the night in the main house, he would always come to talk to her first whenever he returned home.

Qingwan smiled and said, "My appetite has changed a lot these days. You've had your fill, would you like some more?"

Yinxiang said, "No need, I've already eaten with the Crown Prince at Yuqing Palace, you can eat."

Upon hearing this, Qingwan didn't ask any more questions and focused on eating. Seeing this, Yinxiang didn't speak to her anymore and went into the bedroom by himself.

When Qingwan finished her meal and went to her bedroom, Yinxiang was holding the book "Pingshan Lengyan" that Qingwan had been reading before, but he was turning the pages very quickly.

Qingwan sat opposite him and said, "Do you think my idle books would catch your eye, Master?"

Yinxiang peeked out from behind the book with one eye: "It's alright, not bad for passing the time."

Qingwan chuckled inwardly, judging from the speed at which Yinxiang flipped through the book, it was probably not the first time he had read it. She still smiled and said, "Your Highness doesn't need to give me face. Do you need to kill time? There's never enough time."

Yinxiang sensed the sarcasm in her words and reluctantly put down the book in his hand: "I read it once when I was studying with the Fourteenth Prince. I was curious back then and read all kinds of books."

Qingwan, who was curious about the books in his study, followed up by asking, "The books about water conservancy in your study are older than the others."

When this was mentioned, Yinxiang also became interested, and his gaze softened as he looked at Qingwan: "I have been to the Yongding River a few times with my elder brother, the Crown Prince, and my fourth brother, along with Father Khan."

Back then, I was ignorant and arrogant. During the day, I would follow my father to inspect the rivers, and at night, I would go on my own incognito visits based on stories. Fortunately, nothing ever happened to me.

But whenever there's a major flood, seeing people displaced always worries me. However, I can't get involved in water conservancy matters now, so I can only read books casually.

"Will do!"

"Ok?"

"I think you won't have read my books for nothing. Sooner or later, all the water conservancy methods that I've thought of a million times will be put into practice."

Qingwan's expression didn't change much, but her tone was very firm.

When Yinxiang looked up from the book, he saw her clear and gentle eyes. He immediately turned his head away, a feeling he had never experienced before welling up in his heart, leaving him somewhat bewildered.

He told the Crown Prince about it the first time he went to the Yongding River, but the Crown Prince probably thought he was too young, which only made the Crown Prince laugh. He never said it again after that.

I was probably too relaxed around Qingwan, and I blurted out those words without realizing it, not expecting to receive a reply from her.

He turned his gaze back to the book. He recognized all the words, but couldn't connect them. So he changed the subject: "I heard from the people downstairs that Eighth Sister-in-law and Fourteenth Sister-in-law both came today?"

"Yes, first it was Eighth Sister-in-law, then Fourteenth Sister-in-law. They both only sat for a short while, exchanged a few words, and then went back."

The topic had been changed, but he still couldn't concentrate on reading, so Yinxiang simply put the book down: "Fourteenth brother's wife is fine, but Eighth sister-in-law, Father doesn't like her."

Because Emperor Kangxi disliked it, it was best not to get too close to him, lest you also incur his displeasure.

"I understand, but we're all sisters-in-law, so it's impossible to say we have absolutely no interaction. We're just saying polite things."

"Well, as long as you know your limits."

Qingwan was a little surprised to see him drinking his tea so quickly. Yinxiang was usually a very particular person, so it seemed he was thirsty. She refilled his teacup.

"I took Zhang Chun out today, did he work well with you?"

Speaking of this, Yinxiang's face darkened: "That bastard Zhang Rui. Although Zhang Chun is also clever, he is still a bit inferior to Zhang Rui."

Hearing his words, Qingwan understood the situation and called out, "Chenxiang."

As Chenxiang entered, he asked, "What are your orders, Madam?"

"Go and get some of the best medicine for Zhang Rui."

Yinxiang frowned and said, "Whatever he does."

Qingwan simply smiled and said, "I feel more at ease with him by your side, Master."

In just one day, Yinxiang also felt that Zhang Chun was indeed not as useful as Zhang Rui. After all, they had worked together for many years, and in terms of understanding, Zhang Rui was still the better one. So he didn't say anything more.

Qingwan nodded slightly to Chenxiang, who then went out to fetch the medicine.

After leaving, Chenxiang was still somewhat indignant. She pulled Muxiang aside and complained in a low voice, "Zhang Rui let all sorts of random people into the master's study, and the Fujin even took pity on me and asked me to get medicine. If you ask me, I'd rather he die from the pain."

"Shut up, is this something to talk about? The Fujin isn't doing this for Zhang Rui, she's doing it for the master. If you're not going, I will, so you won't have to say anything more."

Chenxiang grabbed her: "I'll go!"

After Chenxiang got the medicine, he went to Zhang Rui's room. As the chief eunuch by Yinxiang's side, Zhang Rui did not have a private room, but he also did not have to share a room with other lowly eunuchs.

There were only two people in the room. The other person was on duty, so he was the only one lying on the bed groaning.

When Chenxiang arrived, the door was open. She leaned against the door and cleared her throat, startling Zhang Rui, who was lying down. He sat up abruptly, then lay back down in pain. Seeing it was Chenxiang, he gasped for breath.

"My sister scared me half to death."

Seeing that he was covered in cold sweat from the pain, Chenxiang didn't provoke him further: "The Princess Consort specifically asked me to go to the pharmacy to get medicine for you."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Rui almost burst into tears; "This servant kowtows to thank the Princess for her great kindness."

Chenxiang pouted: "You'd better just lie there. I've put this medicine on the table for you. When Zhang Chun comes back, you can have him apply it for you."

Chenxiang put down the medicine and was about to leave, but then thought about it and came back: "Zhang Rui, how much did that girl give you before you let her in?"

Zhang Rui didn't know what people outside were speculating about him that day, so when he heard it, he panicked: "No, sister, I really didn't, I didn't take a single penny."

"I do know about that girl, but that's only because I'm the head eunuch serving the master, and that's all I know."

Chenxiang clearly didn't believe his explanation: "Then why did you put her in Master's study? That's a study, is it a place where just anyone can go?"

Hearing her say that, Zhang Rui became even more anxious and tried to get up, but was in pain and cried out again.

Chenxiang could see the helplessness in his eyes: "Can't you just lie there properly? I'm not leaving, I'm waiting for your explanation."

Zhang Rui slowly crawled back: "That girl, did you and Sister Muxiang discover her loitering around the master's study a long time ago, and even told the Fujin (principal wife) about it?"

"Yeah, so what?"

Zhang Rui continued, "Look, the Fujin (principal wife) knew everything, but didn't say anything. Then, the Fujin became pregnant, and His Majesty bestowed upon her another concubine, Shi Jia. I assumed that the Fujin had tacitly approved it." Zhang Rui became increasingly guilty as he spoke the last sentence.

Upon hearing this, Chenxiang became even angrier: "You, Zhang Rui, do you really think that was someone the Fujin pushed out to compete with Shi Jia Gege for favor? You have some nerve! It's a waste that the Fujin even thought of sending you medicine."

"Then I think the only reason you're not stopping me is this."

"Didn't you notice it too? You're the Thirteenth Prince's most trusted confidant, and you didn't stop him, so we assumed it was the Prince's tacit approval."

Zhang Rui slapped his forehead: "This is a huge misunderstanding! I must have lost my mind." How could he possibly interfere in the affairs of a married couple?

Looking at the handprint on his forehead, Chenxiang knew how much force Zhang Rui had used in that slap. Still not satisfied, she gritted her teeth and said, "I'll tell the Fujin and have you punished again."

After saying that, she turned and left, leaving Zhang Rui in the room bending over and calling her "sister."