The Qing Palace Never Meets Spring

The three chatted happily until Shenshi (3-5 PM) when Yi'an and Yihuan got up to leave. As they left, Yi'an reminded Qingwan to remember to prepare hangover soup, and Qingwan felt a jolt in her brow.

After Qingwan saw the two off, Muxiang, who was beside her, came up behind her, rubbing her shoulders as she told her about the news she had found out that day:

"There is currently only one concubine in the courtyard, a Manchu of the Bordered Blue Banner, of the Guarjia clan, who is the daughter of the physician Ahazhan. There are also two maids, but because they have no children, they have no official status."

More importantly, before the Fujin (principal wife) entered the palace, these two concubines who had never conceived were also released from the palace, for reasons unknown. Therefore, Guwalgiya's concubines could be considered to have enjoyed exclusive favor.

"With the two princesses here today, Guarjia's concubine has sent people to inquire about them several times."

Qingwan listened to Muxiang's words and felt more comfortable before saying, "She should have come to pay her respects and offer tea today. She must be feeling uncomfortable being left out like this."

After all, as you said, she has been the sole favorite of the master for the past three years, not to mention that she gave birth to the master's eldest daughter.

I'm too lazy to deal with her today. I'll send someone to tell her I'm tired from talking with the two princesses and that she can come to serve tea tomorrow. As for the concubines who were released from the palace, don't inquire about them now, lest we break a taboo. We'll discuss it later.”

Mu Xiang hesitated for a moment: "If she complains to Master, won't he be unhappy?"

Qingwan said, "Don't worry, they won't." Complain? Who could she complain to? The princess is much more precious than these people, not to mention that this is Yinxiang's half-sister.

Guarjia leaned against the door frame, gazing towards the main room. She had dressed up early today to pay her respects, but first the princess arrived, and then the Fujin (principal wife) conveyed that she was exempt from paying her respects today. She said with a hint of self-deprecation, "The Fujin really just canceled the ceremony today."

Her maid knew she was upset. She could only comfort her, saying, "Your Highness, there are two princesses here today, and the Fujin is a princess from the Minister's family. She must be very polite. This probably wasn't intentional. Why are you so fixated on this?"

Besides, the two princesses probably didn't know this rule, which is why they came to speak with the Princess Consort today.

Lady Guarjia shook the exquisite hairpin in her hand. It was a gift from Yinxiang, but she was not of high enough status to wear it.

Then he smiled at the maid and said, "They are princesses, they can do whatever they want. Even if they know about this, what can they do? It's just a concubine bowing, it's not worth them giving up what they want to do. As for the princess, she's probably secretly laughing right now."

Alright, since we're exempt from the formalities, let's get on with our business and rest early. Tomorrow we still need to pay our respects to the Fujin (principal wife), and bring the eldest princess over. I'll sleep with her tonight, and she needs to pay her respects to her mother tomorrow too.”

On the palace path, Yi Huan sent the palace servants who were following her away before taking Yi An's arm and said, "Sister-in-law seems to be a quiet person. It would be better if Thirteenth Brother left the palace to establish his own residence. But he is still living in the palace now. If something really happens, I don't know if he can handle it."

Unlike others, her sister-in-law had Consort Hui to guide her, and no one in the Crown Princess's palace was foolish enough to cause her trouble, nor would they dare to involve her in any matter.

The third sister-in-law has the title of Consort Rong, the fourth and fourteenth sisters-in-law have the title of Consort De, and the fifth and ninth sisters-in-law have the title of Consort Yi.

Seventh Sister-in-law is practically invisible; Eighth and Tenth Sister-in-law, given their backgrounds, are even less of a concern; and Twelfth Sister-in-law has her great-aunt Sumala protecting her. Besides, she comes from the Fucha family, and her father is a trusted advisor to the Emperor.

At this point, Yi Huan paused for a moment: "As I counted, it turned out that only our sister-in-law was left unprotected. I don't know why the Emperor chose her. Although her family background is not low, it can't compare."

Yi'an started laughing when Yi Huan began counting from the First Consort, and now that Yi Huan had finished, she laughed out loud: "Brother said I was worrying, but I think you are too."

That's why I rushed to bring you here today to talk to her. We can't do anything else, but at least let her know what's going on in the palace. Nobody knows when something might happen.

However, there's no need to worry too much. After all, she's just a prince's wife. As long as she doesn't get involved in past events, this matter probably won't be traced back to her.

Since Father has arranged this marriage, he must have his reasons.

However, Yi'an couldn't help but think that over the years, Yinxiang's thoughts had become increasingly profound through his experiences with Kangxi and the Crown Prince, and even she, his own sister, couldn't see through them.

Although I couldn't see any dissatisfaction from my brother towards his new sister-in-law today, I'm afraid he still harbors some resentment deep down.

Yi Huan tugged at Yi An's sleeve, and Yi An finally came to his senses and turned to look at Yi Huan. Then he heard Yi Huan laugh and say, "Were you in such a hurry to go to your brother's place today because you were curious about your new sister-in-law?"

Hearing Yi Huan's words, Yi An tapped her nose and then followed up, saying, "You're right, but I'm afraid you'll have to work hard tonight."

As expected, Yi'an's guess came true. Yinxiang was not escorted back until evening by the Fourteenth Prince Yinzhen and Zhang Rui, who was accompanying Yinxiang. Yinzhen supported Yinxiang, and there were other people protecting them.

The two men reeked of alcohol, which already gave Qingwan a headache. Seeing them like this only made her head ache more.

That's not all. Yinzhen, who was supporting Yinxiang, also looked confused, probably only slightly better than Yinxiang.

As soon as he saw Qingwan, he didn't even care about Yinxiang, who was still on his shoulder, and tried to do a somersault. Qingwan saw that Yinxiang was about to fall, so she quickly called Muxiang and several eunuchs to help him into the room, and then called others to help Yinzhen.

Yinzhen stammered, "Greetings, Thirteenth Sister-in-law. We were just having a good time today, so we inevitably drank a few too many cups. Please don't take offense, Sister-in-law. I was asked by my other brothers to escort Thirteenth Brother back. Now that Thirteenth Brother has arrived, I must go back."

After saying that, he refused to let the eunuch who was following him help him up, and turned around to stumble away.

Qingwan suppressed the urge to sigh deeply, but couldn't help thinking to herself, "Which of your brothers is so carefree? You're so drunk, yet he still dares to ask you to bring back another person who's completely unconscious."

He hurriedly ordered someone to follow them, and also ordered someone to find Yinzhen's wife, Lady Wanyan. Yinzhen lived in the palace just like Yinxiang, and their residences were not far apart.

Fortunately, before Yinzhen could take two steps, someone came to report that the Fourteenth Prince's Consort had arrived. Qingwan breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly went to greet her.

These princes are all incredibly precious. If Yinzhen were to fall or get hurt while going out through this door today, she would have to go to Consort De tomorrow to apologize with a bundle of thorns on her back.

Wanyan knew how the princes and nobles had made a scene when she married Yinzhen, which was why she rushed over. Upon seeing Yinzhen's appearance, she thought to herself, "Just as I expected."

She first had someone fetch Yinzhen before exchanging greetings with Qingwan: "Thirteenth Sister-in-law, it is really impolite of me to come here so abruptly today, but once our master gets drunk, he is very difficult to take care of."

I won't talk to my sister-in-law today; I'll take my grandfather back first. Anyway, we live nearby, so I'll come find her another day to apologize and talk things over.

Qingwan was eager for her to come over, and quickly chimed in, "What are you saying? I'm more than happy to have you here. After all, the one in my room isn't any better than yours. We sisters-in-law don't talk about such empty words."

Before the Fourteenth Prince's wife could say anything more, Yinzhen made a move. He broke free from the eunuch beside him, shifted his body, and assumed a fighting stance. Just as he opened his mouth, the Fourteenth Prince's wife quickly stepped forward and covered Yinzhen's mouth, her face showing unbearable disapproval. She then apologized to Qingwan and hurriedly ordered people to help Yinzhen away.

Qingwan found it amusing, but thinking of the person inside, the corners of her mouth that had just curled up drooped again. She wondered what Yinxiang was like when he was drunk.