13 – Don’t tell me you’re jealous, Fu Qingzi
That day, when Su Peisheng came, he brought Qianjin along once again. Fu Qingzi’s brows furrowed slightly—what did Yin Zhen mean by this?
Su Peisheng offered an awkward smile. “Mistress, Fourth Master said he is busy with matters up front, so he asked me to bring Qianjin over for you to look after for a while.”
Fu Qingzi’s delicate, faint eyebrows lifted slightly as she let out a soft, indifferent hum.
Although Fu Qingzi disliked Qianjin, she still wanted to see what Yin Zhen was up to.
Only then did Su Peisheng take his leave.
It was the first day of the lunar month, and Yin Zhen once again brought Fu Qingzi into the palace early. Fu Qingzi sighed softly. Yin Zhen hadn’t touched either of the two new concubines at all. Lately, he had been acting like someone with no interest in such matters, which was bound to give Consort De something to talk about.
Moreover, Consort De had always been favored, but it was said that Kangxi had recently taken a liking to a new consort and hadn’t visited Yonghe Palace for over ten days.
Yin Zhen had just escorted Fu Qingzi to the entrance of Yonghe Palace when, after turning to leave and taking only a few steps, he spotted Ulanara approaching slowly.
Ulanara bowed to him properly. “May the Fourth Prince be at peace.”
Hearing the voice, Fu Qingzi glanced back, leaning against the wall, determined to observe a little longer before entering.
Qiao An also crouched behind Fu Qingzi, assessing the situation.
Yin Zhen seemed to sense something and turned around, locking eyes with Fu Qingzi. Seeing her half-smiling lips and the look on her face as if she wished she had a handful of melon seeds to enjoy the spectacle, he felt another surge of irritation rising within him.
Noticing Yin Zhen’s gaze, Fu Qingzi quickly composed her expression.
This was Ulanara’s first time seeing Fu Qingzi. Just as the rumors said, she was radiant and charming, with the appearance of a seductress—how could anyone not envy her?
Qiao An subtly leaned close to Fu Qingzi’s ear, whispering in a voice only she could hear, “Did you see the fire in her eyes, Azi? She wishes she could tear you apart.”
Fu Qingzi said nothing, but her long, upturned phoenix eyes unconsciously curved into an even more captivating smile, though she herself seemed unaware of it.
Yin Zhen’s heart gave a quick, almost imperceptible flutter. His dark eyes narrowed slightly as they fell upon Fu Qingzi’s fair face. “What are you doing out here? Why aren’t you going inside?”
Fu Qingzi clasped her hands at her waist, lowered her head, and curtsied before walking into Yonghe Palace without looking back.
Only after Fu Qingzi had entered did Yin Zhen turn his gaze back to Ulanara’s face, his voice softening unconsciously. “Why have you come?”
Ulanara lowered her eyes, her expression calm. “Consort De summoned me, so naturally, I had to come.”
Yin Zhen’s brows knitted tightly. What was she trying to do? Or was she trying to embarrass Fu Qingzi?
Before Fu Qingzi became the Fourth Mistress, who didn’t know about his childhood friendship with Ulanara? Although he had never openly acknowledged it, everyone saw it and had long assumed it would be so. No one expected that Fu Qingzi would end up becoming the Fourth Mistress. Did Fu Qingzi even know about it?
Ulanara probed, “Or do you not want me to come?”
Yin Zhen glanced around, and seeing no one nearby, he placed his large hand on Ulanara’s shoulder. “No need to ask what you already know.”
Ulanara’s expression darkened. Some things she understood perfectly well, yet she still couldn’t accept it.
Was it all because of that seductress Fu Qingzi?
Sure enough, as soon as Fu Qingzi took her seat, Consort De seized the opportunity to lecture her.
“It has been half a month since the two young ladies entered the estate, and the Fourth Prince has yet to visit their courtyards even once. I wonder how you, as his principal wife, have been managing things.” Consort De spoke with an air of superiority, her gaze fixed on Fu Qingzi.
Upon hearing this, Fu Qingzi slowly set down the teacup in her hand, meeting Consort De’s sharp eyes without flinching. “Mother, whether Lord visits the rear courtyards is not something I can decide.”
Fu Qingzi’s words immediately highlighted Consort De’s unreasonableness.
Fu Qingzi continued in a measured tone, “The courtyards I arranged for them are the closest to Fourth Master’s own residence.”
This statement made things clear—if Consort De insisted on blaming her openly or subtly, it would only reveal her own obstinacy.
“Even so, as the principal wife, you should at least encourage the Fourth Prince more.”
Qiao An felt an urge to slap the shameless old woman right then and there.
Consort De’s eyes fell on Fu Qingzi’s flat abdomen, her brow furrowing deeply. “You and the Fourth Prince have been married for some time now. Why is there still no sign of a child?”
Fu Qingzi was taken aback for a moment before calmly replying, “Fourth Master says there is no need to rush. A child will come when fate allows.”
Just as Yin Zhen stepped through the door with Ulanara, he happened to hear these words.
Well done, Fu Qingzi—always finding an opportunity to use me as a shield. And here he was, worried that Fu Qingzi might feel uncomfortable if Ulanara accompanied her into Yonghe Palace, so he had asked Ulanara to wait for him. After leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he had hurried over to Yonghe Palace as quickly as possible.
Hearing the commotion, Fu Qingzi glanced sideways before calmly turning her gaze back.
After both paid their respects, they took their seats.
Consort De’s lips curved into a smile, her expression far more pleasant than when she had looked at Fu Qingzi. “You haven’t visited Yonghe Palace to chat with me in quite some time.”
Ulanara lowered her head, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “I have been learning needlework these days and have neglected Your Highness.”
Consort De feigned displeasure. “Look at you, still being so formal with me.”
Fu Qingzi was treated as if she were invisible, ignored by the others. She didn’t mind—whatever they did, she was content not having to engage, finding peace in the neglect.
Seeing that it was getting late, Consort De invited them to stay for lunch. Ulanara was naturally delighted, while Fu Qingzi glanced at Yin Zhen and pursed her lips.
Yin Zhen naturally picked up food to place in Fu Qingzi’s bowl, but she subtly avoided it, leaving him unsure whether to retract his hand or not. In the end, he placed the food into his own mouth. Why did he instinctively try to serve her?
Ulanara happened to be observing the two of them and caught this exchange, her fingers tightening slightly.
The relationship between Consort De and Yin Zhen had never been good, so she found no grounds to comment further.
After the meal, the three of them left Yonghe Palace together.
Walking side by side, Fu Qingzi felt like an outsider. She couldn’t tell whether this was meant to embarrass her or him.
Well, if anyone was losing face, it was him, not her.
Fu Qingzi was wearing a rare deep gray-blue qipao. Though she usually preferred lighter colors like pink, pale yellow, or tender green, Yin Zhen felt that darker shades suited her temperament exceptionally well.
Once inside the carriage, Fu Qingzi didn’t spare him a single glance. It wasn’t about anything else—it was just that today, in front of everyone, especially Consort De, he had truly embarrassed her. Though she couldn’t openly show her displeasure, she preferred to avoid looking at him to spare herself the irritation.
Though there was no affection between them, they were still husband and wife in name, so such matters shouldn’t be brought into the open.
“What, don’t tell me you’re jealous, Fu Qingzi.”