22 – Yu Nian is also here?
Fucha Yeqing crossed her arms and snorted coldly, “Hey! Stop speculating about others’ thoughts.”
Fu Qingzi pointed at Fucha Yeqing’s loudly rumbling stomach, her smile growing even wider. “Oh? So you’re just hungry.”
Fucha Yeqing immediately flushed red—she had never been so embarrassed before.
And so, Fucha Yeqing ate with great relish in Fu Qingzi’s courtyard.
Fu Qingzi lightly pressed her fingers to her forehead; there was really no need to be so unrestrained.
Fucha Yeqing tilted her head back and patted her chest. “Tomorrow, when we go to the Fifth Prince’s residence, I’ll have your back.”
Fu Qingzi: “…”
Originally, she could handle things herself, but she was truly afraid that Fucha Yeqing would only cause trouble once she went.
Well, if Fucha Yeqing caused trouble, what did it have to do with her anyway?
Fucha Gerong returned together with Yin Zhen.
Fu Qingzi had just taken Fucha Yeqing, who was clamoring to be shown around the garden, for a stroll when they happened to run into the two of them.
Fu Qingzi placed her hands at her waist and curtsied slightly. Her phoenix eyes inadvertently swept over Fucha Gerong’s face, noticing a fleeting, complex emotion in his gaze as he looked at her.
Unable to decipher it, Fu Qingzi withdrew her gaze.
Meanwhile, Fucha Yeqing clung to Fu Qingzi’s arm, grinning broadly at the two men.
If not for her self-restraint, she would have kicked Fucha Yeqing off long ago.
It was Yin Zhen who spoke first. “Just finished your meal and out for a walk?”
Fu Qingzi nodded. “Yes.”
“I’ll return to the study first. Wait for me for dinner.”
As soon as Yin Zhen said this, Fu Qingzi knew he had important matters to attend to. She nodded in acknowledgment. “Understood.”
Only after watching Yin Zhen stride away did Fu Qingzi withdraw her gaze.
Fucha Yeqing, watching the scene with amusement, tugged at Fu Qingzi’s sleeve and teased, “Are you really this deeply in love?”
Fu Qingzi glanced at Fucha Yeqing but said nothing. What was there to say to a child? Even though Fucha Yeqing was already seventeen.
Fucha Yeqing pouted. Back then, Fu Qingzi had risked her life to save Consort De—the Fourth Prince’s nominal mother—from drowning, all to marry Yin Zhen. Knowing she couldn’t swim, she had thrown herself into the water without hesitation, going to desperate lengths just to marry the Fourth Prince.
She had witnessed the whole thing.
If Fu Qingzi knew the truth of the matter, she would have long felt too ashamed to show her face.
Yin Zhen probably still thought she was madly in love with him.
That evening, after the troublesome Fucha Yeqing finished her meal and left, Fu Qingzi finally had a chance to rest. For once, she leaned against Yin Zhen’s shoulder for a short nap.
As if remembering something, Fu Qingzi lifted her gaze to meet Yin Zhen’s chin. She lightly brushed it with her fingertip, feigning nonchalance as she said, “I heard Fucha Yeqing practices martial arts.”
Yin Zhen responded with a low hum, his deep, magnetic voice resonating softly. Fu Qingzi thought that if it were Ulanara in front of him now, she would probably have already fallen for him.
After a moment, Yin Zhen tentatively asked, “Did she tire you out?”
Fu Qingzi shook her head, her drowsiness evident.
Yin Zhen scooped her up in his arms and strode toward the bed, carefully laying her down and removing her shoes.
Fu Qingzi suddenly perked up and quickly stopped Yin Zhen from removing her other shoe. Her brows furrowed slightly. “This humble one can handle such matters herself. I mustn’t trouble you, my Lord.”
Yin Zhen glanced up at Fu Qingzi, his gaze deepening, but he remained silent.
Fu Qingzi was utterly exhausted. After a hasty wash, she lay down, truly having no energy left to concern herself with Yin Zhen.
Fu Qingzi went to bed early, so naturally she woke up early the next day. Still groggy, she felt something pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe. Only when fully awake did she realize it was Yin Zhen holding her tightly.
Fu Qingzi carefully broke free and glanced at the sky outside. Could it be that it wasn’t yet time for court? If so, she had woken up far too early.
So Fu Qingzi lay back down, hands pressed against her lower abdomen, sleeping properly. But before long, Yin Zhen’s large hand reached over and pressed against her again.
Fu Qingzi shrank inward. Logically, Yin Zhen’s upbringing should have been far more proper than hers, so why was he now either pressing close or embracing her? What strange habit was this?
Outside, Qiao An was also sleeping soundly, leaning on Su Peisheng’s shoulder.
When Fu Qingzi woke again, the sun was already high, casting a glaring light.
Fu Qingzi rubbed her temples. How could she have slept so late? It must have been Yin Zhen’s doing.
After tidying herself up, Fu Qingzi stepped out of the Main Courtyard and heard some commotion outside. She gave Qiao An a meaningful look.
A moment later, Qiao An leaned close to Fu Qingzi’s ear and whispered, “A reward from Lord Kangxi. Who knows what merit Fourth Master has earned this time.”
Fu Qingzi responded indifferently, only mildly curious. Once she knew, her interest faded.
Looking at the several large crates outside, Fu Qingzi had to admit that Kangxi was truly generous toward Yin Zhen.
Qiao An simplified what she had heard before telling Fu Qingzi, “But I vaguely overheard them saying there’s a famine in Sichuan. Kangxi sent Fourth Master and Fucha Gerong to handle it.”
Fu Qingzi’s lips twitched slightly. After a light press, she said, “How come I didn’t know about this?”
Qiao An glanced around and, seeing no one, covered her mouth as she whispered into Fu Qingzi’s ear, “It was during the southern tour. Now the rewards have arrived.”
Fu Qingzi habitually twirled the faintly jingling bell in her hand. Yin Zhen, the Great Qing is fortunate to have you, but your life will end just like this—exhausted to death.
Fu Qingzi wandered around the courtyard a few times before returning to her room.
However, that day, Yin Zhen sent word that he was busy with matters up front and wouldn’t be coming to the Main Courtyard, telling her not to wait for him.
Fu Qingzi chuckled softly to herself. No one was waiting for him anyway…
With Yin Zhen not coming, no one was happier than Qiao An. She could once again squeeze into the same bed with Fu Qingzi.
That night, Fu Qingzi had a dream. She dreamed of Yu Nian, who was living in another parallel Qing dynasty, happily married to Kangxi, her face radiant with a smile that stirred envy.
Fu Qingzi rubbed her aching temples. It was truly just a dream, yet it felt somewhat real.
So Yu Nian’s sudden collapse on the film set… Fu Qingzi couldn’t help but overthink it but quickly restrained herself.
When Qiao An woke up, she too was incredulous about the bizarre dream she had. She immediately turned to Fu Qingzi beside her and said, “Oh my god, Azi, guess who I dreamed about last night?”
Fu Qingzi glanced calmly at Qiao An before replying without hesitation, “Yu Nian.”
Qiao An was even more bewildered. “How did you know?!”
Qiao An recalled the dream she had last night with even greater seriousness, her expression turning slightly grave. “No, Azi, that’s not the important part. What matters is that Yu Nian is also here—she might even be one of Kangxi’s concubines in the imperial harem.”