After leaving the main courtyard, Prince Xuan and Shen Jingyi did not return to Shen Jingyi’s residence together.
The two parted halfway. Prince Xuan went straight to his study to attend to official matters, while Shen Jingyi was happy to enjoy some leisure time. She admired the scenery within the residence as she slowly strolled back, her maidservants following behind her.
When she reached the entrance of her courtyard, she stopped and lifted her head, carefully examining the three large characters hanging above the gate: “Youlan Courtyard.”
The calligraphy was bold and vigorous, the strokes lively and powerful, as if they contained profound meaning.
She stepped into the small yet elegant courtyard.
Underfoot were bluestone slabs neatly laid, and on both sides grew various flowers, plants, and trees, full of vitality.
The main house faced south, basking in ample sunlight. The eaves were high, with carved beams and painted rafters that showcased the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient architecture. The doors and windows were engraved with delicate patterns, vivid and lifelike, making one marvel at the artisans’ ingenuity.
The east and west wing rooms stood opposite each other in perfect symmetry, revealing a harmonious beauty.
Continuing forward, she arrived at a second, smaller courtyard.
This area was likely meant for servants. Though it also had plants and greenery, it was far less refined than the front courtyard.
After taking a full tour of her residence, Shen Jingyi planned to return to her room to lie down and rest.
Unexpectedly, just as she lay down, Nanny Qin called her back up.
“The people from the side consort’s courtyard are still waiting to pay their respects,” Nanny Qin said.
With no other choice, Shen Jingyi gathered her energy and got up once more to head outside.
As soon as she took her seat in the main position, a group of maids and elderly servants below greeted her in unison:
“Congratulations, Side Consort! Greetings to Side Consort!”
“All right, you may rise,” Shen Jingyi said with a slight smile. She turned to Nanny Qin and instructed, “Reward them. Everyone gets rewarded.”
“Yes, Side Consort,” Nanny Qin replied.
Then she continued, “There is one more matter that requires your decision. According to the prince’s residence rules, each side consort may have one nanny, two first-class senior maids, four second-class maids, four junior maids, and two rough-work matrons at her disposal. May I ask whom you intend to promote from your current attendants to serve as first-class senior maids?”
Shen Jingyi thought briefly before answering, “For first-class senior maids… let it be Chun Tao and Xia Zhu. As for second-class maids, Qiu Ju and Dong Mei will do. Then select two junior maids from among those we brought with us and name them Qiu Kui and Dong Xue. You may arrange the rest as you see fit.”
“Yes, Side Consort. Should there be any changes to the duties they previously managed?” Nanny Qin asked.
“No need. Whatever they were managing before, they can continue to manage now. As for the two newly promoted second-class maids, you can assign them as you deem appropriate.”
She then added, “Is there anything else? If not, everyone may disperse.”
Seeing that there was nothing further, Shen Jingyi prepared to return to her room to rest. Chun Tao and Xia Zhu hurriedly followed her inside to attend to her.
..
Xinya Courtyard
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating every corner of the room.
Su Wan was kneeling on a mat, absentmindedly accompanying her three-year-old daughter as they stacked wooden blocks.
Just as her patience was about to wear thin, a young maid quietly entered the room.
She quickly walked to the side of a nanny and whispered a few words into her ear.
A satisfied smile immediately appeared on the nanny’s face. She waved her hand to signal the maid to leave.
Then the nanny walked briskly into the inner room and gave Su Wan a slight nod, indicating that the matter had been successfully handled.
Su Wan, who had been gloomy all along, finally smiled, her eyes flashing with calculating light.
“Hahaha… so what if you’re favored? Without a child to rely on, how long can you act arrogantly in this deep household?”
At this moment, Xiao Tingting saw her mother smiling and relaxed as well.
Although her mother had been playing with her, her expression earlier had been frightening. Now that she looked better, the child felt relieved.
She proudly pushed the structure she had just built toward her mother and said happily, “Mother, Mother, look! This is our house!”
Su Wan came back to her senses and looked at the unrecognizable pile of blocks, then praised her anyway, “Tingting is amazing! It really does look like it!”
Hearing her mother’s praise, Xiao Tingting danced with joy, laughing loudly as she insisted on building more houses.
..
At Consort Li’s Residence
“Nanny Zhang, Yueqin, Yueqi—these next few days you must strictly manage the servants in our courtyard. Make sure they stay in their own rooms when there’s nothing to do and don’t wander around freely.”
“Yes, Consort,” they replied.
Seeing no one else around, Yueqin lowered her voice and asked, “Consort, have you sensed that someone is about to make a move again?”
“Heh,” the consort sneered. “That newly arrived side consort—she’s like a thorn, freshly embedded in certain people’s eyes.”
“But she only just entered the residence,” Yueqi added.
The consort gave a cold laugh. “So what? You only need to keep an eye on our own people. Don’t let yourselves get dragged into trouble.”
“Understood. We’ll keep that firmly in mind,” Nanny Zhang answered.
Then she cautiously asked, “Should we give the new side consort a subtle warning?”
“No need. Let’s observe for now,” the consort replied.
Recalling the tea ceremony that morning, she added thoughtfully, “Perhaps she’s already on guard.”
..
Meanwhile, discussions were also taking place in Consort Liu’s courtyard, though the atmosphere there was noticeably more relaxed.
“Seeing those women’s expressions this morning was truly satisfying.”
“Indeed. Judging by how attentive the prince was, this side consort doesn’t seem easy to deal with.”
“Yun Xin, Yun Rui—have people keep a close watch on Side Consort Shen. If there’s movement on her end, then we can put the pregnancy matter back on the agenda.”
“Consort, do you mean a little master? That’s wonderful! I’ll go arrange it immediately!”
Unable to hide her excitement, Yun Xin dashed out the door.
Nanny Li watched her go and called after her worriedly, “Slow down. Don’t let anyone notice anything.”
“I know!” Yun Xin’s voice came from outside.
Nanny Li then said, “Consort, ever since your miscarriage two years ago, we’ve been afraid to get pregnant again, worried about becoming a target. Now it’s better. With Side Consort Shen drawing attention, perhaps we can finally relax a little.”
“Exactly,” Consort Liu sighed. “Who would have thought that a mere prince’s residence could be filled with scheming and open battles no less intense than a battlefield shrouded in smoke?”
Her eyes were full of exhaustion and helplessness.
Nanny Li recalled how lively and crowded the inner courtyard used to be. Now, one empty courtyard after another stood abandoned, and she couldn’t help but feel the passage of time.
She hesitated, wondering whether they should warn Side Consort Shen, and asked, “Should we remind her?”
“Of course,” Consort Liu replied without hesitation. “With her standing in front, I can live a peaceful little life.”
She then turned to Yun Rui and instructed, “Yun Rui, make arrangements. If they inquire about matters in the residence, pass the information along—but be careful not to expose us.”
“Yes, Consort. I’ll take care of it.”
After Yun Rui left, Nanny Li looked at her mistress with helpless eyes.
From the very first day she came to serve her, she had known that this was a woman without ambition—someone who only wanted to live quietly.
If she hadn’t been harmed and miscarried two years ago, she probably would have withdrawn entirely from all affairs long ago.