Chapter 106: Awakening with a Start

Although Kangxi had granted the Ninth Prince leave, he had never expected the tournament to have such a massive impact. The various Mongolian banners staying at the Lifanyuan (Court of Colonial Affairs) all claimed they had been unprepared this year and were eager to prove themselves in the next tournament, unwilling to disappoint the Emperor. Consequently, they submitted petitions asking for the specific dates of the next competition so they could arrange for their representatives to travel to Beijing—after all, they needed to account for travel time.

Furthermore, the few missionaries and foreign delegations in the Qing Empire expressed their approval of the event and tactfully asked Kangxi if they might participate, hoping to engage in friendly martial competition with the Qing subjects and foster long-lasting international friendship.

Kangxi had not anticipated that the Ninth Prince’s offhand, joking remarks would yield such quick results. Shamelessly, he revoked the Prince’s leave, sending a eunuch to his residence immediately to summon him to court.

At that moment, the Ninth Prince was instructing Cui’er to pack for Yan Yan, as he intended to take her to a hot spring villa in Fangshan for a vacation. Yan Yan, however, was somewhat sullen; she was reluctant to leave the children behind and worried that something might happen to them while they were at the estate.

The Ninth Prince gripped her chin, asking with some dissatisfaction, "What are you worrying about?" When Yan Yan tried to pull away without success, she murmured, "This concubine will miss the children." The Prince tightened his grip and whispered, "Tell the truth."

Reluctantly, Yan Yan muttered, "I spoke out of turn yesterday; I’m afraid someone in the household will take their anger out on the children." The Ninth Prince’s lips curled upward. "What did you say that was wrong?" Yan Yan pulled at the corners of her mouth; how could she possibly repeat it?

The Ninth Prince, of course, was already aware of her comments at the venue. His eyes crinkled with mirth as he leaned in slowly. Yan Yan instinctively tried to retreat, but the Prince pulled her back. "Tell me, what did you say yesterday?"

The hot breath from his nose and mouth washed over her face, turning it as red as a ripe apple, making it look almost good enough to bite. The Prince, clearly not one to deny his own impulses, did exactly that. Yan Yan let out a cry of pain, but it was interrupted by an awkward sound at the door. The Prince quickly released her and looked over to see Xiao Anzi, Kangxi’s personal attendant.

A bad feeling washed over the Ninth Prince. Sure enough, Xiao Anzi bowed and said, "Ninth Prince, the Emperor has ordered you to go to the palace immediately to discuss urgent business. This servant will wait for you outside."

Having finished his message, Xiao Anzi fled the Qimeng Garden like a man with wings. Watching his lightning-fast departure, Yan Yan couldn't help but chuckle. The Ninth Prince gave her forehead a firm flick. "Still laughing? Just wait until I get back." Yan Yan pursed her lips, but seeing his disgruntled expression, she couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Incensed, the Ninth Prince scooped her up and strode toward the bedroom. Terrified, Yan Yan cried, "My Lord, the Emperor is waiting! Stop playing, put me down, please!"

He ignored her, carrying her to the large bed and kissing her thoroughly until she was dazed. Only then did he release her, whispering, "Be a good girl, pack your things, and wait for me at home. If you still have this attitude when I return, I’ll give you a sound spanking." Yan Yan buried her face in the quilt, feeling a sense of disdain for having surrendered so easily to his domineering ways.

***

Long after the Ninth Prince had left, Yan Yan finally crawled out of bed to find Cui’er packing her clothes with a suppressed smile. Yan Yan snapped, "What are you laughing at?"

Cui’er came over to help tidy her hair, cheekily replying, "Mistress, don't blame this servant; I wasn't laughing." Yan Yan glared at her and asked, "Where are Sweetheart, Hongzheng, and Hongzhang?"

Cui’er pointed out the window and smiled, "The sun is perfect today, so the nannies have taken them out for some sun. The Sixth Princess and the Second Prince are still sleeping, but the Eldest Prince is quite energetic—he’s been cooing at a plum blossom for quite a while."

Yan Yan walked to the window and watched her three little treasures with a sense of relief. Just then, a maid from Lady Donggo’s courtyard entered. Seeing Yan Yan on the second-floor balcony, she smiled and said, "Greetings, Mistress. My Lady asks you to come over."

Yan Yan was stunned. Lady Donggo rarely summoned her, especially since she had been exempted from the daily morning greetings due to her pregnancy. Even though nearly a hundred days had passed since the children were born, that requirement hadn't been reinstated. Could it be that Lady Donggo had finally lost her patience and wanted to lecture her?

Even if she couldn't guess the motive, Yan Yan couldn't refuse. She had Cui’er fix her makeup and followed the maid to the main courtyard.

When she arrived, many people were already gathered in the hall. Yan Yan had learned to carry herself with more poise, so she no longer felt the awkwardness she once did when the other concubines bowed to her. Even when Lady Wanyan bowed, Yan Yan was able to take it in stride.

"It’s been a while, how have you been?" Lady Wanyan asked with a smile. She had previously insisted on calling Yan Yan "sister," but after the Ninth Prince gave her a stern look one day, she had switched to the formal title of "Mistress." Yan Yan didn't care about titles, but she was satisfied with how the Prince had handled it.

"Thank you for your concern; I am quite well," Yan Yan replied calmly, showing no interest in forming cliques or networking. Partly due to her personality, and partly because she never believed there could be true friendship between women who shared the same man.

She didn't realize that this indifference actually put Lady Donggo at ease. Before long, Lady Donggo emerged from the inner chamber. She had a habit of making an entrance only after everyone else had arrived, upholding her status as the primary wife.

After the others had finished their salutations, Lady Donggo smiled at Yan Yan with the dignified grace of a first wife. "Younger Sister Yan, the hundred-day celebration for the Sixth Princess and the two young princes is coming up soon, isn't it?"

Yan Yan was shocked. She and the Ninth Prince had discussed skipping the celebration due to the winter chill, and he had agreed. Had he forgotten to tell Lady Donggo?

Yan Yan pursed her lips, wanting to explain their decision, but thought better of it and replied, "Yes, it is fast approaching."

***

Lady Donggo smiled again, continuing at a leisurely pace, "There have been many happy events in our house lately—the tournament the Prince hosted is highly regarded by the Emperor, and our family business is thriving. I’ve discussed it with the Prince, and we decided the children's hundred-day celebration shouldn't be overlooked. However, you are much more capable at organizing these things than I am, so I’ll leave the arrangements to you. I’ll have a few clever maids assist you."

Yan Yan bit her lip, looking at Lady Donggo. She was the mistress of the house, after all; her words were structured in a way that left no room for refusal. If Yan Yan were to decline, it would seem as though she were ungrateful and lacking in propriety. She could only nod, intending to sort it out with the Ninth Prince when he returned.

Lady Wanyan’s eyes flickered as she smiled at Lady Donggo. "I’ve been bored lately; if you and the Mistress don't mind, may I help out?" Lady Donggo didn't even look at Yan Yan, replying directly, "That would be wonderful. With you sisters working in harmony, you will surely bring great honor to the Prince." She covered her mouth and giggled, "It would be even better if you could provide the Prince with another son."

Yan Yan stared at her fingers, bored. Being the primary wife was clearly a job that wasn't for everyone. Looking at Lady Donggo’s aura, encouraging the concubines to have more children, Yan Yan felt nothing but a sharp, sour ache in her heart.

As if in response to Lady Donggo’s words, a Concubine Zhou sitting at the end of the room suddenly began to retch. Lady Donggo frowned, then immediately beamed with joy. "Summon the imperial physician! It seems we have another happy event in the house."

Yan Yan looked at the frail Concubine Zhou. She looked barely fourteen or fifteen; could she even handle the burden of pregnancy? Yan Yan immediately complained to herself about the Ninth Prince—what a heartless man, to lay a hand on such a delicate child.

Yan Yan puffed out her cheeks in frustration. Lady Donggo chuckled, "Are you not happy for Sister Zhou? Look at that little expression; you look as if you want to eat her alive."

Yan Yan gave an awkward, forced smile. "You joke, my Lady. I am very happy for her." Seeing Concubine Zhou staring at her with wide, fearful eyes, she quickly offered a friendly smile.

But inside, Yan Yan felt like she was retching blood. That wretched Ninth Prince—sleeping in other courtyards was one thing, but did he have to make it common knowledge? What if she ended up having another daughter for him?

As this thought crossed her mind, Yan Yan was suddenly jolted. Was this jealousy? Was she angry? Because she knew he had been with another woman, she felt physically unwell?

That couldn't be right. Hadn't she warned herself repeatedly not to give her heart to the Ninth Prince? Regardless of whether they had a child together, regardless of whether they seemed to be living in harmony, she couldn't let herself fall. So what was this feeling? Yan Yan, you need to get this straight: what exactly is this feeling?