Chapter 137: Returning to the Capital

The new day began with the sound of the Tenth Prince’s angry roar.

Yan Yan, somewhat dazed, watched as the Ninth Prince was summoned away. Feeling a stir of anxiety, she rose, wondering if she should ask Cui’er to gather some information. Fortunately, the Ninth Prince returned quickly. Yan Yan asked with concern, "What is the matter with the Tenth Prince?"

The Ninth Prince laughed helplessly. "It is nothing, just that he owes money to the imperial treasury, and Fourth Brother has issued an ultimatum demanding payment." Yan Yan was stunned. Had history already progressed to this point? Had the Tenth Prince officially begun to lock horns with the Fourth Prince?

Thinking of this, she looked at the Ninth Prince with apprehension. If the Tenth Prince and the Fourth Prince were at odds, there was no doubt the Ninth Prince would stand by his brother’s side. Yan Yan sighed inwardly; she had not managed to change anything yet, and was she now to watch helplessly as history repeated itself?

The Ninth Prince noticed her strained expression and pulled her into his arms with a smile. "Look at you, such a timid heart. I have plenty of silver; I would never demean myself by begging from the imperial treasury. Do not worry."

Yan Yan felt slightly reassured. It was true; she had never heard rumors of the Ninth Prince owing money. Still, she asked in a low voice, "Then, what of the Tenth Prince’s debt?"

The Ninth Prince sneered, "Tenth Brother is not so easily bullied. Rest assured. Fourth Brother chose the wrong person to use as an example to the others. In my opinion, it would have been easier for Fourth Brother to make Third Brother pay up than to pick on Tenth Brother."

Hearing this, Yan Yan’s heart tightened again. "Then..."

The Ninth Prince patted her back. "Enough, you need not worry about this. However, because of this, we must depart for the capital tomorrow. I have already sent word for everyone to begin loading the carriages; you should start packing as well."

Yan Yan nodded silently. The Ninth Prince released her, leaned down slightly to look her in the eye, and said with a touch of guilt, "Also, I am afraid I cannot accompany you to that Sweet Well Village. When there is an opportunity in the future, you may invite them to the manor to catch up."

Yan Yan nodded solemnly. "I understand. The Tenth Prince’s affairs are of the utmost importance."

The Ninth Prince gently tapped her forehead and whispered, "Good girl... Now, stop looking so miserable. Give me a smile." Yan Yan forced a smile, and only then did he straighten up, pat her head, and leave to attend to business.

Yan Yan sat down, feeling dejected. It seemed history was progressing according to its original path, and she could not be a savior. If the Fourth Prince ascended the throne and truly sought to exterminate the Ninth Prince, would death be their only path? Yan Yan was truly conflicted.

"Ce Fujin, Anna is here. She says she wishes to discuss the trip to the capital with you," Cui’er’s voice came from outside. Yan Yan’s eyes widened. That was it—they could still run! Even if the land of the Great Qing could not contain them, they could go across the ocean. With Anna as a connection, perhaps it would be easier for them to cross the seas.

With this thought, Yan Yan felt a surge of energy. The commercial ties with the East India Company must not be severed. If she could buy a house in the British Empire while the Kangxi Emperor was still alive, then as soon as the Fourth Prince ascended the throne, they could simply flee. Yan Yan quickly formulated a new plan and welcomed Anna’s visit warmly.

Anna had not come for any particular reason other than to ask if she could stay at the Ninth Prince’s manor upon reaching the capital; she had no desire to stay in the Reception Bureau, where everyone was housed.

Yan Yan found it hard to adapt to Anna’s aristocratic airs; it seemed unjust that such a delicate and picky person could travel everywhere for business. However, at this moment, Yan Yan welcomed the request and immediately agreed.

After Anna left, Yan Yan noticed Cui’er’s puzzled expression and realized that she was not the mistress of the Ninth Prince’s manor. Making such decisions was not her place. She sighed helplessly, thinking of the Ninth Prince’s vast estate and the cold, calculating people in the inner courtyard, and felt a sense of dread about returning to the capital.

Regardless of her reluctance, they departed for the capital the next day. Although the party was large, they traveled quickly, at least twice as fast as their journey there.

After about ten days of travel, they finally arrived at the capital on the sixteenth day of the tenth month, one day before the Ninth Prince’s birthday. Although he had promised to let Yan Yan stay in the garden estate, it was still under renovation, and the Kangxi Emperor had returned from the Changchun Garden to the Forbidden City. Thus, Yan Yan’s first stop was the Prince’s manor. She took a deep breath in the carriage.

News of her return with the children had reached the manor long ago, bringing an end to the long period of quiet. The main quarters of Lady Donggo were bustling from early morning. Those looking for news and those waiting for it gathered around her. Among the concubines, Lady Wanyan, who had lost her third daughter, sat silently at the head of the left side, not participating in the discussion. She seemed to have aged significantly; the early death of her daughter had clearly taken a heavy toll.

Lady Gūwalgiya, mother of the second and fifth daughters, wore a constant smile, appearing unconcerned about Yan Yan’s return. Conversely, Lady Zhou, who had recently miscarried, looked indignant, filling her words with suggestions for Lady Donggo to punish Yan Yan severely.

Lady Donggo smiled with disdain. She had long known that the Ninth Prince had found Yan Yan and that she would eventually face this day. Yet, she had not realized how painful it would be when it finally arrived. Although the Ninth Prince had many concubines and she, as the primary wife, should not have cared for them, she knew Yan Yan was different. As long as Yan Yan existed, her position would always be precarious.

How could one allow another to sleep soundly beside one’s own bed?

This was a society where the strong preyed upon the weak. Lady Donggo thought that she understood this, and Yan Yan surely understood it too. Therefore, since she was stepping back into this house, the days ahead would inevitably be filled with blood and struggle.

"Fujin, the Prince has entered the main gate," the nurse’s announcement interrupted Lady Donggo’s thoughts. She stood up slowly, wearing a gracious smile. "Sisters, follow me to welcome the Prince back to the manor."

Lady Wanyan and Lady Gūwalgiya also rose, following Lady Donggo as they made their way toward the second gate.