Chapter 152: The New Residence

Although Yan Yan successfully retreated upstairs, every word of the conversation downstairs remained crystal clear to her ears. When she heard Prince Ninth's sarcastic remark directed at the Eighth Primary Consort, she couldn't help but think that Prince Ninth truly lived up to his sharp-tongued reputation; he had hit upon the most vulnerable spot with absolute precision.

Yet, Yan Yan also found herself feeling a twinge of pity for the Eighth Primary Consort. After all, the inability to bear children was a deeply painful trial even in the modern era, let alone in the Great Qing Dynasty, where a woman's primary purpose in marriage was solely to produce offspring.

However, Yan Yan had no inclination to pick a fight with Prince Ninth over this matter. After offering a somewhat plaintive expression of gratitude, she threw herself entirely back into the chaos of the relocation. Childlessness was common enough in the Qing Dynasty, and managing such vast societal burdens was far beyond her purview.

Prince Ninth and Yan Yan did not move into their new estate until mid-November. Since Prince Ninth was only recently recovered from a severe illness, traveling too early was ill-advised. Consequently, he was virtually the last among all of Emperor Kangxi's imperial princes to successfully take up residence in his garden estate.

The estate bestowed upon Prince Ninth by Emperor Kangxi was named Rosy Cloud Garden. Reportedly, it was a place where Kangxi had once temporarily stayed during his imperial tours, so Prince Ninth had left the primary architectural layout largely unchanged. This caused the small estate, harmoniously blending mountains and waters, to genuinely resemble a fairy realm in the mortal world.

The moment Yan Yan stepped down from the carriage, she caught sight of the southern-style lake within the garden, and across the water stood two or three brightly colored small pavilions. Puzzled, Yan Yan turned her gaze toward Prince Ninth. With a smile, he explained, "Do you recall what you said to me back in Yongping Prefecture? You declared that once you had an estate of your own, you would surely build a wonderland for the children, and back then, you even enthusiastically sketched out the blueprints for me."

Yan Yan widened her eyes in sheer disbelief as she pointed toward the vibrantly colored buildings. "Are these the contents of those blueprints?"

Prince Ninth nodded. "Our estate is called Rosy Cloud Garden. Combined with these houses, doesn't it match the theme quite fittingly?"

Observing the radiant smile beaming across Prince Ninth's face, Yan Yan was suddenly reminded of a passage she had once read in her past life. She raised her gaze to look up at him, murmuring softly, "I once heard a story, and there was a line in it that I grew particularly fond of. Would Your Highness care to hear it?"

Prince Ninth lowered his head slightly and uttered a low affirmation.

A gentle, deeply moved smile graced Yan Yan's lips, her voice drifting as if from a distant horizon. "I used to think my beloved would be a supreme hero, one who would one day arrive upon colorful auspicious clouds to marry me..." She spoke in a low murmur, her eyes growing slightly moist. Staring into Prince Ninth's tender and handsome visage, she cried out silently in her heart, hoping against hope that she could not divine the final chapter, and that she would never witness a day when someone as proud as Prince Ninth fell into desolation.

Prince Ninth felt as though his heart had been struck heavily by something, leaving it weighted and profound. He opened his arms and drew Yan Yan into his embrace. After a long moment, he whispered softly, "This is your Rosy Cloud Garden—a Rosy Cloud Garden belonging to you alone."

The corners of Yan Yan's mouth turned upward slightly, though she was unsure whether she ought to feel joyful or sorrowful. Yet, for Prince Ninth to utter such words—did it mean he had come to realize that he was inherently a jealous soul? Was such self-awareness a blessing or a curse? Yan Yan felt somewhat muddled, though she also considered it rather unromantic of her to be pondering such matters at so tender a moment.

"Ahem!"

He Xuan'er's deliberate cough shattered the warm intimacy between Prince Ninth and Yan Yan. Flustered, Yan Yan pushed Prince Ninth away and smoothed down her garments. In her previous life, embracing on the street—let alone displaying public affection—would barely raise an eyebrow. Yet here in the Qing Dynasty, even as a formally recognized concubine, such behavior would instantly be branded as scandalous.

Noticing the awkwardness of the pair, He Xuan'er smiled and said, "The affection between Your Highness and the Side Consort is truly enviable." Shifting the topic smoothly, she added, "However, might you lead us on a tour of the garden first? The three little ones are already growing impatient."

Yan Yan glanced back to see her three little treasures darting wildly across the garden, closely trailed by wet nurses and maids utterly terrified that the children might trip. Yan Yan could not help but smile. Prince Ninth, appearing similarly lighthearted, chuckled and said, "Very well, let us tour the estate first."

The core of Rosy Cloud Garden remained centered around the lake. The living quarters for Yan Yan and Prince Ninth were situated to the left of the water in a semi-open courtyard. Its name bore a striking resemblance to that of Dream Embroidering Garden; it was called Dream Weaving Pavilion. Upon reading the name, Yan Yan burst into laughter, shooting a playful, reproachful glare at Prince Ninth. "Is Your Highness mocking me for doing nothing but dreaming all day long?"

Prince Ninth shook his head. "Originally, I intended to name it House of Gold and Silver, but then I felt it was somewhat..." He deliberately paused mid-sentence.

Yan Yan immediately poked him in the waist. "Your Highness is truly wicked! Am I really that obsessed with silver?"

Prince Ninth burst into hearty laughter. "Those were your own words, not mine."

Yan Yan's face flushed crimson, and she playfully refused to let the matter drop, chasing after him to stir up trouble. Hongzheng and Hongzhang, who had been playing nearby, were instantly drawn by the sound of laughter. Exhibiting a strong sense of justice, Hongzheng roared, "Help, mother!" With that, he charged straight toward Prince Ninth. Hongzhang refused to be outdone and lunged forward right behind him.

Sweetheart stood stunned for a long moment before stamping her foot fiercely and shouting, "You are not allowed to bully Abama!" Having delivered her war cry, she too charged at Prince Ninth—though her intent was ostensibly to assist him, her actions ultimately served to back Yan Yan up.

For a time, the courtyard overflowed with joyous laughter, bringing smiles to the faces of Nanny He and the others. He Xuan'er covered her mouth with a handkerchief, smiling in apparent delight. Yet her smile never reached her eyes, casting an intensely eerie undertone over the scene.

Suddenly, a voice entirely out of place in this environment cut through the air: "A glance is all it takes to see that Prince Ninth has recovered splendidly. You need not worry any longer, Your Majesty."

Prince Ninth spun around in astonishment, and Yan Yan was startled so severely that her heart skipped a beat. Only the three little children stared with wide-eyed curiosity at Emperor Kangxi and Li Dequan standing by the entrance—not to mention the large retinue of imperial guards and attendants stationed behind them.

"Grandfather..." Hongzheng suddenly pointed straight at Kangxi, tilting his head upward to question Yan Yan.

Alarmed once more, Yan Yan hastily batted Hongzheng's hand down and whispered, "That is the Emperor Grandfather. Hurry and pay your respects." Though the three little ones likely grasped little of the significance behind the title, they obediently and properly executed their bows.

Initially, upon witnessing the children romping and playing with Prince Ninth just moments before, Kangxi had half-expected them to be entirely lacking in discipline. To his surprise, their courtesies were executed with admirable form and grace. As the three children bowed, the rest of the courtyard's occupants seemed to snap back to reality, hastily dropping to their knees in a ragged flurry to greet the Emperor.

Kangxi harbored no visible anger and calmly commanded, "Rise."

Only then did Prince Ninth hurriedly usher Kangxi into the rooms, casting a sidelong glance of instruction toward Yan Yan. Convinced her intellect was far too limited for the task, Yan Yan had not the faintest idea what that look was supposed to convey.