Chapter 75: Divergence

After leaving the palace, Ninth Brother was promptly pulled into Eighth Brother’s residence by both Eighth and Tenth Brothers for a heartfelt conversation. Upon hearing how the Emperor Kangxi had decided to handle Ninth Brother’s situation, both men let out a sigh of relief.

Eighth Brother seized the opportunity to advise Ninth Brother again, “Ninth Brother, you shouldn’t get too attached to that Yan woman. You ought to show some respect to your wife as well. I heard you didn’t spend the night with her last night. If Father finds out about this, you’ll be in for another round of reprimands.”

Ninth Brother narrowed his eyes dangerously and asked, “How did you know I didn’t spend the night with Dong’e?”

Eighth Brother faltered, but avoided answering directly, “Never mind how I know. Did you or did you not do it?”

Ninth Brother snorted coldly, “Eighth Brother, there’s no need for lies between us. You’re well aware of what people have been saying about me this past year. I’ve been hoping for a son to be born in my household, to shut those gossips up once and for all.”

Eighth Brother knew about Ninth Brother’s troubles, yet felt Ninth Brother’s words sounded rather like an excuse. “Ninth Brother, what does all this have to do with your wife?”

“How could it not?” Ninth Brother retorted. “My cousin may resent you for favoring other women, but at least she’s upfront with her intentions. As for Dong’e, not only does she indulge Wan Yan and Zhao Jia in bullying others, now she’s meddling with my offspring. How could I tolerate that?”

Eighth Brother fell silent. If Ninth Brother spoke the truth, Dong’e’s behavior was indeed inappropriate. Tenth Brother, sensing the conversation was getting dull, interjected, “I actually find Yan quite interesting. She doesn’t seem to care much about your favor, Ninth Brother. Eighth Brother, you can rest assured—there won’t be any chaos in Ninth Brother’s household.”

Tenth Brother was known for being a bit clueless at times. His intention was to lighten the mood, but his comment only made both Eighth and Ninth Brothers feel more frustrated. Eighth Brother was annoyed at Tenth Brother’s indiscreetness in revealing his wariness of Yan, while Ninth Brother was irked by the remark that Yan didn’t value his affection.

Indeed, Ninth Brother often felt that Yan didn’t regard his affection as anything significant. It was as if she could live happily with or without it. No, that was exactly the truth. Before he discovered that the hotpot restaurant was hers, she’d already been living a vibrant life.

The atmosphere in Eighth Brother’s study became stifling. Tenth Brother glanced at the two and, finding the conversation lackluster, attempted to change the subject. “Ninth Brother, how’s Yan doing lately? Maybe one day, I’ll bring Borjigit and we’ll visit her for some barbecue.”

Ninth Brother shot him a glare. “Forget it. She vomits at the mere smell of oil these days, and eats almost nothing but boiled vegetables. Don’t add to the commotion.”

Tenth Brother was instantly intrigued. “Boiled vegetables? Does it taste like boiled fish?”

Ninth Brother’s tone grew even more impatient. “Plain boiled vegetables. If you want to try it, cook it at home yourself.” What he didn’t mention was that, under Yan’s repeated guidance, even boiled cabbage made by Madam Chen turned out unexpectedly delicious. Given Tenth Brother’s cheeky manner just now, Ninth Brother had no intention of sharing that detail.

Eighth Brother grew more gloomy, casting a plaintive look at Tenth Brother. “Tenth Brother, cravings can’t always be satisfied.” Tenth Brother stuck out his tongue at Ninth Brother in resignation. Eighth Brother turned to Ninth Brother and continued, earnestly, “Ninth Brother, according to our Manchu customs, favoring concubines over your wife is unacceptable. You must still show respect to Dong’e.” Eighth Brother didn’t dare say outright that Ninth Brother should banish Yan to the cold palace.

But Ninth Brother, ever sharp, could clearly see Eighth Brother’s wariness toward Yan. Though displeased, he assured Eighth Brother, “Don’t worry. As long as Dong’e doesn’t stir up trouble herself, no one in my household will cross her.”

Eighth Brother recognized from Ninth Brother’s tone that his words weren’t truly accepted, but it wasn’t his place to meddle excessively in his brother’s private affairs, so he simply nodded. The three brothers then turned their discussion to the matters of beggar adoption and the investigation into missing funds.

Eighth Brother intended to use these issues to deliver a heavy blow to the Crown Prince and his faction, determined to stir up the Ministry of Revenue. Ninth Brother had no objections, as he himself was unwilling to fund the long-term sheltering of beggars. Tenth Brother, however, disagreed, believing that military provisions were of utmost importance and shouldn’t be neglected for the sake of political infighting.

Eighth Brother, knowing Tenth Brother’s stubbornness, didn’t argue further. But when he advised Ninth Brother to extricate himself from the so-called new rural construction endeavor, he was met with an outright refusal.

Eighth Brother could only look up and sigh; gathering them for this meeting seemed a poor decision. Not only were the issues unresolved, but he’d ended up with a belly full of frustration. After Ninth and Tenth Brothers took their leave and went to visit Eighth Sister-in-law, they overheard her scolding her two concubines and became even more despondent. He wished he could drag Ninth Brother back to witness how his cousin wasn’t as straightforward as she claimed, secretly admonishing others behind his back.

Thus, after Ninth Brother spent New Year’s Eve at Yan’s place, Eighth Brother spent the first day of the new year with his own concubine. Eighth Sister-in-law, furious, threw an entire bedding set. When she and Ninth Sister-in-law entered the palace to pay respects to Consort Yi after the holiday, they couldn’t help but pour out their grievances.

Ninth Brother returned home late. Wang Quan’er had already gathered Wu Tong and reported every detail regarding the beggar shelter to Ninth Brother. He also presented him with the dreamcatcher that Yan had hung nearby.

Ninth Brother looked at the ornament in his hand and smiled helplessly. He felt he couldn’t punish Yan for this matter—it was all for a good cause. If there was any fault, it was her failure to report to him. But he’d been in the palace at the time, so it was understandable. And after returning, with the incident of her falling, the girl had likely forgotten all about the beggar shelter.

Thinking of Yan’s muddled, sleepy demeanor, Ninth Brother couldn’t help but miss her. Though he knew she must have long since gone to bed, he still found himself wandering over to the Dream Pavilion.

Sure enough, Yan was asleep. Ninth Brother sat by her bedside, looking at her slumbering like a child, and smiled.

Dreamcatcher—such an unreal name, probably conceived only by this mischievous soul before him. Ninth Brother surveyed the room and hung the dreamcatcher by Yan’s window.

“Dreamcatcher… may you capture only sweet dreams,” he murmured softly, gazing at the ornament, then tiptoed downstairs and returned to his own study.