Chapter 138: Confinement

Yan Yan got out of the carriage somewhat nervously at the second gate, gazing at the Futo Prince’s Manor, which felt both familiar and somewhat alien to her. Cuier walked over, supported Yan Yan, and whispered in a low voice, "Please don't be nervous, Lateral Consort."

Yan Yan glanced at Cuier, smiling faintly, "How do you know I'm nervous?" Cuier immediately beamed, "Because your hands are cold, Lateral Consort. Anyone could tell you're nervous just by looking at you."

At that moment, Mammy Song and Goodwife Chen also arrived with the children, stepping down from the carriage as the Ninth Prince walked over. Cuier immediately stepped aside. The Ninth Prince took Yan Yan's hand, smiling, "Look at how little courage you have. There's nothing to worry about, I am here." Yan Yan nodded and smiled, "Rest assured, Your Highness. No matter what the Primary Consort says, this concubine will listen obediently."

The Ninth Prince's gaze darkened. He stared at Yan Yan for a moment before striding toward the second gate. Yan Yan took a deep breath and followed closely behind him.

Following the Ninth Prince, Yan Yan saw from a distance that Lady Niohuru had already gathered a group of concubines at the second gate to welcome him. Lady Niohuru glanced at Yan Yan meaningfully before curtsying gracefully to the Ninth Prince. "This concubine welcomes Your Highness. You have had a tiring journey."

The concubines behind Lady Niohuru curtsied in unison. The Ninth Prince offered a perfunctory gesture of support to Lady Niohuru, smiling without any warmth, "You have also worked hard, Primary Consort." Lady Niohuru smiled, "I have already ordered the bathwater to be prepared and a banquet set. Once Your Highness has freshened up, we can begin the feast."

The Ninth Prince gave a flat, "Very well." Before he could say anything further, Lady Niohuru preempted him, "Sister Yan has also had a tiring journey. I have already had the Drifting Dream Courtyard tidied up. Sister Yan should go quickly and freshen up."

Yan Yan hurriedly curtsied to Lady Niohuru, "May the Primary Consort be blessed. This concubine has caused you trouble." Lady Niohuru let out a hum and smiled with an ambiguous chill, "Trouble is the last thing I'd call it. As long as Sister Yan doesn't throw a tantrum and run away from home whenever she is displeased, I shall thank the heavens and earth. Since you have returned this time, I, as the elder sister, cannot make you feel unloved. However, nothing can be accomplished without rules and standards. Sister Yan shall therefore be confined to the Drifting Dream Courtyard for one month as punishment."

Yan Yan never expected to receive a notice of punishment before she had even stepped past the second gate. She had naively thought that Lady Niohuru, if only for the sake of the Ninth Prince, would at least grant her a buffer period. She had never imagined Lady Niohuru would be so ruthlessly direct. As soon as Lady Niohuru's voice trailed off, Yan Yan noticed triumphant smiles spreading across the faces of the concubines.

Disregarding whatever Yan Yan might be thinking, Lady Niohuru turned directly to the Ninth Prince. "Does Your Highness find this arrangement acceptable? Sister Yan has suffered outside this time, so Your Highness can consider this a light punishment to serve as a warning."

The Ninth Prince raised an eyebrow, but ultimately said, "Let it be as you say."

Yan Yan lowered her gaze and replied, "Understood, this concubine obeys." In truth, Yan Yan did not mind this so-called confinement at all. She knew that confinement here meant not only that she could not leave, but also that the Ninth Prince was barred from visiting her.

Though she felt a tinge of regret at missing the Ninth Prince's birthday, the thought of avoiding entering the palace to kowtow to the Empress Dowager and Consort Yi made Yan Yan quite content. Therefore, she willingly accepted the punishment and led her entourage toward the Drifting Dream Courtyard.

After taking only two steps, Yan Yan remembered Anna and He Xuan'er. She turned back to look at the Ninth Prince, whispering, "Your Highness, must Sister Xuan'er and Anna be confined as well?" The Ninth Prince glared at her, speaking with exasperation, "No. I will send someone to explain. The two of them are free to come and go as they please." Only then did Yan Yan break into a genuine, moving smile, curtsying to him, "Thank you, Your Highness. Then this concubine shall take her leave."

Watching Yan Yan's carefree retreating figure, the Ninth Prince suddenly felt a wave of sullen melancholy wash over him. Why did the mere thought of not seeing Yan Yan for a whole month leave him feeling so desolate? Meanwhile, Yan Yan acted as if nothing were wrong at all—tomorrow was his birthday, for goodness' sake!

With that thought, the Ninth Prince's expression darkened further. He showed a grim face throughout the washing and dining back at Lady Niohuru's quarters. No matter how much Lady Niohuru and the concubines flattered and fawned over him, his mood remained foul.

When the evening banquet concluded, the Ninth Prince did not immediately leave Lady Niohuru's courtyard. Instead, he intended to speak with her regarding He Xuan'er's participation in the imperial bride selection. After all, he certainly did not expect Yan Yan to be of any help to He Xuan'er in this matter, so he needed to give Lady Niohuru a few instructions. To his surprise, Lady Niohuru assumed the Ninth Prince wanted to spend the night in her chambers, and her heart surged with joy.

Taking advantage of the time the Ninth Prince spent reading in the warm chamber, Lady Niohuru hurriedly had Mammy Dong help her freshen up, light fragrant incense, and spritz perfume on her own person before she stepped into the chamber. Though called a warm chamber, no charcoal fire had been lit yet, and the room retained a crisp, chilling air.

Lady Niohuru personally poured a cup of tea and placed it on the heated brick bed table beside the Ninth Prince. "Has Your Highness finished your evening meal? I had the maids simmer some bird's nest soup. Would Your Highness care for a bowl?" As Lady Niohuru drew close, the Ninth Prince frowned in distaste. Staring at her for a moment, he commanded, "Open all the windows!"

Startled, Lady Niohuru quickly said, "Is Your Highness feeling warm? If so, you need only take off your outer robe. The night wind is heavy with frost and dew; it would be troublesome if Your Highness fell ill." The Ninth Prince glared at her. "Stop chattering and go open the windows! I have matters to discuss with you."

Hearing this, Lady Niohuru bit her lip, yet she still instructed the maids to open the windows. The Ninth Prince's gaze darkened further. He felt utter contempt for Lady Niohuru's total disregard for his well-being; at the very least, he was certain that if it were Yan Yan, she would rather die than open the windows. At this, a mischievous thought crossed his mind—he must find an opportunity to test Yan Yan on this.

Lost in his thoughts for a moment, a sudden gust of cool wind swept in, causing the Ninth Prince to sneeze and shiver slightly. Lady Niohuru rushed forward, "Your Highness simply does not cherish your own body, allowing the windows to be opened on such a cold night, quickly..." Before she could finish her sentence, she was shoved aside by the Ninth Prince. Lady Niohuru stared at him in stunned bewilderment. The Ninth Prince snapped angrily, "Wearing such a heavy, suffocating scent—are you trying to choke me to death? How utterly exasperating!" With that, abandoning all intent to discuss the bride selection with Lady Niohuru, he strode out of her courtyard.

Left completely dumbfounded, Lady Niohuru bit her lip hard as a clear stream of tears traced down her cheeks. After a long moment, Mammy Dong stepped forward and handed her a silk handkerchief. "Primary Consort..." Lady Niohuru turned to look at her wet-nurse, mourning softly, "Mammy, is this what they mean by 'the beauty's favor fades before her youth does'? Yet this very fragrance was the one Your Highness gifted me on our wedding night." What could Mammy Dong possibly say? She could only gently pat Lady Niohuru's back, offering silent comfort.