The villain prince is three and a half years old

This is not surprising. Concubine Yi had just entered the palace and was not familiar with Concubine Duan. Concubine Duan had also cut ties with Concubine Lan. As Concubine Lan's sister, it was impossible for her to stay with Concubine Duan.

Xiao Yue saved her at the banquet and also had something against her, so she would definitely come over to ask.

At this time, as long as Xiao Yue shows her personal charm, she can make friends with Concubine Yi.

As the future empress, Xiao Yue's charm is unquestionable. Xia Jing regrets that he was unable to see Xiao Yue show her power.

Concubine Yi finally came up with an excuse and said, "Embroider a duck."

"The duck is great! I want to embroider it too!" Xia Jing jumped off Xiao Yue's legs and climbed onto Yi Jieyu's legs.

Concubine Yi was startled and opened her arms, not daring to move, for fear of hurting the climbing Ninth Prince.

Xia Jing sat on Yi Jieyu's lap, held her arm that was hanging by her side, and wrapped it around his waist.

"Is this the duck's body? Should I embroider the tail or the neck next?" He leaned back, raised his head and looked at Concubine Yi's face.

Yi Jieyu's body stiffened. She had never been so close to anyone before. Xia Jing's warm body, his close eyes, and his words made her nervous.

After the tension comes comfort, which relieves stress and dispels anxiety.

There is no trouble that can't be solved by having a cute child.

In his previous life, Xia Jing had read a research report that showed that people who had intimate physical contact in their lives had significantly lower rates of depression.

Humans are, after all, social animals with a need to caress and be caressed. In past lives, this need was partially transformed into petting cats and dogs.

The Ninth Prince is much cuter than cats and dogs.

Yi Jieyu hugged Xia Jing and started to embroider the little duck. Xia Jing grabbed the needle from time to time and wanted to try it too.

During the transfer of the needle, it is inevitable to hold the other person's hand.

Xia Jing thought, this is something you can only play like when you are a kid, if you continue to do this when you grow up, you will end up in jail.

Concubine Yi's needlework skills were not very good to begin with, and with Xia Jing's disruption and the base being embroidered crookedly from the start, the final duckling was very messy.

Xia Jing looked at the finished duckling and fell silent.

Concubine Yi was very embarrassed and wanted to explain, but she couldn't find a reason.

"It's a duck with half of its feathers plucked out!" Xia Jing tapped his palm.

"Yes." Yi Jieyu walked down the slope and looked at Xia Jing with gratitude.

The Ninth Prince is so gentle!

Xia Jing chuckled. It was clearly his fault that Concubine Yi's embroidery was messed up, yet Concubine Yi had to thank him!

Xiao Yue looked at them and smiled helplessly.

"It's getting late, I..." Concubine Yi wanted to find a reason to leave.

Xia Jing interrupted her: "Mother, the eldest sister said that I can enter the study room when spring comes!"

Concubine Yi was surprised. She had heard that the Ninth Prince was only three years old, far from being old enough to go to the study. Moreover, why did the eldest princess say...

"Your Madam Yi hasn't finished speaking yet!" Xiao Yue took Xia Jing out of Concubine Yi's arms and touched his nose.

The empty feeling in her arms made Concubine Yi feel lost.

"I'm sorry." Xia Jing lowered his head and apologized to Concubine Yi.

Looking at the boy's guilty face, Yi Jieyu felt a little heartbroken and said quickly, "It's okay."

She recalled what Xia Jing had just said and looked at Xiao Yue: "What did the Ninth Prince say about the study?"

"Jing'er is not yet of age, and the eldest princess thinks he is too playful, so she wants to send him to the upper study to be disciplined." Xiao Yue said with a smile.

"No, it's the eldest princess who thinks I'm a genius and it would be a waste if I don't study!" Xia Jing pulled Xiao Yue's face.

Concubine Yi took note. Enrolling in school early was no easy feat. Among the current princes, only the Crown Prince, when he was young, had been able to enter the Upper Study Room early.

It is certain that Jing Yixuan is good friends with the eldest princess and the ninth prince is extremely intelligent.

She stood up and said goodbye to Xiao Yue and Xia Jing.

"Where does Empress Yi live?" Xia Jing asked again.

"Fangcui Zhai." Concubine Yi replied.

"I've made a note of that."

Why did he write this down? Concubine Yi went out with doubts. When she arrived at Fangcui Pavilion, she realized that the Ninth Prince had written down the location because he might want to visit her.

She was worried about gains and losses, afraid that she was overthinking, and afraid that it was true.

"Master?" The maid noticed her uneasiness.

"Clean up the palace." She stood up.

The palace maid was puzzled. There were still some days before the end of the year, so why were they cleaning now?

But she couldn't refuse her master's words, so she hurriedly led the eunuchs and palace maids to start cleaning.

Chapter 67 Prying the corner

[Name: Yiyin'er]

【Age: 18】

[Identity: Concubine]

[Intimacy: 54 → 65]

Little Concubine Yi was easily won over.

However, only when you reach 70 can you be considered a stable ally.

Xia Jing asked about Concubine Yi's residence. He was indeed planning to visit her, but not to visit her alone. He wanted to visit Concubine Lan's inheritance.

He sent General Coal to guard the area near Fangcuizhai. With General Coal lighting up the map, he could monitor the situation in Fangcuizhai in real time.

The next day, he discovered that there was a group of new people in Fangcuizhai.

Those were Concubine Lan's inheritance, gathered in Fangcui Zhai.

Concubine Lan is an old lady in the harem, and there are many concubines who depend on her. Usually, they are considered as Concubine Duan's circle.

After the assassination, Concubine Duan did not do anything to them. After all, they were a considerable force, with two older marginal concubines and a princess.

But Concubine Duan's cutting of Lanpin made them uneasy, worried, and angry. Even if Lanpin was wrong, isn't it too cruel for you, Concubine Duan, to do so?

They then gathered around Concubine Yi. They were all people without family backgrounds, and those who were higher in rank than Concubine Yi only had empty titles.

But Concubine Yi was different. The Yi family and Concubine Lan's family had been intermarried for generations, and they could be considered one. With Concubine Lan gone, both families would definitely bet on her. This was also the reason why Emperor Kangning comforted her.

Fangcui Zhai was a small palace with no side halls. Concubine Yi lived there alone, so it was considered a private residence. This revealed Emperor Kangning's attitude.

Good sisters who share a house can fall out and post each other on Xiaohongshu, let alone women in the harem whom they don’t even know?

This small palace was now experiencing an influx of people it shouldn't have. The palace maids and eunuchs brought out all the chairs before letting the ladies sit down.

The concubines expressed their concerns to Concubine Yi one after another, urging her to think of a solution and take action quickly.

Concubine Yi was overwhelmed by what she heard. Just a few days ago, she was still thinking about following her sister in the assassination attempt. How could she come to her senses so easily?

The concubines gradually realized that Concubine Yi was unable to make a decision, and they felt a little disappointed.

The atmosphere in Fangcui Zhai gradually became colder.

Concubine Yi understood everyone's disappointment, but she had no choice but to ask the palace maids to serve tea and pastries.

"No need." Lingpin stood up. "Jieyu is restless, so we won't disturb her. We'll come back another day."

This was an expression of dissatisfaction, a dangerous signal. If he didn't bother Concubine Yi, he would have to bother the other concubines. If he couldn't find a new backer, he would naturally have to "come back another day." If he found one, hehe, then there would be no need to come.

As soon as Concubine Ling moved, nearly half of the people stood up, and the rest hesitated.

Concubine Yi was anxious. Her sister had spent over ten years cultivating these connections, and before the Winter Plum Blossom Feast, she had instructed her to manage them well. How could she let them be destroyed in her hands?

"Sister, wait a minute! Let me think about it." She raised her hand to keep Lingpin and her group.

"Don't worry, Concubine, take your time to think about it." Lingpin said without stopping.

Seeing that they were about to leave, Concubine Yi became extremely anxious, and a eunuch hurried over.

"Master, the Ninth Prince is here!" the eunuch knelt on the ground and whispered.

Lingpin, leading a few people, had already crossed the threshold, but stopped when she heard these words.

They looked towards the courtyard gate and saw a small figure running across the courtyard. The cute face looked at them curiously and threw itself into Yi Jieyu's arms.

"Empress Yi!" Xia Jing hugged Concubine Yi's neck, "I'm coming over to play!"

Concubine Yi held him in her arms, her heart filled with joy. The Ninth Prince had truly arrived.

She was sad again. She had to deal with the matter raised by Concubine Ling first. The Ninth Prince came at the wrong time.

No, Xia Jing came at the right time.

Seeing how close Concubine Yi and the Ninth Prince were, Concubine Ling retracted her foot, as if she had just checked the weather at the door. She returned and sat on the chair.

She came back, and those who followed her came back with her.

Concubine Yi didn't understand the situation, so Concubine Ling took the initiative to speak.

"Is this the Ninth Prince? He's clever and cute, and quite charming." She looked at Xia Jing with a smile and opened her arms. "Would I have the honor of hugging the Ninth Prince?"

Xia Jing turned her head and looked at the snacks beside her: "If you don't give me food, I won't let you hold me."

Suddenly, silver bells rang in the room, and people were leaning forward and backward. Lingpin held up the cakes and said, "Come, come, come, all for you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xia Jing let go of Concubine Yi's neck and ran into Concubine Ling's arms.

"Ninth Prince, I also have cakes."

"First come, first served. Wait a moment. The Ninth Prince will eat mine first."

"The Ninth Prince is so adorable. Look at his eyes, they're real eyes. Look at his ears, they're real ears..."

Xia Jing looked at the concubine who was speaking and was a little speechless. If you don't know how to praise someone, you don't have to praise them!

"Your Majesty, you really mean what you say." He said to the concubine.

Cheerful laughter rang out in the house again.

Yi Jieyu didn't understand the situation. Why did the atmosphere change when Xia Jing came?

She thought the concubines simply liked the Ninth Prince, and some of them did.

Xia Jing ate his fill, waved goodbye and left Fangcuizhai, taking away the joy and laughter in the house. Concubine Yi's heart, which had briefly relaxed, began to lift again.

"Jieyu." Concubine Ling turned her head to look at her.

She shuddered and opened her mouth, but she didn't know what to say, her brain was numb.

"I misunderstood Concubine Jieyu!" Lingpin held her hand, her face flushed with embarrassment. "So this is what Concubine Jieyu was planning. What a brilliant move!"

Yi Jieyu was stunned. What did you misunderstand? What was my plan? What was my brilliant move?

"Empress Xian has been active lately and doesn't have many people under her command, so she's the perfect candidate!" Lingpin shook Concubine Yi's hand vigorously, overjoyed. "This is much better than... sitting on the bench!"

What? Is that what I think? Concubine Yi was speechless. She just wanted to chat with Xiao Yue and become her sister, so how could it be said that she was joining Empress Xian?

But on second thought, she felt that it was not impossible to seek refuge with Concubine Xian. It was Concubine Duan who cut ties with Concubine Lan first, so it was no wonder that they changed their allegiance.

"Empress Xian has been in seclusion for so long, is she finally planning to come out?" asked a concubine who was cut off from the news.

"That's right, I'm working hard to get Xiao Zhaoyi promoted to concubine!"

"I've never heard of other concubines fighting for the position of concubine for my sister. Empress Xian was known for her kindness in her early years, but now it seems that her reputation was even lower before."

A group of people chattered and talked about the good points of Empress Xian.

After a moment, someone mentioned something was wrong.

"But... the third prince under Concubine Xian's knee..."

A mother's status is determined by her sons. The third prince is Concubine Xian's only flaw. The disabled prince is destined to have no chance of becoming emperor, and he is also unable to perform many duties.

The princes were not poisonous insects, and if one emperor emerged, the rest would be abandoned. The princes who failed to ascend the throne had to serve the emperor as a clan member and balance the power of the court.

A prince who cannot ascend the throne can still hold power, so he is the concubines' future support.

"How is the Ninth Prince?" Concubine Yi suddenly had an idea and spoke.