Trying to cover up the east gate wound the lovely person

  Yi Rui waited alone for the late dinner, until the palace lanterns were lit up, but still didn't see Yongzheng's figure. Yi Rui felt a bit anxious, so she called Yunyan to go and find out where Yongzheng was.

  Before long, Yunyan returned, but facing Yirui's anxious inquiries, she couldn't say a word. It was Ningqiu who asked, "Did Fourth Brother go to the East Wing?" Yunyan hastily nodded and said, "Fourth Master returned early to his quarters, went straight to the East Wing, had dinner, and is now resting."

  "It doesn't matter, since there's something to attend to, we don't have to wait any longer either, let's take a break!" After being tired for two days, Yu Ru also wanted to stretch her waist like she did at home, but seeing the servant standing in the room, she could only pick up her tea cup and take a few sips.

  Seeing Yirui's indifference, Yunyan became anxious and said: "Fu Jin, the East Wing is..." "Shut up!" Qingqiu abruptly cut off Yunyan's words, "Be careful that Fourth Brother peels your skin!"

  "What is the East Wing? Can't I know?" Yirui originally thought that the East Wing was where Yongzheng read and rested, but after hearing these two men being evasive, she felt more and more that something was off. So, she simply stood up and said, "In that case, I'll go take a look at the East Wing." Ningqiu knelt in front of her and said, "Madam, it's better if you don't go to that place." Yirui sneered, "Is it some kind of lair of dragons and tigers, where outsiders are not allowed?" After speaking, she rushed out.

  "Eldest Aunt, quickly stop Madame Fu..."

  Qing Qiu slowly stood up, but didn't chase after her. A glint appeared in his eyes as he said with a hint of cunning: "Block? Is it useful? Let's see if she has the fate to be the mistress!"

  "Eldest Aunt, you..." and immediately chased after her.

  Hai Ding Ge was bestowed by the Emperor after Yongzheng's grand wedding. The three courtyards in the north and south all have east and west wings, the first courtyard is the main hall, used for formal ceremonies and receiving imperial edicts. The second courtyard is the auxiliary hall, used for informal receptions or daily chats. The third is the bedroom, after the couple got married, they lived here. The east and west wings of the first two courtyards are the places where eunuchs and palace maids live or store goods, the east wing of the third courtyard is Yongzheng's study, and the west wing is the residence of the night watch or personal palace maid eunuch.

  The East Wing mentioned by Yunyan should be the small Xiangge Pavilion on the east side of the third courtyard, not far from the bedroom where the two lived.

  Yi Rui ran three steps and two steps to the east wing, "whoosh" opened the door, a faint cold wind blew in. The candles inside were not extinguished, there was no sound at all. The eunuch on guard saw Yi Rui coming here, hurriedly stepped forward and saluted, saying: "Greetings to Madame Fu!"

  "Fourth Brother?" Yi Rui hastily asked, "Didn't he go to the East Wing?"

  That eunuch seemed to reveal a hint of mockery on his lips, and then quickly said with great respect: "In response to the mistress's words, the fourth prince did not come here today!"

  Yi Rui's mind went blank, and the darkness around her suddenly closed in. The twinkling palace lanterns and the remaining stars in the night sky seemed to merge into one.

  At this time, Yunyan caught up with Yirui and pulled her sleeve, saying: "Madam, it was the slave's fault, you go back!"

  Yi Rui numbly followed Yun Yan's footsteps, unable to take more than five steps before seemingly hearing a mocking laugh. This laugh caused the tears that had filled her eyes to well up again. She felt that they were all hiding something from her. Yi Rui grabbed onto Yun Yan: "Fourth Brother is in Haiding Pavilion, isn't he? Tell me, where is he?" Unexpectedly, as soon as she mentioned this question, Yun Yan was like someone who had been electrocuted and quickly pulled back her hand, saying: "I made a mistake earlier, Fourth Brother is not in Haiding Pavilion!"

  "Where is he then? The Qianqing Palace? The Yonghe Palace? Don't tell me he's in the Imperial Garden! Tell me quickly, I'll give you this reward!" Yirui slipped off the golden bangle with a phoenix and dragon pattern from her wrist and stuffed it into Yunyan's hand.

  Yunyan hastily pushed her away, if it wasn't for Yirui tightly grabbing onto her, Yunyan might have already run off without a trace.

  She entangled again, and Yu Rui's anger attacked her heart. She said fiercely: "Will you say it or not? If you don't say it, I'll turn Haoding Pavilion upside down! Do you think that by protecting someone, everything will be fine? If you still don't speak, Ben Furen will have your life immediately!"

  Yunyan knelt down at Yirui's feet, her whole body trembling as she wailed: "It's not that I don't want to take Fugui there, but I'm afraid Fugui will be heartbroken when she sees it."

  At this time, Yirui didn't listen anymore and kicked Yunyan: "You stupid slave, you don't know what's good for you. Take me there immediately!" Yunyan had no choice but to get up and lead the way for Yirui.

  Yi Rui never thought that Yun Yan would bring her to the East Wing of the Second Palace. Isn't this where the palace maids live? But seeing Xianzhen's personal eunuch, Xiao Chengzi, standing guard at the door, she knew he must be in this house.

  Xiao Chengzi saw Yirui approaching with a furious expression from afar and knew he couldn't stop her, so he loudly sang out: "This humble servant greets the noble lady!" As he made this obeisance, seven or eight palace maids and eunuchs around him also cried out.

  Yi Rui stood outside the door, knowing that Yongzheng was inside, but hesitated and didn't know whether to push open the door. She carefully asked Xiao Chengzi: "Is the Fourth Prince in the house? Has he gone to sleep?" Before Xiao Chengzi could respond, the door creaked open. Yongzheng stood in the doorway wearing a moon-white nightgown, his expression neutral as he said: "What brings you here?" Yi Rui was momentarily speechless, and followed him into the room, saying: "I saw that it was late at night and you hadn't returned, so I came out to take a look." Yongzheng let out a snort of laughter, saying as he walked towards the bed: "What could possibly happen to me? Didn't the servants tell you that I'm here with Yunhui?"

  Yi Rui was startled, and she raised her head to take in the room. Although it was a servant's quarters, it was decorated with great elegance, with valuable objects on display. On the bed, Yongzheng was leaning against Yunhui's jade-like legs, playing with the yellow ribbon tied around her braid. Yunhui's raven-black hair was scattered about, with only a single silk flower adorning her locks. Her semi-transparent silk nightgown had slipped down slightly, revealing her round shoulders and a pink satin sash tied around her waist. The two red candles burning brightly in the room added to the romantic atmosphere.

  What's going on here?

  Yunhui said with a pout: "Fujin, I've paid my respects to you. Fourth Master, don't hold me, I need to get up and pay my respects to Fujin!" Yongzheng hastily said: "Don't move, it's making me uncomfortable, just look at you!" Unbeknownst to Yongzheng, he did something that triggered another fit of giggles from Yunhui.

  The two of them were flirting and quarreling as if no one else was around, striking Yirui's heart like a heavy hammer. Yirui felt dizzy and almost fell to the ground, but fortunately, Yunyan supported her in time. The joy of the boudoir, the depth of husband and wife love - wasn't this supposed to describe herself and Yiran? How could she see such a scene here?

  Yongzheng saw that Yirui had been silent for a long time and couldn't help but speak up, saying: "Nothing's wrong, you can go! I want to rest now!"

  Yi Rui was about to leave with Yun Yan's support when, unbeknownst to her, Yun Hui whispered something in Yongzheng's ear. Yongzheng suddenly sat up and pointed at Yun Yan, angrily saying: "It was you who brought her here, wasn't it!" Yun Yan hastily knelt down and kowtowed, begging for mercy. Yongzheng didn't bother with her anymore, waved his hand and ordered: "Xiao Chengzi, take this servant girl away, deduct half a year's salary from her, and give her ten lashes! See if she dares to wag her tongue again!" Although Yi Rui was still in a state of grief and indignation, upon hearing that Yun Yan was to be punished, she also knelt down and pleaded with Yongzheng. Yongzheng coldly said: "Return to your quarters and stay there. From now on, even if you see me, don't come looking for me!"

  Yunyan saw Taipings dragging Yunyan out and followed them.

  The door closed silently, and the flickering candlelight seemed to mock Yirui's helplessness.

  In front of the courtyard, Yunyan was pressed down on a long bench, and a stick came down one after another.

  The crackling sound of the whip, combined with flesh and blood, creates the most sorrowful rhythm in the world.

  Yi Rui stood by quietly watching, in her heart, the one being punished was not Yun Yan but herself.

  The slap was on her face.

  Moreover, it also destroyed Yirui's beautiful fantasy about love in her heart.