On our wedding night, my wife acted strangely.

When Lin Yi arrived at the main house, Nangong Min had already heard Shishi talk about what happened in the east wing.

She didn't ask any more questions, probably because she didn't think anything would happen between Yang Siyu and Lin Yi. She simply came forward as usual and personally untied the sash of his cloak for him.

Then she squatted down to help him take off his boots, and turned around to tell Shishi to fetch water for washing his feet.

Soon, the maid named Shishi came in carrying a copper basin.

Nangong Min rolled up her sleeves to test the water temperature, squatted down, and held Lin Yi's feet in the hot water, then massaged his insteps and ankles.

Lin Yi leaned back in his chair, looking down at her as she worked.

Min'er is always like this; even though these trivial matters could be left to other maids, she insists on doing them herself.

Over time, I stopped trying to persuade her, but I felt a little uneasy at the moment.

I chatted with Yang Siyu for so long in the east courtyard just now.

Although nothing happened, the subtle atmosphere didn't lie. With Min'er's intelligence, it was impossible for her not to notice it at all.

"I just went to the east wing and sat with the Imperial Concubine for a while," Lin Yi explained first. "I had no other intentions; I just thought you were still there, so I went over."

Nangong Min continued working, looked up at Lin Yi, and smiled slightly, saying, "Mother coughed a couple of times, so I went to the kitchen to get a bowl of pear soup and brought it over. I sat for a bit and then left. My husband went there but found no one there, and ended up having Mother keep him company for tea for quite a while."

The more this happened, the more guilty Lin Yi felt.

This woman never makes a fuss, never gets jealous, and always thinks about things from a broader perspective and with a long-term view.

Sometimes Lin Yi felt that she was living too tiring a life.

But he had to admit that it was because she was there to support him that he could go out and do whatever he wanted.

"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore." Lin Yi changed the subject. "There's something I want to discuss with you."

"My husband has given his orders."

"It's not good for Consort Hui to be confined in the North Garden all the time. After all, she's pregnant, and it's not good for her health or the baby if she stays cooped up in her room all day. I want to expand her range of activities and at least find her two people to talk to."

Nangong Min took the handkerchief Shishi handed her and wiped her hands, then wiped Lin Yi's feet: "What does my husband mean?"

"Let the Imperial Concubine keep her company. They both come from the palace and are about the same age. It's better than leaving her alone."

Nangong Min nodded, put Lin Yi's feet under the covers, and sat on the edge of the bed, saying, "I don't have any objections, but the two of them used to scheme against each other in the palace when they were young. It's hard to say whether they can have a good chat now."

"Give it a try, just to find them both some company."

Nangong Min nodded, her peach-blossom eyes fixed on Lin Yi: "Husband, will you be staying here tonight?"

"Of course, after being away from home for so long, the first thing I want to do is spend time with you."

This is home.

No matter what happens outside, as long as you return to this room, someone will wash your feet, make your bed, and ask if you want to stay here tonight.

This is enough.

Nangong Min said, "My husband knows that I will not compete for this."

"Alright, alright, I'll take it as my own choice." Lin Yi sat up and whispered in her ear, "Next time, I'll invite Mimi and Yifei over, the three of us can sleep together, so someone won't be lonely!"

"what……"

Lin Yi had expected Nangong Min to give him a sour punch or say something coquettish.

To everyone's surprise, she actually nodded in agreement: "Alright, as long as my husband likes it."

"Um... I mean..."

"My lord, shall I dance for you?"

"You can dance?"

"Oh dear, lie down properly and let me sit on your belly."

"Wow, this is how you dance! Okay, let's see if I can dance with you!"

......

The next morning, before dawn, Lin Yi woke up.

It's still the same flock of chickens.

What's annoying is that they have no leader; a bunch of roosters cluck and crow incessantly, one after another, like they're having a competition.

Sigh, they don't even care about those hens.

Lin Yi turned over and saw that Nangong Min was still sleeping next to him, so he tried to get up quietly.

However, Nangong Min was a light sleeper, and she woke up at the slightest movement. She rubbed her sleepy face, took Lin Yi's hand, and said, "Husband, are you going for your morning exercise again?"

"Yes, the early bird catches the worm; sleeping in is not good for a child."

"Hehehe... My husband is always so right. The early bird catches the worm! Hmm, I've got it. Is there a second half to that saying?"

"Yes, the year's plan starts in spring."

"Excellent!" Nangong Min stretched and raised her two fair arms high. "I will have these two sentences framed and hung in several important places in the palace. Husband, go do your morning exercise."

Lin Yi gently flicked her nose: "And what about you?"

"I will go and prepare breakfast for you."

"Okay, see you in a bit."

Lin Yi got up, dressed, and went out.

The mornings in winter are the coldest, even colder than the middle of the night, and the breath you exhale is white and thick.

Lin An was already waiting under the eaves.

"Good morning, Your Highness."

"Hmm." Lin Yi took the hot tea he was offered and took a sip. "What's up today?"

"Your Highness, Young Master Lu from the workshop sent someone to say that the blast furnace at the ironworks has been completed and asked when you would like to come and take a look. Also, Miss Su sent a note saying that she has something to discuss with you."

"We'll talk about Su Meier this afternoon. Go to Beiyuan now and deliver a message: from today onwards, Consort Hui may move freely within the inner courtyard of the Prince's residence. She can refer to herself as Miss Su in public, and there's no need to mention the Imperial Noble Consort. Also, have Zhang Ma prepare two sets of clothes for her to wear when she goes out. They shouldn't be too plain or too flashy; just normal ones will do."

"Yes," Lin An replied, turning to do so.

Lin Yi stood under the eaves for a while, watching the pale light of dawn slowly brighten the sky. He took a deep breath of the cold air and shouted, "Where's Qiangzi? The little rascal, slacking off again! Get out here for your morning exercise!"

......

Beiyuan.

Consort Hui was awakened by Hongcui.

"Girl, girl, wake up."

Consort Hui groggily opened her eyes and saw Hongcui standing by the bed with a smile on her face. She asked, "What's wrong? So early in the morning."

"Steward Lin has come to deliver a message, saying that His Highness has decreed that from today onwards, the young lady may move freely within the inner courtyard of the Prince's residence!"

Consort Hui snapped back to reality, propping herself up to sit up: "What did you say?"

"It's true! Butler Lin said it himself. He said you can just refer to yourself as Miss Su and don't need to mention the past. He even had Zhang Ma prepare clothes for you to wear when you go out!"

Consort Hui was stunned for a long time before she could react.

How long have I been staying in Beiyuan?

Two months? Three months? Every day she just ate, slept, and embroidered. Occasionally Lin Yi would come to see her, and the rest of the time Hong Cui and Zhang Ma would keep her company.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't bored.

Especially after becoming pregnant, I always feel anxious and uneasy. I'm fine during the day, but I start having all sorts of wild thoughts at night.

She wondered if Jin'er was doing well in Jiangnan, what would become of her child in the future, and whether Lin Yi was truly good to her or just doing it for the child...

Lin Yi is now telling her to go out for a walk.

Consort Hui felt a pang of sadness and quickly turned her head away so that Hongcui wouldn't see her.

Hongcui asked with some concern, "Miss? What's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Consort Hui sniffed, her voice a little hoarse. "Help me comb my hair."

"Okay!" Hongcui quickly went to get the comb.

Consort Hui sat in front of the bronze mirror, wearing her undergarments, and looked at herself in the mirror.

Hmm, her face is rounder than before, but there are some dark circles under her eyes.

She touched her swollen belly and whispered, "Son, your dad is pretty good to us, hee hee."

Hongcui was combing her hair from behind when she heard this, she paused, and didn't dare to take the comb.

Soon, Zhang Ma brought over two sets of clothes.

One outfit consisted of a light purple cotton-padded jacket paired with a moon-white skirt, while the other was a light blue double-breasted jacket.

They're all newly made; the material isn't the best, but it's definitely not bad either. They're warm and presentable to wear.

Consort Hui picked out a set of light purple clothes, then had Hongcui help her put her hair up in a simple bun and insert a plain silver hairpin. She then stood up and said...

"Let's go."

"Mmm." Hongcui helped her and pushed open the door to the North Garden.

A gust of cold wind rushed in, and Consort Hui shivered, but the corners of her mouth curved into a smile.

How long has it been since I last left this door?

Outside the courtyard is a bluestone path, with several holly trees planted on both sides, their leaves lush and green, covered with a thin layer of frost.

In the distance, you can see the upturned eaves, gray tiles and white walls of the Prince's Mansion, which look very quiet in the morning light.

Consort Hui took a deep breath and stepped forward.