Li Chenjiao instructed Xiao Luzi to personally escort all the girls back. Xiao Luzi was naturally overwhelmed by the task alone, but there was a doorman.

There was a small road around that personally went to give instructions and also took a few girls who were going the same way to their homes.

Among them was Songji Ninglange.

After reaching her own doorstep, she couldn't help but ask, "Father-in-law, what about the concubine...?"

When her parents came out to greet her after hearing the news, they quickly stepped forward to apologize, but Xiao Luzi just smiled kindly.

"You don't need to worry. This servant will come to the manor to deliver the message in the next few days. Please wait patiently for good news, sir and madam."

The servants in the East Courtyard learned humility first and foremost. No matter who they were talking to, they never acted arrogantly and always spoke to people in a way that made them feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze.

When Xiao Luzi returned to the East Courtyard, before he could even have a sip of tea and catch his breath, he heard from Dongsheng that the master had arrived.

Dong Sheng went to the kitchen to get the food, while Xiao Lu Zi had to keep his eyes peeled and deal with that old fox Su Pei Sheng.

Fourth Master is on leave today, so he came to the East Courtyard earlier than usual.

Today, the Fourth Master spent the rest of the day in the front courtyard, except for being invited to the main courtyard for less than half an hour.

He listened to Dai Duo and Granny Zhong instructing the children, and then dealt with the unfinished official documents from the Ministry of Revenue. Before he knew it, it was evening.

When Fourth Master arrived, the girls had just left from the East Courtyard. Li Chenjiao looked for Aman, but the little girl had already finished her dinner and was taking a bath in the clean room.

Li Chenjiao simply summoned Zhong Shi for questioning, asking only whether the Second Princess had enjoyed herself that day.

Before long, Li Chenjiao understood what was happening; it was at this moment that Fourth Master arrived.

Fourth Master had already had dinner in the front yard, so Li Chenjiao gestured for Qiu Hu to serve tea.

"Would you like some chrysanthemum tea to help clear heat, sir?"

Fourth Master did as instructed, took a sip, and then asked, "How is it? Is there anything suitable?"

Li Chenjiao naturally understood that Fourth Master was asking about the girls who had arrived today.

She shook her head and smiled helplessly: "Master should ask that girl Aman. She thinks the girls are too noisy... I'm in a dilemma here."

Fourth Master gave an "Oh," seemingly somewhat disbelieving: "There are times when you'd find yourself in a difficult position?"

Li Chenjiao said naturally, "I think it's suitable, but the girls aren't staying by my side. It has to be something that makes Aman happy."

She explained in detail: "Like a girl named Songge, she was scared by a cat when she was a child, and now she is afraid of persimmons. That's not good."

The Fourth Prince nodded in response.

Li Chenjiao continued, "Two girls are quieter, but there are many girls today. Aman wants peace and quiet, but if there are fewer people, she might want more excitement. What suggestions do you have, Master?"

The Fourth Prince pondered for two seconds: "Then pick two quiet ones, and two more who can get along with the Second Princess."

Li Chenjiao thought the same thing; it would be just right to arrange for her to play with the Second Princess in rotation.

She smiled and praised Fourth Master: "You really have a good idea, Master."

Fourth Master glanced at her, seemingly unmoved by her charm: "Smooth talker."

Seeing this, Li Chenjiao didn't argue much, but simply lowered her head and drank a sip of chrysanthemum tea, as if agreeing with Fourth Master's statement.

After a long pause, it was Fourth Master who finally spoke up: "There have been some matters to attend to outside these past few days. If anything comes up, have someone inform us in the front yard. As for those girls, I'll have Su Peisheng send over their background lists tomorrow. You can choose whichever you like."

She nodded silently when the Fourth Master spoke, and only spoke again two seconds after he finished.

"Yes, sir, would you like another cup of chrysanthemum tea?"

She felt that Fourth Master had been talking a lot lately, almost abnormally so.

After hearing Li Chenjiao's nonsensical reply, Fourth Master immediately glared at her.

Li Chenjiao wasn't too afraid. She smiled and handed the newly added teacup to the Fourth Master, saying, "I've remembered everything you said, Master."

Fourth Master didn't seem very convinced. He took the teacup from Li Chenjiao, scraped it with the lid, and then placed the lid in Li Chenjiao's palm.

"You'd better be."

Li Chenjiao touched her nose. What kind of image did she have in the Fourth Master's eyes now? Why did it seem like she couldn't do anything?

She held the teacup lid with her other hand and placed it back on the table. Looking at the teacup that Fourth Master was holding and the teacup lid on the table, she inexplicably burst out laughing.

But this doesn't seem so bad, does it?

That evening, water was called twice more in the east courtyard. When the main wife found out, she frowned deeply.

During the day, she invited the Fourth Prince to discuss the birthdays of the First Prince and the Eldest Princess, but judging from his attitude, it seemed as if he was unhappy that she had invited him to the main courtyard for these matters.

The Fourth Master's idea was that there was no need for a grand celebration, as Galdan's daughter would be arriving in the capital in a few days, and the Six Ministries and the Imperial Household Department had been making preparations for the event.

For His Majesty, this was definitely an opportunity to demonstrate his power, so naturally no one in the court dared to relax their vigilance.

However, some people have become lax, or simply have nothing to do... naturally, this is Songgotu Suoxiang, who was recently punished.

After spending two nights in the east courtyard since the Double Ninth Festival, Fourth Master indeed did not enter the back courtyard for another five or six days.

Li Chenjiao had already heard Fourth Master mention this before, and she took the opportunity these past few days to carefully examine the girls' backgrounds.

The list that Fourth Master sent was very detailed, from the ancestors for three generations to the major events that had happened to the girls since they were born.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!