The next morning, the Fourth Prince asked about the situation. Everything at Prince Yu's residence was as usual. Judging from Su Peisheng's tone, Prince Yu seemed to be even more energetic than yesterday.

Upon hearing this, the Fourth Prince frowned even more deeply, recalling how Prince Gong had suddenly passed away overnight.

This time, Prince Yu's health suddenly deteriorated again, inevitably reminding people of Prince Gong.

But after two nights of anxiety, Prince Yu's health actually improved, which made people think of another word.

"A final burst of energy before death."

No one could say for sure whether it was a final burst of energy before death or if Prince Yu's health had truly improved. However, since the Emperor had not yet returned to the capital, everyone naturally hoped that Prince Yu's health would hold up until the Emperor's return.

At least the Fourth Prince still hopes that Prince Yu's health can really recover.

The Fourth Prince ran into the Fourteenth Prince on his way out of the Ministry of Revenue.

It was hot in July. Although the Fourth Prince had run into the Fourteenth Prince a few times at the Prince Yu's residence yesterday, they hadn't exchanged more than a few words.

However, with Thirteen watching over him yesterday, Fourteenth Prince didn't get to say much to Eighth Prince. Or rather, with Fourth Prince's instructions in the past year or two, Fourteenth Prince was kept busy by Thirteenth Prince and didn't have much time to talk to Eighth Prince.

However, yesterday, the Fourteenth Prince himself was not very willing to talk to the Eighth Prince. Yesterday, the Eighth Prince was so obsequious to his uncle at the Prince Yu's residence that the Fourteenth Prince could not stand his behavior and hated it.

In the past, Eighth Brother had indeed treated him well. It was also because Fourth Brother was not in the palace, and Thirteenth Brother was a quiet and reserved person. He used to get along well with Eighth Brother.

The Fourteenth Prince was not the kind of person who would look down on anyone because of their birth; otherwise, he wouldn't have gotten along so well with the Eighth Prince before. But in the past two years, the Eighth Prince had been following his eldest brother around like a little follower, and the Fourteenth Prince couldn't stand that behavior.

Ninth Brother was willing to follow Eighth Brother around and play with him. Furthermore, it would have been fine if Eighth Brother had only followed his eldest brother, Prince Zhi. However, he secretly colluded with his tenth brother, Prince Dun, and secretly tripped up his second brother. Did they really think he was blind and couldn't see through it?

He fawned over everyone around him, showing no semblance of the demeanor of a prince.

Unlike his fourth brother, who, even in this weather, looks so dashing as he mounts his horse while wearing his princely robes. Wait, how could his fourth brother have forgotten about him?

The Fourteenth Prince exclaimed "Oh dear!" and slapped his forehead. He quickly mounted the horse beside him and followed.

Why didn't Fourth Brother invite him to come along?

Of course, it wasn't just that Fourteenth Prince had been standing on the sidelines watching Fourth Prince laugh like a fool; even Fourth Prince, as his own brother, couldn't bear to look closely.

After the two brothers dismounted at Prince Yu's residence, they spoke again: "Why didn't Thirteen come with you today?"

Fourteen clicked his tongue: "He got heatstroke yesterday, so I kept him in the yard. It's still early. I told him to come back in half an hour."

The Fourth Prince gave the Fourteenth Prince a disapproving look: "You. Su Peisheng has some mint water and mung bean soup. You and the Thirteenth Prince can call someone to come and get them when they're hot."

The Fourteenth Prince responded with a smile and agreed.

The Fourth Prince grunted in agreement and admonished the Fourteenth Prince: "Be more restrained."

Prince Yu was still not fully recovered, and this was a critical time. The Fourteenth Prince's smile was so bright and radiant.

The Fourteenth Prince immediately stopped smiling and looked at the Fourth Prince with concern: "Brother, you too."

Fourth Master grunted again, putting his hands behind his back: "Let's go. If anything happens, have someone come find Su Peisheng."

The Prince Yu's mansion is now a chaotic mess, with all sorts of people scheming and plotting behind the scenes. Naturally, the Fourth Prince is worried that his younger brother might get caught up in some trouble.

Since Prince Yu is still alive, it's not Li Chenjiao's turn to come to Prince Yu's residence at this time.

Li Chenjiao had another peaceful day. The weather was hot, and she didn't like to swing on the swing under the locust tree. However, the chirping of cicadas outside disturbed her peace. She held a bowl of iced custard and sat cross-legged with the little girl on the soft couch in the outer room. A cool mat was laid on it, and neither of them felt sleepy.

When the Fourth Prince woke up, another Fourth Prince squeezed onto the soft couch. Li Chenjiao lazily listened to the Second Princess teaching the Fourth Prince how to braid his hair, and she just laughed intermittently on the side until her stomach hurt. She almost overturned the small table she had set up.

Fortunately, Green Chrysanthemum and the old women were there.

The Fourth Prince was quite fond of the little girl's hairpins; the child simply loved these shiny, golden things.

After the commotion, it was almost time for dinner when a bell suddenly rang outside.

Li Chenjiao looked outside: "This is... Prince Yu is gone?"

As she was wondering what was going on, Dongsheng came in from outside. He was younger, and his face showed some panic: "Master, there's terrible news from Prince Yu's residence. Prince Yu is gone..."

The two children looked over in confusion upon hearing the sound. The second princess subconsciously looked at her mother, Li Chenjiao, who smiled at her and said, "Aman and your brother are playing. Your mother has something to tell you."

The little girl's worried eyes were so cute. After Li Chenjiao got up, she patted the little girl's head again: "It's okay, how about lotus leaf chicken for dinner?"

The little girl subconsciously agreed, but only looked away after her mother had walked far away.

Lüju and Chen stayed behind.

When Li Chenjiao arrived at the flower hall, there was only an ice basin. It wasn't too hot at this time of evening: "Has His Majesty returned?"

Dongsheng shook his head: "I don't think so. Xiao Luzi just went out to inquire about the news and asked me to come back and report."

Within a month, two princes suddenly disappeared from the capital, both of whom were His Majesty's half-brothers, naturally causing widespread unease.

The Emperor did not return, which means that His Majesty did not even get to see Prince Yu one last time.

At this point, the letter probably hasn't even reached His Majesty yet.

Li Chenjiao glanced inside, then casually picked up a round fan from the table and waved it: "It's getting hot. Tomorrow, have Lüju ask for leave from Granny Zhong. These next few days, Second Princess doesn't need to go to the front courtyard. Just say that Second Princess has heatstroke and is feeling dizzy and vomiting badly."

In reality, Li Chenjiao simply didn't want to take the Second Princess to Prince Yu's residence.

Then Li Chenjiao gave Qiu Hulin and the other women a few more instructions, mainly to keep the doors and windows closed to prevent any trouble.

Li Chenjiao raised her hand and took off two more kingfisher feather hairpins. There was nothing else she needed to pay attention to.

I wonder how busy Fourth Master must be right now.

...

The Fourth Prince is indeed busy at the Prince Yu's residence, but he's not as chaotically busy as he was back at the Prince Gong's residence.

The Imperial Household Department had made preparations for Prince Yu's funeral long ago, and the only one who was busy was the Third Prince.

He wasn't usually that busy, but he was still scared.

To think that he once actually considered taking Prince Yu's coffin to Prince Gong... thank goodness, thank goodness...

He felt ashamed and embarrassed at this moment, and all he could do was keep himself busy. He even wished that the fourth and fifth brothers would not see him.

Who would have thought that Prince Yu, whose health was gradually improving, was actually experiencing a final burst of energy before death?