"Get up. Did Peach Blossom run away from Princess Yehe's side?" Lanqin asked.

"Reporting to Consort Yu, Peach Blossom was scolded by our mistress for being careless, and then she took her valuables and ran away. We have searched several places, but we haven't found any trace of her. We haven't seen her leave from the gatehouse either," Yuhen said.

“Peach Blossom seemed perfectly fine, how could this happen? Never mind, I’ll inform the head nanny and have her send someone to look for her. Also, your princess needs two more maids, I’ll tell the head nanny about that too.” Lanqin said loudly, completely oblivious to Cui Niang’s wink.

"Thank you, Consort Xie. This servant will take her leave." Yuhen withdrew.

“Master, Princess Yehe already has four maids. Why did you agree to send two more? Does she expect her expenses as a princess to be more than yours? We haven’t found Peach Blossom yet. Even if we do, it doesn’t mean we won’t support her. Let’s postpone the transfer of maids and find Peach Blossom first,” Cui Niang said, seeing Lanqin’s confused expression.

"Oh. Is that so? Alright then, Cui Niang, go and personally inform the head nanny. Find this peach blossom first," Lan Qin instructed. Recently, countless old women had come to report to her; she couldn't even remember who was who, and could only secretly refer to the records in the register. To avoid disturbing her sleep, Lan Qin specifically instructed that the reporting time every three days be set between noon and 1-3 PM, after lunch.

"Master, Princess Nian has arrived!" Xi Cha reported from outside.

Lanqin was startled, thinking to herself: "Sigh, there are so many things to do when you're in charge of the household." Before she could reply, a snow-white figure came into view. It was Nian Shi holding a flat, gilded hand warmer, wearing a moon-white cotton shawl embroidered with butterflies and flowers, and her hair was styled in a flat, square bun adorned with many pearl and gold hairpins, making her look extremely luxurious.

"This humble servant greets Consort Nian!" Lady Nian curtsied.

Because Lanqin and Nian Shi had worked together to bring down the Fujin (the future emperor's wife), the two maintained a facade of harmony. However, Lanqin knew in her heart that Nian Shi's assistance came with conditions: that Doctor Liang would come and treat her. Moreover, Lanqin always harbored a sense of wariness towards Nian Shi, and indeed, Nian Shi proved to be no easy task. With the Fujin down, she would likely have to confront Nian Shi directly, since the Yehe clan no longer existed after the Fourth Prince ascended the throne, meaning Nian Shi had become cannon fodder before his coronation.

"Please sit down, Sister Nian. It's so cold outside, please be careful," Lanqin said with a gentle smile, gesturing for Cui Niang to serve tea.

"Thank you for your consideration, Consort. I've come today to deliver some New Year's gifts to you, firstly to congratulate you on taking charge of the household, secondly to congratulate you on the addition of a new little princess, and thirdly to express my sisterly affection for you. I sent some New Year's gifts to you, and I've brought this one for you as well. Please accept it with pleasure," said Lady Nian.

Judging from her expression, she was beaming with joy, her big eyes wide open as she watched Lanqin answer with great enthusiasm.

"Cui Ling, come here, take it out and let the concubine see it." Madam Nian hurriedly called to Cui Ling and Bi Rou behind her, each of them holding a brocade box in their hands.

When Lanqin saw that Madam Nian had come to deliver a gift, her heart skipped a beat. Instinctively, she didn't want to accept it, but she couldn't very well refuse.

Cui Niang and Nian Xue stood on either side of Lan Qin's warm couch, watching Cui Ling and Bi Rou open the brocade box and walk up to Lan Qin to show it to her.

One set consisted of a jade teapot and four small teacups, while the other set included a pair of pure gold bracelets inlaid with over a dozen gemstones of various sizes. This New Year's gift was quite impressive, featuring both a priceless jade teapot and substantial gold and gemstones.

Lanqin had seen many fine things, from the Fourth Prince's gifts to the allowances of his concubines. But she had rarely seen anything like this box of things.

It seems that the best things are found among the common people! Even tributes and imperial products cannot compare to the skillful craftsmen among the common people.

"This is far too precious, Sister Nian, you are being too kind." Lanqin felt that accepting gifts made her tongue soften. She wasn't greedy for such things, so it was better not to accept them.

Lady Nian was surprised that Lanqin would refuse her so directly, and her expression immediately turned sour. This was the first time she had ever personally given a gift and been refused to her face.

Cui Niang quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Our concubine is in charge for the first time, and it is acceptable to accept the New Year's gifts sent by Nian Gege. However, Nian Gege's gifts are too extravagant. It would be better if Your Highness accepted just one set."

When Lanqin heard Cui Niang say this and saw her winking at her, she was dumbfounded. She didn't know that as a concubine, she could receive gifts from the princesses.

"You are too modest, Consort. These things are perfectly befitting your status. Actually, I have something else to tell you today." Seeing that Cui Niang's words were to her liking, Lady Nian's expression immediately softened.

"Alright, they're here." Lanqin thought to herself, but said aloud, "What brings you here, Princess Nian?"

"It's like this," said Lady Nian. "There's a maid who said that her former master often scolded her for no reason, and she couldn't bear it any longer, so she ran to me. I've had some dealings with this maid before and I think she's quite capable, so I'd like to keep her. I beg you, Consort, to grant my sister's request."

"I wonder which servant you are referring to, Princess Nian?" Lanqin thought that this was not a difficult question.

“She is Peach Blossom, who serves Princess Yehe. Princess Ye dislikes her, and I felt sorry for her, so I kept her with me,” said Madam Nian.

Lanqin had a premonition that it would be Taohua, but the Yehe clan clearly said that Taohua was incompetent and cunning. So how did it become that the Nian clan couldn't bear the Yehe clan's scolding?

“It just so happens that Yuhen from the Yehe Clan just came by and said that Taohua ran away with her personal belongings and went to Nian Gege’s place. This matter is actually very simple for me. As long as Yehe Gege is willing to release her and explain the entanglement between them, there will be no problem for Nian Gege to go there if she wants to,” Lanqin said.

Seeing that Lanqin was so easy to talk to, Lady Nian said, "Very well, if the concubine agrees, I will take Taohua to Princess Yehe to explain things clearly."

Lanqin was happy to leave these matters alone, since she didn't have to deal with them herself. She chatted with Nian Shi for a few more minutes before seeing her off.

Looking at the treasures presented by the Nian family, Lanqin felt a little uneasy. Was she only able to receive these things because she had risen in rank? Should she confess to the Fourth Prince? Would this be considered abusing her power to accept bribes?