"Mother, could you please let Nianxue and Xicha leave the manor for a while, so they can go home and see their families? Qin'er has been very fortunate to have their support since she got married," Lanqin said, looking at the two maids standing to the side.

Upon hearing this, Nianxue and Xicha were overjoyed, and their hearts were filled with gratitude towards Lanqin. This mistress had not served them in vain; she was never harsh on her servants and always thought of them.

“Good, they have both been very devoted to you. Granny Wang, go to the storeroom and get sixty taels of silver. Give them each thirty taels, then see them out of the mansion. They must be back to serve you first thing tomorrow morning.” Madam Anjia turned to Granny Wang and instructed her.

For Lanqin's sake, Anjia was truly generous; thirty taels of silver was enough for an ordinary family's living expenses for more than half a year.

"This servant thanks Madam for the reward, and thanks Princess for her grace." Nianxue and Xicha immediately knelt down and prostrated themselves on the ground to express their gratitude.

After the two maids left, Anjia pulled Lanqin aside and told her a lot about the things that happened in the mansion. It was mostly about how Yang was spoiled and arrogant, and how she pushed her two sons in front of Lingzhu; and how her daughter-in-law Shi was disrespectful to her, and how she clung to Zhengming, making him indulge in women and not make any progress.

Sigh, Lanqin could only listen silently, thinking to herself: the lives of noblewomen in ancient times really consisted of only two things: competing with other women for their husbands and competing with their own wives for their sons.

Fortunately, Lingzhu had prepared a welcoming banquet for Lanqin and sent a servant to invite her. Anjia then led Lanqin to the backyard of the main house. Xinyi was already there, as were Zhengming and Shishi, and Yangshi's two sons, Fupei and Fuyi, stood beside Lingzhu. The remaining guests were two little girls, no more than eight years old, born to Lingzhu's other two concubines, Zhangshi and Chenshi. Perhaps out of consideration for Anjia's feelings, none of the concubines had been invited, not even Yangshi herself.

"Third sister!" Xin Yi called out excitedly, and the other two little girls, who were seven or eight years old, also followed Xin Yi to greet Lan Qin.

"Fifth sister, sixth sister, seventh sister. You've all grown taller in just a few months," Lanqin said with a smile, holding her younger sisters' hands.

"Alright, alright, everyone, please take your seats. Let's sit down and talk while we eat." Lingzhu patted Zhengming on the shoulder, gesturing for him to lead everyone to their seats.

Anjia took Lanqin's hand and sat down next to Lingzhu. Xinyi sat down next to Lanqin, followed by the Sixth and Seventh Princesses. Zhengming and Shi sat on the other side of Lingzhu, followed by the brothers Fupei and Fuyi.

“Sister, ever since you married into the Fourth Prince’s household, your mother has been worried. Now that you’ve returned, I can finally rest easy.” Shi Shi first picked up a cup of tea and then said, “Sister-in-law, I’ll offer you a cup of tea instead of wine.”

Lanqin quickly said, "Sister-in-law, there's no need to be so polite. Now that you're pregnant, you should rest more. Brother Zheng should also spend more time with you."

Upon hearing this, Shi glanced at Anjia reflexively, then looked down at the food plate in front of her. The others remained silent, focusing on eating and drinking, oblivious to the tension between Anjia and Shi.

"Qin'er, is the Fourth Prince not in the capital right now?" Lingzhu suddenly asked.

"Yes. Not long ago, the Fourth Prince was dispatched by the Emperor to Zhili and other areas. I don't know the specifics of what it was about. Does Father know?" Lanqin actually knew, but she subconsciously didn't want Lingzhu to know that she was favored by the Fourth Prince. Perhaps she had always resented this cheap father who used his daughter as a bargaining chip.

"It's about helping the Emperor promote the exchange of iron buckets for bronze buckets. It's not a lucrative position; it's a job that will offend people," Lingzhu said thoughtfully.

“Our daughter has finally come back, why are you bringing up these court matters? We women don’t know anything about them.” Anjia glanced at Lingzhu reproachfully, still harboring resentment towards him for forcing Lanqin to participate in the imperial concubine selection.

"Foolish! Now that Qin'er has married into the royal family, she can't be a docile, obedient woman like you. That's a place where you have to be extremely careful and attentive to get what you want. I'm telling Qin'er all this so she'll be more shrewd and understand the Fourth Prince's thoughts, so she can protect her position there. What ability do you think I have to protect her?" Lingzhu suppressed his anger and scolded her. This Anjia only knows how to protect her own; she's truly of no help whatsoever in matters of importance.

Oh, Mother, if you continue to be so muddle-headed, I'm afraid that old man Lingzhu will only grow more and more disgusted with you. Although Lingzhu is somewhat ruthless and skilled, living in this era and in this kind of family, his actions are not surprising. Even in the 21st century, it's not uncommon for families to consolidate their power and future through marriage alliances between their children. Among Lanqin's former classmates, there were daughters of extremely wealthy families who, despite their incredibly privileged lives, had their marriages arranged by their parents.

Lanqin sighed silently in her heart, but immediately replied aloud, "Father is absolutely right! Sister-in-law, brothers and sisters, let's drink this cup together to wish Father and Mother good health and a long and happy life."

Led by Lanqin, everyone raised their glasses to Lingzhu and Anjia, thus covering up the awkwardness of the moment just now.

"Third sister, what is the Fourth Prince's residence like? Is the Fourth Prince good to you?" Seventh Princess Niohuru Jia Hui suddenly asked.

“When Jia Hui has time, come to the manor to play. You’ll know for yourself then. Fourth Master treats you quite well, otherwise, how would you have the chance to come back?” Lanqin said kindly.

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