The Fourth Prince walked to his wife's side, took her hand, and led her to her desk where she was writing. He then looked at the words she had written.

"The First Prince's cough seems to have improved, and Doctor Bai is taking care of him. The Princess Consort need not worry too much," the Fourth Prince reassured her.

The princess's face twitched, and there seemed to be tears in her eyes, but she didn't let them fall. The fourth prince had also been very troubled lately, and if she cried too much, he would only despise her.

Some time ago, the eldest prince fell seriously ill, and she stayed in his room almost every day. Because of this, the fourth prince, who hadn't visited her room in a long time, started coming occasionally again, but he never stayed overnight.

The princess consort thus had a slight thought of easing the tension between the two, even though it was because of her son's illness.

After looking at the words for a while, the two had nothing more to say.

Back in the main room, they sat down on the heated couch to the left and right. The Fujin glanced at the clock before saying, "Master, would you like some midnight snack? I've already ordered it to be prepared." Actually, she really wanted the Fourth Prince to suggest going to bed, but since he didn't, she could only suggest midnight snack. However, she couldn't bring herself to suggest it.

Standing at the door, Su Peisheng sighed, thinking to himself: "My lady, with your temper, how can the master come often? He is the master, you have to coax him."

The Fourth Prince waved his hand and said, "No need, I'm not hungry. I'll go back to the front courtyard first." After saying that, he stood up, and as if he had something to say, he took a few steps before saying, "Tomorrow, send a token to the palace and see the Empress. Tell her to keep an eye out and send two people to the manor for this year's imperial concubine selection."

Watching the Fourth Prince's departing figure, the Fujin stood at the door in astonishment, still unable to recover.

"Madam, it's getting cold. Go back inside and rest." Granny Li walked to Madam's side with concern and took her arm.

"Granny, what do you think the master is thinking? He was just concerned about the eldest prince's health, and now he's suddenly bringing up the matter of bringing in a new concubine," the princess said, leaning against the doorframe, somewhat flustered.

Originally, after hearing Li Mama's report, she concluded that the Fourth Prince's anger and beating of the servants stemmed from his pity for Honghui, and that his dinner was so bland. Therefore, she deliberately removed all her brightly colored jewelry and even wrote three longevity sutras for her son while standing, hoping to show the Fourth Prince her heart, even though these were things she, as his mother, should do. In the past six months, the Fourth Prince seemed to have suddenly lost interest in the inner quarters. He not only stopped visiting her, but he also rarely went to the East Courtyard (Li Consort's courtyard), where he had been favored for ten years.

“This servant can’t fathom the master’s heart either, but Madam, this servant must offer some advice. If you had suggested resting just now, perhaps the master wouldn’t have left,” sighed Granny Li. This Madam’s temperament was far too stubborn. She had been taught from a young age to be strong-willed and concerned with her reputation, but unexpectedly, she was now so rigid and rule-bound towards her husband, which had ultimately harmed her. But she dared not say these words aloud.

After leaving his wife's quarters, the Fourth Prince went straight back to the front courtyard. Although Lady Li in the east courtyard had just given birth to a baby boy, after seeing Honghui's appearance, he had no mood to laugh and chat with the other mother and child.

Su Peisheng ordered someone to bring hot water and helped him wash up before leaving.

Fourth Master lay on the bed with his eyes closed, thinking of the woman he had met at Huangjue Temple.

Their appearances weren't particularly outstanding, but his bright, clear eyes made him remember them, as did his phrase "nonsense," which gave him a refreshing feeling.

It's been so long since I've heard anyone tell the truth!

I originally intended to stay at my wife's place today. But seeing her "take it or leave it" expression, I lost that idea.

She realized that she couldn't be like other women, more gentle with herself, even just a little coquettishness or seeking affection would be much better than her current calm demeanor.

But that won't work; I still have to coax her!

Since the Second Prince's untimely death and the First Prince's declining health, he was reconsidering how to treat his wife. Although he still had the Third and Fourth Princes, even his father, the Emperor, said his offspring were few, which made the Fourth Prince truly begin to take the issue seriously. His wife was, after all, chosen by the Emperor, so he started visiting her again, hoping to have another child. However, her current state made him uninterested. What about the other women in the inner court? Consort Li had become increasingly pampered in recent years, and he didn't want to give her another child, otherwise she would become restless. Song, a woman who had twice given birth infertilely, had caused the First Princess to become sickly, and the Second Princess to die in less than a month. He truly despised her. Wu, Wang, and Geng had been there for quite some time, and he usually treated them with equal care, yet their bellies showed no signs of pregnancy! Therefore, he made an unprecedented move today, asking his wife to take the initiative to find Consort De and send in a new concubine to continue the royal lineage.

Thinking of this, Fourth Master frowned, turned over, faced inward, and fell asleep.

The next day.

Fourth Master stayed in the front yard to accompany four-and-a-half-year-old Hongyun as he studied and practiced writing.

The princess consort had already taken Li Mama on the carriage to the palace early in the morning.

"Madam, His Majesty always sends some new beauties to the princes during each selection of concubines. This is an old custom, so you don't need to worry too much," said Granny Li, seeing that Madam looked unwell early in the morning.

The princess consort, dressed in court attire, had her hair styled in a high bun, adorned with delicate gauze flowers and gold pearl ornaments, and a gold and gemstone butterfly hairpin tucked into the side, giving her an air of elegance and nobility. However, her face maintained an expression that seemed to say, "I'm so annoyed."

Going to her mother-in-law to ask her husband for a concubine would naturally displease her.

However, the royal family values ​​having many children and many offspring, believing that more children bring more blessings. She only has one eldest prince. Although Consort De didn't say it outright, every time she came to the palace to pay her respects, her words implied that she wanted her to have more children. But how can she have children if the Fourth Prince doesn't come?

After a night of agonizing, the Fujin got up early the next morning and dressed herself up properly before going to see Consort De.

"Granny, in the past, the Fourth Prince has never taken the initiative to choose anyone; it was always the ladies in the palace who designated them," the Fujin said softly. She wondered if this meant that the Fourth Prince disliked the one in the East Courtyard.

Thinking of this, the Fujin (Prince's wife) wasn't so unhappy anymore. That other concubine had been favored for several years, and now the Fourth Prince was actively seeking a new one! This seemed to truly indicate that the Prince was tired of her. This was a good thing for the Fujin. That Consort Li had also been favored for so long, bearing three sons and one daughter. Except for her first son who died young, the rest were still alive. Such a presence was a great threat to the Fujin. Now that the Fourth Prince wanted a new concubine, at least her favor would be diverted, so perhaps the Fujin would still have a chance to conceive.

Thinking of this, the princess's expression softened, and she even smiled slightly.

Looking at the Fujin, Li Mama didn't quite understand what was wrong with her, but since she seemed less unhappy, she relaxed.