The Nian family quickly sent people to present betrothal gifts to the Second Princess, but the Fourth Master said that they would get married when the two children turned thirteen. Nian Shi mediated between them, and because of this relationship, the Fourth Master visited her more often.

However, the place where the Fourth Master stayed most often was still the South Courtyard. Lanqin didn't talk to the Fourth Master about anything else, but just quietly raised her two daughters. For a while, the Fourth Master's inner quarters were peaceful and undisturbed.

Because the Fourth Prince was concerned about the matter entrusted to him by Yinren, he devised a way to send some fine wine to Liang Jiugong through his apprentice. The Fourth Prince learned from the eunuch serving Liang Jiugong that Liang Jiugong actually enjoyed drinking and would always savor a good wine alone after leaving Kangxi's quarters each day to relieve his fatigue. Ultimately, the Fourth Prince learned from Liang Jiugong that Zheng Shi had not been executed; it was because she was pregnant that Kangxi had sent her to a secret place and imprisoned her there.

The Fourth Prince passed the news to Yinren, putting his mind at ease, but he himself was still somewhat confused.

As soon as he returned to the mansion, Cuiling, the maidservant from Madam Nian's side, was waiting in the front yard. She originally wanted to invite the Fourth Master over, but the Fourth Master did not return to the front yard and went directly to the South Courtyard.

"This servant greets Master!" It was Shui Ling who opened the door. Upon seeing that it was the Fourth Master, she quickly curtsied and greeted him.

"Where is your master?" Fourth Master stepped in, asking as he walked.

“Master is playing with the Fourth Princess and the Fifth Princess,” Shui Ling quickly said.

The Fourth Master's lips curled into a faint smile as he walked into Lanqin's main room, where he saw two children playing on the floor. Ushiha walked ahead, while Bechuk, being carried by her wet nurse, moved nimbly along the floor, chasing after Ushiha amidst laughter.

Lanqin sat on the warm couch, her neck tilted to the side with a smile, looking at the two little girls with eyes full of maternal love.

"Ama~" Wuxiha recognized him as the Fourth Master and called out in a long, childish voice.

Bechuk didn't recognize anyone; he just stared blankly at Fourth Master, drool dripping from his mouth.

Lanqin watched as Fourth Master pursed his hands to his mouth before slipping them into Wuxiha's arms and lifting her up.

"Go and get some water, and help the master wash his face. Why is there sand all over his head and neck?" Lanqin had sharp eyes and had already noticed the fine layer of yellow sand on the Fourth Master's hair and collar.

Fourth Master Wuxiha put down and let the maids help him wash his hands and face, and then changed his clothes.

"I have something to say to my concubine. You two take Ushiha and Bechuk out for a while," the Fourth Prince instructed.

Seeing that the Fourth Master looked very serious, Lanqin nodded to the maids, signaling them to leave.

"Is there something you need, Master?" Lanqin asked obediently as she walked up to Fourth Master and took his arm.

"It's nothing serious, but when I encounter something I can't figure out, I like to come here. Qin'er, I've been spending more time with the Lan family lately, so please don't be angry," Fourth Master said, holding Lanqin's hand.

"If I were angry, I might have died of anger long ago. Tell me quickly, what is it that you can't understand?" Lanqin said as she sat down with the Fourth Prince.

“Recently, I found out Zheng’s whereabouts. She is not dead, and the Empress Dowager did not kill her!” Fourth Prince said to Lanqin.

"No one was killed!" Lanqin repeated in surprise.

The Fourth Prince nodded and said, "I was also surprised. I didn't expect that the Empress Mother could endure such humiliation and spare her life. But it's all because she was already pregnant."

Lanqin was relieved that Zheng had escaped this calamity, but after hearing the second half of the Fourth Master's words, she fell into despair again.

"Master, if Zheng Shi gives birth to a child, will Father Emperor kill her?" Lanqin asked.

"I don't know. After all, what she did was punishable by the extermination of nine generations of her family. The Emperor allowed her to give birth to the child only because the child was of royal blood," the Fourth Prince said.

"Is this not what you can't understand, Master?" Lanqin asked, having composed herself.

"I think that Father Emperor's tolerance for the former Crown Prince to this extent, and the fact that he allowed Zheng Shi to give birth to that child, makes me think that Father Emperor might still have some fatherly affection for the deposed Crown Prince," the Fourth Prince said.

“That’s right, Your Highness should cultivate your mind and not compete with Father Emperor. In fact, who can ascend to that position is not in Father Emperor’s heart. If the competition is too obvious, it will not do you any good.” Lanqin almost said, “You should stop fighting.” In the end, Kangxi did not appoint anyone else as crown prince.

"Alright, I'll listen to you." Fourth Master grabbed Lanqin's hand and rubbed it in his palm.

"Then, Your Highness, please have dinner with me now," Lanqin said gently.

"Qin'er, do you know why I betrothed the Second Princess to the Nian family?" The Fourth Prince was pleased to see that his little woman wasn't jealous or resentful at all, so he couldn't help but talk to Lanqin about matters of the court.

"Of course, Master wants to have someone like Nian Gengyao as an ally in the future. A high-ranking official like Nian Gengyao, who holds military power in a region, would be of great benefit to Master's future endeavors. That's why Master favors Lady Nian," Lanqin said.

When Fourth Master saw that Lanqin had immediately spoken his thoughts, he couldn't help but reach out and pinch Lanqin's chin, saying, "Sometimes I really wonder if you are a fairy. How come you can guess what I'm thinking? It's as if you can predict the future."

Lanqin looked into Fourth Master's eyes, which shone like stars, and felt a slight thrill in her heart.

"Perhaps I am a person who has traveled from hundreds of years in the future. Would you like that, Master?" Lanqin bumped into the Fourth Master's arms.

"You mean, you're from the future?" Fourth Master asked.

"Then do you think I am a person of the future?" Lanqin said emotionally, prostrating herself in the Fourth Prince's arms.

"I don't care where you're from, you're my woman for life, don't even think about running away!" With that, the Fourth Master kissed Lanqin's lips domineeringly, then greedily savored the fragrance from her mouth.

Lanqin felt her consciousness begin to fade, and her hands unconsciously hooked around Fourth Master's neck.

After being intimate for a while, the two finally let go of each other, since it was still daytime and it was almost time for dinner.

"Master, please stay here tonight. You are not allowed to go anywhere else," Lanqin said coquettishly.

"Hmm, hurry up and order dinner, I'm hungry." Fourth Master affectionately tapped Lanqin's nose.

Meanwhile, when Madam Nian learned that the Fourth Master had rushed straight to the South Courtyard upon his return, she was angry, but there was nothing she could do.

"Hmph, Niohuru, let you be smug for a few more days. After I give birth to my son, we'll see who is truly the master's favorite," Lady Nian thought to herself. Lady Nian had been carefully tending to her health to prepare for childbirth.