The Fourth Prince slept until noon, and the masters of the various courtyards in the Fourth Prince's mansion all knew that the Fourth Prince—their pillar of support had returned.

In the east courtyard, Madam Li held her cousin Feng Bochen's letter, which detailed the situation of Doctor Bai's younger brother, Bai Errun. Once they had Bai Errun under control, they could force Doctor Bai to comply. Originally, she planned to have Xiangqiao invite Doctor Bai over to "take her pulse" again today, but unexpectedly, Fourth Master had already returned. This filled Madam Li with both anticipation and a sense of urgency.

No matter who the Fourth Master wants to see first when he wakes up, every woman in this courtyard must be ready at all times to welcome their man.

Therefore, at this moment, Madam Li had to temporarily suppress her impulse to persuade Doctor Bai and let Mingyan do her hair and arrange flowers for her, as she had to be perfect at all times.

In the north courtyard, Song was busy as usual, embroidering socks, handkerchiefs, and other similar items for the eldest princess. Seeing that Wang, who lived in the same courtyard, had returned home and locked herself in her room in a sullen mood, Song roughly guessed what was going on. Was Wang really inferior to Geng? How ridiculous! Remembering what Wang had said to her the night before she left with the Fourth Master, Song could only sneer inwardly.

That day, Wang's maid, Hongying, couldn't help but boast to Song's maid, Qingping, upon learning that her mistress was going out with the Fourth Master. Qingping, annoyed, argued with Hongying. Although Song outwardly reprimanded Qingping, she was secretly displeased. Now, learning that Wang's trip had not only failed to regain the Fourth Master's attention, but had even been overshadowed by Geng, who had always been considered invisible, was truly astonishing.

Madam Song walked back into the house and looked at herself in the bronze mirror. Her complexion and figure were much better than before. She couldn't believe that Fourth Master couldn't remember the woman who gave birth to his first child at all.

In the west courtyard, Madam Wu was letting Hongxi apply light pink nutmeg oil. The Fourth Prince was returning, and she wanted to dress up to greet him in her best and most beautiful form.

"Has the person over there made any moves lately?" Wu asked, letting Hong Qian paint her nails with one hand while eating grapes one by one from the plate with the other.

"She's so quiet, and I heard she's gotten even thinner. She finally got pregnant, but then it all ended like this. Princess, I really can't believe what Consort Li said. Would someone really use their own child to harm someone else?" Seeing that Madam Wu was in a good mood, Hongqian couldn't help but say a few more words.

“If the child was destined to die, she would naturally try to find someone to take the responsibility. Look at Song Shi, she gave birth to two children, but now she’s forgotten in a corner. A woman who can’t give birth is incompetent; a woman who gives birth to an unhealthy child is even more sinful; and if she can’t even keep the child, then she’s even more unlucky.” Wu Shi suddenly remembered the string of musk-red beaded necklace that the Fujin had given her, and she was so angry that she almost crushed the grapes in her hand.

Meanwhile, looking at her increasingly gaunt face in the bronze mirror, Madam Yin said to Ye Ying, who was combing her hair behind her, "Will Fourth Master feel any pity when he sees this face?"

Ye Ying initially disagreed with Yin Shi taking such a risky move, but the Fujin was pressuring her, and Wu Shi on the other side was watching closely. The princess was really too pitiful, so she comforted her by saying, "Yes, the princess just lost her child and is now so thin. The master will definitely feel sorry for her."

Yes, she wanted that man to pity her. Once he felt pity for her, things would be easier to handle.

Silently, Madam Yin wondered who the Fourth Prince would visit first when he entered the inner courtyard—would it be her? After all, she had just escaped death; the pain of the fully formed child flowing from her body had been unbearable. She had killed him with her own hands, and the agony of child murder tormented her. That's why she refused to wake up from her grief for the first few days, for waking would mean facing the truth. She was determined to use this situation to steal some of Lanqin's favor; otherwise, how could she justify the pain she had endured?

In the south courtyard, Xicha and several other maids were also speculating whether the Fourth Master's sudden return was due to the matter of Madam Yin's miscarriage.

"Princess, you should think about lunch. Maybe the master will come to eat." Nianxue's mind raced, and she walked over to Lanqin, who was standing in front of the large water vat in the courtyard admiring the lotus and red carp. Lanqin was holding a bag of fish food and slowly throwing it into the water vat. Hearing Nianxue's suggestion, Lanqin thought it was a good idea.

Just as I was about to head out to think about lunch, I suddenly heard a faint greeting coming from the gatehouse, which sounded like "Greetings to the master!"

The master and servant were startled. Nianxue quickly took the bag of fish food from Lanqin's hand and saw a familiar figure walking into the courtyard corridor.

“Princess, it’s Master!” Nianxue couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.

Lanqin kept staring at that figure until he walked up to her and their eyes met. Lanqin thought she wouldn't miss Fourth Master too much, but when she heard him say, "Why are you standing in the courtyard without an umbrella? It's so hot, be careful of heatstroke," the grievances in her heart were suddenly brought out by his words.

Although Lanqin tried her best not to think about what had happened at the Third Prince's residence these past few days, no one would feel good being speculated about and criticized like that. Although she had stayed indoors all day, the maids Nianxue and Xicha had to collect the daily expenses for the South Courtyard, and the gossip had almost caused them to get into arguments with people several times.

"Master, you seem to have lost weight. Have you been eating poorly outside? How about we have some pickled cabbage and duck for lunch, and some stewed abalone and tofu? Nianxue, have Niu Baoquan make some seasonal vegetables to help cool you down and reduce dryness," Lanqin casually instructed, her eyes never leaving his slightly gaunt face.

"Alright." The Fourth Prince gave Lanqin a deep look, then walked past her and into the house. The maids all wore expressions of joy. The Fourth Prince had just returned, and the first person he came to see was the Princess. This showed that the Princess was the most important person in his heart. Moreover, the first thing the Fourth Prince said when he came to see the Princess had absolutely nothing to do with the matter of Madam Yin, which showed that the Fourth Prince trusted the Princess.

Xi Cha served tea to Fourth Master and Lan Qin, then withdrew. The others also tactfully retreated outside the door. Su Peisheng remained standing outside, leaving only Lan Qin and Fourth Master in the large room.

"Didn't I tell you to have ice brought to me before I left? Why is it so hot in this room?" As soon as Fourth Master sat down, he broke out in a light sweat.