When Lanqin entered Consort De's bedroom, she saw Consort De and the Fourth Prince sitting there talking. They stopped talking when they saw Lanqin enter.

"Lanqin, where have you been all afternoon?" Consort De frowned as she saw Lanqin enter.

"Your Majesty, I went to the Imperial Garden to relax and also to think about the menu I'll be preparing for Father Emperor," Lanqin said. Anyway, Consort De wouldn't dare disobey Kangxi, so using him as a pretext from time to time was still acceptable.

"Oh, so you've figured it out?" Consort De asked.

"I've thought of a few dishes. I wonder why Mother summoned me here?" Lanqin walked to Consort De's side, but never looked at the Fourth Prince.

"The day when all nations pay tribute is just around the corner. Your imperial father specifically instructed that several sets of hunting attire be made for you, as you will be accompanying him on that occasion," said Consort De.

Upon hearing this, Lanqin realized that they were going to make clothes for her, and she felt less nervous. She asked, "Mother, have all the envoys from all over the world come to the capital? Are they all staying at the post station?"

“A group has already arrived. With so many foreigners suddenly appearing in the capital, the Prefect of the Capital and the Imperial Guards are all busy,” the Fourth Prince interjected, answering on behalf of Consort De.

"His Majesty is also holding an autumn hunt, and everyone in the palace and the West Garden hunting grounds is getting busy," Consort De said, making an excuse.

Lanqin had never participated in Emperor Kangxi's hunting activities before. Just imagining the scene, she knew it must be magnificent, and she couldn't help but feel a little excited.

Just then, Aunt An suddenly walked in and said to Consort De, "Your Highness, someone from Cining Palace has come to say that they would like to invite Your Highness and County Magistrate Minrou to have dinner together at Cining Palace."

Consort De looked at Aunt An in surprise, Lanqin was also startled, and the Fourth Prince couldn't help but frown.

"This is unprecedented for the Empress Dowager. Why would she think of having me dine with her?" Consort De couldn't help but ask.

Lanqin had a bad feeling. She hadn't mentioned encountering the prince in the Imperial Garden, but she knew from the young eunuch that he was a distinguished guest of the Empress Dowager. Now, the Empress Dowager had suddenly come to Yonghe Palace to summon Consort De and herself—could it be related to that prince?

"I heard that the Tibetan prince has come to the palace and is staying with the Empress Dowager. He is the Empress Dowager's nephew," the Fourth Prince said.

"Ah, that prince is the Empress Dowager's nephew?" Lanqin thought to herself. She looked up and stole a glance at the Fourth Prince, only to find that he was also looking at her.

"Since that's the case, then Lanqin, you can accompany me to the Empress Dowager's place. Fourth Prince, I originally wanted you to stay here for your meal, but that won't be possible now," Feifei said, turning to the Fourth Prince.

"Mother, why don't I accompany you to see the Empress Dowager? It's been a long time since I've paid my respects to my grandmother." Fourth Prince winked at Lanqin and said.

“Very well. Let’s set off after we finish this cup of tea,” said Consort De.

While Consort De was changing her clothes, the Fourth Prince approached Lanqin and said, "I'll take you hunting with me. Hunting with Father Emperor is a very exciting battle."

Lanqin was worried about the chance encounter in the Imperial Garden and never expected that the Fourth Prince would suddenly say something like, "At that time, it's still uncertain whether Father Emperor will want me to serve him."

"How long are you going to keep arguing with me?" Fourth Master stared at Lan Qin and said. He had already been very humble and subservient in front of Lan Qin, so why was this woman still so relentless and never gave him a kind look?

"No, I'm not answering your question, Your Highness." Lanqin felt a surge of irritation. She felt that the Fourth Prince, like Consort De, treated her like an object that could only obediently follow their orders. Could they just turn on the switch of her emotions at will?

"I just saw the hunting clothes Mother prepared for you. One of them is even Western style. I'm sure you'll like it," said the Fourth Prince. He had indeed been a little too hasty.

Before Lanqin could answer, Consort De had already changed her clothes and attire and came out, supported by a palace maid.

As the group followed Consort De out of Yonghe Palace, Consort De, being a concubine, already had a sedan chair for transportation, so she sat in it as soon as they left. Lanqin and the Fourth Prince followed behind the sedan chair, with a row of palace maids and eunuchs following at the very back.

"Qin'er, Ushiha and Bechuk miss you. Why don't we let them come to the palace another day?" the Fourth Prince said.

"Are Ushiha and Bechuk doing well with Sister Song?" Lanqin asked, her heart filled with worry as she thought of her two daughters. She had been here for almost a month, and her daughters must miss her terribly. In fact, this was the first time she had been away from them for so long, and she had been thinking about them constantly.

“Yu Ning is taking good care of them, but they both miss their mother. Every day they ask you, sir, when will your mother be going back?” Fourth Master said, noticing Lan Qin’s expression. This was a trick Su Peisheng had taught him, telling him to use the two children as an excuse. Sure enough, as soon as Lan Qin mentioned her two daughters, her expression clearly showed that she missed them.

“Then please bring them in, Your Highness. I cannot go out now,” Lanqin said.

“Alright, then tomorrow, I will bring Wuxiha and the others in,” said the Fourth Master.

In no time, they arrived at the entrance of Cining Palace. Lanqin always felt uneasy whenever she came here. She always felt that the Empress Dowager was not a kind person and always wanted to make a move on her daughter, either by offering her to a Mongolian prince or by arranging a marriage between them.

Consort De dismounted from the palanquin, and after the palace maids helped her tidy her clothes, they walked together into Cining Palace.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!" After entering the palace, Consort De, along with Lanqin and the Fourth Prince, bowed to the Empress Dowager.

"Rise, all of you. The Fourth Prince is here too?" The Empress Dowager said, seeing the Fourth Prince standing behind Consort De.

"It has been a long time since I last paid my respects to my grandmother. Today I have come with my mother. I hope my grandmother will not take offense," said the Fourth Prince.

"Don't be offended, come, fourth son, sit here with me," the Empress Dowager said with a smile.

The Empress Dowager was seated with the Sixteenth Princess and Indar. After exchanging greetings with Consort De and the Fourth Prince, they took their seats.

Lanqin followed closely behind Consort De, never glancing at Indal. But ever since Lanqin entered, Indal's gaze had been fixed on her.

"Your Majesty, this must be Prince Indal. He is truly handsome and has a remarkable presence," Consort De said to the Empress Dowager.

"Indar, why don't you go and see Consort De?" the Empress Dowager said.

Indal stood up, bowed to Consort De again, and said, "Greetings, Your Highness Consort De."