"Well, I'm worried about what others will say. If a man and a woman meet alone and someone sees them, it'll be hard to explain," Lanqin said.

"Don't worry about that, and besides, no one will see you. I'll have Liang Jiugong escort you there," Kangxi insisted.

"Alright then! Your daughter-in-law obeys." Lanqin sighed inwardly, "Can this be discussed with others, like my husband?"

"I'd rather not say. I don't need to let everyone know who I want to see or what I want to do," Kangxi said.

Lanqin quickly lowered her head and said, "It was my fault, Father Emperor! Please punish me!"

Emperor Kangxi waved his hand affectionately and said, "It's alright! But you must not tell anyone else what you see or hear here with me, understand?"

Lanqin's heart pounded nervously for a few moments before she quickly replied, "Your daughter-in-law understands."

Damn it, serving a ruler is truly like serving a tiger! One careless word can bring about your death!

After leaving the Qianqing Palace, Lanqin walked back, her mind racing: What am I going to do? I'm in deep trouble now, and I can't tell the Fourth Prince. I hope this is the last time, it really has to be the last time!

"Where have you been?" Fourth Master's voice came from an unknown direction, startling Lanqin who was walking quickly.

Lanqin turned around and saw Fourth Master standing at a corner with a gloomy expression. She had been walking with her head down, lost in thought, and hadn't noticed that Fourth Master was there at all.

"Master, what are you doing here?" Lanqin looked at Fourth Master with a look of astonishment.

"Just came from the Qianqing Palace?" The Fourth Prince ignored Lanqin's question and asked her directly.

"Yes, Father Emperor just summoned me. Has Your Excellency finished your business?" Lanqin asked.

"Hmm, Qin'er, is something the matter?" Fourth Master asked, staring at Lanqin.

"No, Father Emperor only asked me to tell a few jokes." Remembering Kangxi's warning, Lanqin naturally dared not say anything more to the Fourth Prince.

"Is there really nothing wrong?" Fourth Master stared at Lanqin, as if trying to see into her heart.

"Nothing's wrong! Master, what's wrong?" Lanqin could also tell that Fourth Master seemed different from usual.

"It's nothing, let's go back to Yonghe Palace together," Fourth Prince said, avoiding Lanqin's question.

The two walked along the long palace path, seemingly having nothing to say to each other. Lanqin sensed that the Fourth Prince was acting strangely, but she did have something on her mind that she couldn't tell him, so she could only guess what was wrong with him.

"Your Majesty, the day of universal tribute is fast approaching. I haven't yet gone hunting with Father Emperor. I wonder what a grand spectacle it will be like," Lanqin said, seeing that the Fourth Prince had nothing to say. It was more like trying to find a topic of conversation. After all, hunting was an activity that nobles were very enthusiastic about, especially the princes, who had probably done it many times before.

"This year's hunting party is complicated, with so many foreigners, and the situation within the court is different from before. Qin'er, why don't you skip it?" the Fourth Prince suddenly said.

Lanqin never expected that Fourth Master would suddenly tell her not to go. Actually, she was really looking forward to it. Why was he telling her not to go?

"My lord, I think it will be very interesting. Why won't you let me go?" Lanqin couldn't help but ask.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to take care of you then," Fourth Master said.

"I can already ride a horse, so I don't need your help, Master," Lanqin said immediately with a smile. She had thought that the Fourth Master had some other reason for not wanting her to go, but when she heard that he was just concerned about her, she immediately felt relieved.

"Hunting is very dangerous, don't be scared and cry!" Fourth Master said when he saw that Lanqin insisted on going.

"With so many people, how could I be such a coward!" Lanqin pouted and said coquettishly.

"When hunting, the quality of the horses and the condition of the mounts are very complicated matters. At that time, I may have to accompany you and entertain those foreigners, so I won't have much energy to take care of you," Fourth Master said.

"Yes, Your Highness is absolutely right. However, I will be very careful. It's fine if you don't come along. I just want to see how majestic Father Emperor and Your Highness are when they hunt," Lanqin said.

When Fourth Master saw that Lanqin insisted on going, he couldn't very well say anything to stop her.

The two remained silent for the rest of the journey. Lanqin found it strange. She could clearly sense that the Fourth Master was nervous about her, but why was he so silent today, and why was there an unusual atmosphere emanating from him, whether intentionally or unintentionally?

The two returned to Yonghe Palace, where Consort De was preparing the meal. The children, fearing Consort De, did not eat, but instead had their meals served by palace maids. Lanqin and the Fourth Prince had no choice but to dine with Consort De.

"Are Ushiha and Bechuk being sent back tonight?" Consort De suddenly asked.

Lanqin originally wanted to spend a few more days with her two daughters, but when she heard Consort De say this, she knew in her heart that she wanted the Fourth Prince to send them back to the mansion.

“Ushiha and Bechuk have just arrived, so please stay a few more days. We apologize for troubling Mother,” said Fourth Master.

Lanqin felt a warmth in her heart and quickly said, "Ushiha and Bechuk are usually very easygoing, but they really give Mother a headache."

"It's not that I think they're being noisy and don't know the rules, but they've already been here for a night, and according to the rules, they shouldn't stay any longer," said Consort De.

Fourth Prince was surprised that Consort De would speak on this matter, and asked, "Mother, is something the matter?"

Consort De glanced at Lanqin and said, "This is the palace. Everything must be done according to the rules. Otherwise, if the rules are broken, people will hear what's going on."

Lanqin felt a chill run down her spine and thought to herself: Could it be that the Sixteenth Prince came to complain to Consort De?

"Mother, what did Ushiha and Bechuk do that was against the rules?" Fourth Master asked, feeling a chill run down his spine.

"You'll have to ask her about that," said Consort De. "The Empress Dowager sent someone over and told me to keep a close eye on my daughter-in-law and granddaughter."

Lanqin cursed inwardly: "The wicked accuse first!"

"Qin'er, what's going on?" Fourth Master asked, completely bewildered.

“Today, Ushiha and Bechuk accidentally bumped into the Sixteenth Princess in the Imperial Garden, and had a minor altercation with her, which I have already resolved,” Lanqin said.

“But they’ve already complained to the Empress Dowager. How can a princess of a prince be so unbecoming as to curse and bite people!” Consort De couldn’t help but say.

“Mother, Ushiha and Bechuk didn’t curse or bite anyone.” Lanqin couldn’t hold back any longer.

"Then why did the Empress Dowager send someone to convey such a message to me? Niohuru clan, I know you don't like to follow rules, but this is the palace, not the residence of the Fourth Prince," Consort De suddenly said loudly.