Lanqin's hands and feet felt slightly cold after listening to Song's account. The concept of "harming others" wasn't part of her worldview, but the events involving Yin, now Song, and Yang—all happening to her or those around her—shook Lanqin. These darker aspects of human nature were far more challenging than the research topics she'd encountered in university. She was used to discovering the truth in the laboratory, but completely unaccustomed to the scheming and struggles of human nature. Although she had been furious when she discovered Yang's plot, she hadn't dwelled on it afterward.

"Little sister, what's wrong? Did what I said frighten you?" Seeing Lanqin's pale face and blank expression, Madam Song immediately grabbed Lanqin's hand and asked.

"Didn't you tell Fourth Master these things, sister?" Lanqin was jolted back to her senses by being grabbed like this, and asked in a deep voice.

"No!" When Song said these two words, a look of pain flashed across her face. No one knew the helplessness and despair she felt when she knew she had been framed but could not find any evidence.

"Why don't you tell Fourth Master, sister, and let him find the person hiding in the shadows who harmed you? The child is not only yours, but also Fourth Master's." Lanqin frowned. She couldn't understand why Song Shi didn't put up any resistance after learning that she had been harmed.

“Sister, if I had evidence, I would have gone to Fourth Master long ago. At that time, I had no evidence, so how could I accuse him, or who could I accuse? That child only lived for less than a month. During that month, I tried everything, but I still couldn't save him.” As Madam Song said these words, the sorrow on her face deepened.

Lanqin stared intently at Song Shi, her heart heavy with sorrow. For the first time, she realized the only difference between them was the Fourth Prince's favor. Without it, she might be confined, crippled, or even… The thought weighed heavily on Lanqin's heart. Lin Mengyao, living in Lanqin's body, wasn't a confident girl when it came to relationships. On the contrary, she was rather pessimistic. After breaking up with her boyfriend, she remained single until she "died" and transmigrated into Niu Gulu Lanqin's body. But could the reborn "Lin Mengyao" truly forget her boyfriend's betrayal? She had been with him for three years before unexpectedly witnessing him with another woman. Yet, she still dreamed of marrying him, waiting for his proposal, turning down arranged dates, and rejecting advances from colleagues.

"Little sister, I was just as innocent and kind as you were back then, but after losing that child, my heart became clear. Although I don't know who it was, I have a feeling. Little sister, you are now favored by the emperor, so don't be careless. I'll say it again, if there's anything you need from me, just say the word." Seeing that she had said enough to Lanqin today and made her intentions clear, Madam Song decided to retreat and let Lanqin decide for herself. She couldn't force Lanqin to accept her surrender.

"Thank you for your words, sister. I will think about them carefully." Lanqin's mind was in turmoil, and she wanted to be alone for a while.

Song tactfully took her leave, while Lanqin remained sitting there, somewhat dazed and lost in thought.

Seeing Lanqin like this, Nianxue hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Princess, what's wrong?"

Looking at Nianxue's anxious face, Lanqin felt a little lost. She shook her head at Nianxue, not knowing where to begin, and could only force a smile and say, "It's nothing, I'm tired, I'll go inside and rest for a while."

Seeing that Lanqin was unwilling to say more, Nianxue had no choice but to help her up to rest.

Meanwhile, in the east courtyard, three women were sitting: Li, Wu, and Wang.

"Consort, do you think Song has suddenly become incredibly lucky? Why did the Master suddenly remember her? I heard he even made the First Princess meet with her every day." While admiring the flowers in the small garden, Wu met Wang, who was out for a stroll. The two hit it off immediately. Both were resentful of Song's return to favor, so they came together to Li's courtyard to sow discord, hoping Li would find a way to restrain Song. Although they themselves weren't particularly favored by the Fourth Master, seeing even Song showing signs of regaining favor made them even more restless.

"Guess where Song went today?" Wang's eyes flashed, and she was determined to tell the story of what happened in the pavilion that day.

"Does Sister Wang know?" Madam Li flicked her finger after removing the nail guard, revealing eye-catching and exquisitely crafted petals adorned with sparkling crystals.

Wang gave an awkward laugh. Facing Li's captivating eyes, she dared not keep them in suspense any longer and said, "I live in the same courtyard as Song, so I know a bit about her things. Today, she took her personal maid to the South Courtyard."

“South Courtyard!” Wu Shi exclaimed in surprise.

A slight look of surprise flashed across Li's face, and she said in a deep voice, "Are you sure Song went to Niu's side?"

Wang straightened up and said, "I am pregnant. The reason why Fourth Master remembered me again this time is because of Niu."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wu and Madam Li were even more shocked than before, especially Madam Wu, who hurriedly said, "How could Madam Niu be so kind? Besides, she has never had any dealings with Madam Song. If it were Madam Geng, I might believe it a little, but Madam Song?"

Wu's words were indeed correct. Usually, Geng was the one who was closest to Lanqin, but now Song had inexplicably regained the Fourth Prince's favor, which was really hard to understand.

"Keep an eye on Song! Report any developments to me immediately!" Li said to Wang, as if they had known each other for a long time. From the moment Wang entered the mansion, she had relied on her beauty and never tried to curry favor. After nearly two or three years of being sidelined, she now understood the situation. The Fujin (Prince's wife) had once promoted her, but it was simply her own bad luck that prevented her from gaining the Fourth Prince's attention. Now, for some reason, the Fujin seemed to be increasingly disfavored by the Fourth Prince. Therefore, she naturally had to find a new "master" to rely on. When Wu pulled her over to pay her respects to Li, Wang hesitated only briefly before following.

"I will certainly keep an eye on that Song woman for the sake of Consort Wang," Wang said, standing up and bowing to Li.

“Alright, since Sister Wang understands the situation so well, I won’t say any more. In the past, the three of us sisters relied on each other and stood together through thick and thin. I will never treat those who have helped me unfairly.” Madam Li said solemnly with a smile on her face.

"This humble servant is willing to follow the lead of Consort Li!" Wu and Wang bowed to Li together again.