Lanqin pondered for a moment and said, "This concubine and she are already at odds. Do you think you can make me forget what you did just because of these few words?"

Shui Ling actually felt a little guilty towards Lan Qin, after all, she had betrayed her. But all she wanted was a little bit of Fourth Master's affection, so why couldn't she be tolerated?

“Consort, I would rather reconcile with you than help you, Your Highness. I was once your person, and even if I am no longer, we should not be enemies,” Shui Ling said.

"How dare you say this? How did the master treat you before? And you come here to say these things to the master?" Cui Niang came in by lifting the cotton curtain and started scolding Shui Ling by pointing at her back.

Shui Ling remained silent, but Cui Niang continued to scold, "Don't you even look in the mirror and see who you are? If it weren't for the master, you probably wouldn't even be a concubine. You think you're something special, running around talking to the master about reconciliation. Don't you even take a piss and see what your status is? Do you even have a say in what the master wants to do?"

These words made Shui Ling wish she could disappear into a hole in the ground. Lan Qin remained silent, watching how Shui Ling would react. Sure enough, the expression that Shui Ling had been maintaining just moments before crumbled instantly because of Cui Niang's words. Her face clearly showed resentment and grievance.

"You may leave. My relationship with you was never part of my consideration," Lanqin said, ignoring Shuiling.

Shui Ling felt as if a thousand arrows were piercing her heart. Numbly, she bowed and then withdrew. As she lowered the curtain, a voice from inside, "Simply overestimating oneself," drifted into her ears.

It felt as if everyone's gaze was filled with mockery, scraping against her like swords. Shui Ling practically flew out of the South Courtyard. The former head maidservant by the side of the concubine, the Shui Ling who had never shown fear to anyone, was no more. She was now the concubine, Madam Ji, and all her former power had become her greatest mockery.

Meanwhile, Lanqin leaned lazily against the warm couch, popping peeled orange segments into her mouth. Lanqin loved oranges; they were sweet and sour, soft and delicious.

"My lady, is the Fujin up to her again?" When Cui Niang saw that Lanqin was not speaking, she thought that Shui Ling's words had upset Lanqin.

"I heard there's been a new twist in Hongshi's marriage!" Lanqin said. The Fourth Master had muttered something about it to Lanqin a few days ago, prompting her to take note. Hongshi was already engaged two years ago, but it's said that the Duke of Yingguo has proposed to the Fourth Master that he marry his eldest daughter to him.

“You mean, it’s her!” Cui Niang asked.

"It's almost certain, she wants to marry her niece to Hongshi. It would strengthen family ties," Lanqin said.

“Master, this is her business. Why are you so concerned?” Cui Niang asked, puzzled.

“Cui Niang, she can’t get any advantage from the Fourth Prince now, but the Second Prince, the Third Prince, and my Fourth Prince and Fifth Prince are all getting old. What do you think she’ll think?” Lanqin said, removing the nail guards from her hands one by one.

"The position of heir apparent?" Cui Niang saw the meaning in Lan Qin's eyes, and a hint of understanding flashed in her own eyes as she spoke.

"Is it merely the position of heir apparent? That woman's appetite has never been small. Besides, she is now the rightful fourth wife. Although her son is not her biological child, he is raised under her name, so he is naturally the legitimate son!" When Lanqin said these two words, her heart clenched, and a feeling of unease rose up.

Cui Niang's eyelids twitched, and she stammered, "If our Prince were to ascend to that position one day, wouldn't she be the Empress? And the Second Prince the Crown Prince?"

Lanqin did not answer Cui Niang's question, but both of them understood that the speculation they had just made was highly likely.

"Our Fourth Prince is extremely favored by the Emperor. Every few days, he personally summons him to the palace to accompany him in his studies. He stays for half a month at a time," Cui Niang said, seemingly trying to comfort her. Now, Lan Qin was no longer the Lin Mengyao who only coveted the life of a favored concubine in the Fourth Prince's harem. She was now the mother of four children and the Fourth Prince's "wise and capable wife." Therefore, she would fight for what was right for her children; and she could no longer be soft-hearted or slow in fighting for what was right for herself.

"Hongli is very much favored by Father Emperor." Lanqin's face finally regained a hint of relaxed and serene satisfaction. Although she knew Hongli would later become the Qianlong Emperor, she couldn't help but worry. After all, in the inner quarters, and later the imperial harem, there were no simple people. Murder and plotting against others were done without bloodshed; she couldn't be completely unprepared. Otherwise, if Hongli were murdered, wouldn't history take a different turn?

"Yes, and the Prince also values ​​our Fourth Prince very much. Your Highness, please protect our Fourth Prince. Even if she is the principal wife, our Prince will still favor our Fourth Prince." Cui Niang said.

"Hongli should be back soon, tomorrow is the Little New Year." Lanqin had been talking about Hongli these past two days because he had been summoned to the palace by Emperor Kangxi more than ten days ago.

"I reckon they won't be coming back. Are they planning to keep the Fourth Prince here for the Lunar New Year?" Cui Niang said with a smile.

Although Lanqin was happy, she couldn't help but worry. After all, there were many things hidden deep within the palace that couldn't be brought to light. Hongli's favor with Emperor Kangxi might attract the envy and jealousy of others.

"Have the gifts for Father Emperor and Mother been loaded onto the carriage?" Lanqin asked. Now she was rolling in money, no longer the poor daughter of seven years ago who could only rely on tricks to please her mother-in-law. Back then, when Lady Nian sent New Year's gifts to Consort De with great fanfare, her own and everyone else's gifts looked insignificant in comparison.

"Don't worry, it's all loaded onto the cart. The master put extra effort into this year's New Year's gifts, and the prince is very satisfied," said Cui Niang.

Lanqin nodded and then asked, "Weren't the gifts for my father and mother sent out the day before yesterday? And what about the gifts for my brother, sister-in-law, and their children?"

Cui Niang took a comb, intending to comb Lanqin's hair, but seeing her ask, she said, "They've all been sent over. The master, the mistress, the uncles and aunts, and the nephews and nieces are all very happy. Now they all treat their mistress like a goddess, wishing they could worship her!"

Lanqin chuckled, a satisfied expression on her face, as she let Cui Niang comb her hair. She was no longer the carefree woman who only wanted to live a good life in the inner quarters. She was filial to her parents and in-laws, helped her brothers and sisters, and assisted her husband and sisters-in-law, taking care of almost everything.