At noon, all the women in the inner quarters were gathered in the front courtyard, preparing to watch the annual Little New Year's Eve tomb-sweeping ceremony. Lanqin and Nianshi stood on either side, with other people standing behind them.

Led by several old nannies, the Fourth Prince and his wife began the ritual of worshipping the Kitchen God.

"Why is she out this year?" Madam Nian, dressed in a bright red cheongsam, a snow fox fur scarf around her neck, and leather gloves, stood there calmly looking ahead, but spoke to Lanqin beside her. Since the poisoning seven years ago, her health had remained frail, ensuring seven years of peace and quiet in the inner quarters. Without Madam Nian's meddling, the inner quarters had been tranquil for a long time. Lanqin knew that after the tranquility came the clamor. Either way, things would eventually turn out the opposite. Now, all eyes were on the newly grown princes.

“She is, after all, the Fujin (wife of the Second Prince). It’s because of the Second Prince,” Lanqin said. She knew that the Fourth Prince had decided to reject Ulanara’s idea, and she thought that the Fujin must be feeling quite bitter at this moment. The Fourth Prince gave her the ceremony of worshipping the Kitchen God, which symbolized the head of the family, in order to appease her. But she was only the nominal mistress of the house, and the Fourth Prince was just returning to her what rightfully belonged to her.

"Second Prince? Time flies. In the blink of an eye, my Hongsheng is of marriageable age." Lady Nian said.

“There are several potential marriage proposals now, but the eldest is still unmarried, and the youngest can’t be the first to go. So our second prince’s marriage is crucial,” Lanqin said.

"Wasn't it arranged for the eldest daughter of the Irgen Gioro clan?" Lady Nian asked. Ever since she fell for Lady Fucha's trick, Lady Nian's attitude towards Lanqin had actually become better and better.

“I’m afraid our Lady Consort has new plans,” Lanqin said. She had never really disliked Lady Nian, perhaps because Lady Nian hadn’t done anything truly awful to her, so Lanqin couldn’t bring herself to hate her.

It wasn't just Lady Nian and Lanqin who were discussing the Fujin; everyone else was talking about her too. This was the first time the Fujin had suddenly appeared in everyone's sight, and everyone had their own agenda.

After the ceremony of worshipping the Kitchen God was completed, the Fourth Prince and his wife led everyone in a banquet.

Fourth Master simply shared a drink with everyone, offered some New Year's wishes and hopes, and then left. At times like these, he usually left space and time for his women to interact. Sometimes this fostered a so-called sisterhood, sometimes it brought ridicule, and sometimes the other party would even bare their fangs.

After the Fourth Prince left, everyone relaxed a bit. This was the first time Lanqin, the First Lady, and Lady Nian had sat together. Since Lady Nian's health deteriorated, she had become even more aloof and self-centered. Anyone who displeased her would be loudly reprimanded and cursed, showing no regard for her status as a concubine. The Fourth Prince had received numerous "complaints" from other women, but these complaints were clearly ineffective. Despite her poor health, this concubine seemed to be even more favored by the Fourth Prince than before.

"It's been so many years since the three of us sisters have sat down to eat together!" The Fujin looked as if she were reminiscing about the past, as if she, Lanqin, and Nianshi were old friends.

Still so hypocritical, always putting on an act! Lanqin thought to herself.

"Yes, it's been so long that I've forgotten how old the Princess Consort is this year," Madam Nian said coldly. Her words caused everyone at the table to quietly stop eating, wanting to see how the Princess Consort would react.

Lanqin smiled, unable to help but admire Nian Shi's straightforward honesty, which was actually quite endearing. Although she and Nian Shi were also adversaries, Nian Shi never hid anything; at least, if she was going to cause trouble, it would be very obvious. Unlike the Fujin (the wife of the fourth prince), Lanqin couldn't help but feel a chill when she thought back to the first few years after entering the Fourth Prince's household and the things the Fujin did behind the scenes with those women.

“My sister’s memory isn’t very good. I heard that her health hasn’t been good these past few years, so she needs to take more medicine. Otherwise, she might forget who she is.” The Fujin said to Nian Shi with a smile, her concern seemingly genuine.

Lady Nian's face immediately fell. This was almost her sore spot, but since the Princess Consort was acting this way, she had no choice but to maintain a semblance of dignity. After all, the Princess Consort was still the Princess Consort.

Lanqin felt quite pleased to see them bickering like this, but the Fujin (principal wife) clearly wouldn't let her off the hook.

"Consort Niu, I heard that the Fourth Prince is still in the palace? Why hasn't he returned for the Lunar New Year?" Consort Niu turned her head and asked.

“This child is very playful; he probably forgot while playing in the palace. I’ve already sent someone to urge him to return; he should be back in two days,” Lanqin said.

"I heard that the Fourth Prince is very much favored by the Emperor, and it must be true, since he wasn't even allowed to come back for the New Year. This child's future is truly limitless." The Princess Consort said, putting on a loving mother's demeanor, but she was clearly trying to sow discord.

Sure enough, after hearing this, Lady Nian's face darkened even more, and she couldn't help but sneer, "I heard that the Second Prince's marriage has been arranged, to the second daughter of the Irgen Gioro family? I heard that she is the daughter of a concubine, not as good as the original wife."

The Fujin was already annoyed by the Fourth Prince's subtle way of dealing with her, and Nian's words made her even more uncomfortable.

“His word is law, so I’m afraid this is the only way,” Lanqin chimed in.

“We’re not married yet, anything is possible,” the princess said, refusing to give in.

“Yes, anything is possible. Oh dear, I have to go back now, since the Prince isn’t here.” Madam Nian shook her handkerchief and gestured for the maid behind her to help her.

"My lady, I'll be leaving now." Lady Nian clearly still wanted to provoke the lady.

"No need to see her off. Take good care of your mistress; her health is very precious right now!" The Fujin said earnestly with an impeccable smile.

Ms. Nian's face turned cold, she glared at him, and turned to leave.

Lanqin felt there was no need to eat anymore, so she said to the Song and Wu families, "Sisters, I have other things to do, please have more."

"Why are you in such a hurry to leave, Consort Niu? Actually, I have something I'd like to say to you." Consort Niu said, pulling Lanqin along.

Lanqin frowned, wondering what else this woman wanted to say. It was clearly a fight to the death.

"I wonder what the Princess Consort has to say?" Lanqin had no choice but to ask.

Little did she know, the princess said this only to trap her, because on this day, the princess had already arranged a chance encounter for Shui Ling.