After leaving the front yard, Fourth Master didn't really have anywhere to go. He strolled around aimlessly, since all the women from the inner quarters were in the front yard, and he really had nowhere else to go. Before he knew it, Fourth Master had arrived at the small plum grove behind the front yard. There were many wintersweet trees planted there, which Fourth Master had never paid attention to before; perhaps he had just been guided by the fragrance of the plum blossoms.

So he left Su Peisheng behind and walked alone into the narrow plum grove. Su Peisheng knew that the Fourth Master sometimes liked to take walks alone and didn't always need someone to accompany him.

The weather in January is still quite cold, and some branches of the plum trees still have snow that hasn't melted yet. However, the winter plum is the flower that is most resistant to the cold. It stands tall in the cold east wind, blooming with a unique charm, and the fragrance of plum blossoms enters people's nostrils with the cold air.

After years of diligent management, the Fourth Prince understood that his position was unmatched. Even the Fourteenth Prince, who commanded 200,000 troops and guarded the Northwest with numerous military achievements, was still considered by the Fourth Prince to be an immature child, even though that child was already thirty years old.

The deposed crown prince, the eldest prince, and the third, eighth, and ninth princes are all out of the question. The seventh and tenth princes are subtly supporting him. His mother's attitude seems unclear, but he's already satisfied that she hasn't unilaterally favored the fourteenth prince. Although his father hasn't explicitly stated his opinion, he's entrusted him with important responsibilities over the years and dotes on Hongli. Judging from these signs, his chances of winning are greater.

As Fourth Master strolled slowly through the plum grove, lost in thought, whispers drifted into his ears along with the fragrance of plum blossoms. He heard a soft, murmuring voice telling him something, yet he couldn't quite make out what it was, but it was very pleasant to hear.

Fourth Master followed the sound and, after turning past a few plum trees, saw a figure in light green kneeling beneath one of them. The woman's slightly frail figure and soft, melodious voice stirred a sense of pity within him in the cold, fragrant plum grove.

"Kitchen God, please bless the Prince, his wife, his concubines, and all the ladies of the inner quarters with peace and good fortune in the coming year!" The woman raised her hands in a kowtowing gesture. Beside her was a basin containing offerings such as gold and silver ingots, which were burned as offerings to the Kitchen God. The woman silently chanted as she tossed the offerings into the basin.

After listening for a while, the Fourth Prince couldn't help but ask, "Who did you say?" In fact, when he said this, the Fourth Prince had just mentally reviewed all the women in his inner quarters. He had clearly seen them all with him just now, so who could he have missed?

Hearing someone behind her, the woman quickly lowered her head to tidy up the brazier, then said, "I'm just burning some money for the Kitchen God here. I apologize for disturbing Your Highness."

Seeing that she hadn't turned her face yet, but already knew his identity, Fourth Master became even more suspicious and said, "Turn around!"

The woman had no choice but to put down what she was holding, slowly get up from the ground, and then turn around with her head down.

When Fourth Master saw her clearly, he was slightly taken aback. It was actually Shui Ling! No wonder she knew his identity just by saying a word.

When Shui Ling was in the South Courtyard, she often served Fourth Master's daily life, so she was naturally very familiar with his voice.

Thinking of Shui Ling climbing into his bed, Fourth Master still couldn't shake his disgust for her. Even though more than a year had passed, the thought of Lan Qin's discomfort because of Shui Ling made him immediately turn cold and ask, "What are you doing here?"

Fourth Master clearly heard what Shui Ling was doing, and she should have been going to participate in the memorial service, so why was she here alone? He seemed to have really forgotten about her, so he didn't remember who was missing when he was over there.

"This humble servant was unwell and thus could not attend the ancestral worship ceremony. I am truly incompetent, Your Highness, please do not be angry. However, this humble servant is filled with fear, afraid that the Kitchen God will punish me, so I came here to burn some gold and silver ingots for him. I am worried that the whole household will be safe and well!" Shui Ling lowered her eyes, but her makeup was extremely exquisite. Coupled with her already good looks, this attire made her appear truly pitiful.

When Fourth Master heard her say that, his earlier disgust was not so strong, but he still refused to look at her again and said, "Go back!"

After saying that, he turned and left, leaving behind only the lingering fragrance and Shui Ling's infatuated gaze.

Finally, I've seen the Prince! He wouldn't let me see him, but I'm going to see him anyway! The gentle look on Shui Ling's face gradually faded away, just like the subtle fragrance emanating from a blooming branch.

Meanwhile, just as Fourth Master stepped out of the plum grove, he saw Madam Nian approaching, supported by her maid. A thought struck him, and he subconsciously glanced back in the direction of the plum grove. Seeing that Shui Ling hadn't followed him out, he then walked towards Madam Nian.

"Why don't you stay a little longer?" Fourth Master walked up to Madam Nian, reached out and grabbed her hand, noticing that her hand was slightly cold.

"I don't have a good appetite, as Your Highness knows. Besides, I'm feeling a bit unwell and would like to go back and rest," said Lady Nian, who hadn't expected to run into the Fourth Prince while out.

"Alright, I'll take you back." The Fourth Prince took Nian's hand and led her towards the east courtyard. Nian Gengyao's military position in Shaanxi was becoming increasingly important, and the Fourth Prince had been cultivating the Nian family for many years. Now, with Nian becoming pregnant again, their loyalty had only grown stronger. However, both of Nian's pregnancies had ended in miscarriage, and the Fourth Prince had summoned Physician Yang to examine her. Physician Yang said that Nian's previous poisoning had been too severe, likely damaging her very foundation and making it difficult for her to conceive. Nian was heartbroken, but fortunately, Hongsheng was already twelve years old and quite favored by the Fourth Prince, allowing her to once again enjoy the life of a pampered concubine. Compared to Lanqin, the Fourth Prince seemed to indulge Nian more, granting her almost any request she made.

After they left, Shui Ling emerged from the plum grove carrying the basin she had just used for burning food. Watching their retreating figures, a slight smile played on her lips as she chose a secluded path and departed. How did Shui Ling know the Fourth Prince would come to the plum grove? Certainly not by guesswork, but because the Princess Consort's spies had leaked the information that the Fourth Prince frequently strolled there. Having served Lan Qin for many years, Shui Ling had a certain understanding of the Fourth Prince and anticipated that he wouldn't stay long after the memorial service and would definitely come out. That's why she had just put on such a good show in front of him.