Nianxue glared at the silent Huanbi, then took the medicine and left. Ziran glanced at the somewhat dazed Huanbi and comforted her, "Gege has suffered so much this time, it's understandable that Nianxue is a little anxious. Don't take it to heart." After all, they had entered the South Courtyard together, and Huanbi felt bad for being scolded by Nianxue. After all, she and Huanbi were different from Nianxue and Xicha. They were maids who came with Lanqin as part of her dowry, practically her confidantes. She and Huanbi were sent by the Imperial Household Department and had lost contact with their families; their master was their only hope. She and Huanbi were both convicted and destined to be slaves for life, unlike Nianxue and Xicha, who could ask their masters for mercy if they wanted to marry at a certain age. She and Huanbi, unless granted special favors by their masters, were not allowed to regain their freedom under normal circumstances; even if they married, they would marry servants from the same household.

"Just because she's impatient doesn't mean she can throw tantrums! Zi Ran, tell me how much we've suffered at her hands since we came here!" Huan Bi had long been dissatisfied with her status as a second-class maid serving in the outer room. Moreover, she felt that she was no worse than Nian Xue and Xi Cha, and even better than them, but because of her criminal record, she had to be a lowly maid in this South Courtyard.

"Huanbi, are you crazy? The princess just woke up. If you continue to act so ungratefully, don't blame me for not warning you." Zi Ran raised her hand to her mouth and made a shushing gesture.

Huanbi ultimately didn't dare to attract anyone's attention, so she could only pout and slam the tray down on the stove.

When Nianxue arrived at Lanqin's bedroom door with the medicine, she first tried to smile before going inside.

The Fourth Prince and Lanqin were discussing the preparation of the dowry for Princess Gulun, in order to distract Lanqin.

"Nianxue, I'm really better, I don't want to take medicine! Master, I'm better, aren't I!" As soon as Lanqin saw Nianxue come in with the bowl of medicine, she wished she could hide in the corner of the bed.

"Drink this bowl of medicine obediently. If you are feeling better tomorrow, I will have them prepare some tonics, and you won't need to take the medicine anymore." Fourth Master gestured for Nianxue to place the medicine in his hand.

"You really don't need to take medicine tomorrow?" Lanqin asked, harping on Fourth Master's question like a pitiful little kid.

Seeing that Gege seemed completely unaware, Nianxue felt a little uneasy, so she simply lowered her head and refused to look.

Lanqin glanced at Fourth Master, then at Nianxue, and said suspiciously, "Why are you two looking at me like that? It feels like you're hiding something from me!"

Nianxue almost blurted it out after Lanqin's words, but under Fourth Master's gaze, she ultimately didn't dare to say anything.

To avoid arousing Lanqin's suspicion, Fourth Master quickly said, "Drink your medicine quickly. Tomorrow I'll take a break and go out with you for the day, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Lanqin immediately gulped it down from the bowl. The bitter taste of the medicine made her want to spit it out, but when she thought of the Fourth Master's promise, she endured the nausea in her chest and drank it all.

As Nianxue watched Lanqin drink all the medicine, her heart sank lower and lower.

Just as Lanqin was drinking her medicine, Fourth Master raised his long eyebrows and gave Nianxue a stern look, causing her to immediately lower her head and no longer dare to show the slightest unease.

"It's so bitter, I want sugar, Master, give me sugar." As soon as Lanqin put down the empty medicine bowl, she started asking for sugar. Nianxue had already prepared candied fruit, and quickly handed the candied fruit in her hand to Lanqin, and then took the empty medicine bowl.

Watching Nianxue lower her head and quickly retreat, Lanqin still asked in confusion, "Master, what's wrong with Nianxue? I feel like she's holding something back."

Fourth Master pulled Lanqin into his arms and murmured, "Lan'er, we will definitely have a smart and healthy child in the future!"

Lanqin was a little confused by Fourth Master's actions, but after hearing what he said, she thought he was just comforting her about her dream!

"Yes, Master, we will definitely have one!" Lanqin nestled sweetly in the Fourth Master's arms, thinking to herself: Our child will be the Qianlong Emperor, but Qianlong was born in the fiftieth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, which is still seven years away! It seems that the Qianlong Emperor did not have any brothers or sisters, so does that mean I have only given birth to one child for the Fourth Master!

Lanqin suddenly felt a little scared. It would be a full seven years before she could have a child. Wouldn't Consort De have already had a problem with her? Would the Fourth Prince's favor towards her not even last seven years?

"Master, what if Lan'er can't have a child for you?" Lanqin pressed against the Fourth Master's chest and couldn't help but ask.

Fourth Master frowned, suppressing his surprise, and tentatively asked, "How do you know you can't have children? Silly girl, maybe you'll be able to give me a healthy child next year!"

Lanqin was startled and even more worried about her earlier speculation. She tentatively asked, "What if Lanqin never gives birth to a son or daughter for Master? Will you abandon Lanqin?"

Upon hearing this, the Fourth Master's expression changed several times. Fortunately, Lanqin could not see the Fourth Master's expression at this moment, otherwise she would definitely have become suspicious.

"Even if you can't bear me a child, I'll still love you and spoil you." The Fourth Prince calmly said words he would never have uttered before. When facing the other women in the inner quarters, he didn't need to reveal his feelings like this; he only needed to accept their flattery and fawning. But for his wife, he only needed to give her the status and dignity she deserved.

"You must keep your word, Master!" Lanqin grabbed Fourth Master's hand and said, "Let's make a pinky promise, Master, you can't go back on your word for a hundred years!"

Despite his inner pain, the Fourth Prince said affectionately, "I won't live to be a hundred years old, how can I keep your promise!"

Lanqin glanced at the Fourth Master and said almost without thinking, "Even if you don't live to be a hundred, you will still pamper me when I get there."

"You really have no restraint when it comes to cursing yourself like that!" Fourth Master raised his hand and flicked Lanqin's forehead.

"Everyone has to die, it's unavoidable, so why be afraid to talk about it?" Lanqin said dismissively.

"If I were to pass away before you one day, what would you do?" When the Fourth Master asked this question, he was somewhat incredulous that he would ask a woman such a question.

"If Your Majesty grants me a lifetime of favor, I will follow you for life, never to leave you!" Lanqin hadn't expected the Fourth Prince to ask this question, but her answer was without hesitation.