As soon as the Fourth Prince returned and entered the palace, the steward hurriedly reported that the Fourth Prince had returned. After the Fourth Prince asked where Hongli was, he rushed to the south courtyard without even changing his clothes and shoes. He was uneasy, wondering if Lanqin would be heartbroken and angry if she knew what had happened to Hongli.

When they arrived at the door of Lanqin's main room and saw that Hongli was safe and sound, the Fourth Prince finally felt relieved.

The Fourth Prince coughed, paused to compose himself, and stepped into the room: "Hongli is back!"

Hongli turned around and saw that it was his father. He stood up to greet him and said, "Hongli greets his father. Your son has returned!"

The Fourth Prince waved for Hongli to stand up, but his eyes went to Lanqin. He saw that Lanqin's face was gloomy, and his heart skipped a beat.

"It's good to be back, it's good to be back!" Between men, no need for many words; a few words are enough.

The Fourth Prince never showed his emotions, and Hongli knew his father must be very worried about him. He smiled and replied, "It is my fault for causing Father worry!"

Lanqin had ignored the Fourth Prince since he entered, and was even angrier inside. Hearing Hongli say this, she stood up and walked to his side, saying, "How could it be your fault? As a father, you didn't even tell me that something happened to the child." Lanqin's tone was displeased, and her face was gloomy. She was speaking to the Fourth Prince.

Fourth Prince knew he was in the wrong and had no words to defend himself, but with Hongli present, he couldn't be easily appeased. He could only give Lanqin a look and beg for mercy, almost tugging at her clothes.

Her eyes conveyed, "Lanqin, don't be silly, the child is here. Besides, I was just worried you'd be anxious. Hongli is back safe and sound, so don't be angry with me anymore!"

Lanqin remained unmoved, turned her face away and returned to her seat. The Fourth Prince looked at Lanqin, then at Hongli, and had no choice but to walk over to Lanqin's side obsequiously, bowing and apologizing: "Qin'er, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have kept it from you. I won't do it again..." Lanqin turned to the other side, and the Fourth Prince hesitated before walking to the other side, smiling and saying: "Qin'er, I was really wrong!"

This was the first time Hongli had seen Lanqin and the Fourth Prince quarrel, and the first time he had seen his usually serious father apologize like this. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself. Lanqin finally looked the Fourth Prince in the eye and scolded him, "Hongli has been through such a big thing, and you didn't tell me! You and your father are conspiring to make me angry to death!"

Hongli smiled and said, "Mother, I'm perfectly fine, so please don't be angry with Father."

Fourth Master nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes!"

Lanqin finally calmed down with a chuckle, and the Fourth Prince straightened up and inquired about what had happened to Hongli.

Hongli dared not conceal anything and recounted the entire incident in detail. When he mentioned the city gate, he deliberately glanced at Lanqin. However, the Fourth Prince's questions were too detailed, and Hongli dared not hide anything, so he stammered out the details of kidnapping Xueying.

Lanqin stared at the Fourth Prince and Hongli with no room for doubt, her anger, which had just subsided, surged back to her head.

"Xueying? How did this get involved with Xueying again? Your father has already arranged for her to be your concubine." Lanqin was annoyed and blurted it out in her haste!

Hongli was greatly surprised and anxiously asked Lanqin, "Given to me? As a concubine? What's going on?"

Lanqin said, "You... Xueying has already told us everything about you and Xueying when she returned. Your father has already gone to the Duke of Ying's mansion to propose marriage for you. From now on, Xueying will be your concubine!"

Hongli stared wide-eyed, unable to believe his ears. He explained, "Mother, what are you saying? Nothing happened between Xueying and me, why are you arranging a marriage for me? No, I have to go and explain..."

Hongli turned to leave, but was scolded by the Fourth Prince: "Stop!" Hongli stopped. "Aren't you ashamed? This young lady has already given herself to you. You, a respectable man, should take responsibility!"

Hongli was furious and said angrily, "Father, I really didn't do anything..."

Before Hongli could finish speaking, the Fourth Prince waved his hand to interrupt, "Alright, the matter is settled, no need to say more. You should go back and rest. Your mother and I will handle the rest..."

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