"I'm afraid I can't answer that question for you either, sister, even I only just found out myself," the Fujin said honestly this time.

Li stared at the Fujin's expression and, finding no attempt to conceal anything on her face, believed that she was not lying.

"Mingyan, quickly go and invite Princess Yanyu over. Tell her that the Fujin (Prince's wife) has come to fetch her, and also tell her that the Prince intends to take her as a princess." Madam Li knew that no matter how much she insisted, it was futile at this point. Even if she was unwilling, the Fourth Prince had already made his decision, so she had no choice but to accept it.

Why, why does the master protect his wife so much! He clearly intends to target her every time, and he always falls just short, yet she always manages to escape unscathed!

Li sat there with a sullen face, not saying a word.

After a while, the sound of footsteps on the blue bricks came from outside. Judging from the footsteps, the person who came must have been in a hurry. Soon after, Yan Yu stepped inside, followed immediately by Yun Yuan, who was supporting her slightly unsteady mistress.

"Sister, is what Mingyan said true?" Yan Yu asked the Fujin, who was sitting in the main seat of the main room. When Li Shi, who was sitting to the side, heard her call "sister," she immediately wanted to respond, but then realized that she should be calling the elder sister sitting above her.

"Of course it's true. You silly girl, you've come here to bother your sister for no reason. Hurry up and come over to thank your sister Li." The Fujin scolded gently, her eyes full of doting affection, showing no sign of being distant from Yan Yu.

The latter understood, so she immediately went up to Li and bowed, saying emotionally, "Thank you so much, Sister Li. Yan Yu has troubled you!"

Madam Li immediately pulled up Yan Yu, who was half-squatting, and said reluctantly, "From now on, I can finally call you my sister. I wonder when you will marry me, sir?"

Suppressing her dislike for Li, the Fujin said gently, "It hasn't been said yet, Yu'er. You must return to the Ulanara Mansion first. After I have chosen a date, I will formally propose to Father before you can be brought into the mansion."

At this moment, Yan Yu had no choice but to agree and immediately nodded obediently. Yesterday, she was still desperately resisting returning to the manor, but now she couldn't wait to go back immediately and wait for the Fourth Master to pick her up in his bridal sedan chair.

In no time, the news that Yan Yu had been taken as a concubine by the Fourth Prince spread throughout the courtyards.

When the news reached the South Courtyard, Lanqin was enjoying the new-style pastries made by Niu Baoquan. Xicha was the first to hear the news, having overheard it from a young eunuch while going to get tea from the head maid. At first, she thought it was a rumor, but on her way back, she saw several maids discussing it, and realized it was almost certainly true.

As soon as Xicha entered the mansion, she told Nianxue about the rumors circulating outside. The latter was shocked upon hearing this, but immediately instructed Xicha not to tell Lanqin for the time being.

"Nianxue, please give this to Master Niu for me. His cooking is really to my liking. If I keep eating like this, I'll get so fat!" Lanqin said to Niu Baoquan, already holding two pieces in her hand and still having some pastries in her mouth that she hadn't swallowed yet.

"This old servant thanks Your Highness for your reward." Niu Baoquan was truly grateful to the princess before him. It wasn't just that Lanqin had promoted him from the estate to the manor, but that he was incredibly lucky to have met a mistress like her who appreciated his craftsmanship.

After Niu Baoquan left, Nianxue spent most of the day pondering the news that Xicha had overheard outside, unsure how to tell Lanqin.

Lanqin noticed Nianxue's conflicted expression and asked in confusion, "What's wrong? Nianxue, come and try it, it's delicious."

"Princess, Princess Geng is here!" Xicha stood at the door and saw Madam Geng being helped into the courtyard by Lulan.

Upon hearing this, Lanqin stood up from the main couch and immediately put Wen Nianxue's matter out of her mind.

"Sister, come quickly. This crab roe cake is so delicious. You've come at just the right time!" Yunqin carried the plate to the door and saw that Madam Geng had already come from the corridor.

"Sister, you can still eat! The Princess's sister is really coming to the manor!" As soon as Madam Geng saw Lanqin, she couldn't help but tell her the news. Nianxue frowned slightly upon hearing this.

Lanqin was holding a piece of pastry and about to put it in her mouth when she heard what Geng said. She paused for a moment, then continued to put the pastry in her mouth.

Geng walked up to Lanqin, looked at the nonchalant Lanqin, shook her head, and then pulled her into the house.

After the two sat down according to their status, Madam Geng took a piece of crab roe cake from Lanqin and said, "Sister, I heard that the Fourth Prince sent someone to tell the Princess Consort this morning that he intends to take Yan Yu into the mansion as a concubine."

Lanqin pouted and said, "Anyway, Master won't only have one concubine. What difference does it make if there's one more or one less? Why are you making such a fuss, Sister?" When Lanqin heard Geng Shi say that, she only felt slightly uncomfortable, but she immediately thought that the Fourth Master would eventually become Emperor, and he would hold a selection of concubines every three years. At that time, even more women would be added to his harem. If she started making a fuss and holding a grudge about his taking concubines now, how would she survive in this inner palace?

“Sister, but Yan Yu is different from others; she is the Fujin’s sister!” Seeing Lan Qin’s stubbornness, Geng Shi raised her hand and tapped Lan Qin’s forehead. Since Geng Shi decided to open her heart to Lan Qin, their relationship had become increasingly intimate.

“Sister, the Fujin is gentle and dignified, and she is kind to us. What could her sister possibly do?” Lanqin said dismissively.

"You, how can you think so simply? What is the reason for the Master's sudden decision to take Yan Yu as a princess? It clearly rained heavily last night, so why did the Master still marry her? Don't you think this is a bit strange?" Geng Shi was always meticulous. Although she had only heard a few words, she could see the problem here, which was something that Lan Qin could not match.

“Sister, why bother yourself? There’s just one more concubine in this household. What can you, Sister, or Lanqin, do? You can’t do anything. Just don’t think about it. It will only cause you more trouble,” Lanqin said helplessly.

"You're really too carefree. I came here to ask what tricks Yan Yu used to make your master decide to take her as a princess." Geng Shi's favor was already meager, and now that the Fujin's sister has entered the mansion, she will naturally be favored by the Fujin and will eventually take away some of their favor.

"Sister, this is not something we should concern ourselves with. Besides, even if you figure it out, it might just add to your troubles. Wouldn't it be better to just live your own life peacefully?" Lanqin could only advise her this way when she saw that Madam Geng was determined to find out.