That evening, the Fourth Prince returned with Su Peisheng just as the palace gates were about to close. Lady Nian soon learned that the Fourth Prince had returned to the palace.

As the night deepened and the dew grew heavy, the weather was muggy and hot, making it difficult to fall asleep. Inside Yikun Palace, Consort Nian tossed and turned on her bed, unable to sleep.

As soon as she closed her eyes, she seemed to see the smile in the Fourth Master's eyes and the occasional scrutinizing look in her gaze.

But that was only for a moment. The Fourth Prince seemed to always dote on her, yet there seemed to be a distance between them. She realized that she was finding it increasingly difficult to enter the Fourth Prince's heart.

"Sigh..." Her sigh was heard by Cuiling, who was on night watch outside, and she quickly asked, "Does Your Highness want some water?"

Consort Nian sat up in bed and rubbed her temples.

Cuiling hurriedly drew back the crimson bed curtains and asked with concern, "Your Highness, can't you sleep?"

Consort Nian sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought, and murmured to herself, "Where exactly did the Emperor go?"

Cui Ling stood to the side, not daring to utter a sound.

"The Emperor rarely leaves the palace. He only goes to the Yuanmingyuan Garden to escape the summer heat, and occasionally goes out to inspect the local areas. He doesn't go anywhere else."

She frowned and pondered for a long time, "Since the Emperor left the palace in plain clothes and took Su Peisheng out several times, could it be that he went to the Yuanmingyuan?"

She became increasingly conflicted and unable to let go, and her head was throbbing badly.

Cui Ling said, "Your Highness, it's getting late, you should go to sleep!"

Consort Nian slowly shook her head, displeased with Cui Ling's nagging, and said impatiently, "How can I sleep if I don't find out where the Emperor went?"

Cui Ling forced a smile and looked at her with some concern.

Consort Nian abruptly got out of bed, walked to the edge of the couch and sat down. "Go, call Bai Zhi in!"

Cui Ling hurriedly went outside and called Bai Zhi, who was sleeping, in. The two of them served her together.

Consort Nian looked worried and her brows were furrowed. "Bai Zhi, tomorrow you go and tell that little eunuch that if the Emperor wants to leave the palace again, he should immediately inform me."

Bai Zhi accepted the order, "Yes, this servant will go tomorrow."

Consort Nian glanced at Cuiling, then said coldly, "Go and fetch me a pen, ink, paper, and inkstone. I need to write a letter to my uncle."

Both Cuiling and Baizhi were taken aback. Cuiling said, "Yes, but what does Your Highness need writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone for?"

Consort Nian said helplessly, "I need to write to my uncle and ask him to find out where the Emperor goes every time he leaves the palace."

These words startled Bai Zhi and Cui Ling. Bai Zhi stepped forward and hurriedly dissuaded them, saying, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable! The Emperor is the ruler of the country. If he finds out that you are doing this, you will surely be punished by him!"

Consort Nian waved her hand impatiently, "Alright, my mind is made up. There's nothing more to say. Go and prepare!"

She's always been like this; once she makes a decision, no matter how much others try to dissuade her, she won't listen to a word they say.

Cui Ling obediently went to prepare the clothes, but Bai Zhi still felt uneasy and tried her best to persuade her, "Your Majesty, please think it over!"

Fourth Master detests being plotted against. If he knew that his whereabouts had been discovered, he would be furious.

However, Consort Nian always felt that her position was precarious and feared that she would suddenly lose the favor of the Fourth Prince one day. She was determined to find out where the Fourth Prince was going when he frequently left the palace.

白芷眼见着年贵妃一意孤行，不听自己的劝说，也不好再继续说下去了。