After making the bed, Nianxue went to the dressing table to comb and style Lanqin's hair.

"Princess, Master said he'll come to have lunch with you here at noon." Nianxue said with a smile to Lanqin in the mirror, "Princess, let me do your hair into a pretty bun today."

"No need, just comb it as usual. Don't wear too many things in your hair either," Lanqin said, pinching a few strands of hair hanging down her chest. Firstly, those hair ornaments and hairpins were really heavy; densely packed in her hair, they were so heavy! Secondly, she thought Lady Yin was prettier than herself, and Consort Li was also very alluring. Looking at the other ladies—the First Lady, Lady Song, Lady Wang, and Lady Wu—they were all quite beautiful. If it came down to looks, she wasn't necessarily outstanding. So she shouldn't put effort into that. Besides, she really didn't like wearing a jingling array of jewelry in front of that man. She'd just live according to her true nature; judging from the current situation, the Fourth Prince seemed to like it quite a bit.

Since it was past breakfast time, Lanqin took some pastries and ate them with tea.

"Princess, Eunuch Su has arrived with his men!" Xicha suddenly called out from the outer room.

Lanqin put down the pastries and immediately got up to greet them at the door. She saw Su Peisheng leading a young eunuch, who was carrying a large clock.

She smiled, secretly pleased.

"This old servant greets Princess Niu!" Su Peisheng gave a slight bow and said, "His Majesty specially ordered this old servant to deliver this Western clock to the Princess."

"Thank you for your trouble, sir. Nianxue, quickly go and get a purse for Eunuch Su." Lanqin said, then gave Nianxue a wink.

Xi Cha immediately went to the young eunuch and together they moved the clock to the table behind the main bed in the main room and set it up.

Nianxue presented Su Peisheng with a small lotus-colored purse with both hands.

"This old servant thanks Your Highness for the reward." Su Peisheng took the purse and immediately knew that it contained five taels of silver. He thought to himself: What a generous princess! This is the biggest purse he has received this year.

After leaving the west courtyard, Su Peisheng opened the purse, and sure enough, it contained five taels. He took out a small amount and tossed it to the little eunuch beside him, saying, "Don't say your grandfather doesn't love you. You'll have to keep a close eye on this Master Niu's affairs from now on."

The young eunuch immediately accepted the gift with both hands, smiling obsequiously, "Grandpa Su, how could this servant dare to accept your reward? If you need anything in the future, just call me."

...

“Princess, I heard from Ye Ying that Princess Yin’s reward was some hairpins and silks. How come the master rewarded you with a clock?” Xi Cha was wiping the clock with a rag.

"You silly girl, how dare you discuss the master's rewards! Hurry up and bring out all the princess's clothes, take them outside to get some fresh air and sunshine," Nianxue scolded.

Lanqin was reclining on the couch, rubbing the playing cards she had made by hand yesterday, pondering why she had lost so badly. The Fourth Master had never played cards before! She barely heard Xicha's words, but she did hear Nianxue scolding her, so she said, "I don't want those. A clock is better; I can tell the time." She glanced at the clock; it was almost noon.

About fifteen minutes later, Xicha rushed back and shouted, "Master is on his way here."

Nianxue quickly glanced at Lanqin and hurriedly said, "Princess, please get up and greet him. You have just received a reward from the master and should express your gratitude."

Lanqin pouted, then slowly got up from the couch and walked to the door, where she saw her master walking over, led by Su Peisheng.

"Greetings, Master!" Lanqin raised her handkerchief and curtsied. The two maids behind her had already bowed.

"Do you like it?" As soon as Fourth Master walked in, he took Lanqin's hand, and the two of them walked to the couch together and sat down on either side.

"I like it." Lanqin still couldn't quite accept Nianxue's words. She felt that thanking her man like that was tasteless and only destroyed any genuine affection between them, so she didn't say thank you.

Seeing that she only replied with two words and refused to say more, the Fourth Prince thought to himself: Other women are always full of gratitude after receiving his rewards. This little princess, however, is not afraid at all, and asked, "What are you doing?"

Lanqin thought for a moment and then asked, "Master, why were you able to win every hand of cards last night? I can't figure it out."

Fourth Master smiled and glanced at Su Peisheng.

Su Peisheng understood and immediately said, "Princess, you may not know, but Master has had the ability to remember everything he sees since he was a child. He has already guessed the cards in your hand, so naturally he won't lose."

Wow! Photographic memory?? You really have that ability!

Lanqin looked surprised, but inwardly thought: "He doesn't even say it himself, but makes the servant say it."

"Your Majesty, you are truly amazing. No wonder I lose to you every time." Lanqin looked at the Fourth Prince with an expression of "admiration."

Fourth Master smiled slightly and said, "Let's order, I'm hungry." He had eaten well at Lanqin's place yesterday, so he let Lanqin order without thinking.

"Master, it's getting a bit hot. Would you like some noodles?" Lanqin had actually been planning what to eat for lunch for a while now.

Fourth Master nodded, and Lanqin said to Su Peisheng, "Then I'll trouble you to go and tell them to get some noodles for me and Master. Have them boil the noodles in water, not too mushy, just until they're about 80% cooked. Spread them out on the table and let them cool on their own. Then cut some cucumber strips, bean sprouts, kelp strips, and diced ham, and mix these vegetables with the noodles with garlic, vinegar, and sesame oil. Also, have them bring a few cold dishes: cold lettuce salad, garlic-flavored preserved eggs, braised beef slices, and a plate of pickled garlic."

Upon hearing this, Su Peisheng was somewhat perplexed. He asked, "May I ask, Princess Niu, what kind of egg is a preserved egg?"

"Ah~~ Oh!!" Lanqin exclaimed, "Century egg is also called preserved egg. You know what a preserved egg is, right?"

Oh my god! This was 300 years ago, before the term "century egg" even existed.

"I know, this servant understands." Su Peisheng bowed and went to fetch the meal.

"Little Princess is quite knowledgeable about food!" Fourth Master said with a smile.

"Of course, my greatest hobby is eating. My biggest wish in this life is to eat all the delicacies in the world," Lanqin said boldly, unable to resist mentioning Lin Mengyao's wish as well.

"That's easy, I'll grant you that wish." Looking at Lanqin's rosy cheeks, the Fourth Prince couldn't resist pinching them. He recalled his intimacy with Lanqin last night, and his groin stirred. This little princess, though not the most beautiful, certainly had the softest skin.

"Thank you, Master!" Lanqin smiled happily. Actually, she said this with a purpose. That was to give Master a chance to take her out in the future. She was so bored being cooped up in this little corner of the world every day.