Lanqin's carriage finally entered the Forbidden City through the Wumen Gate, where Ruanjiao was waiting!

Two rows of palace maids and eunuchs knelt respectfully outside the sedan chair. A bright yellow phoenix-shaped palanquin, gleaming like sunlight, stood nearby. The palanquin had an ancient sandalwood base, a vermilion ridge, and intricately carved wooden rims. The hub and yoke were painted in vibrant colors. Each of the four corners of the phoenix-shaped palanquin was adorned with velvet and gold-threaded balls. Above these balls were eaves made of gold and silver-cast phoenixes and flowers. Inside the eaves, the walls were carved with scrolling grass and intertwined gold flowers, and large clusters of peonies surrounded auspicious beasts. The front and back of the palanquin were covered with sixteen red silk fans embroidered with gold.

Su Peisheng, who was waiting outside, hurriedly stepped forward, performed the three bows and nine kowtows, and said, "Greetings to Your Majesty. Welcome Your Majesty back to the palace."

Lanqin nodded, gesturing for them to rise, and said, "His Majesty's gesture is so solemn, Eunuch Su, you've worked hard..." Lanqin glanced at Su Peisheng, who smiled obsequiously and said, "Your Majesty knows, this is His Majesty's intention... His Majesty has been eagerly awaiting Your Majesty's return to the palace for a long time!"

Lanqin smiled and nodded, and Baoqin and Yuxiao helped Lanqin onto the sedan chair.

Concubines have always entered the palace through side gates. The Zhenshun Gate leads to the inner palace in a long, winding path. The Imperial Guards and the Feathered Forest Guards stand guard outside the city. Under the vermilion palace walls, which resemble giant red dragons, eunuchs in dark red robes and maids in moon-white dresses stand with their hands at their sides, as quiet as clay puppets, leading the palanquin towards the Chonghua Palace.

A long, red brocade carpet with gold accents stretched from the white marble steps to the main hall, where the Fourth Prince stood! Although it was merely to welcome the concubine into the palace, he wore a nine-dragon robe to signify his solemnity. The Empress followed behind him, also dressed in a purple silk robe adorned with phoenixes and peonies, exuding elegance and nobility. The two stood side by side, their bearing noble and graceful as they gazed upon each other from afar.

Lanqin was a little nervous. She straightened her clothes and stepped down from the sedan chair. The heavy silk robes and brocades, surrounded by necklaces, made it very inconvenient for Lanqin to get out of the sedan chair. The Fourth Prince couldn't wait and left the Empress to rush to the bridge and reached out to help Lanqin.

Lanqin was slightly taken aback, but when she met the Fourth Master's bright smile, her heart warmed, and she gently lowered her hand to the Fourth Master.

The Emperor walked over with a smile, and Lanqin hurriedly curtsied, "Your Majesty, I have come to return and wish Your Majesty and Empress good health and lasting blessings."

The Empress kindly helped Lanqin up and said with a smile, "I heard that my sister was injured while serving the Emperor at the Yuanmingyuan. You must have had a hard time. I have been looking forward to your return for a long time. I am so happy that you have finally returned today."

Lanqin sighed inwardly, but maintained a respectful smile on her face. Having finally managed to dodge numerous pleasantries, Lanqin was able to return to her Changchun Palace with her maids.

As soon as Lanqin arrived outside Changchun Palace, she was shocked by the scene before her. It turned out that the Fourth Prince had ordered the walls and eaves of Changchun Palace to be completely renovated. Everything inside and out was brand new and bright. When she walked into Changchun Palace, it was filled with rare treasures, even better than before Lanqin left!

Lanqin was helped back to her main hall. A feeling that was both familiar and strange suddenly came over her. Looking at the room full of jade, coral, porcelain vases and jade artifacts, Lanqin was dazzled!

Baoqin and Yuxiao even abandoned Lanqin and rushed around the room to admire it, constantly exclaiming, "Come and see, what is this? It's so beautiful..."

"I've never seen so many wonderful things in my entire life..."

"His Majesty truly treats our Empress uniquely; he has gathered all the treasures in the land and presented them to her..."

"This is a thousand times, ten thousand times better than when we left..."

The maids all beamed with joy, excitedly embracing each other, their faces filled with pride and joy.