Fourth Master sat at his desk, his eyes fixed on the books on the table, but his mind seemed to have wandered off somewhere else.

"Your Majesty, the people have arrived," Su Peisheng said softly as he walked over.

"Come in..." Fourth Master said, regaining his composure. Su Peisheng then led the person outside the door in. This person was Fourth Master's secret agent. Ever since the Thirteenth Emperor mentioned to Fourth Master at the lotus appreciation banquet that Hongshi and the Eighth Emperor seemed to be getting a little closer, Fourth Master had secretly sent a secret agent to monitor them.

"This servant greets Your Majesty!" The man clasped his hands and bowed, saying in a low voice, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty's guess is correct. In recent days, the Prince has repeatedly met privately with the Eighth Prince..." The Fourth Prince remained silent with a dark expression, his facial muscles tense.

"The two are always very cautious during their meetings, frequently changing locations. I haven't yet found out the specifics of their discussions. However, I've noticed that His Majesty seems to have a request for the Eighth Prince, and the Eighth Prince seems to have made a promise..." The man cautiously raised his head, his eyes darkening, and said, "If His Majesty requires it, I will send someone to eavesdrop right now..."

Fourth Master waved his hand, took a deep breath, and said, "Alright, let's not alert them for now..."

“Continue to monitor Hongshi and Lao Ba’s movements… Oh! Right, and Lao Jiu too, he’s not exactly a peaceful person either…” Fourth Master suddenly frowned.

The Fourth Prince was troubled. Although he knew that Hongshi had been secretly plotting to become the Crown Prince and get the Empress, he never expected that his eldest son would actually join forces with the brother he was most wary of. He was extremely disappointed in Hongshi.

The hot weather had already dampened his appetite, and with Hongshi's situation adding to his unease, the Fourth Prince was even more agitated. Somehow, he ended up at Changchun Palace, and upon entering, he heard Lanqin and the maids laughing and joking, which instantly lifted his spirits.

"Your Majesty? What brings you here? Today is the fifteenth, you should be having dinner with the Empress..." Lanqin was surprised by the arrival of the Fourth Prince. Upon hearing that he was behind the Fourth Prince, Su Peisheng quickly looked up and winked at Lanqin. Lanqin was taken aback for a moment, then realized what he meant and responded.

The Fourth Prince already harbored some dissatisfaction with the Empress and Hongshi, and upon hearing Lanqin mention it, his mood instantly shifted from sunny to cloudy.

"Your Majesty, you've come at the perfect time. Qin'er just chilled some plum soup and is waiting for Your Majesty to taste it..." Lanqin was very good at reading people's expressions and immediately signaled Baoqin to bring over the plum soup.

The Fourth Prince took a sip, looking at Lanqin with delight, and praised, "Not bad! It's indeed very refreshing, different from what the Imperial Kitchen makes, and even more innovative..." Baoqin was overjoyed and stood to the side smiling, saying, "Your Majesty, our Consort specially added dried plums, hawthorn, osmanthus, licorice, and rock sugar to the plum soup. After simmering it over low heat, it's been chilled ever since. How could it not be delicious?" Baoqin glanced at Lanqin with a smile and continued, "Her Consort said that this soup was specially made by His Majesty, and we haven't had a single sip..."

Lanqin glanced at him sideways and chuckled, "You little rascal, you're getting more and more unable to control your mouth..." The Fourth Prince, however, was pleased. Pointing at Baoqin, he laughed, "Well said! I'll reward you with a bowl right now..."

Baoqin jumped for joy, bowed slightly, grabbed Yuxiao, and ran out...

Only the Fourth Prince and Lanqin remained in the room. Lanqin then asked softly, "His Majesty's expression was off when he came in. Did something unpleasant happen?"

Fourth Master sighed. He didn't want to tell Lanqin about these troubling matters, but he felt compelled to confide in her every time he saw her. Without much thought, he said, "Hongshi, he's been having close private dealings with Eighth Prince..."