Meanwhile, in Changchun Palace, Lanqin was preparing clothes for the Fourth Prince to leave the palace. She summoned several sets, but Lanqin felt they were all too extravagant. The Fourth Prince looked down at himself helplessly and said, "I think these clothes are very nice..." Lanqin quickly helped the Fourth Prince change while arguing, "Your Highness, you are going on an incognito trip this time. These clothes are too extravagant. It's obvious that you're from a noble family!"

The Fourth Prince opened his arms, frowning in confusion: "Really? I think it's very ordinary!"

Lanqin, resting her chin on her hand, circled around Fourth Master, nodding in satisfaction. "This outfit is quite good! It makes you look both composed and elegant!" Fourth Master finally felt relieved and breathed a sigh of relief. While adjusting Fourth Master's clothes, Lanqin asked, "Why did you go to congratulate Seventeenth Master without telling him?"

The Fourth Prince, moving left and right in coordination with Lanqin, said with a smile, "My seventeenth brother has always been diligent and conscientious, and he has indeed helped me a lot since I ascended the throne. In particular, he made great contributions in the matter of suppressing the White Lotus Sect."

Lanqin laughed and said, "Since you want to reward Seventeenth Prince, why not be generous? Why keep it a secret from everyone?" Fourth Prince pinched Lanqin's nose and laughed, "Isn't it because you inspired me to give Seventeenth Prince a surprise!"

Lanqin knew the Fourth Prince was joking. Soon, the Fourth Prince spoke earnestly to Lanqin, "Seventeenth Brother is the youngest among all his brothers. When the late Emperor was alive, he was still young and was not favored because of Consort Shu. Now that I have ascended the throne, the other brothers do not pay much attention to Seventeenth Brother either. I went there this time to let everyone know that Seventeenth Brother is no longer the Seventeenth Brother he used to be..."

Lanqin knew that Fourth Master was trying to establish Seventeenth Master's authority. Firstly, it was to let everyone rediscover Seventeenth Master by publicly rewarding his past achievements and letting everyone know that Fourth Master was rewarding merit. Secondly, it was to build up her own power base. There would be many obstacles on the road ahead, and she had to eliminate the old regime's influence as soon as possible, and Seventeenth Master was the best choice.

Lanqin and the Fourth Prince rode in a carriage to the Seventeenth Prince's Mansion. Outside the mansion, there was a constant stream of carriages and people coming to offer their congratulations. The Fourth Prince, dressed in plain clothes, led Lanqin to the gate. The gatekeeper did not recognize the Fourth Prince and stepped forward to stop him.

"May I ask who this gentleman is? There's a joyous occasion at the manor today, and it's inconvenient for outsiders to enter!" the servant demanded. Fourth Master was taken aback, and Su Peisheng quickly stepped forward and gently reprimanded, "Do you know who this... gentleman is? Go and announce his arrival!"

The servant looked him up and down. There had been quite a few people visiting the mansion recently, but this person was definitely unfamiliar. So he asked warily, "If you don't tell me your name, how can I announce your arrival?"

Su Pei was furious, but the Fourth Prince seemed unconcerned. He looked at Lan Qin with a smile and whispered in her ear, "The clothes you chose for me are really good; no one even recognized me..."

Lanqin smiled shyly; even at this moment, Fourth Master could still joke around.

Just then, the Seventeenth Prince's personal guard came out and, seeing several people gathered at the door, went forward to inquire. Upon seeing what he saw, he was shocked, covering his mouth and staring wide-eyed, speechless for a long time. He immediately knelt on the ground, crying out, "Greetings...Greetings, Your Majesty..."

The servant was dumbfounded, standing trembling to the side, at a loss for what to do. His legs went weak and he knelt on the ground to follow suit. The Fourth Master was in a good mood and did not blame him. He simply walked past the servants and strode inside.

The guards quickly got up and rushed into the mansion, shouting at the top of their lungs, "The Emperor has arrived! The Emperor has arrived!"