Hongli's wedding was just around the corner, and the Prince's mansion was decorated with lanterns and filled with joy. A month in advance, Lanqin had begun to urge the people in Hongli's mansion to start purchasing all kinds of wedding supplies. Three days before the wedding, anyone who could be even remotely related to Hongli would bring generous gifts to the mansion, making it a bustling place.

On the wedding day, besides Lady Nian and the Empress, Lady Geng, Lady Song, and several others were to accompany the Fourth Prince and Lanqin to offer their congratulations. The Fourth Prince was pleased and approved, arriving at Hongli's residence early in the morning with Lanqin and the others.

Hongli greeted the emperor at the main gate. Watching the grand royal procession approach, Hongli suppressed his excitement and knelt to receive him. The Fourth Prince, arm in arm with Lanqin, disembarked from the carriage like an ordinary couple. Looking at Hongli in his bright red ceremonial robes, he smiled with satisfaction.

This wasn't the first time the Fourth Prince and Lanqin had attended a prince's wedding, but their feelings were completely different from the previous ones. Hongli was their son, and among all the princes, he was the most anticipated. The Fourth Prince placed his hopes on Hongli, and watching him grow up little by little until he got married and established himself gave him a different kind of sense of accomplishment.

Lanqin stepped forward to help Hongli up, and then carefully straightened his clothes. The Fourth Prince patted Hongli's shoulder and said in a conversation between men, "Not bad, you're starting to look like a groom..."

Hongli, beaming with pride, clasped his hands in a deep bow and said excitedly, "Thank you for the compliment, Father Emperor..."

Hongli then met with the concubines behind the Fourth Prince one by one, and each of them presented their own congratulatory gifts. Hongli then instructed you to lead the concubines to the back courtyard to rest, while he personally led the Fourth Prince and Lanqin to the front courtyard.

Hongli's Prince's Mansion was designed by Hongli himself. He disliked crowds, so he designed the interior of his mansion to be simple and neat, with all the courtyards arranged in a staggered manner yet without disturbing each other. There were no exotic flowers or luxurious decorations along the way, only trees at most.

As they walked, the Fourth Prince asked Hongli, "Didn't the palace allocate funds for building your residence? It doesn't look like a prince's mansion anymore."

Hongli was taken aback. He looked at his courtyard and smiled dismissively, "I think it's very good. In my eyes, beauty doesn't have to be rare and precious..." He then pointed to a few fruit trees and said, "Father, look, these are fruit trees that I bought from a peasant woman. In less than three years, the garden will be full of fragrant fruit and we will be self-sufficient."

After passing through an orchard, there was a clearing paved with cobblestones about three zhang square, upon which sat a snow-white stone table and chairs. Two familiar figures were sitting there: the Thirteenth Prince and his wife.

Lanqin called out in surprise. The Thirteenth Prince's wife turned to greet the Fourth Prince, respectfully bowing and then taking Lanqin's arm to chat. The Thirteenth Prince stepped forward, patted Hongli, and said to the Fourth Prince, "Brother, Hongli has been forbidding me from telling you, but he's taken half of the money you gave him for building his residence and used it for disaster relief..."

Hongli hurriedly tried to stop him, but the Thirteenth Prince blurted out, and the Fourth Prince looked shocked, questioning Hongli, "Is what your Thirteenth Uncle said true?" Hongli scratched his head sheepishly and laughed, "Actually, it's not much. My residence is a small matter; the safety of the people is paramount..."

The Fourth Prince nodded with satisfaction. He had indeed not misjudged Hongli, and his determination to make Hongli the Crown Prince grew even stronger. Lanqin, unaware of what the Fourth Prince and the Thirteenth Prince were talking about, saw Hongli standing to the side like a child who had done something wrong, and pretended to be annoyed as she stepped forward to interrupt: "Today is Hongli's wedding day. Is Your Highness giving a speech?"

Fourth Prince quickly smiled apologetically, signaling Hongli to bail him out: "No, no..." It was rare to see Fourth Prince afraid of his wife, and everyone burst into laughter.