Hearing Fourth Master's words, Lanqin felt both fear and gratitude.

But what she felt most was fear. After all, Lanqin, as a transmigrator, had not forgotten that this year was the year the Fourth Prince was to die. She was doing her best to prevent it from happening, because no matter what, she did not want to see the Fourth Prince die in front of her while she could do nothing.

Although they are now recuperating at the Yuanmingyuan and have invited Taoist priests to help the Fourth Master with his health, Lanqin is still very afraid, fearing that the moment will still come. Now, hearing the Fourth Master utter the word 'death,' her heart trembles even more.

So Lanqin quickly reached out and covered the Fourth Prince's mouth, saying somewhat angrily, "Your Majesty, I forbid you from uttering the word 'death,' don't even think about it."

Seeing Lanqin's anxious appearance, Fourth Master couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Everyone has to die eventually. This is the natural order of things. No one can avoid it. Everything in this world is subject to the four words 'birth, aging, sickness, and death'."

Then, the Fourth Prince touched Lanqin's hair and continued, "I already knew this. All this talk about living ten thousand years is just self-deception. Over the past thousands of years, many emperors have sought the path to immortality, but in the end, who can truly live forever, and who can truly live ten thousand years?"

Upon hearing the Fourth Prince's words, Lanqin, who was already very sad and scared, couldn't help but shed tears. Although she had always understood this principle, and no one in the Qing Dynasty could understand this fact better, she was truly afraid that the Fourth Prince might suddenly leave her one day.

"I don't want that. All I want is for Your Majesty to be well and stay with me for the rest of your life." With that, Lanqin could no longer hold back her tears.

Seeing Lanqin cry, the Fourth Prince felt very distressed, as he feared Lanqin's tears the most. Therefore, he quickly comforted her, saying, "Don't worry, I will live a long and healthy life. If you don't want me to leave, then I won't leave."

Then, the Fourth Prince carefully wiped away Lanqin's tears and said slowly, "Don't cry. I can't stand seeing you cry." He sighed softly and continued, "You really are getting worse with age. When you get old, your tears become worthless."

Lanqin knew that the Fourth Prince was trying to comfort her, and she didn't want to put him in a difficult position, so she slowly controlled her tears, stopped crying, and said in a choked voice, "Your Majesty must keep your promise. As the supreme ruler, Your Majesty must never break your word."

"Alright, alright." Upon hearing Lanqin's words, the Fourth Prince quickly nodded in agreement, gently patted Lanqin's back, and then continued in Lanqin's ear, "I forbid you from crying anymore. It makes my heart ache."

"Mmm." Lanqin nodded slowly in agreement. Then, Lanqin opened her arms and hugged Fourth Master's waist. Fourth Master also reached out and hugged her back. The two leaned against each other under the red plum tree.

Time was peaceful, and her loved ones were by her side. At this moment, Lanqin wished that time could stand still, so that she would no longer have to live in fear.

Seeing this scene from afar, Su Peisheng and Cui Niang were also filled with emotion. Su Peisheng said, "If only the Emperor and the Empress could stay like this forever."

Standing there, Cui Niang secretly wiped away her tears and said, "Of course it will always be like this."