"You're pregnant, why aren't you resting in the house? Why did you come out?" Fourth Master saw that Yan Yu's belly was slightly protruding and, feeling sorry for her pregnancy, went forward to help her up.

"I came here to talk to my elder sister and see if there's anything I can do. Once my elder sister leaves, there will be no one to manage the inner quarters," Yan Yu said to the Fujin.

"We'll be back tonight, and nothing much will happen for the rest of the day. Sister, you're overthinking it. Just rest at home and don't upset your baby," the Fujin said, her eyes flashing. She had already figured out Yan Yu's meaning—she wanted Yan Yu to signal that she would host a gathering of the princesses in the main courtyard. Hmph, well thought, but this Fujin won't let you take the lead so easily!

"Then this concubine will respectfully see you and your wife off at the door~" Yan Yu was displeased at the moment, but she dared not show it, so she spoke to the Fourth Prince even more humbly.

"Fangyun, help your mistress up. Don't make her bow again, lest she hurt the baby in her womb," the Fujin said meaningfully to Fangyun as she walked to Yan Yu's side.

As soon as the Fourth Prince and his wife walked out of the main courtyard, Yan Yu's originally respectful and gentle expression immediately changed. She turned around and stared at the main house of the main courtyard. After a moment of distraction, she took Fang Yun's hand and went back.

Consort Li, accompanied by the Third and Fourth Princes, was already waiting at the gate. Three carriages were parked there. The first carriage, with its vermilion roof and golden canopy, signified the Fourth Prince's status and rank. The next carriage was considerably more ordinary, simply covered in silk; it was clearly for her and the two princes. The third carriage was similar to the second, presumably for the First and Second Princesses.

"Mother, do we really have to go to the palace?" the Third Prince Hongjun suddenly asked.

"What's wrong, Hongjun?" Madam Li noticed that the Third Prince's expression was a little strange, so she bent down and touched his little face, only to find that his forehead was a little hot.

"I'm not feeling well, Mother. Can I not go today?" Hongjun asked, glancing at Madam Li.

Li knew that Hongjun had a fever, but if she told the Fourth Prince and the Third Prince now that they had fevers, she would definitely be asked to stay and take care of the Third Prince! Then, she would lose her chance to go to the palace to see Consort De, and the gifts she had prepared would not be able to reach Consort De. If the Third Prince didn't go, the Fourth Prince certainly couldn't go either, and her plan to make a good impression on Consort De with the Third and Fourth Princes would be completely overturned.

No, this opportunity is rare, and who knows when the next one will come?

"Hongjun, your mother just touched your forehead, it's just a little hot. You can drink some water and take a nap in the carriage later, and you should be fine. After we enter the palace, I'll say a few words to your mother, and then you can go to the side hall to rest. Is that alright?" Madam Li looked at the Third Prince earnestly.

"But Mother, I really feel unwell. I don't know if I can make it to the palace," the Third Prince said, feeling weak and dizzy.

"My dear, just hang in there a little longer, and your mother will find a chance for you to rest," Madam Li insisted.

The Third Prince glanced at Li Shi helplessly a few times, then nodded and said nothing more.

At this moment, the Fourth Prince and his wife came out, followed naturally by the First Princess and the Second Princess.

"This humble servant greets Your Highness and Your Highness!" Madam Li greeted the Fourth Prince with graceful steps and gave him a curtsy.

"Get up, how are the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince?" the Fourth Prince said, offering a slight helping hand.

"They're both fine, but the Third Prince seems to have caught a slight cold and is feeling a bit unwell. I'm going to take him to Mother's Palace to pay my respects and then let him rest in the side hall." Madam Li explained the Third Prince's discomfort. It wasn't that she wanted to keep him there, but rather that she didn't want him to be discovered to be unwell in Consort De's palace. Therefore, she mentioned it in advance to avoid the Fourth Prince blaming her for not taking good care of the two princes.

"Since the Third Prince is not feeling well, why don't you stay here and not go?" the Princess Consort said at the opportune moment.

"He's just feeling a little unwell, it's nothing serious. He must have already told Mother, she misses her grandson so much, and if he suddenly says he can't go, I'm afraid he'll disappoint her." Li Shi brought up Consort De, and the Fourth Prince wouldn't object.

Sure enough, Fourth Master said, "Hongjun, come here!"

Li was surprised that Fourth Master would call him Hongjun directly. She was taken aback by his behavior and her heart pounded. She silently thought, "Hongjun, you must live up to his expectations!"

"Hongjun, how are you feeling? Can you still hold on?" Fourth Master raised his hand and touched Hongjun's forehead, which was indeed a little feverish.

“Father, I’m fine. Mother is right. We agreed to go and pay our respects to the Emperor. Let Hongjun go instead. If he feels unwell, I will tell Mother.” The Third Prince said sensibly.

Upon hearing what the Third Prince said, Lady Li looked at him with delight and satisfaction, then immediately stepped forward, pulled him into her arms, and said, "Your Highness, the Third Prince is very filial; please let him enter the palace."

The Fourth Prince already harbored an inexplicable affection for Consort De. Seeing how sensible the Third Prince was, he nodded with satisfaction and said, "If it gets worse, tell your mother immediately, understand?"

The Third Prince nodded emphatically. After they were all seated in the carriage, the Fourth Prince's carriage slowly made its way to the Shenwu Gate of the Forbidden City.

As for Lanqin, she had sent Huanbi to watch the gate long ago, so that she could report immediately as soon as the Fourth Prince and his wife left.

Huanbi was delighted to see Lanqin ordering her around again, and she walked briskly. When she brought the news that Fourth Master and his wife had already left back to the South Courtyard, Lanqin immediately said to Nianxue, "Let's go, we can go out too. Let's go see Madam Dong at Seventh Master's residence first, and then go to the temple fair tonight. It's sure to be lively tonight. By the way, are Fourth Master and his wife coming back tonight?"

Nianxue shook her head, and the other maids also shook their heads. Lanqin was confused. Oh, why didn't I ask clearly whether Fourth Master was coming back tonight or not?

She had completely overlooked such a crucial moment! What if Fourth Master had returned early in the morning and found that she hadn't returned by late afternoon? Wouldn't that have exposed her?

No, I have to go and ask, but who else knows when the Fourth Prince and his wife will be back?

Lanqin stomped her foot, put her hands on her hips, and paced back and forth in the room, feeling extremely agitated.

“Princess, it’s not difficult to find out when Master and Princess will return.” Seeing Lanqin’s expression, Huanbi guessed what Lanqin was worried about and spoke boldly.

"Oh, tell me quickly, who should we ask?" Lanqin asked anxiously.

“Of course we should ask Steward Wang at the gatehouse. He’s been there for so long, he must know when Fourth Master goes out and when he comes back every year for the Golden Festival,” Huanbi said.