No one knows who spread the word, but the news of Yan Yu's encounter with the white fox in her dream quickly became known to everyone. First, it spread among the servants in the inner quarters, and then to those in charge, and even the masters of each courtyard.

Those with discerning eyes could immediately see that Yan Yu was arguing with the one in the South Courtyard, while those who didn't know the situation thought that Yan Yu was being too pretentious and taking advantage of her pregnancy to act coquettishly towards the Fourth Master!

When Lanqin found out, she just chuckled and then ignored the matter. Anyway, Fourth Master had already said that the snow fox fur coat was for her, and it had already been taken to the tailor to be made. Could it possibly be given away at the last minute? Besides, the size wasn't right!

Even if Yan Yu really wanted to take it, let her go. It was just a piece of clothing after all, and Lan Qin didn't really care about it.

Only Lanqin thought this way; she was so carefree she could practically let an egg drop. If it were any other woman, she probably would have been restless long ago.

Fourth Master continued to visit Lanqin as usual, never mentioning the snow fox pelt. Lanqin was too lazy to ask, knowing full well that he wasn't the type to take back something he'd given away and give it to another woman. Therefore, Lanqin wasn't worried at all. After spending the past six months together, Lanqin knew that Fourth Master truly loved her, and she loved him in return, a love that only grew stronger. Regardless of whether there were more or fewer women in the inner quarters, Lanqin hoped to forever hold onto Fourth Master's heart; she couldn't let go.

Lanqin didn't know what would happen to her if the Fourth Prince's favor was gone one day. Would she, like Madam Song and Madam Wang, quietly stay in her own little world in the inner quarters, waiting for her youth to fade away?

Occasionally, when Lanqin was bored, she would think about such questions. However, Niohuru was the maternal grandmother of the future Qianlong Emperor, so such worries were definitely unfounded. Therefore, our Comrade Lanqin's worries didn't last long, only a few dozen seconds, and then she continued to devote herself to the comfortable life of a recluse in the inner palace.

The 43rd year of Kangxi's reign finally came to an end, and Lin Mengyao welcomed her first Lunar New Year after traveling through time—the 44th year of Kangxi's reign. There were still two years before the Crown Prince was deposed, four years before Lady Nian entered the palace, and six years before Lady Niohuru gave birth to Emperor Qianlong.

Because of the New Year, people from Fourth Master's estate and those he had promoted began to send New Year's gifts one after another. Fourth Master had also sent word to the hunters on the estate, asking them to present snow fox pelts. This was what he intended to give to Yan Yu, although he considered the dream to be nothing more than a woman's affectation, he was too lazy to shatter it.

However, Yan Yu did not understand the meaning of what Si Si had said to her that day. She had thought that Lan Qin would be very sad and upset if the snow fox fur she had made was taken away in the end.

The Fourth Prince and his wife had to go to the palace for three days starting from New Year's Day. Consort Li was specially left to take care of the children. The incident at the last Golden Festival made Consort De afraid, so she specially sent an imperial edict to let the children rest well and come to the palace to pay their respects during the New Year.

On the eve of New Year's Day, the head nanny specially sent word to all the courtyards, ordering everyone to gather for a "dinner" in the east courtyard. This was also specially instructed by the Fourth Prince, who asked Li Shi to host everyone for a New Year's Eve dinner on his behalf and that of the Fujin (Prince's wife).

The snow fell heavily for about ten days, on and off, until it froze the entire city of Beijing.

This day was the last day of the 43rd year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign.

Lanqin wore a thick, light green cotton robe, with white rabbit fur trimmed at the collar and cuffs. She looked a little plumper, perhaps because she had been cooped up in the courtyard for over a decade, eating and sleeping all day long. The little princess's face was indeed rounder than in the summer, and even her complexion was much better.

"Uncle Li, your paper-cut window decorations are so beautiful! How are you so skillful?" It was Xicha who spoke.

A group of them were cutting paper in Lanqin's main room. Lanqin was bored and had nothing to do, so she remembered that Uncle Li was good at paper cutting, and she and her maids started cutting paper decorations and making lanterns together.

Xi Cha, Huan Bi, and Li Shubao sat on the couch cutting paper, while Lan Qin, Nian Xue, and Zi Ran pasted red lantern paper onto the lantern frames made by the carpenter. This lantern paper was not just ordinary red paper, but red paper that Lan Qin had been preparing for many days, with drawings, riddles, and limericks written on it.

"Princess, where did you come up with so many riddles?" Nianxue asked curiously as Lanqin wrote down riddles one by one with ease.

"I read it in a book!" Lanqin originally wanted to say "I read it online," but naturally changed it to "book" when she said it.

"Are there books that specifically teach riddles?" Zi Ran and Nian Xue each held a lantern stand and pasted the red paper written by Lan Qin onto the lantern stand.

"Um, I found it at a bookstall outside. I just flipped through it and wrote this down," Lanqin said evasively. She found Ziran to be a very intelligent person. She didn't talk much usually, but when she did, she could always pinpoint the crux of the problem.

"Princess, we have to go to Consort Li's banquet tonight. Should I go and prepare the clothes and jewelry you will be wearing?" Huanbi had been watching Li Shubao's paper-cutting for a long time and found it boring, so she came over to watch them make lanterns.

"Oh, I almost forgot if you hadn't mentioned it. Xicha, go and pack all the things I need to wear. Huanbi, go and help Uncle Li with the paper cutting." Lanqin had also figured out Huanbi's personality, and besides, Nianxue had always disliked her, so she didn't want Huanbi to interfere in her inner room's affairs.

Xi Cha left as instructed, leaving Huan Bi feeling awkward. Disappointed, she went back to help Li Shubao with paper cutting.

As night fell, the paper decorations and lanterns for the windows in the South Courtyard were almost ready. Lanqin instructed Ziran to lead everyone to paste or hang the paper decorations and lanterns, just to make it look festive.

This is my first New Year in ancient times, so I have to find some fun for myself.

Lanqin changed into a light gold cotton qipao that Xicha had prepared for her, and styled her hair in a small winged bun. The whole set of red coral headdress made the little princess look very festive.

"You all keep a close watch on the courtyard. I'll be right back. We'll eat glutinous rice balls together when I get back," Lanqin said, supporting Nianxue's hand as she left.

Looking at the courtyard adorned with red window paper and red lanterns, Lanqin felt a deep sense of joy. This was her first New Year's Day since transmigrating, and she had already been the Fourth Master's concubine for over half a year. She had initially thought the scheming and power struggles of the household would be largely thwarted by the Fourth Master. So far, Lanqin felt that this kind of life was quite good; a group of wives living peacefully together, surrounding one man, were actually quite harmonious and happy!