When Fourth Master entered the South Courtyard, Lanqin was dining alone on the tatami mat in the main room. She had specially ordered steamed sea bass, pickled bamboo shoots and chicken gizzards, cold jellyfish salad, chicken and green vegetable soup, and a pigeon soup.

"Even though I'm not here, you don't seem to be neglecting yourself. Can you finish all this food?" When Fourth Master came in, he deliberately didn't let the servants inform Lanqin. He wanted to give this little woman a surprise. Although they had been corresponding, it felt like they had been apart for a long time since they parted in early spring and only met again in early summer.

"Master, you're back!" Lanqin exclaimed in surprise.

The next second, our Lanqin didn't care whether there were any maids present. She immediately jumped up from the bed like a puppy rushing to its long-lost master and crashed into the Fourth Master's arms.

Lanqin missed this man terribly; she made no attempt to hide her attachment to the Fourth Prince. From being confined for over two months at the beginning of the year, to his release, and then their reconciliation, Lanqin understood her own feelings. She had fallen undeniably in love with this man. Yes, she had fallen in love with the Fourth Prince—Aisin Gioro Yinzhen. If Lin Mengyao had held back before, after nearly a year of interaction, both she and Lanqin had fallen in love with the Fourth Prince.

Nianxue and Sihua lowered their heads in embarrassment, especially Sihua, who, being younger, exclaimed inwardly: "Princess!!"

"You may all leave now. Bring up a bowl and chopsticks. Also, have Chef Niu prepare a garlic-flavored preserved egg, a bitter melon with meat filling, and a brown sugar glutinous rice cake." Lanqin mentioned that Fourth Master liked two of the dishes.

Lanqin had long since figured out her own tastes perfectly. That's right, Sisi had a bit of a preference for unusual flavors, such as bitterness and garlic, and also liked sweets.

The Fourth Prince held Lanqin's slender waist with satisfaction, inwardly marveling: His wife had served him for nine years, yet she never knew his tastes. This little woman had figured out his preferences in just a few months. He hadn't spoiled her for nothing!

After the maid brought up the chopsticks, bowls, and the three newly added dishes, he happily withdrew.

"Master, why did you reply so suddenly? You didn't even send a letter." Lanqin grabbed the Fourth Master's hand, pulled him onto the couch, and then sat down in his lap.

"Sitting on my lap like this, are you going to serve me food?" Fourth Master asked deliberately.

"Yes, Your Highness, I will serve you." Lanqin said sweetly.

"Is the Princess Consort not in the mansion?" the Fourth Prince suddenly asked.

"Yes. Consort De has summoned me to the palace." Lanqin answered truthfully without saying much when the Fujin was mentioned.

"The moment I returned, I came straight here. I haven't gone anywhere else yet. What's wrong? Are you unhappy that I asked you, my wife?" The Fourth Prince noticed the low tone in the little princess's voice.

"I wouldn't dare. However, I also can't bring myself to excitedly tell you, 'My lord, why don't you go and see the Princess Consort?'"

"!" Lanqin deliberately pinched her throat and shouted loudly.

"You little devil!" Fourth Master just loves the authenticity in this little woman. He's seen far too many of those who feign virtuousness.

"Master, have some fish!" Lanqin picked up a piece of sea bass with her chopsticks and held it to Fourth Master's mouth.

Fourth Master obediently accepted and ate.

"Master, have some bamboo shoots!" Lanqin picked up another bamboo shoot with her chopsticks and held it to Fourth Master's mouth.

Fourth Master obediently accepted the order and ate.

The two of them ate their meal like children playing house, taking turns eating. Neither of them mentioned anything else.

Meanwhile, Yan Yu had already learned that Fourth Master had returned to the manor.

"What did you say? Fourth Master went to the South Courtyard?" Yan Yu raised her voice.

"Yes!" Fangyun replied softly.

"He didn't even come to see his two children, and ran off to that vixen's place?" Yan Yu grabbed a pink cup from the table, ready to smash it down.

"Princess, the Fujin (consort) has entered the palace today. It must be Consort De inquiring about your child. You should wait and see. There's no need to bother with that girl in the South Courtyard. Once your status is elevated, she'll bow to you." Fangyun hurriedly said.

These words really worked; Yan Yu's anger, which had just surged up, dissipated considerably because of them.

"Princess, the Fujin has just returned. You should wait quietly. Only the Fujin should argue with her." Fangyun helped Yanyu sit down.

As soon as the Fujin stepped into the main courtyard, Xiahe reported that the Fourth Prince had returned.

She was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "Where is he?"

Xia He glanced cautiously at the Fujin and said, "We went to the South Courtyard."

Upon hearing this, the princess did not show anything on her face, but silently walked into the house.

"Go and deliver those things to Yan Yu, and say that they are a gift from Consort De." The Fujin stopped and said to Li Mama, who was following behind her.

"Madam, let me order your meal first. You haven't had lunch yet," said Granny Li, looking at her mistress's retreating figure with concern. The Empress Dowager in the palace had never invited Madam to stay for a meal.

"Yes, go ahead. I'm tired, I'll go rest for a bit." The Fujin took Chunliu's hand and walked inside.

When Granny Li, accompanied by two maids, delivered the gifts from Consort De to Yan Yu, Yan Yu accepted them all. Just as she was about to give Granny Li a purse, she was refused.

"Princess Yu, if I may be so bold as to say this, I've watched you grow from a crying baby into a graceful young lady." Granny Li couldn't help but feel indignant and wanted to say a few words to Yan Yu.

"If you have something to say, please speak." Seeing that Granny Li's expression was indifferent, Yan Yu also suppressed her friendly smile and said seriously.

“As a daughter born out of wedlock, the Ninth Princess should have come to support the Fujin (the principal wife) after marrying into the household. She is the eldest daughter born of the principal wife and the Fourth Prince’s primary wife. She represents not only herself but also the glory and future of the Ulanara family. The Ninth Princess has come this far thanks to the Fujin’s help. Now that the Ninth Princess has been fortunate enough to give birth to twins, she should be given to the Fujin. In my humble opinion, that would not be a bad thing for the Princess,” said Granny Li.

She was furious today. How could Consort De in the palace have known about this, and even summoned the Princess Consort to the palace to reprimand her? Wasn't this a slap in the face?

Now, it's one thing for Niu Shi in the South Courtyard to monopolize Fourth Master's power, but for you, her own sister, to secretly trip her up is truly a laughing stock for outsiders.

Upon hearing this, Yan Yu's expression changed, but she hadn't truly broken ties with the Fujin yet, so she forced herself to say, "What are you saying, Granny? Yu'er just gave birth, and you're telling us to separate mother and child?"

“That’s not what I meant,” said Granny Li, taken aback by her words.

“My elder sister has already raised the Fourth Prince, and the children I have given birth to are also my elder sister’s children. If my elder sister insists on separating us, mother and children, then I, Yu’er, can only accept my fate,” Yan Yu said.