That evening, Fourth Master still went to the South Courtyard.

Lanqin was naturally delighted to see the Fourth Prince arrive, but she was also prepared for gossip. His favoritism towards her was already quite obvious, and even if Lanqin didn't want to get involved in the power struggles of the inner quarters, she probably had no choice. As long as the Fourth Prince favored her and liked to go to the South Courtyard, it would arouse jealousy among the women in the inner quarters.

After abstaining from sex for two or three months, the Fourth Master simply carried Lanqin to bed. The maids serving them immediately retreated far away, keeping a safe distance. They were not allowed to approach unless the Fourth Master called upon them.

"Master!" Lanqin cried out, but before she could say anything, her cherry-red lips were captured by the Fourth Master.

Fourth Master gently placed Lanqin on the bed, supporting himself with one hand on the bed and holding Lanqin's head with the other, his entire body suspended in the air, but Lanqin's legs were firmly pinned down by Fourth Master's lower body.

The kiss was so intense that Lanqin felt like she couldn't breathe.

"Master!" Just as Fourth Master's lips left Lanqin's lips and traveled down her graceful neck, he heard Lanqin utter a soft, trembling moan.

The Fourth Prince couldn't hold back any longer, and a series of actions followed (omitted here, use your imagination). He continued until Lanqin couldn't take it anymore, and finally, out of pity for the little princess, he quieted down. If it were up to the Fourth Prince, they could have continued.

Lanqin was too drowsy to open her eyes, but Fourth Master was very alert. He placed Lanqin under his arm and, holding her close, began to tell her about the strange sounds coming from the bottom of West Lake.

It wasn't until his guards reported the results to him that he knew what was going on was no small matter. Those things hidden at the bottom of West Lake with ropes must be something that couldn't be revealed to the world. And those people who mysteriously disappeared remain a mystery to this day.

"Master, could it be silver?" Lanqin said with her eyes closed, then snuggled up in the Fourth Master's arms until she found a comfortable position and seemed to fall asleep again.

"Why hide so much silver underwater?" Fourth Master asked.

"Perhaps it's money with no known origin, or someone is hiding something! Such a large sum of money, and they even dare to lay a hand on me, they must be someone of great status," Lanqin said.

"If Fan Zhongqi can find anything, perhaps he can find some clues," Fourth Master said.

Fan Zhongqi? The most valiant general under Nian Gengyao in pacifying the Northwest!

A sudden realization struck Lanqin; she instantly remembered everything associated with that name. Nian Gengyao, Consort Nian's brother!

"Did the master send him to investigate the missing persons?" Lanqin felt a slight tremor in her heart when she thought of Consort Hua, who was arrogant and domineering on screen and would punish people with a severe beating at the drop of a hat.

Well, she rose to power through family connections. The Fourth Prince needed Nian Gengyao, so he favored Nian Shi Luo.

"Hmm. What's wrong?" Fourth Master saw Lanqin open her eyes, and a look of surprise flashed across his face.

“Master, if new people come in later, especially those of high status, will you…” Lanqin raised her head and looked into the Fourth Master’s eyes as she spoke.

Sigh, what's the point of asking now? It seems Lady Nian entered the household in the 48th year of Kangxi's reign, immediately becoming a secondary consort. Her status was higher than mine, and there are still four years to go. Asking now is just asking for trouble!

These four years are enough for me to occupy an increasingly important place in Fourth Master's heart!

"What's wrong? This doesn't sound like you. Where has my little princess's confidence gone?" Fourth Master teased, flicking Lanqin's nose.

"No, even if you just give me a perfunctory answer, it'll be fine." Lanqin knew she had lost her composure, so she had no choice but to start acting spoiled in the Fourth Master's arms.

"No, I don't think any woman understands my thoughts as well as my Lan'er. Even if someone of high status comes in the future, they will never surpass you. Do you understand? Apart from the status of the principal wife, I am willing to give you everything!" This was the first time the Fourth Prince had seen such worry for her husband on the little princess's face. He felt inexplicably proud, but also felt sorry for the little princess and quickly comforted her.

"Then, sir, may I go back to my parents' home for the Dragon Boat Festival? I haven't seen my mother and father in so long. Lan'er misses them." Lan Qin's eyes flickered slightly. The fact that he was willing to say these words was already a great improvement.

For a prince in a feudal dynasty where polygamy was common, it was truly remarkable that he would say "forever" to a woman.

The two slept in each other's arms, and Lanqin slept quite soundly in Fourth Master's embrace.

The next day, the Fourth Prince left early in the morning and should be heading to the palace by now. By the time Lanqin woke up, the Fourth Prince would probably already be at the palace gate.

Si Hua helped Lan Qin comb her hair. Her fair face was flushed with a healthy glow, and she looked radiant. Her long, black hair cascaded down her slender back, but she seemed somewhat lost in thought.

Lanqin stared at herself in the mirror, recalling her conversation with the Fourth Master last night, and felt quite moved. If that Lady Nian really came in the future, and the Fourth Master also doted on and loved her, how should she conduct herself?

"Princess is so beautiful!" Si Hua was actually a girl who wasn't very good at talking, but seeing Lan Qin's unusual concentration, she realized that the princess was indeed very beautiful.

"What if an even more beautiful one comes in the future? Do you think Fourth Master will still come to the South Courtyard like this?" Lanqin asked with a slight smile.

"This servant can see that Master cherishes the Princess very much, and he came to the Princess's place as soon as he returned." Si Hua couldn't explain the situation, so she could only say this.

Oh dear, what's wrong with me? Lady Nian still has four years before she can enter the manor. Why am I worrying about such trivial things?! I should just enjoy the Fourth Prince's favor right now and hold onto his heart.

Lanqin silently berated herself in her heart, and the worry on her face immediately vanished. She raised her lips and cast all those useless worries to the back of her mind.

In her middle age, both Madam Song and Madam Geng came. They both knew that Yan Yu had only received an improvement in her courtyard and treatment, but not in her status.

Lanqin had Nianxue serve her some snacks and candied fruit, and then sat down with Madam Song and Madam Geng to discuss Yan Yu's matter.

"Why do you think Yan Yu's status wasn't promoted this time?" Geng asked.

"The ladies in the palace have also found out, and the rewards have been distributed. However, this person has not been promoted, which suggests that the Fujin (princess's wife) is against it," said Madam Song.

“So, we might be able to relax a bit during this time. After all, we have the Fujin (wife) with us,” Lanqin said.

"The master came here as soon as he returned. Will the wife be able to stand it?" Madam Song asked Lanqin.

“Sister is absolutely right. My sister is being naive again. But none of us can find fault with her now. She must have a reason for doing what she wants,” Lanqin said.