When Fourth Master walked in, Lanqin was already asleep, slumped over the table. Nianxue stood to the side, sweating profusely. What was wrong with the Princess? She had summoned the Master, and now she was asleep.

Fourth Master walked to the other side of the small table and sat down opposite Lanqin.

Nianxue wanted to call out, but Fourth Master stopped her with a look, and then waved his hand, signaling her to step back.

Xi Cha carried the tea, walked up to Fourth Master, handed him the tea, and then withdrew.

Actually, Lanqin's decision to send Ziran to fetch Fourth Master was perfectly timed. The Third, Eighth, and Ninth Brothers had all been drinking with resentment. Seventh Brother was just drinking alone, thankfully Thirteenth Brother was there, otherwise he wouldn't have lasted this long. Fourteenth Brother was still the same, with a face full of resentment, speaking in a harsh, unpleasant tone.

The little princess's brows furrowed, as if she were dreaming of something. Her little mouth was making smacking noises as she chewed something.

The Fourth Prince took a sip of tea and, seeing the little princess frowning, raised his hand and used his index and middle fingers to gently pry open her brows, which were gradually furrowing into a "川" shape.

"Master, you've arrived?" Lanqin suddenly opened her eyes and saw Fourth Master sitting opposite her, looking at her.

"I called for you, but you were asleep," Fourth Master teased deliberately.

"I'm so tired, and I was bullied for no reason. Master, you have to stand up for me!" Lanqin pouted, stood up from the couch, walked over to Fourth Master, and naturally plopped down in his lap.

This little woman is getting better and better at being charming and coquettish.

"Who bullied you?" The Fourth Prince's face darkened, and his first thought was of his wife. However, this little princess had always been very sensible and had never mentioned his wife in front of him.

"Does Master remember Lady Dong?" Lanqin picked up the teacup that Fourth Master had drunk from and started drinking from it.

If you feel wronged, you can't keep it to yourself; you must tell your man, and you have to choose the right opportunity.

"Seventh Prince's princess?" Fourth Prince naturally remembered. It was after visiting Lady Dong during the last Golden Festival that she was abducted on the street. Seventh Prince had even come to apologize to Fourth Prince then, so how could Fourth Prince blame him? Because of his congenital disability, Seventh Prince had little presence in Kangxi's eyes. Fourth Prince had always taken good care of Seventh Prince, and not only because Consort Cheng was affiliated with Consort De.

"Yes. Lady Dong and I were both selected for the imperial concubine selection at the same time. We even shared a room and got along quite well. However, when I went to see Consort De, I heard that Lady Dong had died during childbirth, along with her unborn child. I couldn't help but feel sad at the time, but then someone grabbed me and said that I hadn't paid my respects to Consort De in time." Lanqin pouted, her eyes full of grievance.

Fourth Prince understood the meaning behind Lanqin's words; she was clearly Seventh Prince's wife! If it were the Fujin (Prince's wife), the little princess wouldn't have said that at this time. And the only person there who could deliberately make things difficult for the little princess regarding Dong Shi's matter was Seventh Prince's wife.

"Want me to avenge you?" A cold glint flashed in Fourth Prince's eyes; he was still quite displeased. Seventh Prince was his own brother, so it was one thing, but Nara was just someone he had no blood relation to. Moreover, Seventh Prince and Seventh Princess didn't seem to get along very well; otherwise, why would he have been drinking alone all day?

"I just feel unwell. Dong Shi's passing was rather tragic, but I didn't ask her about it. Why is Seventh Princess Consort dissatisfied with me?" Lanqin said, still feeling aggrieved.

"Are you saying that Lady Dong was murdered? Seventh Prince's wife has long disliked you?" Fourth Prince's brows furrowed even deeper.

"I don't know. However, I've only met the Seventh Princess Consort a few times, and I don't know how I offended her. It must be because I'm on good terms with Madam Dong." Lanqin decided to stop there; she had said all she needed to say.

Fourth Master finally understood. He hugged Lanqin and pinched her chin, saying, "Seventh Prince has always been weak-willed. Nara is the daughter of Deputy Commander-in-Chief Faka. She has been married to Seventh Prince for six or seven years, but has not given birth to a single child. Seventh Prince only has two daughters and two sons, all born to concubines. Now, this Nara has wronged you and made Seventh Brother unhappy. It is time for her mother-in-law to give her a good scolding."

Upon hearing this, Lanqin knew that the Fourth Prince intended to have Consort De handle the matter, but she wasn't about to let it go so easily. Her mother-in-law's reprimand was nothing more than a punishment like copying the "Rules of Conduct for Women," and it wouldn't cost her anything; it was hardly a real punishment. Dong Shi had died too tragically, and the Seventh Prince clearly cared about her a lot—and they were just going to let it go like that?

Fourth Master looked at the little princess's face and said, "What's wrong? Are you not satisfied?"

Lanqin knew the Fourth Prince's identity, and as for the Seventh Prince's wife, she couldn't easily make a move. The fact that she was on her side like this already showed that she cared about her a lot.

"My lord, I have only suffered a little injustice, but Sister Dong's passing was so unjust. Seventh Master must be a man of great affection and righteousness, otherwise he wouldn't have held onto her body for a whole day. Seventh Master now has few children, and as his primary consort, you cannot be kind and benevolent, nor can you allow me to bear children for you. What should we do?" Lanqin deliberately put on a stern face and spoke righteously. As she finished speaking, she suddenly thought of the Fourth Consort, the one who always wore a smile and spoke softly.

Seeing how serious Lanqin was, Fourth Master knew about the unsavory power struggles among the women in the inner quarters, but it was really not easy for him to interfere.

Seeing that the Fourth Prince remained silent, Lanqin knew that he was also in a dilemma, so she said, "Your Highness, I just want to remind the Seventh Prince that his princess and child have suffered such misfortune. As the head of the household, the Seventh Prince should take good care of them, for his own sake and for the sake of the departed souls."

Fourth Master understood Lanqin's meaning. He remained silent for a while, then looked at Lanqin again and said, "I never expected that my Lan'er would be such a kind-hearted woman."

Lanqin's words deeply shocked the Fourth Prince. She didn't simply emphasize the extent of her grievances; her words were reasonable and empathetic. The Seventh Prince may be weak, but he was still a descendant of the Aisin Gioro clan. How could he allow a woman to stir up trouble in the inner quarters and harm a descendant of the Aisin Gioro clan?

Fourth Master checked the time and figured it was about time to return to the front yard, so he put Lanqin down and said, "Don't worry, I won't let you suffer like that. Leave me some supper tonight; I only had some wine and didn't eat much. Seventh Brother, I'll talk to him."

Lanqin leaned against the doorway, watching the sapphire blue robe disappear through the doorway, and sighed slightly in her heart: what would the princess do if she were to become pregnant one day?

Suddenly, Lanqin felt a growing sense of fear. In this ancient world where everything was under control, it was impossible to guard against any schemes the Fujin (principal wife) might employ. The Fourth Prince was, after all, a man, and not as perceptive as a woman. Sometimes, when women were cunning, they could be far more ruthless than men.