The Fujin was right; even though Lanqin already knew her true colors, she wouldn't skip her birthday celebration. Although the Fourth Prince no longer had any feelings for the Fujin, he still had to give her the respect due to his principal wife.

Lanqin was troubled again. What should she send to the Fujin (principal wife)? Her needlework was hardly presentable. Sending fabric or jewelry seemed inappropriate; would the Fujin need a concubine to send such things? Usually, it was something handmade that was sent. Perhaps she should ask Sister Song or Lady Geng; the Fujin could tell at a glance who made it. At times like this, she couldn't ask someone else to do it for her.

Our Comrade Lanqin looked at the plain-colored satin and began to worry. It wouldn't be right to ask the Fourth Master to solve this kind of problem.

"Is Princess worried about the birthday gift to give to the primary consort?" Aunt An saw Lanqin staring blankly at a piece of cloth and knew that the primary consort was going to hold a banquet at Bixin Lake.

“Yes, Aunt, I’ve never been good at needlework. I wanted to make a dress for the Fujin to wear underneath, maybe embroider some flowers on the collar and cuffs as a gesture, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to do it well,” Lanqin said. Although this Aunt An was a bit rigid, Lanqin found that she was actually a very kind person. Since Aunt An arrived, she had been trying different ways to change Lanqin’s diet, and gradually her morning sickness had disappeared. Now, Lanqin could eat and drink well, and was noticeably plumper than before.

“If Your Highness trusts me, why don’t you let me embroider for you? You only need to cut the fabric; I can finish the rest,” said Granny An.

Upon hearing this, Lanqin immediately stood up excitedly, grabbed Aunt An's hand, and said with a smile, "It's wonderful that Aunt is really willing to help. The Fujin also knows about Nianxue's skills, so I didn't ask Nianxue to help. If Aunt is helping, then there will be no problem."

"Princess, be careful. You moved so much just now. Be careful not to hurt your back." Aunt An also liked the little princess's innocence and kindness. Although she didn't have many rules, she was very kind to the servants and didn't act like a master at all.

"I understand, Aunt An. Your embroidery is the best. The Fujin (consort) won't be able to tell your skill, and even if she did, she wouldn't say anything, after all, she's Consort De's person." Lanqin was truly happy that something that had been weighing on her mind for the past few days was resolved so easily.

And so, Lanqin and Nianxue cut the plain satin to fit the Princess's figure. Nianxue then sewed the edges and corners, while Lanqin did virtually nothing—it wasn't her forte. Granny An then proceeded with the embroidery, and within a few days, the Princess's birthday gift was ready.

Lanqin's daily meals and activities were all arranged by Aunt An. Gradually, Lanqin had no choice but to follow Aunt An's arrangements and rhythm, and it gradually became quite regular, so she didn't dislike it so much anymore.

However, there was one activity that Aunt An was unaware of. That was that every day after lunch, Lanqin would help Nianxue go for a walk.

When they went for a walk, Lanqin would secretly instruct Nianxue to bring some small fish or other treats that cats like to eat. Every time they came to a place where they encountered the little black cat, they would stop to feed it and play with it.

Nianxue found the little black cat adorable. Gege was getting quite bored staying cooped up in the house every day, so having a kitten to play with was a welcome relief.

"Oh, isn't this Princess Niu!" Wu's voice came. It seemed that she had become depressed since Li left, and she no longer spoke like before. Lanqin didn't have any deep hatred for her, so when she saw that Wu took the initiative to talk to her, she replied.

"Princess Wu, are you out for a walk too?" Lanqin asked.

"Hmm, I'm cooped up in the house all day, with nothing much to do. Niu Gege, you're three months along, aren't you?" Madam Wu noticed that Lanqin's belly was flat, and she couldn't tell that she was pregnant.

"Yes, it's been about three months," Lanqin said. Although she knew that Wu Shi wouldn't do anything to her in public like this, unless she herself didn't want to get away, she couldn't guarantee it, so she could only turn to the side, not showing her belly to Wu Shi.

Nianxue, recalling Wu Shi's past attitude towards Lanqin, became alert and stepped to Lanqin's side, standing between her and Wu Shi. If Wu Shi wanted to do something, it wouldn't be so direct.

Wu glanced at Nianxue's driver, knowing what she was thinking, then turned to look at the black cat and said, "Princess Niu, it's not a good time for you to be near these beasts, aren't you afraid it will harm you?"

Lanqin said dismissively, "Cats only forgive when they are threatened. I talk to it and feed it every day, so we're already familiar with each other."

Madam Wu looked at it and said, "Where did this cat come from? I feel like I've seen it somewhere before."

Lanqin shook her head and said, "It comes here every day to wait for me to feed it. I suppose no one feeds it? But the cat's fur looks quite nice; it doesn't seem like a stray cat."

Seeing that she had nothing more to say to Lanqin, Madam Wu left first. Lanqin stayed with the cat for a while longer before finally taking Nianxue's hand and returning home.

To everyone's surprise, Fourth Master was waiting in the house. When Lanqin returned, he said with a hint of reproach, "Where have you been? I've been waiting for you for quite a while."

Lanqin simply said, "Just taking a stroll," and then took Fourth Master's hand and they went into the study together.

It was still early before dinner, so the two of them snuggled up in the study to read. Fourth Master took a book and walked to the bamboo couch in the study. Lanqin also chose a book and sat down behind him, leaning against each other to read.

Outside, the cicadas chirped sparsely, for it was not yet the height of summer. The sun had already begun to set, and its last rays shone through the hexagonal windows, leaving no warmth behind.

Fourth Master, worried that Lanqin might get too hot, had already sent someone to bring ice, which was placed in a corner of the room.

Lanqin felt that this moment was truly wonderful, and she wished that her life could be like this, with her beloved man by her side, pregnant with their child, and quietly reading together.

"It's the Princess's birthday. If you don't want to go, you don't have to," the Fourth Prince suddenly said.

"No, she's the Fujin (principal wife). Everyone else is going, and it wouldn't be right for me not to go." Lanqin kept her eyes on the book, but a wide smile clearly appeared on her lips. The Fourth Prince felt sorry for her and was afraid she would be mistreated if she went.

“You have your reasons. You are pregnant and should not overexert yourself. Besides, it’s a trip to Bixin Lake. Aunt An said we shouldn’t risk our lives.” Fourth Master did not leave the book.

"I am deeply fortunate to receive Your Highness's favor. I have never been disrespectful to you, my Lady, and I would not want to give anyone cause for criticism. Besides, I am already more than three months pregnant, so if I am careful, everything will be fine. And besides, Your Highness is here." Lanqin felt a warmth in her heart; the Fourth Prince was thinking of her in every way.

“Let Aunt An accompany you. She comes from the palace and is more experienced than you. Besides, she can use Mother as a shield,” the Fourth Prince said.