The next day.

Early in the morning, even though Little Princess was now a concubine in the Fourth Prince's mansion, she still loved to sleep in, especially after giving birth; the baby hadn't interfered with her sleep at all. Ushiha slept with her wet nurse at night, and naturally, the wet nurse fed her. Lanqin was only responsible for feeding her when she was awake; she couldn't care less about Ushiha when she was asleep.

Because Lanqin had to go to the palace with the Fourth Prince to express their gratitude today, Nianxue woke Lanqin up as soon as the Fourth Prince got up.

Lanqin, who hadn't slept well, was in a bad mood and refused to get up to change her clothes.

"Princess, let me change your clothes. If you don't get up, you'll be late for your trip to the palace." Nianxue saw Lanqin sitting on the bed with a displeased look on her face, her head lowered and her eyes still closed.

At this moment, the Fourth Master was being helped to change his clothes by Su Peisheng behind the screen. When he heard Nianxue's voice inside, he knew that Lanqin had not slept well.

"Put her clothes and headdress on. It'll be a while before we get to the palace. We can change her clothes when we get there. My carriage is spacious, so I'll put a cushion on her." Fourth Master knows that Lanqin won't be happy all day if she doesn't get a good night's sleep.

Su Peisheng was inwardly impressed: This is what true pampering of Master Niu is all about. The way the master indulges her is even more than that of Li Shi back then.

Upon hearing this, Nianxue glanced at Lanqin, who was already asleep on the quilt.

Sigh, it's not that our Comrade Lanqin is lazy. It's just that getting up at this hour is too early. It's still the middle of the night!

Therefore, the carriage for the Fourth Prince to enter the palace was specially changed to the most spacious one in the mansion, the one reserved for the Fourth Prince and his wife, with a large, vermilion tent. It was lined with cushions and blankets. To make it easier to get in, the carriage was deliberately stopped at the side entrance closest to the South Courtyard. Lanqin was then lazily carried into the carriage by the Fourth Prince, who covered her with a thick cloak.

Nianxue and Xicha followed in the small carriage behind, carrying Lanqin's clothes, jewelry, and toiletries. Su Peisheng, who usually only sat in the front of the carriage, was also fortunate enough to be seated in the small carriage behind Nianxue and the others today, thanks to Lanqin.

The carriage slowly made its way towards the Forbidden City, at the Fourth Prince's special instruction, so as not to disturb Lanqin, who was still fast asleep inside. Normally, the Fourth Prince was among the first to enter the palace, usually reviewing the official reports submitted from all over the country at the Ministry of Revenue. At today's speed, he would likely only arrive just in time for the last group to enter the palace.

"Master Niu has risen to the top in one step. You will all have more face and status following her in the future," Su Peisheng sighed. Lanqin is now a concubine. If she wants to advance further, she will become a primary wife, which is something Su Peisheng doesn't even dare to dream of.

“Father-in-law, we are still just maids serving the princess, not at all as you say,” Nianxue said modestly.

“Girl, the difference between a concubine’s maid and a princess’s maid is not small. Just take the monthly allowance for example, it’s a whole tael of silver more. The clothes, accessories and other items are also different. It’s only because Consort Niu herself is unwilling, otherwise the master would have moved your rooms.” Su Peisheng said with an expression of envy and jealousy but no hatred.

Nianxue knew that Lanqin didn't want to leave the South Courtyard, but Xicha didn't, so she asked, "That's a real pity." Because Xicha was still sharing a room with Nianxue and didn't have her own room. If they moved courtyards, she might be able to have her own room.

“What’s there to regret? Princess is sentimental. Moving to a new place would mean more rooms and more people, which would be more troublesome to manage. Princess doesn’t want to be involved in anything. The place is smaller now, with just the few of us, which prevents any ill-intentioned people from infiltrating our ranks and causing trouble,” Nianxue said.

Su Peisheng found the girl's words quite reasonable and smiled, saying, "Nianxue's words are not wrong either. As the saying goes, with a large temple and many people, there are bound to be many troubles. Your master is not one to get involved in trouble. It's good that he's not moving his position."

Xi Cha nodded as if he had just understood.

As the first rays of sunlight touched the centuries-old city, the Fourth Prince's carriage arrived at the palace gate. Lanqin was still asleep, but no matter how much the Fourth Prince cherished her, he had no choice but to wake her.

"Master, where are we?" Lanqin asked groggily as she opened her eyes.

"We've arrived at Shenwu Gate. Get up quickly and have Nianxue come and help you get dressed and comb your hair. Get your spirits up." Fourth Master reached out and slipped his hand under Lanqin's nape, pulling her up into his arms.

Fourth Master ordered the carriage to stop in a slightly sheltered place. Then he got off the carriage himself and walked to the small carriage behind it, asking Nianxue and Xicha to come into his carriage to serve Lanqin in her washing and grooming.

Su Peisheng immediately jumped off the carriage and followed the Fourth Master around the back gate of the city. The early morning sunlight was sparse, and the early autumn air carried a slight chill.

Nianxue and Xicha boarded the carriage, took out the clothes they had brought, and first helped Lanqin change. Then they took out the washing and combing utensils. Hot water was also prepared, in the cabinet behind the Fourth Master's carriage. There was even a copper basin, somewhat similar to a modern RV.

Nianxue and Xicha helped Lanqin wash her face, apply oil, and then open her dressing box to do her makeup. Finally, they styled her hair.

"Nianxue, pick out some lighter jewelry for me. Wearing heavy things is exhausting, especially with all the bowing and kowtowing around the palace," Lanqin said, still looking reluctant.

“Princess, you are going to express your gratitude to the Emperor. How can you not dress more formally to show your respect to him?” Nianxue’s relationship with Lanqin had long surpassed that of a mere maid; they were like best friends, sisters, and even family.

“Nianxue, is it disrespectful to the Emperor if I dress simply? Respect is in the heart, not in the splendor of one’s headdress. Besides, how do you know the Emperor likes elaborate headdresses? It’s better to keep it simple,” Lanqin said.

By the time Lanqin had finished tidying up, the glazed tiles were already bathed in the vast expanse of morning light.

Once the Fourth Prince and Lanqin entered the Shenwu Gate, they had to walk. This was Lanqin's third time entering the palace; the last time was when the Fourth Prince granted her special permission to celebrate Consort De's birthday. The first time, of course, was when she participated in the imperial concubine selection.

Eunuchs were sweeping around the white marble railings, while officials in twos and threes made their way to the Hall of Preserving Harmony.

"Lan'er, do you still remember your mother's Yonghe Palace? Go to your mother's place first. I'll take you to see Father Emperor after I finish court," the Fourth Prince said. Lanqin was now a secondary consort and was entitled to address Consort De and Emperor Kangxi as her mother and father.