Little did they know, this awkwardness would last for half a month. Lanqin was annoyed that Fourth Master missed her like any other person, while Fourth Master was annoyed that Lanqin was being temperamental. The two of them just kept waiting for the other to make the first move.

On this day, the Fourth Prince was on leave and had not entered the palace for several days. Because he had quarreled with Lanqin, the Fourth Prince felt depressed and went to the garden alone for a stroll.

October is approaching, the autumn air is crisp and clear, and a gentle breeze caresses one's face, making it especially pleasant.

The fruit trees planted in the garden are laden with fruit, and a sweet fragrance wafts through the air.

A kite floated in the sky, so blue that not a single white cloud could be seen. Looking at the kite, it seemed to be right behind the orchard.

"Su Peisheng, go and see who's flying a kite over there?" Fourth Master said suddenly, looking at the swallows flying in the sky.

After a short while, Su Peisheng emerged from the woods and said to the Fourth Prince, who was standing by the orchard gazing intently at the fruit hanging on the branches, "Your Highness, it's the Third Prince and Consort Yin over there."

The Fourth Prince said "Oh," and was hesitating whether to go and take a look when the Third Prince emerged from the orchard.

"Hongjun greets Father!" The Third Prince bowed first.

"Third Prince, did you fly the kite?" the Fourth Prince asked with a smile.

"Yes, it was Hongjun and Aunt who flew it. Aunt made the kite, Father, isn't it beautiful?" The Third Prince seemed to have grown quite a bit taller, and his complexion and clothes were much brighter than before. Clearly, Madam Yin treated the Third Prince very well.

"Beautiful. Did your Aunt Yin fly this kite with you?" Fourth Master asked.

"Yes, Auntie is over there. Father, would you like to come fly kites with us?" The Third Prince's face was noticeably more smiling than before, as if he had returned to the old Hongjun.

The Fourth Master looked at her, feeling pleased, and took her hand, heading towards Madam Yin's place.

Meanwhile, on Madam Yin's side, Ye Ying was currently accompanying her as she flew a kite. She wore her hair in a small double bun, adorned with only a few silk flowers and pearl hairpins, and pagoda-shaped pearl earrings. Her pale yellow cheongsam with light brown trim made her appear quite lively. She was already beautiful, and this fresh and refined attire further enhanced her charm, instantly inspiring a desire to protect and cherish her.

The Fourth Prince watched her from afar, and because of the Third Prince, he naturally felt a bit more favorably toward her.

"This concubine greets Your Highness!" When Madam Yin saw the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince arrive, she bowed slightly in a fluster.

"You can even make kites?" Fourth Master asked gently.

"Yes, when I was a child in Yangzhou, my father was very good at making kites and taught us how to make them," Madam Yin replied obediently, bowing her head.

"Hongjun, you've taken good care of him. I made the right decision to entrust him to you." The Fourth Master became even more gentle.

“Hongjun is very sensible and hardworking. Every night I accompany him to read and practice calligraphy until 9 PM. He always recites the books that Master gave him and says that he would be happy if he had half of his father’s wisdom.” Madam Yin said, still with her head down.

"Jun'er, come, stay with your aunt for a while longer. Your father will watch over you from here." The Fourth Prince felt pleased with himself and said this to the Third Prince.

Seeing the Third Prince happily flying a kite with Lady Yin by his side, the Fourth Prince's mood seemed to have improved.

Is the master spoiling that little princess too much?

Although Lady Yin was beautiful and charming, the Fourth Prince still thought of Lanqin. Just now, when he was talking to Lady Yin, he was still thinking of Lanqin.

Su Peisheng stood aside watching this scene and sighed inwardly: Consort Niu, if you continue to be so antagonistic with the master, I'm afraid someone will take advantage of the situation.

That evening, Fourth Master went to Madam Yin's room for dinner.

When the news reached the South Courtyard, Lanqin was playing on the seesaw with the two children. To make Wuxiha's childhood more enjoyable, Lanqin had gone to great lengths, having all the children's toys she could think of made, such as this seesaw and the old slide. Not only that, Lanqin also wanted to make swings, wooden carts, mushroom houses, and spinning wheels for the children.

Carpenter Wang knew Lanqin's abilities and did his best to cooperate with her. He would do his best to do anything she could describe, even if what Lanqin asked for was beyond the technological level of this era.

"Let him go if he wants. He's the man all the women in this household share. If he doesn't go anywhere, people might gossip behind my back, saying I'm monopolizing him." Lanqin didn't seem to be affected by the news and was still happily playing with her two children in the courtyard.

Nianxue and Xicha exchanged a glance, helplessly unable to continue the conversation.

Actually, Lanqin was not without sadness, but she now understood that the Fourth Prince was definitely not just hers. Moreover, she did not want to become a Fujin (a concubine of the emperor) or like Li Shi. After having Wuxiha, she was certain that she would be different in the Fourth Prince's eyes, not a woman who lived only according to his wishes.

"You said that today, Master encountered Madam Yin and the Third Prince flying kites in the garden?" Lanqin asked.

“Yes, according to those who saw it, the Third Prince and Lady Yin were flying kites in the garden. After the Fourth Prince arrived, he saw the Third Prince coming to find the Master, and then he pulled him over to fly kites together,” Nianxue said. “Sigh, speaking of the Third Prince, he is now Lady Yin’s adopted son. If the Consort hadn’t objected, the Master originally wanted the Third Prince to be fostered here with you.”

"It's all in the past, why bring it up again? Regret is the most useless thing in the world." Lanqin handed the child to the wet nurse and instructed them to take the child away to wash up and then put the child to bed.

"This servant just feels that the awkward relationship between the concubine and the master is giving certain people an opportunity to take advantage of the situation," Nianxue said.

"Then what do you want me to do, run to the front yard and bring him some snacks to show my concern?" Lanqin washed her hands in the copper basin that Sihua brought over, and prepared to have dinner.

“If the concubine refuses to bow her head, it’s not right for the master to bow his head either,” Nianxue said.

“I haven’t done anything wrong, why should I bow my head? I can’t stop him from doting on whomever he wants. Go, go call Sister Song and the others over. It’s quite boring to eat alone. Let them all come over and chat. Anyway, we’re quite idle all day long,” Lanqin said.

Seeing that she couldn't persuade her otherwise, Nianxue whispered a few words in Xicha's ear and then asked her to talk to Lanqi.

Song, Geng, and Wu naturally knew that the Fourth Master had gone to Yin's place and were just about to tell Lanqin when a maid from the South Courtyard came to invite them.