After hearing what Wu Shi said, Lanqin just smiled and thought to herself: The Fujin's tricks never stop.

Lanqin didn't have time to think much before she immediately summoned Chen Shou and ordered him to take the silver from Cui Niang, along with the two thousand taels of silver notes she had given him, to find Cui Niang's relatives in Yanjiao.

“Chen Shou, this matter is extraordinary. First, go and buy a detached house. Then go to this place and bring the whole family here. This is Cui Niang's token; once they see it, they won't suspect anything.” Lan Qin gestured for Nian Xue to take a letter and hand it to Chen Shou. This letter was something Lan Qin had obtained from Cui Niang after leaving Consort Li's quarters and returning to the Fourth Prince's residence. After all, Cui Niang's relatives didn't know Lan Qin, and even if she went there, they might not believe her; a token was definitely necessary.

"My lady, rest assured. This servant will certainly handle this matter properly for you." Chen Shou didn't usually do much, but Lanqin always thought of having him handle important matters. It was indeed more convenient for a man to act in public. Lanqin was very satisfied with Chen Shou's meticulousness and decisiveness.

"Go, Chen Shou. Once you've taken care of this matter, you can serve me closely from now on," Lan Qin said.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. This servant will be going now." Chen Shou bid farewell to Lan Qin and left the mansion immediately with her instructions.

Meanwhile, someone had already reported Lanqin's every move after returning to the mansion to the Fujin (principal wife).

"Go and invite the concubine over. I have something to discuss with her." The concubine had just received the message from Consort De in the palace, and she had already figured it out.

Lingxiu agreed. She could have sent a maid to deliver the message, but she was quite curious about Lanqin, so she decided to go and invite her herself.

Lingxiu arrived at the South Courtyard and was led by Lanqi to Lanqin. After exchanging greetings, she said, "This servant is acting on the orders of the Fujin to invite the Consort over. The Fujin said that there are some matters to discuss with the Consort."

Lanqin was just about to rest for a while when she saw her arrive, so she perked up and noticed that there was a sharp-tongued maidservant by the side of the Fujin.

"I wonder what brings you here, Madam? I have just returned. If it is not something urgent, please visit Madam tomorrow," Lanqin said, deliberately declining.

“The Fujin never tells us servants about her affairs. But the Consort has just returned and is indeed very tired. However, the Fujin instructed me to invite the Consort over. May I wait here for the Consort? Otherwise, if I go back, I will surely be punished by the Fujin,” Lingxiu said with some difficulty.

"Alright, Nianxue, take Lingxiu downstairs to sit for a while. This concubine is very tired and needs to rest properly." After saying that, Lanqin stood up with the arm that Xicha had reached out to her, and walked away unsteadily under Lingxiu's gaze.

"Lingxiu, let's go. Why don't we sit in our courtyard for a while? The concubine usually doesn't get up until 5 pm." Nianxue sized up the short girl, slightly disregarding her.

Lingxiu followed Nianxue out of the main house. She looked around at the layout and furnishings of the courtyard, noting the meticulous care the Fourth Prince had put into it. For example, the furniture and decorations in the concubine's main room were far beyond what a mere princess should have. Now that she was a concubine, some things were even better than what the First Princess had. This woman truly enjoyed the Fourth Prince's favor. How wonderful it would be if she could have such favor!

"Little sister, you can rest here for a while. I have a lot of things to do, so I can't stay with you," Nianxue said.

"Thank you for your trouble. Sister, please go ahead with your work." Lingxiu was surprised that Lanqin did not immediately follow her to the Fujin's place, but she did not mind staying here a little longer.

As for Lanqin, she wasn't really asleep either; she just didn't want to see the Fujin immediately. She was angry and annoyed. The Fujin had repeatedly made underhanded moves against her, and she didn't want to confront her directly. But the more she yielded, the less the Fujin would truly tolerate her.

"Consort, let Lingxiu wait in the courtyard. Why don't you go to bed and get some rest? I'll help you change," Nianxue said, seeing Lanqin sitting in a chair by the window, reading a book.

"I don't really want to sleep. Nianxue, let me ask you this: after Cui Niang arrives, you will all have to obey her discipline. Are you convinced?" Lanqin put down the book in her hand, looked up at Nianxue and said.

Nianxue hurriedly went to Lanqin and said anxiously, "Master, Nianxue will naturally obey your arrangements. Cui Niang is older than me and has spent some time in the palace. She is also familiar with the Fujin, so she can naturally help you more than I can. I will definitely listen to her instructions."

Lanqin nodded with relief. Her biggest worry was that Nianxue would be unhappy, as Xicha was still young and timid. Sihua and Lanqi hadn't been with her for long, and while they were both good, neither held a significant place in Lanqin's heart yet.

"This Lingxiu... she just doesn't make me feel comfortable. Go keep an eye on her, and wake me up again at 5 PM," Lanqin said, then let Xicha change her clothes, take off her hair, and go for her afternoon rest.

Meanwhile, Lingxiu arrived at the grapevine that Lanqin had insisted on planting, examined it closely, and then walked into the small vegetable garden to look at the thriving lettuce and cabbage. She didn't seem to feel neglected at all; on the contrary, she appreciated every plant and tree in the south courtyard with great enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, the Fujin sent Lingxiu to deliver a message. She thought Lanqin would come with Lingxiu, but after waiting and waiting, they still hadn't arrived, and she grew tired.

"Xiahe, go and fill the snuff bottle and bring it to me." The princess felt increasingly weak, but she didn't really want to sleep.

Xiahe agreed and went to the Fujin's bedroom to find those things. The Fujin was becoming more and more dependent on these things, but she wouldn't allow them to persuade her otherwise. Ever since Li Mama left and Chunliu was transferred to take care of Hailan and Hongshi, the Fujin had become increasingly withdrawn, but she almost always obeyed Lingxiu.

The princess took the snuff bottle, sniffed it, and her expression immediately relaxed. She gestured for Xia He to close the door, then lay down on the main couch and closed her eyes to rest.

"Madam, this stuff seems addictive. The more you use it, the more you can't live without it," Xia He couldn't help but advise.

The princess was enjoying the relaxation brought by snuff with her eyes closed, completely oblivious to what was happening. She simply waved her hand impatiently and said, "Go downstairs, leave me alone for a while."

Xiahe withdrew helplessly. After thinking for a moment, she decided to go find Chunliu. Qiuchan and Dongxue were both timid; now, one was responsible for serving the Fujin's meals, and the other for her clothes, and they refused to concern themselves with anything else. Only Lingxiu and Xiahe remained to serve the Fujin closely.