Niu Baoquan's breakfast was truly exceptional: three-colored steamed dumplings, fish soup porridge, layered pancakes, and a cold three-treasure dish. Lanqin couldn't put down her chopsticks; her mouth was stuffed full, yet she kept picking at her food. Seeing Lanqin's good appetite, Fourth Master also ate with relish.

Niu Baoquan stood smiling to one side, his heart filled with joy! This cook's skill was to make people unable to put down their chopsticks when eating his food, especially since it was the master who determined his life's honor and disgrace.

"Master, it's delicious! Try this." Lanqin had a shepherd's purse dumpling in her mouth, then picked up another one and held it to Fourth Master's mouth.

Nianxue watched from the side, her heart pounding again: "Princess, you're so rude! How could the master eat with your chopsticks?" But before she could finish her thought, she saw the Fourth Master take the dumpling with his mouth.

Huanbi and Xicha looked at each other with smiles. These little maids were naturally happy that their mistress was favored, as it gave them face among the servants.

"My lord, the things that Eunuch Niu makes are really to my liking. I'd like to ask you to let me take them back with me. Is that alright?" This was the first time Lanqin had ever asked the Fourth Prince for a favor.

Upon hearing this, Niu Baoquan was overjoyed and immediately knelt down. Before the Fourth Master could grant his permission, he began to kowtow to them.

The Fourth Master thought to himself, this little thing has never asked him for anything before. He had always given away all the things in the past. This time, he wants a cook who can cook. That's good. The master will eat very well.

So he replied, "Niu Baoquan, you will come back to the manor with me from now on and serve Niu Gege. I will set up a kitchen for you in her courtyard."

Upon hearing this, Lanqin was overjoyed and quickly said with a smile, "Thank you, Master. You are the best."

Nianxue was a little dumbfounded, but Xicha and Huanbi were so happy they almost laughed out loud. They no longer had to run to the kitchen to get their meals. It was fine normally, but in the sweltering summer they would be drenched in sweat, and in the dead of winter their noses would be red from the cold.

Niu Baoquan was so excited he could hardly speak. He kowtowed to the Fourth Master, then crawled on his knees a few times, and kowtowed to Lanqin again. He could barely speak properly, “This servant thanks the Princess for her great kindness. This servant will do his best to serve the Princess.”

Seeing him bang his head against the blue brick ground, Lanqin's heart skipped a beat with each bang, thinking: This is really a real kowtow, doesn't it hurt?

"Get up. Just do your job well, and I won't treat you unfairly," Lanqin said.

The Fourth Master observed this and thought to himself: "This little thing is usually a bit absent-minded, but he's clear-headed when it comes to serious matters."

After preparing the boats and servants, Su Peisheng returned to report. He was even more impressed to hear that Niu Baoquan had been specifically chosen by Lanqin to be brought back to the mansion to serve her. However, this had nothing to do with him, so he was happy to see the old man Niu being favored by his master.

Meanwhile, Eighth Master, Ninth Master, Tenth Master, and Fourteenth Master arrived at the lotus pond early on. Five small boats were already moored in the water. Although the lotus pond was full of lotus leaves, these small boats could still move freely in it.

On each small boat stood one or two eunuchs, one holding a pole and the other a fishing rod and basket, except for one boat which was empty.

"Eighth Brother, why are there no servants on that boat?" the Tenth Prince asked, puzzled.

“That boat should belong to your fourth brother. We are all guests, and he will certainly not neglect his guests. I have also heard that your fourth brother likes to do things himself, so he probably wants to pole it himself.” Eighth Master smiled gently, a hint of imperceptible mockery appearing on his handsome face.

"Why do you have to do it yourself when you have servants to wait on you? I, the Ninth, still can't understand Fourth Brother's personality." Peach Blossom Ninth finally stopped carrying his fan, but he walked a little strangely, as if he had injured his leg.

"Besides Fourth Brother, I guarantee I'll also be with that Princess Niu," the Fourteenth Prince couldn't help but say, stepping onto a small boat. "Eighth Brother, Ninth Brother, where were you yesterday? Didn't you see the alarm flares I fired?" Actually, the Fourteenth Prince had initially been with the Eighth and Ninth Princes, while the Tenth Prince had gone off alone. He'd followed the Eighth Prince for a while before they separated. He'd wanted to ask this question all night, a question stuck in his throat: Eighth and Ninth Brothers should be nearby, so why hadn't they gone to his rescue?

“Your Ninth Brother accidentally bumped into a deer and hurt his foot yesterday. I’m treating him right now. I saw your alarm, but he delayed me, and by the time I got there, you were already gone.” The Eighth Prince pointed to Peach Blossom Ninth’s leg.

"Yeah, that damned beast kicked my leg yesterday, and it still hurts." Peach Blossom Nine couldn't resist making a grimacing sound to join in.

The Fourteenth Prince, without a doubt, said "Oh," and then asked the Ninth Prince how his leg was.

At this moment, Fourth Master arrived late with Lanqin.

"As expected, Fourteenth Brother, it seems our little sister-in-law is Fourth Brother's favorite." Peach Blossom Nine chuckled, looking at Lanqin in her woman's clothes, she was quite a pretty young lady.

"Did you sleep well last night? I've already ordered the game we hunted yesterday to be distributed to Father Emperor, the ladies of the palace, the Crown Prince, my eldest brother, my third brother, the residences of my eighth, ninth, tenth, thirteenth, and fourteenth brothers." Fourth Prince had already instructed Su Peisheng to take care of this matter. These princes, enjoying their carefree lives here, were afraid of gossip, so sending these away was a way of showing they still cared about those in the palace.

"Fourth Brother, you've really thought of everything. Let's go fishing today and have a grilled fish party tonight, how about that?" Ninth Prince chimed in quickly, though inwardly he thought: He really knows how to flatter people, using the fruits of our labor to curry favor.

"Fourth Brother, are you going to row the boat yourself?" the Eighth Prince asked, glancing at Lanqin. This little princess wasn't particularly outstanding in appearance, yet she had won the Fourth Prince's exclusive favor; she must have some extraordinary qualities.

When the Eighth Prince glanced at her, Lanqin felt a surge of excitement.

Oh dear, I'd already decided to give my heart to the Fourth Prince, but just one glance at that handsome Eighth Prince and my heart fluttered. Lin Mengyao, you hate fickle, two-faced people the most, don't you!

Lanqin inwardly berated herself, then turned her head away, refusing to look at the Eighth Prince.

“Eighth Brother guessed right, I’ll do it myself. Qin’er is on this ship with me, and she also likes to do things herself.” Fourth Master turned his head and found Lan Qin staring at him seriously.

"Gentlemen, let's go crayfish fishing. This lotus pond is teeming with crayfish, we should catch some. I'll have Chef Niu make some braised crayfish for everyone, I guarantee it'll be delicious." As soon as Lanqin said this, Su Peisheng and several other eunuchs came up with some nets.