On the third day of the third lunar month in the 45th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, the Kangxi Emperor personally led the troops of the Bordered Yellow Banner, Bordered Blue Banner, and Bordered White Banner from the exit of the Yanshan Mountains, heading west to develop the Junggar region beyond the Tianshan Mountains.

The Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince, along with civil and military officials, escorted the army for fifty li. Thick yellow dust billowed up on both sides of the official road, obscuring the sky and the sun. The Fourth Prince felt as if fine dust had settled all over his neck, and even his eyebrows and hair were covered in it.

When Kangxi was serving as the magistrate of Shanhaiguan, he summoned the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince to his tent for a speech. Naturally, he was instructing the Crown Prince to oversee the country properly, while he told the Fourth Prince to ensure the supply of military provisions, weapons, and equipment.

After the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince returned to the palace, the Crown Prince went back to Minqing Palace. The so-called "regency" simply meant that officials from various regions submitted memorials to the Crown Prince for review, reporting their daily affairs. Important matters had to be rushed to Emperor Kangxi for his approval, while minor matters were handled by the Crown Prince. Therefore, he didn't actually have any specific tasks to perform, as high-ranking officials of the first and second ranks controlled the various departments, and he only needed to nod and approve them.

On the contrary, the Fourth Prince had instructed Su Peisheng to bring his simple laundry clothes in the day before, without bringing any concubines, and stayed in the former residence of the Fourth Prince. He planned to return to the Fourth Prince's residence every few days.

Every day, the Fourth Prince would order the officials in charge of the granaries to report on the local grain reserves and planting situation. In addition, there were matters to be dealt with at the several weapon forging factories in the suburbs. He was so busy that he had almost no time to think about anything else.

In the Fourth Prince's mansion, all was peaceful. With the Fourth Prince and Lanqin absent, the women had no one to argue or be jealous of, and they lived in harmony.

On this sunny day, with spring in full bloom, people from all over came out to enjoy the spring scenery.

Lady Nian wore a light orange Suzhou satin embroidered with hydrangea flowers in a qipao, and on her head was a red coral hairpin, a recent gift from the Fourth Prince. The rustling red crystal tassels hanging down her delicate face added to her charm.

Cui Ling and Rou Bi each held an oil-paper umbrella, while another person carried a basket filled with tea, fruit, and snacks for Nian Shi to use at any time.

The three of them, master and servant, entered the Fourth Master's garden. They saw that the garden was full of blooming flowers and weeping willows planted on both sides of the road, swaying in the breeze.

Ever since learning that the Fourth Prince hadn't brought anyone to the palace to serve him, Lady Nian had felt a vague unease. She had assumed he would definitely take her this time, because after that night, he had visited again, making her his true woman. Following that, gifts poured into her courtyard like water, arousing envy and resentment among the women in the inner quarters. However, when the Fourth Prince sent word that they should all stay in the manor and not bring anyone to the palace, she felt a great sense of disappointment. She was unsure if the Fourth Prince truly doted on her as much as he seemed, yet she could clearly sense his intentional or unintentional indifference.

"Gege, look, there's a kite flying over there!" Cuiling looked up and saw a kite flying in the sky.

Mr. Nian looked up and indeed saw a colorful swallow kite floating in the sky.

"Go and see who's flying a kite over there," Mrs. Nian said casually.

Cui Ling agreed, handed the oil-paper umbrella in her hand to Bi Rou, and then ran off in that direction.

Before long, Cuiling returned.

"Your Highness, it's Princess Yehe. She's over there flying a kite with two maids, chatting and laughing," Cuiling said.

Lady Nian originally had no particular feelings towards this Lady Yehe, as she had long been defeated by her, so she naturally didn't take her seriously. However, she was in a bad mood at the moment, but when she heard Cuiling say that the other party was happily flying a kite, she felt a sting in her heart, and a mocking smile appeared on her face as she said, "Let's go and see Lady Ye's kite."

The three walked along the willows and arrived at the mouth of Bixin Lake. There, Yehe was dressed in a light blue cheongsam, with only a few simple silk flowers and some jade hair ornaments on her head. She was very plain and simple, which was quite different from Nian's gorgeous and charming appearance.

"Cough cough cough!!" Cui Ling coughed a few times. She saw that Nian Shi didn't speak and was waiting for Ye He Shi and the others to notice her, but they all had their backs to them and didn't notice the people coming from behind at all.

At this moment, Yehe turned around and saw that Nian and her maids were looking at her. She was slightly surprised, but immediately smiled and said, "Sister Nian, you've come out for a stroll too." She didn't want to provoke Nian and could tell that she and Nian were not on the same side, so she just gave a polite greeting and asked a question casually. Little did she know that Nian was unhappy to see her making a fuss.

"Sister Ye is in such a good mood, how can you be so happy?" Madam Nian said with a few glares.

Seeing that Lady Nian's words were unfriendly, Lady Yehe had no choice but to suppress her smile and asked with a puzzled look, "Sister, is something troubling you?"

Lady Nian didn't expect her to say that, as if she didn't understand her sarcasm at all. Lady Yehe hadn't been allowed to stay overnight by the Fourth Prince yet, which she felt was a great humiliation, but the other person seemed not to understand, which made Lady Nian even angrier.

"What could possibly be troubling me? I'm just worried about which set of jewelry the Fourth Master bestowed upon me to wear." Not wanting to talk to this blockhead any longer, Madam Nian threw out this remark and went to look elsewhere.

Yehe Shi wasn't unaware of Nian Shi's sarcasm; however, she had always disliked arguing with others, so she pretended not to understand. Seeing Nian Shi's reaction, she immediately said, "Sister, please take care."

Ms. Nian felt as if she had punched a soft cotton ball, and she was furious. She had originally wanted to go elsewhere to admire the flowers, but then she saw Ms. Yehe's indifferent expression and tone, which immediately ignited all the anger in her heart.

“Sister, this kite is quite well made. Did you make it yourself, or did you buy it from outside?” Madam Nian stopped in her tracks and turned to ask in a different tone.

"I made this myself." Yehe thought Nian was about to leave, but unexpectedly she suddenly asked about the kite, so she had no choice but to tell the truth.

"My sister's skillful hands can not only play the piano, but also make kites. She is truly talented in both arts and sciences. I wonder if my sister could make one for me?" Nian asked, opening her beautiful almond-shaped eyes.

Yehe hesitated for a moment, but couldn't think of a way to answer, so she said, "If you don't mind, sister, let's make one together. I wonder what pattern you would like?"

"Make me a butterfly one, or I can send my maid to pick it up from you tomorrow," Madam Nian said with a smile.