To be honest, even the Fujin (principal wife) hadn't seen the Fourth Prince for almost ten days, and the less favored princesses hadn't seen their husbands in ages. Therefore, the women in each courtyard were hoping to dress up exceptionally well for the Dragon Boat Festival family banquet in order to win the Fourth Prince's favor.

Once Lanqin fell asleep, she couldn't get up. It took Nianxue calling her from the bedside for a long time before she reluctantly got up.

"Princess, let's start getting ready. Doesn't the princess miss the master? You'll definitely see him today." Nianxue helped the drowsy Lanqin to her feet.

"Who said I miss him that much?" Lanqin deliberately glanced at Nianxue.

"Yes, my dear princess, hurry up and get up to comb your hair. All the zongzi are cooked, would you like to try one, princess?" Nianxue had no choice but to use food as bait, since Lanqin was a typical foodie. Ever since Niu Baoquan came in, this little princess had been eating different kinds of food every day, and the people below her had followed suit, eating their way from east to west and from north to south.

To be honest, Niu Baoquan had actually served in the palace before, even attending to the emperor's meals. Later, for some unknown reason, he was demoted and sent to work on a prince's estate. The meal Lanqin ordered wasn't actually about phoenix liver and dragon gall; she just wanted something stir-fried or pan-fried, not steamed or stewed.

Around 5 PM, Lanqin, supported by Nianxue, followed by Xicha and Huanbi, each carrying a large food box of zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), walked towards the main courtyard of the Fujin (the wife's residence).

Just as I reached the corner of the road on the west side, I encountered Madam Wu. She was wearing a scarlet brocade cheongsam, her face was like a lotus flower, her long eyebrows were like willows, and her eyes, more alluring than peach blossoms, were incredibly captivating. Her skin was as white as snow, and her high-piled hair was adorned with pearl flowers that shone subtly even in the night.

Oh! Tonight looks like another night of vying for favor! Lanqin smiled at Wu Shi.

Sure enough, the corners of her beautiful mouth turned up slightly, and she said, "Oh, Sister Niu is carrying a food box! Is she used to eating special meals and can't stand our Fujin's food anymore?" Wu Shi glanced at the food boxes that Nianxue and Xicha were carrying and said sarcastically.

"Sister Wu, you misunderstand. These are zongzi that Lanqin and the maids wrapped this afternoon. We'll all try them later." Lanqin didn't like this Wu either. Relying on her somewhat outstanding appearance, she always had a disdainful look on her face. She really didn't know where this Wu got her confidence. Her father was only born into a prefectural or county magistrate family. Lanqin didn't know what official position he held, but she knew that among Yongzheng's consorts, there was a Consort Wu who was posthumously honored as Consort Ning. This was probably the same Wu.

Wu Shi coldly turned her head away without responding, and walked past them. She was clearly walking faster than Lan Qin and the others, and slowly walked away into the distance.

“Princess, this Princess Wu is only of the same status as you, so why does she always act so high and mighty?” Xi Cha said.

"Stop gossiping. We don't see each other often anyway. She's always giving me attitude, which shows she's suffering more inside. I'm not suffering, though." Lanqin didn't take it seriously. From the day she entered the Fourth Prince's mansion, she told herself: Don't cause trouble, don't invite trouble, just live your own life well.

As the three of them entered the main courtyard, they saw the eldest prince, the third prince, the eldest princess, the second princess, and several other children looking at the lanterns hanging under the eaves. Consort Li and Lady Song were also standing at the entrance of the main house, each watching their own children. It was only at this time that they could spend more time with their children.

After Lanqin entered, she first bowed to Consort Li and said, "This servant greets Consort Li and Sister Song."

Madam Song responded with a smile, and Madam Li also smiled slightly, which was rare for her, and said, "It's only been a little over a month since I last saw you, and Sister Niu has grown taller. Our Third Prince came back and told me, 'Aunt Niu is really fun.'"

Lanqin gave an awkward smile. At that moment, the Third Prince rushed over like a cannonball, threw himself into Li's arms, and winked at Lanqin, "Aunt Niu, what is your maid carrying?"

"It's zongzi. Wait a while, Third Prince, eat more, okay?" Lanqin finally felt relieved when she saw the child. To be honest, her mind was a bit confused and she was out of sorts whenever she saw Fourth Prince's women. Even her tongue wasn't as fluent as it was in front of Fourth Prince.

"Yes, Sister Niu specially ordered her small kitchen to make it for our Fujin and all the sisters," said Madam Wu, appearing out of nowhere and standing next to Madam Li.

"Hehe, I, Li Canlian, have been in the manor for ten years and have never had a personal chef to serve me. Today I am truly amazed. I must try the dishes prepared by Sister Niu's personal chef." Li Cefu was dressed in a rose-red cheongsam embroidered with marigolds, with a pair of red jade and pearl hairpins hanging from his hair. Even in the dark night, they still shone brightly and dazzled.

The two of them were right at the entrance of the main house, singing and chanting in unison, which made Lanqin quite embarrassed.

The people inside the room, seeing Lanqin being manipulated by Li, who were usually jealous of Lanqin, now had gloating expressions in their eyes; Geng, who was on good terms with Lanqin, looked worried, but she was of little influence and did not dare to speak up for Lanqin at this moment.

"Consort, the Princess Consort requests your presence." Fortunately, Xia He came out to deliver the message, relieving Lanqin's embarrassment. She had anticipated being envied, but she hadn't expected to be ridiculed by Li Shi, who was of a higher status than her, in such a setting, and she was immediately unhappy.

Everyone watched as Consort Li followed Xia He into the inner room, their eyes filled with disappointment. They had finally managed to see Lanqin being tormented, but unexpectedly, the Consort Li came out to defuse the situation so quickly. The group followed Consort Li into the main room, where several princes and princesses also entered.

Inside the main room of the Fujin (principal wife), a feast had been prepared, with plates and dishes stacked on top of each other, including chicken, duck, fish, meat, seafood, and river fish—a truly sumptuous meal.

Since Fourth Master hadn't arrived yet, they sat scattered on the chairs around the room, not allowed to sit at the table first.

Today, the Princess Consort was wearing a bright red cheongsam embroidered with peonies in gold thread, and a headdress adorned with kingfisher feathers and gold hairpins. She was sitting on the main couch, drinking tea with utmost gentleness. The First Prince was summoned to her side, and they were talking about something.

The Third Prince and the Second Princess naturally gravitated towards Lady Li. Although the Second Princess wasn't raised by Lady Li, blood was thicker than water, and given Lady Li's past position and favor with the Fourth Prince, the Second Princess had already been brought back to stay for short periods. However, due to the fact that the Prince Consort had raised her for those few years, it wasn't appropriate to bring up the topic of bringing the Second Princess back, so the child currently lived with both sides.

Only the eldest princess stood quietly beside the princess, lost in thought.

Song could only watch helplessly as her own flesh and blood were so close, yet her heart felt as distant as the ends of the earth.

Lanqin looked at it and thought to herself: If I have children in the future, I will never let others raise them.

It seems that Lady Niohuru only gave birth to one son, the famous Qianlong Emperor. Lanqin silently gave herself a thumbs up in her heart.