As expected, the Fourth Prince ordered the head nanny to investigate whether anyone had gone missing a year ago, but found nothing. The skeleton couldn't remain in the morgue indefinitely, so the Fourth Prince had it carried out and buried in the mass grave at the mortuary.

The matter ended there because no one could be found to investigate. Fourth Master was preparing to go to Yangzhou, and this time he had chosen Lady Geng and Lady Nian to go with him.

After Lanqin learned of this news, she understood why the Fourth Master did this. Now that Nian Gengyao and Geng Dejin were both on the front lines, the Fourth Master would not mistreat them at this moment.

Although she knew this was the reason, Lanqin still felt somewhat uncomfortable. She was already three months pregnant, so she began to instruct Cui Niang and the others to pack their things and prepare to return to the other courtyard.

The day before his departure, Fourth Master arrived at the South Courtyard early in the morning, intending to keep Lanqin company, and also to spend quality time with Wuxiha. He was going to be gone for at least a month.

As soon as Fourth Master arrived, he held Uxiha in his arms, not letting anyone else touch her. He accompanied Lanqin as she fed Uxiha porridge, changed her diapers, and took her for a walk in the courtyard. Lanqin didn't mention that Fourth Master was leaving the next day, and Fourth Master didn't explain why he was treating Nianshi and Gengshi so well. The two of them acted like any other ordinary couple, just like any other day, until Uxiha was taken to bed by the wet nurse, and finally only Fourth Master and Lanqin were left in the house.

"Tomorrow, I will have the guards escort you to the other courtyard." Fourth Master held Lanqin's hand as they strolled in the courtyard. The chirping of unknown crickets came from behind the trees, and even the croaking of frogs could be heard all around.

"Please rest assured, my lord. I will make all the arrangements." Lanqin looked at the moon in the sky. "I'm afraid I won't be able to be by your side for the Dragon Boat Festival this year. Please take good care of yourself while you're away."

"Bringing Lady Nian along was to appease her and her brother. Bringing Lady Geng along was truly so that someone could take care of Master's daily life, after all, Su Peisheng is just a eunuch." Was the Fourth Master explaining this to Lanqin?

When Lanqin heard him suddenly bring it up, the slight discomfort in her heart still lingered. However, since the Fourth Prince had already begun to explain to her, as a prince of feudal society, his ability to do so was already beyond the limitations of his own era!

"I didn't ask anything, why are you saying these things, Master?" Lanqin pretended not to know, but she secretly wanted to tease the Fourth Master.

Fourth Master pulled Lanqin's arm and held her shoulder with his other hand, staring into her eyes and said, "Look at me and tell me you're not angry, you're not uncomfortable, and you'll take good care of yourself and the child."

Lanqin was touched as she watched the Fourth Prince speak these words with such solemnity. However, she knew she couldn't stop the fact that Lady Nian was favored; the power she represented forced the Fourth Prince to take her seriously. Perhaps bringing Lady Geng along was simply a way for the Fourth Prince to make things easier for him, to avoid giving the impression of favoring only Lady Nian.

“My lord, I understand. However, Sister Geng has been in the household for many years and knows the art of massage. Having her around will be very helpful when you are tired. Sister Nian is charming and lively, and will surely bring you a lot of joy.” Lanqin had no choice but to say this. If she didn’t, she was afraid that this man would not leave in peace tomorrow.

"Good, Lanqin is the best. She understands my thoughts best." Fourth Master pulled Lanqin into his arms, wishing he could keep her by his side at all times.

"Master, Lanqin wants to go back to her parents' home first tomorrow, and then return to the other residence," Lanqin said in the Fourth Master's arms.

"Alright, if you miss your mother, stay a few more days before you go. The guards I assigned to you are at your disposal at any time." The Fourth Prince gently kissed Lanqin's hair.

"Master, let's read some books to the child," Lanqin suddenly said.

Fourth Master was taken aback and said, "Ushiha is already asleep. Shall we read to her now?"

Lanqin raised her head and glared at the Fourth Prince, saying, "I was referring to the one in my belly."

Fourth Master looked down at Lanqin's belly and said, "Can he still hear me reading?"

Lanqin knew that people of this era could not understand the development process of a fetus in the womb, so she did not intend to explain the development of modern medicine to the Fourth Master. She simply smiled and said, "He can hear. Now that you're gone, it will be a long time before you see the baby."

Seeing her innocent smile, Fourth Master became interested and pulled Lanqin into the study.

Lanqin sat on Fourth Master's lap as usual, and he casually pulled a children's primer from the desk. It turned out that Lanqin would read to the baby in her belly whenever she had free time. At this time, there was no prenatal music, and Lanqin didn't like to have a group of people play instruments and sing in front of her, so she could only read books.

"Grandpa, please read this passage to the baby." Lanqin pointed to a passage in the Thousand Character Classic.

Fourth Master looked at Lanqin suspiciously, but seeing that she was speaking seriously, he picked up the book and actually started reading it.

Lanqin tilted her head and listened with a smile as Fourth Master earnestly read a book to the child in her belly.

Gradually, Lanqin leaned against Fourth Master's shoulder. Fourth Master read a passage, but then noticed that the little woman on his shoulder was no longer moving. He turned his head to look and, sure enough, saw that Lanqin had fallen asleep.

Since becoming pregnant with this child, Lanqin has been sleeping even more than before, and sometimes she just falls asleep like that.

Fourth Master put down the book in his hand, gently held Lanqin in his arms, then stood up, carried her out of the study.

When Cui Niang and the others saw that Fourth Master was carrying Lanqin out, they quickly came to greet him.

"Fetch some water, wash her up, and then let her sleep," Fourth Master said softly, before carrying Lanqin into her inner room.

The water was brought over, and Fourth Master personally wiped Lanqin's face and hands before ordering Nianxue to undress her.

"I'm leaving tomorrow, and you are all her close attendants. I'm entrusting her to you. You must take good care of the concubine and the child in her womb. If anything goes wrong, I will not let you off lightly." The Fourth Prince spoke softly, but every word seemed to weigh a ton as it struck Cui Niang and the others.

"Please rest assured, Master, we will protect you even at the cost of our lives," Cui Niang said hurriedly, and Nian Xue and the others nodded in agreement.

"Alright, you may leave now. I'll stay with her tonight." Fourth Master waved to them, then washed up with Su Peisheng's help before getting into bed.

Lanqin was already fast asleep, so the Fourth Master naturally couldn't bear to disturb her any longer and simply held her gently in his arms.

The next day, the Fourth Master still got up before dawn. He wouldn't let Lanqin be woken up, and just walked away in the morning light.

Fourth Master specifically instructed that no one was allowed to come out. Madam Nian and Madam Geng had been preparing for this for several days and got up early to wait.