Fourth Master has been gone for almost a month and a half, and Lanqin's belly is starting to show. She's almost four months along. Ever since she was inexplicably pushed and knocked down after returning from her parents' home, she spent more than ten days lying in the South Courtyard before slowly recovering and the signs of miscarriage subsided.

Originally, she planned to pack her things and go to the other house after returning from her parents' home, but this trip delayed her, so it has been delayed ever since.

"Master, shall we not go back to the other courtyard?" Cui Niang instructed Si Hua and Lan Qi to carry in a basin of ice and place it in various corners of the main room.

Lanqin was wearing the lightest silk casual clothes, her lower abdomen slightly protruding, as she let Wuxiha crawl all over the couch. She was standing to the side waving a hexagonal palace fan, pushing a few sandbags to her little girl and bringing Wuxiha a small doll.

"I'm not going, I'm too lazy to move," Lanqin said without looking up, her eyes full of Ushiha's smile.

“But didn’t you say you didn’t want to see those people you didn’t want to see? You’re here, and the master isn’t. Who knows what she might do behind your back? I really think that you suddenly running into that group of people and being pushed over wasn’t a coincidence.” Cui Niang said with some concern.

Lanqin then raised her head, her eyes indifferent and languid, but when she heard Cui Niang's words, a glimmer of light appeared in her eyes.

“My lady, as far as I know, the fifth brother of the Fujin’s family has always maintained close ties with her. Whenever the Fujin has any inconveniences, she always sends someone out to relay a message, asking her brother to do things for her. That’s why she can have such a long reach,” Cui Niang said.

Lanqin nodded and said, "So, if I go back to the villa now, will she send someone there? With Master not here, she might become even more unscrupulous. And I'm like an egg with no defense; how can I possibly contend with a rock like her?"

Cui Niang looked at Lan Qin in surprise. She thought she knew the Fujin and Lan Qin well enough, but she never expected Lan Qin to say such a thing.

“She’s afraid that the baby in my belly is a princess or a prince. If I give birth to a prince, do you think she’ll be scared? Is that why she’s been so active? The chrysanthemum appreciation banquet, and the time I was pushed over outside—are they all related to her? Cui Niang, I can’t leave this mansion now. Believe me, as soon as I leave, she’ll use all sorts of tricks. When the Fourth Prince comes back, without any evidence, I might lose my life, and she can wash her hands of everything.” Lanqin said.

Suddenly, Cui Niang felt a chill run down her spine. She had thought that sending Lanqin to hide in another courtyard would protect her and her child, but now, hearing Lanqin's words, she felt that the outside world was even more dangerous.

“Right now, this South Courtyard is the safest place. Anything that happens in the manor will be related to her, not to mention the guards that Fourth Master left for me, and the head nanny. She doesn’t dare to make a move easily.” Lanqin watched Wuxiha playing on the couch with a calm expression, as if she were talking about something easy and simple.

"This servant was thinking too simply; the concubine sees things much more clearly," said Consort Cui, embarrassed.

“It’s not that you’re simple, but that she’s becoming more and more terrifying,” Lanqin said calmly.

At this moment, Granny Wang called out from outside: "Reporting to Consort Yehe, Princess Yehe has arrived."

A barely perceptible hint of wariness flashed across Lanqin's face as she said calmly, "Let her in."

Cui Niang said quietly, "This Princess Yehe seems to be particularly patient, coming here every day without getting tired."

Lanqin said, "She's come to pay her respects, so I can't stop her from coming. I'll just have to be careful."

Yehe was dressed in a light orange casual outfit, with her hair styled in a simple double bun. She looked serene, gentle, and unassuming.

"This concubine greets Consort Yehe. May Consort Yehe enjoy boundless blessings and peace!" Yehe stepped in, her moon-white embroidered shoes exuding a simple and elegant charm.

“My sister is always so polite. Cui Niang, please pour Ye Gege a glass of chilled jasmine tea. It’s so hot today; you get hot after walking in the sun for a while. My sister comes to talk to me every day; she really goes to great lengths,” Lanqin said.

Lady Yehe seemed not to understand the meaning behind Lanqin's words, and smiled slightly, saying, "The concubine is currently pregnant and should not move around too much. I have nothing to do anyway, so why don't I play some music for the concubine to relieve her boredom?"

Lanqin smiled slightly and said, "That's fine. Every time I hear Sister Yehe's music, I feel incredibly comfortable and peaceful. Even Wuxiha likes it."

It turned out that Yehe Shi came every day not only to pay her respects to Lanqin, but also brought her zither almost every time she came and would always play a piece. Over time, Lanqin really came to like her music.

"I wonder what piece my sister will play today?" Lanqin asked.

"Today, I would like to play a tune called 'Evening Fisherman's Song' for you, my sister. Would you like to listen, Consort Yehe?" Yehe asked.

"Quickly set it up for Princess Ye." Lanqin gestured to Nianxue and Xicha to help place Yehe's zither on the table and chairs that had been specially moved for her.

Yehe then stood up leisurely, walked to the spot where the zither was placed, sat down, and began to play.

Everyone in the room stood there quietly, while Lanqin continued to tease and play with Wuxiha, as if no one had ever been there.

The music meandered and flowed, sometimes serene and slow, sometimes passionate and soaring. As Lanqin listened, she couldn't help but be captivated by Yehe's music.

jump…………

Suddenly, a string snapped, injuring Yehe's finger. A bright red flower instantly bloomed on her delicate fingertip.

"Is my sister alright?" Lanqin was suddenly jolted awake from the music and saw Yehe Shi walking there with a frown.

"It's alright, it's just that the string broke, wasting this piece. I didn't finish playing it before it broke, it's really disappointing." Yehe Shi seemed to be less upset not because of the injured finger, but because the music had to stop abruptly before it was finished.

"Cui Niang, quickly bandage Yehe's sister," Lanqin instructed, getting up from the couch, putting on her shoes, and standing up.

Lanqin walked to Yehe's side, took her slender arm, and carefully examined the wound on her hand. However, Yehe quickly pulled her hand away from Lanqin's, as if she did not want her to touch her hand.

Lan Qin was somewhat surprised. Logically speaking, Yehe clansmen had come to play the zither and pay their respects to her in order to get closer to her. Now that she was getting close to her, why was she so disgusted?

"Ah, I was just afraid the smell of blood would upset Consort Lan. After all, it doesn't smell very pleasant," Yehe Shi said hastily, noticing Lanqin's surprise.