After bidding farewell to the Thirteenth Prince and Luo Ge, the Fourth Prince and Lan Qin boarded the carriage parked outside Zui Bai Lou and slowly headed towards the Fourth Prince's residence. No one knew that the person sitting in this ordinary carriage was the current Fourth Prince.

Lanqin lay on Fourth Master's lap, her usual chatter gone, as obedient as a little white rabbit.

"Master, Miss Luo Ge isn't the Thirteenth Prince's princess, is she?" Lan Qin suddenly asked. Luo Ge's words at the banquet had revealed a reason why the Fourth Prince was unwilling to explain to Lan Qin, and Lan Qin was moved, a hint of joy and affection brewing and rising in her heart.

This was the first time Lanqin had ever felt this way from the Fourth Prince. It wasn't favor or pampering, but genuine care and concern.

"This woman is a famous singer in Kyoto. It is said that her singing voice is like heavenly music, capable of being suspended from a beam and echoing in the sun," Fourth Master said.

“Oh, it seems that the Thirteenth Prince is also a man of strong emotions, but different from the Ninth Prince.” Lanqin looked up at the Fourth Prince, only to find that he was also looking at her.

"Hmm. Thirteenth Brother lost his mother at a young age, but he is naturally carefree. Because his mother's family is of low status, Father has never entrusted him with important responsibilities." Fourth Prince seemed to be muttering to himself, "He is extremely approachable and has a good reputation in the palace. He chooses his friends based on whether they can get along, regardless of their status. Although Luo Ge is a courtesan, she has always been treated like a treasure by Thirteenth Brother, and she has never been allowed to show her face in public under his protection."

"Then why doesn't the Thirteenth Prince take Luo Ge into his household?" Lan Qin asked, but then she realized: How could a prince take a common courtesan into his harem, especially since he hadn't even left the palace to establish his own residence yet?

"Qin'er, I'd like Honghui to visit your courtyard often, is that alright?" Fourth Master suddenly said, "This child is too rigid, just like his mother. Although I've already found a study companion for him, he'll be coming to the manor soon."

Seeing that Lanqin could get along so naturally with the Third Prince and the First Prince at the estate, the Fourth Prince thought that Lanqin should spend more time with Honghui and Hongjun. Firstly, it would enhance the relationship between the two brothers, and secondly, it would help Honghui gradually open up.

Upon hearing the Fourth Master's words "Is it alright?", Lanqin's expression shifted. He was discussing it with her, not giving a direct order. The Fourth Master had never asked her for anything before, but now he was entrusting his eldest son, Honghui, to her, which showed his trust in her.

Lanqin wanted to agree immediately, but then she suddenly remembered Honghui's fate in history—dying young. If something untoward happened to Honghui during their interactions, the responsibility would be far too heavy for Lanqin to bear. Moreover, asking her to compete with the principal wife for the upbringing of the legitimate son was something Lanqin herself hadn't yet overcome her awe of the first wife.

Seeing Lanqin hesitate, the Fourth Prince frowned slightly and said, "Unwilling?" He had thought the little princess would agree immediately, knowing that his entrustment was a favor many women would rather die for. It showed his trust and high regard for her.

“No, Your Highness, I’m afraid the primary consort wouldn’t be happy about this situation. If I were the primary consort, I wouldn’t want my child to be disciplined by another woman either.” Lanqin sat up, looking directly into the Fourth Prince’s puzzled eyes, and said, “You’re already considering that taking me out will cause dissatisfaction among the other sisters, so wouldn’t this cause dissatisfaction among the primary consort? It’s not that Lanqin is afraid, it’s just that Lanqin is still young and inexperienced, and I really don’t know how to discipline him. I think Your Highness should find a good tutor for the eldest prince, and Lanqin will visit him from time to time.”

Fourth Master stared at Lanqin for a long time, his brows always furrowed. But after listening to her words, although he didn't relax immediately, the doubt in his eyes slowly dissipated.

"Very well, then I'll grant you free access to the front courtyard. After Honghui and Hongjun finish their classes, you can lead them in some activities that are good for their physical and mental health." The Fourth Prince sighed inwardly: he still hadn't thought things through completely; no wonder this little thing had considered the Princess's feelings.

"Yes, I visit them every day. However, I have a small request. Could Your Highness grant me a 'royal sword'?" Lanqin thought to herself: She was, after all, just a princess. In terms of status, she had no right to discipline the sons of the primary and secondary consorts. In terms of authority, the Third Prince was somewhat better, but the First Prince only listened to the Fourth Prince. Without the Fourth Prince's approval, the First Prince would not listen to her.

"The Imperial Sword?" Although Fourth Master was taken aback, he knew that Lanqin often used strange words, so he just waited for her to explain.

"It's a token of the master's affections. It would be best if the eldest prince and the third prince both recognized it. That way, I can easily make contact with them." Lanqin glanced at the jade pendant hanging on the side of the fourth prince's robe. It looked familiar, but she couldn't quite place it.

When Fourth Master heard Lanqin's reason, he thought it was reasonable. Seeing that she was looking at the jade pendant on the side of her robe, he assumed that she wanted it as a royal sword and said, "Then I'll give you this jade pendant as a token?"

Ah, Lanqin thought to herself that the Fourth Master had misunderstood, but she didn't object, so she didn't say anything more.

When Fourth Master handed the fine Hetian white jade to her palm, Lanqin examined it closely. The jade was emerald green and lustrous, without a single blemish. It was clearly a complete piece of jade from an old mine, shaped by a craftsman into a round coin, with exquisite and delicate dragon and auspicious cloud patterns on its surface.

"Do you like it?" Fourth Master asked, seeing Lanqin staring so intently at the jade pendant.

"Hmm, Your Majesty, this jade pendant is exquisite, isn't it? Could you tell me about its history?" Lan Qin thought to herself: Since I can't remember, why not hear what the original owner has to say for myself?

"This jade pendant was given to me by my mother, and I've worn it since I was little, never letting it out of my sight. Now I'm going to use it as your 'Imperial Sword.' If you can train the First Prince and the Third Prince to my satisfaction, I'll give you this jade pendant. Is that alright?" The Fourth Prince saw that Lanqin liked it and already intended to give it to her. He was just teasing her by saying this.

Upon hearing this, Lanqin's eyes lit up. Although she wasn't after the gold, silver, and jade, she immediately agreed because she found something that caught her eye.

As they were talking, they arrived at the Fourth Prince's residence. Su Peisheng and the others had been waiting at the side gate for a long time. Upon seeing the carriage return, they immediately knelt on the steps to welcome it. Before the Fourth Prince even dismounted, a small stool had already been placed where he could get off. Su Peisheng reached out his arm and helped the Fourth Prince down from his horse, followed by Lanqin. As soon as the two entered the gate, they went straight to Lanqin's south courtyard.

Nianxue and the other maids had been keeping watch, and finally, seeing Lanqin return with the Fourth Master, they quickly served tea and fetched water, helping the two to wash and change. By the time the two lay down in bed after all that fuss, it was already late at night.

Lanqin was exhausted, so she rolled into Fourth Master's arms and fell asleep. Fourth Master was both amused and exasperated. This little thing hadn't been to the backyard for so long, and the first thing she did upon returning was to stay with her, and then she just fell asleep like that.