Less than half an hour after Nianxue returned, the two best embroiderers in the mansion arrived at the gate of Lanqin's courtyard.

Lanqin called the embroiderers over, took out the two molds made by Wang the carpenter, and carefully explained her intentions to them.

Although the two embroiderers had never made what Lanqin described before, they made a living through embroidery and tailoring. Lanqin's suggestion was clear; they understood what she wanted. Essentially, they would place a bamboo sole on the upper of the shoe, then sew along the edges of this "insole" to attach the upper, thus creating a pair of embroidered sandals. Lanqin had initially considered making a few pairs in the style of "Roman sandals," but ultimately decided against it, realizing that women in that era would never be allowed to show their toes.

"Princess, rest assured, we know what kind of shoes you want. We can make a pair tomorrow," one of the older embroiderers said to Lanqin with a curtsy. The head nanny had specifically told them to take good care of this princess last time, expecting her to be difficult to deal with. However, Princess Niu was extremely kind and didn't seem to mind that they had gone to take measurements for other masters first. On the contrary, when they came to take Lanqin's measurements last time, she cooperated very well, unlike Consort Li, Lady Wu, and Lady Wang, who were quite demanding. (Actually, Lanqin didn't know much about clothing.)

"Alright, make it tomorrow and bring it to me. If it's comfortable to wear, everyone can have one!" Lanqin picked up the finger guard that Wang the carpenter had already made, explained its purpose to the two embroiderers, and told them to wrap the finger guard in a good cover, otherwise the bamboo strips would probably hurt their hands if worn directly on their fingers.

The two embroiderers readily agreed and left with the blueprints and the two items given to them by Lanqin.

Lanqin then instructed Li Shubao to go to Wang the carpenter and ask him to make more of the molds and send them over. After giving these instructions, she took Fubao, who was begging for a hug at her feet, to the swing in the courtyard and sat down.

Alright, I have to go check on those two little princes in the front yard! Even though she really didn't want to get involved in other people's sons' affairs.

Lanqin sat on the swing in the courtyard, gazing at the clear blue sky without a single cloud. She had originally wanted to hide away in this secluded place and peacefully enjoy her quiet life, but the Fourth Master's words before he left forced her to keep her promise.

"Xicha, go to Old Niu's place and ask him to make some snacks that the children like. Later, you can come with me to see the First Prince and the Third Prince," Lanqin said, picking up Fubao, who was basking in the sun on her lap.

Zi Ran was carrying dusty tomes from her study to the yard. The books had gotten damp during the recent rainy season. Today, taking advantage of the bright sunshine, Zi Ran told Lan Qin about it. Seeing that Lan Qin didn't seem too worried about the calligraphy, paintings, and books, Lan Qin naturally agreed to let her move them out to air them.

“Princess, the First Prince and the Third Prince should still be listening to Mr. Zhuang’s lecture. Why did you suddenly decide to go and see them?” Nianxue was quite puzzled when she heard this. It would be best for a princess to stay as far away from those two imperial grandsons as possible.

"It's nothing, I just missed them. I didn't have a very good time at the estate before." Lanqin naturally wouldn't tell anyone about the Fourth Prince's instructions, even though he hadn't explicitly stated it, only telling her. If this matter became known to the whole household, it would only bring Lanqin more trouble. Imagine, a princess being in charge of the sons of the First and Second Princes—some people would definitely get restless.

Upon hearing this, Nianxue wanted to speak up again to dissuade Lanqin, but considering that Lanqin was the mistress and that so many maids were present, she swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

After lunch, Lanqin rested for a while, and when she woke up it was already late afternoon. Remembering that she still needed to go to the front yard, she called Xicha to help her tie her hair and change her clothes. Niu Baoqiang's snacks were already laid out on the couch outside.

"Princess, those are pastries made with lotus root starch and mung bean starch, they're quite good." Xicha helped Lanqin out of the inner room, pointing to the pastries on the couch. Old man Niu Baoqiang was quite shrewd; he had already secretly let them taste them, just to get the maids who served their master to say something good.

Lanqin went over to take a look and saw two large lacquered plates with black edges and red bottoms, each containing a neatly arranged dish of pastries. The lotus root starch cake was decorated with several lotus leaves and a lotus flower in the center; the mung bean starch cake was decorated with chrysanthemum and other floral patterns, both exquisitely crafted, showing that a great deal of effort had been put into them.

"Are the patterns on these pastries made from pre-made molds?" Lanqin picked up a piece of lotus root starch cake, put it in her mouth and took a small bite. It was soft, sweet and fragrant, but not sticky, making it very suitable for the elderly and children.

“Yes, I saw that Niu Baoquan made a large batch of pastry boxes!” Xicha replied. “There are chrysanthemum patterns, wave patterns, peony patterns, little rabbit patterns… I can’t remember all the patterns. Niu Baoqiang said that this lotus pattern one was just made.”

"Hmm, let's go take a look together when we get back." Lanqin suddenly became interested in the pastry molds. Life in this mansion was too boring anyway, so she wanted to find something she liked to do to pass the time. With that, she had Uncle Li carry the pastry basket, with Xicha supporting her, and they walked towards the front yard.

Meanwhile, in the front courtyard, several eunuchs were talking to Zhao Quan. Ever since Su Peisheng went out with the Fourth Master, Zhao Quan had become the head eunuch of the front courtyard. Apart from the head nanny, everyone else had to be mindful of his mood.

Lanqin and her entourage had just reached the front gate when they were stopped by a young eunuch. He looked at Lanqin with a deep gaze, but it wasn't entirely his fault; he was just a gatekeeper for the front courtyard and had never seen Lanqin before.

"May I ask if Your Highness has the Master's permission? No one is allowed to enter the front courtyard without the Master's pass," the young eunuch said respectfully but firmly, standing to the side with his head bowed. This rule was established two years ago when something was stolen from the front courtyard, enraging the Fourth Prince. A number of people were punished and sent away, before the current rule was set: no one may enter the front courtyard without the Fourth Prince's permission.

"This servant greets Princess Niu! Get out of the way, you blind fool!" Zhao Quan saw Lanqin and her servant at the door, immediately pushed aside the people surrounding him, rushed to the door, and lightly scolded the little eunuch blocking Lanqin's way. He then promptly gave Lanqin a deep bow.

Lanqin smiled slightly and said softly, "It doesn't matter, he doesn't recognize me. Zhao Quan, Fourth Master should have told you about this, right?"

“Of course, Xiao Changzi, this is Princess Niu from the South Courtyard. When she comes in, she must not block the way, understand?” Zhao Quan stretched out his dark blue, wave-shaped sleeve, and Lan Qin’s outstretched hand, which was covered with a silver openwork armor with inlaid jade, immediately found a place to rest.