Hongli took a sip of tea, gave a curt reply, and casually said, "Hot springs are good for your health, nothing will happen, don't worry!"

On a hot summer day, it would be very pleasant to cool off under the moonlight. It's just a pity that Yu Shan isn't with him, otherwise he would definitely take her to the hot springs and play in the water together.

Forced to stay by Lan Rong's side, he had no interest whatsoever and simply closed his eyes to bask in the moonlight.

Lan Rong casually recounted past events to him, "Fourth Master, do you still remember that year when you were soaking in the hot springs at Yuanmingyuan, and I was serving you? Now I am soaking in the hot springs, and you are right beside me. This scene feels so familiar."

Hongli vaguely remembered what she had said, but the images only flashed through his mind; he couldn't recall the specifics and was too lazy to discuss it further, so he simply replied,

"I don't remember."

"..." She had no way to respond to that! Lan Rong felt rather awkward, and then chatted casually, "After I went home with my father, I often thought of Fourth Master and dreamed of you, but I wonder if Fourth Master has thought of me since I left?"

With a slight twitch between his brows, Hongli opened his eyes, gazing at the cold moonlight in the night sky, and said in a cool voice, "You saved me, so naturally I will remember you and be grateful for your kindness, but as time goes by, I will forget you."

It was simply because Hongli was not a sentimental person; apart from the two months that Su Yushan was missing, he hadn't really been thinking about any other woman.

He would only answer her questions, but even so, Lan Rong wouldn't give up and continued talking to him.

It was a rare opportunity to spend time with him, so she wouldn't be coy or sullen; just hearing his voice was enough for her.

She spoke cheerfully, but Hongli grew impatient. "You've been soaking for so long, are you thirsty? Autumn tea, bring your master a cup to soothe his throat."

Qiu Cha poured a cup of tea as instructed, and Lan Rong smiled and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Fourth Master. You are so kind to me."

She smiled and took the teacup, taking two sips. Hongli thought to himself, "Is this what you call caring? I just think you talk too much!"

Impatient, Hongli stood up and made an excuse that he was going to Dengdong and planned to take a stroll around the neighborhood.

However, he had only been gone a short while when Qiu Cha rushed over in a panic. "Fourth Master, the mistress seems to be in great pain. She has difficulty breathing and is lying on the shore in great distress. I tried to help her up, but she is too weak to lift her up!"

She was perfectly fine just a moment ago, Lan Rong was talking non-stop and seemed to be in good spirits. But she had a problem as soon as he left. It was hard for Hongli not to suspect that Lan Rong was deliberately faking it.

With an impatient click of his tongue, Hongli reluctantly turned back. Through the screen, he saw Lan Rong slumped weakly on the shore, and the female doctor was removing needles from her.

After the needles were removed, the female doctor couldn't support her, so she asked the Fourth Prince to carry his concubine out of the bath.

At this moment, Lan Rong was soaking in the hot spring without any clothes on. If he were to hug her, not only would his clothes get soaked, but he would also have to get into physical contact with her.

In that instant, Hongli suddenly remembered that Yushan had told him to bring a piece of clothing before he left. He hadn't understood it at the time, but now he belatedly realized that Yushan probably had already anticipated that Lan Rong would faint in the hot spring, and that he would likely go into the water to rescue her and get his clothes wet, which was why she had given him this reminder.

Bamboo says: Happy New Year everyone! I'm grateful for everyone's company in the new year! I will continue to work hard on my writing! Wishing everyone all the best!