In this light, the son's disastrous behavior, by sheer accident, dispelled much of the resentment of the women in the backyard.

But this is only temporary!

In the front yard, the Fourth Master, who had just come out of his study, heard Gao Wuyong take the initiative to report on the matter of Peach Courtyard.

At some point in the past, he would always take the initiative to ask about things at Taoyuan after he finished his work.

Therefore, without him having to ask, Gao Wuyong or Su Peisheng on duty would proactively explain things to him, such as now:

"...Gege Zhang and others mocked Gege Guarjia, saying she had lost His Highness's favor...but Gege Guarjia ignored them, continuing to do as she pleased, living her own little life in Peach Courtyard, seemingly unaffected..."

The Fourth Master felt increasingly cold, and he felt very uneasy.

Previously, he often stayed overnight at her place, showering her with affection!

This woman, really, she's been neglected for so long, how can she still be so calm, how can she not care at all about his affection?!

Fourth Master seemed to be someone who had given but received no reward, and he was quite resentful.

Wait a minute, he suddenly realized that something was off about his feelings for Jiaming.

He couldn't help but frown. He had never cared about romantic feelings and deliberately avoided them, after all, he knew about the affair between his grandfather and Consort Dong'e.

However, there was no need to be so wary. After carefully considering his feelings for Jiaming, the Fourth Master immediately relaxed his furrowed brows.

Because, although Jiaming holds a place in his heart, his feelings are rational and will never affect other things because of his feelings for her.

For example, he would surpass the Fujin (the wife of the emperor) in order to favor her, and even abandon Honghui (the son of the emperor) for Hongxuan.

In his view, his feelings for Jiaming at this moment were like his father's feelings for his favorite concubine. As long as it didn't involve any matters of principle, he could still spoil her a little more.

After thinking it through, Fourth Master felt at ease keeping this relationship.

However, thinking of how someone didn't care about him, Fourth Master snorted coldly, feeling that he couldn't ignore that person any longer.

Otherwise, given someone's personality, the favors he gives will go unreturned, which is unacceptable.

Thinking of this, Fourth Master narrowed his eyes, pondering that he should try to make his presence felt more in front of someone.

After all, he neglected that woman, but she didn't care at all.

Since that's the case, he has no choice but to change his plans. He needs to make that woman pay a little attention to him to feel balanced.

Not long after, Fourth Master recalled how Jiaming had initially been distant and aloof towards him, but now greeted him with a smile. He felt that if things continued as before, perhaps the woman would eventually start to care about him, and in return, he would receive equal care in return.

However, he had only ignored that woman for about ten days, and now he felt a little embarrassed to go up to her so eagerly.

Just then, he heard Gao Wuyong continue his report, "...It's just that the young master, the Fourth Prince, misses you and has been looking for you every day..."

Fourth Master: Xuan'er is still the most conscientious, worthy of his father's love for him. Humph, unlike his mother!

Suddenly, Fourth Master narrowed his eyes and thought to himself, "It seems that I can use Xuan'er to save face."

Having found a good excuse, Fourth Master took Su Peisheng to Peach Courtyard. As they went, he looked at the sky and realized that it would soon be time for dinner.

Thinking of the vegetarian dishes at Peach Garden, especially those made by Jiaming, the taste... Thinking about it, Fourth Master's mood improved even more.

Gao Wuyong, who was following behind Fourth Master, was puzzled by his master's sudden ease in his steps and the sudden increase in speed. He quickened his pace as well.

In Taoyuan, Jiaming was happily cooking in the kitchen when Green Willow suddenly walked in.

Jiaming glanced at her indifferently, then continued to focus her attention back on the pot.

.

"Master, the master has arrived!"

"Master is here?" Jiaming suddenly turned her head and looked at Lvliu, speechless.

Why couldn't this man have waited a little longer before coming to Peach Blossom Courtyard? Now look what's happened, because of his arrival, she's going to have to face the burning gazes of the Fujin and Li Shi again!

Although she was reluctant to see him arrive, she quickly wiped her hands with a handkerchief and prepared to greet the Fourth Master.

"Master, the master said you don't need to go over there. He asked you to prepare more vegetarian dishes."

Jiaming suddenly stopped wiping her hands, thinking to herself, "Really, they're treating me like a cook again."

She had a slight regret about showing off her cooking skills, but when she remembered her son who had lost a lot of weight after recovering from smallpox, that little bit of regret disappeared.

Furthermore, Fourth Master doesn't come to Peach Blossom Courtyard every day and expect her to be the cook for every meal. Besides, most of the food she makes ends up in her and her son Hongxuan's stomachs.

When Jiaming finished preparing the food and returned to the dining table, the father and son, who looked remarkably alike, were already sitting upright in their chairs, waiting for the meal to begin.

Upon seeing the Fourth Master, Jiaming lowered her body slightly, performed a curtsy, and greeted him, "Master!"

"Hmm!" Fourth Master responded softly and then ignored Jiaming.

Although he had decided to make his presence felt more prominent in front of Jiaming and make her take him to heart, the underlying unease he felt made him quite resentful towards Jiaming.

This is why he doesn't want to pay attention to Jiaming even when he's facing her now.

Jiaming didn't care about Fourth Master's attitude or mentality. If Fourth Master ignored her, she was too lazy to talk to him either.

Fourth Master poked his son's rosy cheek, his dark eyes narrowing as he thought: He's here, yet he's so cold. It seems I'll have to make her more enthusiastic tonight to get through this.

Thinking of this, Fourth Master felt a surge of excitement, and his narrowed eyes inadvertently glanced at Jiaming.

Jiaming's body stiffened involuntarily. That glance was all too familiar. Alarm bells immediately went off in her mind, and her brain began to work at high speed. She had to prevent that from happening that night. Otherwise, just thinking about how exhausted she would be and how she wouldn't be able to get up the next day made her want to cry.

Thus, with everyone harboring their own thoughts, the delicious meal was enjoyed by Xiao Hongxuan and the Fourth Master, but Jiaming found it tasteless and bland.

After dinner, Jiaming eagerly said to the Fourth Prince, "Your Highness, I'll go give Hongxuan a bath first."

Fourth Master looked at Jiaming for a while longer, then nodded and said, "Go!"

Then, after watching Jiaming carry Hongxuan away, he asked someone to prepare water and went to take a bath himself.

While the Fourth Prince was taking a bath, Jiaming suggested as she bathed Hongxuan, "Xuan'er, how about sleeping with Father and Mother tonight?"

Upon hearing this, Hongxuan's eyes lit up, and he happily splashed water, excitedly saying, "Together, let's sleep together!"

"Very good!" Jiaming smiled and kissed Hongxuan's tender cheek, thinking to herself: Now, it seems that he won't be so shameless as to torment her anymore. Otherwise, if Xuan'er sees this, he might very well cause trouble for his father again.