Fortunately, the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital were highly skilled, and with their accurate diagnosis, His Majesty was finally able to proceed on his southern tour with peace of mind.
In mid-June, the emperor embarked on a southern tour.
This time, only the Crown Prince and the Thirteenth Prince were brought along.
The Emperor's official explanation was that older princes were needed to oversee the country in the capital, as the younger princes might not be able to withstand the summer heat.
As for why the Crown Prince and the Thirteenth Prince were brought along, that remains unclear.
However, the Crown Prince's confinement had just ended, but it is said that the Crown Prince was not fully recovered and did not attend court even after the confinement was lifted.
However, His Majesty has always neglected the Crown Prince. This time, during the southern tour, he suddenly said that he would take the Crown Prince with him. The officials were all puzzled as to what His Majesty was thinking.
Another point is that among the young princes, only the thirteenth prince was brought along, which is also quite puzzling.
Only the Fourth Prince reacted first after hearing his father's decree.
When the Crown Prince was recuperating in Dezhou last time, only the Thirteenth Prince stayed to accompany him, and at that time, only the Thirteenth Prince stood up to plead for the Crown Prince.
Regardless of the Emperor's feelings, he probably still remembers it.
However, the Emperor might still harbor some reservations about taking the Crown Prince with him.
However, this is just one possibility that the Fourth Prince and Dai Duo discussed late at night. Perhaps the Emperor brought the Crown Prince on this southern tour simply because he missed him after not seeing him for so long.
They might accept any kind of thing, but this time, Fourth Master Zuo is not going on the southern tour with the Emperor.
Although the Fourth Prince was not by the Emperor's side, many matters before his departure still needed to be finalized, especially those related to the Ministry of Revenue.
The imperial procession set off on June 14th. Those who paid attention would have noticed that this was only five or six days after the day Prince Yu coughed up blood.
Clearly, His Majesty's southern tour had been planned long ago.
The Fourth Prince had been busy for several days, and on the Fourteenth day, he got up very early. It was already hot in June, and the Fourth Prince watched the imperial procession gradually disappear into the distance under the sun. By the time he rode back to his residence, his back was soaked with sweat.
Su Peisheng's legs trembled as he stood there. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked up to see that Fourth Master had already strode into the backyard, still heading in the direction of Master Li in the East Courtyard.
"Master's stamina is truly amazing," Su Peisheng thought to himself before quickly following after him.
The Fourth Master walked to the East Courtyard under the sun the whole way. He was walking fast, so Su Peisheng couldn't keep up with his master no matter how hard he tried.
However, Su Peisheng stopped when he walked around to the courtyard. The blazing sun was a bit dazzling, so he squinted slightly to see more clearly.
Judging from her figure, she looks like the Miss Lu who was sent by His Majesty when we were at the Rehe Imperial Palace last time.
Is this... a special attempt to stop the Fourth Prince from vying for favor?
Su Peisheng dared not delay and quickly stepped forward to hold an umbrella for Fourth Master.
But as he approached, the Fourth Master waved his hand, and Su Peisheng only heard one sentence: "I understand, you may go back."
Su Peisheng glanced at the young lady Lu subconsciously. It was a hot day, and the young lady Lu was wearing a light blue cheongsam, which made her look much more refreshing. The voice she spoke was so sweet that it made one's heart soften.
Miss Lu didn't even glance at him, but simply bowed to the Fourth Master and said, "Thank you, Master, for giving this servant justice. This servant will take his leave."
Neither her demeanor nor her words revealed any flirtatious or seductive behavior. Su Peisheng glanced sideways and saw Fourth Master wave his hand, indicating that Miss Lu could leave.
The young lady was very polite, still kneeling in greeting, and only straightened up and wiped her sweat with a handkerchief after the Fourth Master's figure had disappeared into the distance.
"It's really hot, but it's still more comfortable than practicing the piano under the scorching sun or practicing my voice in the freezing cold."
Miss Lu flicked her sleeves, not even giving Fourth Master a lingering look, and quickened her pace towards her own courtyard.
As Su Peisheng approached the East Courtyard, holding an umbrella, he indeed heard the Fourth Master's instructions.
"Tell Fulu to check which of the monthly allowances in the mansion are short. Tell the steward to make them up by tomorrow. If any reports of embezzling the monthly allowances of the women in the mansion reach my ears, they will be fired."
After hearing what the Fourth Master said, Su Peisheng knew exactly what Miss Lu had said to the Fourth Master earlier.
However, this Miss Lu is quite interesting. When her servants were short of her monthly allowance, she didn't go to the Fujin who was in charge of managing the affairs of the inner quarters. Instead, she took the initiative to come to her master.
It's unclear whether she just wanted the master to make the decision or was taking the opportunity to sow discord between the wife and the prince consort.
In any case, this matter has no vested interest in Su Peisheng, the chief eunuch in charge of his master.
He accepted it respectfully without saying a word more.
Upon arriving at the East Courtyard, Su Peisheng clearly noticed that the Fourth Master had quickened his pace, and he almost couldn't keep up even while holding an umbrella beside him.
When Fourth Master arrived at the East Courtyard, it was not yet noon, nor was it time for lunch.
The second princess was still studying in the front courtyard. The second prince got up, had breakfast, played with his mother for a while, and then went back to sleep.
Li Chenjiao then called Xiao Luzi to set up a swing under the tall locust tree in the yard.
When people are idle, they always have many thoughts and ideas.
Fourth Master arrived covered in sweat, and even seeing Li Chenjiao busy under the tree made him feel hot.
Li Chenjiao, with her sharp eyes, also noticed Fourth Master's figure. She took a few steps forward but remained under the tree: "Why are you here, Master? Have you had breakfast yet?"
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