"You're quite clever! Once Thirteenth goes in, who knows when he'll come out? Father Emperor's attitude is very firm this time, and he doesn't seem to allow anyone to plead for him. I can't even find an opportunity to plead for him," Fourth Prince sighed.
Lanqin knew that the Thirteenth Prince had been imprisoned until the year Kangxi died, but she couldn't comfort the Fourth Prince at this moment and tell him not to bother. So she said, "Your Highness, how will the Thirteenth Prince live over there all by himself? He is a prince who is used to being served. Now that he is gone, he will be all alone. How will he manage?"
Fourth Master tapped Lanqin's nose and said, "How are you so clever? I was just about to say this, and you brought it up. Zhaojia told me that she wanted to go with Thirteen to the beekeeping alley."
Lanqin was taken aback, feeling a vague sense of worry for Zhaojia, but she still said, "I didn't expect that the Thirteenth Prince's wife is so affectionate and righteous. Now she is willing to suffer with the Thirteenth Prince, which shows that she is truly sincere towards him."
Fourth Master nodded and said, "I wonder how Thirteen is doing now. Who does he want to be with him? Wasn't Luo Ge the one he used to be most infatuated with?"
Lanqin thought of that woman who was as beautiful as an angel and shook her head, saying, "Perhaps even the Thirteenth Prince doesn't know who he is most infatuated with. I think it would be better if the prince went to talk to Mother and asked her to speak to Father. After all, the Thirteenth Prince was raised by Mother, so it would be most appropriate for her to speak to him."
The Fourth Prince looked at Lanqin with approval and said thoughtfully, "I've noticed that you're becoming more and more sensible. It seems that entrusting the inner quarters to you was the right thing to do."
Lanqin glanced at the Fourth Prince with a haughty air and said, "Of course, I am very clever by nature, it's just that you didn't realize it before."
The Fourth Prince held Lanqin in his arms, pondering how to tell her about the matter of the Fujin (wife).
At this moment, Cui Niang had the maids bring in the evening meal. Some set up the table, some laid out the food, and some set out the bowls and chopsticks. Lanqin pulled Fourth Master to the table to dine.
"Why haven't we seen the Second Princess lately?" Fourth Master asked casually.
“Ever since the Second Princess went to plead with the Master on behalf of the Fujin, she has refused to come again. I have already gone to invite her several times, but she refuses to come, so I have had to give up,” Lanqin said, her heart stirred.
“Elinzhu has been raised by the Fujin for several years and has some affection for her, so he pleaded for her. I think Qin’er doesn’t need to mind; it shows that she is a loyal and affectionate child.” Fourth Prince said this because he was afraid that Lanqin might have some resentment towards the Second Princess.
Lanqin didn't immediately grasp the Fourth Prince's meaning. Instead, she felt that he was mentioning it specifically to avoid her blaming the Second Princess, which made her feel a little uncomfortable. She pouted and said, "I don't mind the Second Princess pleading for the Fujin. I've even sent someone to invite the Second Princess to dine with me. What else would you like me to do, Your Highness?"
Seeing that the young woman was unhappy, Fourth Master also frowned and said, "I was just afraid you would feel uncomfortable, so I asked. She is still a child."
Upon hearing this, Lanqin became even more displeased and said, "Speaking of which, I am only six years older than the Second Princess."
*Snap*
The Fourth Prince slammed his chopsticks down on the table, stood up, and said, "Concubine, you should be more careful with your words. I'm leaving now."
After saying that, he turned and left before Lanqin could react.
The maids standing outside, hearing the conversation inside, all fell silent, as if terrified.
“Master, why are you talking back to him like that? I noticed that Master’s complexion has been a bit off lately, and you’re still talking like that. It’s no wonder he’s upset.” Cui Niang came in and advised.
"If you don't want to eat, then don't eat. I'll eat more~" Lanqin continued to pick up food with her chopsticks, seemingly not minding the Fourth Master's sudden departure.
“My lord, he is still your master, please don’t be angry with him!” Cui Niang had no choice but to say. “I understand that you are just worried that you might feel uncomfortable. I’m not blaming you for not caring about the Second Princess.”
"Really? I can tell he doesn't trust me at all. Whatever, I'm going to eat now, none of you are to talk to me." Lanqin was also angry, feeling that the Fourth Master's anger was rather inexplicable. She wasn't going to be his punching bag, nor his servant!
Seeing that Lanqin wouldn't listen to them at all, Cui Niang and Nianxue could only exchange a glance and stand silently to the side, saying nothing more.
Meanwhile, Fourth Master came out of the South Courtyard and began to regret it as he walked. Why did he inexplicably get angry with Lanqin? He wasn't blaming her, so why did it sound like he was blaming her?
Fourth Master couldn't think of anywhere to go, so in the end he went to Nian's place, which was also quite some time since he had last visited.
When Lanqin learned that Fourth Master had stayed at Nian's place, she felt a little uncomfortable and immediately became somewhat dejected. Having been in charge of the household for some time, she knew all too well how difficult it was to manage a household well. In truth, Lanqin didn't want to be in charge of this household at all. She had to be involved in everything. If she did well, no one would care, but if she did anything wrong, people would start criticizing her.
Take this second princess, for example. Ever since she returned from the Fujin's place, she hasn't been close to Lanqin anymore. Actually, Lanqin hasn't done anything wrong at all. She sent people to invite her several times, but she always claimed to be feeling unwell.
She was being treated coldly. Lanqin didn't really want to be in charge, and the Fourth Master's question made her feel even more that it would be better for her to remain a concubine who didn't have to do anything.
“My lady, you can’t do things the way you used to. Although you are now a concubine, you are fulfilling the duties of a primary wife. In other words, even though you don’t have the title of primary wife, you are actually doing the work of one!” Cui Niang said meaningfully.
"So what I did isn't a real achievement. I did the work, but I didn't get any title or recognition. It's all for nothing!" Lanqin argued.
“My lord, the one in the main courtyard is just a title now. Your master has given her an empty title, but he has given you real power. Don’t misunderstand. Once you have control of the inner quarters, you’ll know that this is the most real thing,” said Cui Niang.
"So, according to you, I shouldn't have lost my temper with him today?" Lanqin said, feeling wronged.
Cui Niang knew Lanqin's temperament; she was good in every way, except for being a bit stubborn. She could only go along with her, so she said, "Your Highness has good intentions towards Master, but you don't quite understand his meaning. Master was just worried that the Second Princess's matter would displease you, so that's why he said it. But you insist on interpreting it as Master being dissatisfied with you."
Lanqin was still indignant, saying, "In the end, he still went to the Nian family. Okay, I don't want to think about it anymore. I'm tired. I'll wash up and go to sleep."
Having no other choice, Cui Niang had to send someone to fetch water for Lanqin to wash up.
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