As soon as the Fourth Prince returned, he went to the South Courtyard. He couldn't very well not tell Lanqin about Kangxi's request. He had readily agreed at the time, but thinking about it afterward, it was really hard to bring himself to say it. Although it was a great honor to have the child raised by Kangxi, the thought of the child being taken away right after birth was something no mother could accept.
"Master, you're back earlier than usual today!" Lanqin greeted the Fourth Master as he entered the room, supporting her pregnant belly.
With Su Peisheng's help, Fourth Master removed his official hat and outer robes, revealing a set of moon-white casual clothes. His neck was covered in red bumps, clearly from being covered up.
“Master, although it’s already autumn, the weather is still very hot. Wearing these three layers will surely make you get heat rash!” Lanqin happened to be holding a hexagonal palace fan, so she took the opportunity to fan the Fourth Master.
Seeing Lanqin's concerned expression, the Fourth Prince felt even more at a loss for words. How could he possibly tell someone who hadn't even given birth yet that his child had been reserved by the Emperor?
"Qin'er, where are Wuxiha and Bechuk?" Fourth Master held Lanqin's hand and walked towards the cool couch.
"They're all playing with their second sister in the back. The Second Princess's wedding is approaching, and the sisters won't have many opportunities to spend time together anymore," Lanqin said. This time, it was the Second Princess who took the initiative to come to Lanqin and ask Ushiha and Bechuk to come and visit her.
"Hmm. Erlinzhu's wedding is approaching. Has her dowry list been prepared?" Fourth Master asked, pulling Lanqin down to sit.
"It's all ready, and I'm just about to show it to you, Master!" Lanqin and Fourth Master reclined together on the cool couch.
"No rush, let's set out the meal, I'm hungry!" said the Fourth Master.
After Lanqin had Cui Niang set out the dinner, Fourth Master ordered a pot of wine.
"Master, is there something to celebrate today?" Lanqin asked, looking at the Fourth Master.
"I have something to tell you, but I don't know if it's something happy to hear," Fourth Master said. He actually felt a little ashamed of himself. He used to be so outspoken, but now, did he need alcohol to embolden himself to talk to Lanqin about that matter?
"Alright, Master, tell me quickly, what is it that makes you so happy?" Lanqin's curiosity was piqued by the Fourth Master.
Fourth Master looked at Lanqin, hesitated, and said, "Let's wait until you give birth. Look at this belly, you should be ready at any time."
Seeing the hesitation in Fourth Master's eyes, Lanqin suddenly had a bad feeling. She knew that what Fourth Master was talking about must be related to the child in her belly, otherwise he would not have said those words.
"Let me remove all the bones from this fish for you, since you love eating fish!" Fourth Master even took the initiative to remove the small bones from the grouper for Lanqin.
Lanqin watched as Fourth Master patiently removed the fish bones from her fish, and she felt something was very unusual. Something unusual must be sinister!
"Master, is there something you're embarrassed to say? I'm so scared that you're trying to please me like this!" Lanqin said, crossing her arms as if she were afraid.
"It's not easy to get to eat fish that I personally debone!" Fourth Master was less nervous because of Lanqin's little gesture.
“Right? Then I should hang a banner in the house that says ‘I ate fish that Fourth Master deboned!’” Lanqin said, as if I didn’t care at all.
"You naughty boy! Eat up!" Fourth Master placed the deboned fish pieces onto Lanqin's plate.
"Ouch!" Lanqin suddenly cried out.
"What's wrong?" Fourth Master asked.
"The babies in my belly are kicking me. These two little ones are so restless," Lanqin said with a satisfied expression.
When the Fourth Prince saw Lanqin's expression, his heart skipped a beat; he simply couldn't bring himself to say what Kangxi meant.
“They must be two young princes!” the Fourth Prince laughed.
"Does Your Highness really want a young prince?" Lanqin glanced at the Fourth Prince and said.
"Yes, Master wants a son with Qin'er!" Fourth Master reached out and tapped Lanqin's nose.
"What if there are two princesses?" Lanqin joked. In her mind, Qianlong was born in the 50th year of Kangxi's reign; the timing seemed a bit off.
"I believe it's the prince!" the Fourth Prince said firmly.
“Babies, your father said you’re definitely going to be boys. If it turns out to be a girl, your father will hold your mother responsible,” Lanqin said playfully to her belly.
Looking at Lanqin's expression, Fourth Master couldn't help but laugh and said, "How can you talk to your own child like that!"
Lanqin gave Fourth Master a playful glare and said, "Who just said it must be the prince's? I was just telling the truth!"
Fourth Master stood up, walked over to Lanqin, sat down next to her, and touched her belly, saying, "Babies, your mother has had a hard time carrying you. You mustn't be unfilial to your mother in the future! Otherwise, your father will spank you!"
Lanqin chuckled and nestled into Fourth Master's arms. It was truly remarkable that Fourth Master could utter such adorable words!
"Master, is there something going on in the palace?" Lanqin asked, pressing her ear against the Fourth Prince's chest. She felt that the Fourth Prince was acting strangely today; there must be something he was keeping from saying.
Fourth Prince raised his hand and touched Lanqin's hair, saying gently, "Your mother has sent word that you should give birth to the child safely."
Lanqin raised her head, looked into Fourth Master's eyes, and said, "Is that all?"
Fourth Master looked at Lanqin and nodded, saying, "That's all!"
Fourth Master still couldn't bring himself to say it; he wanted to wait until after the baby was born.
That night, Fourth Master naturally stayed at Lanqin's place. After washing up, the two lay together on the soft bed.
“My lord, it’s only the Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet. Why don’t you let Consort Nian host it? I’m feeling unwell, so it would be better for me to have some peace and quiet,” Lanqin said.
"Alright, then I'll pass on a message to her tomorrow. You shouldn't attend the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet this year either. I've already given you leave," the Fourth Prince said.
"Yes, Master. Lanqin also wants to give you a son!" Lanqin said with her eyes closed.
"Yes, it must be the prince!" the Fourth Prince said.
"Qin'er, why did Yu Ning come to tell me she was afraid she couldn't take good care of the Fourth Prince? Does this mean she wants me to take the Fourth Prince away?" the Fourth Prince asked. He knew that Madam Song and Lan Qin were on good terms.
"Sister Song has been taking care of the Fourth Prince for over half a year, but after spending time together, she feels there's no mother-son bond! Why doesn't Your Highness take care of the Fourth Prince yourself?" Lanqin knew the Fourth Prince was testing her, but she didn't mind. Anyway, the Fourth Prince...
The next day, the Fourth Master sent someone to the east courtyard to convey a message, asking Madam Nian to preside over the family's Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. Madam Nian had actually planned to ask the Fourth Master for permission long ago, since Lanqin was heavily ill and it didn't make sense to leave her idle. Lanqin delegated the task to Madam Nian, happy to be free. She felt that clinging to power wasn't necessarily a good thing, and there was no need to work herself to the bone while others reaped the benefits and secretly schemed against her—it was simply foolish!
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