"Father, it's nothing really. I haven't come to see you, Mother, and Consort for a long time." The eldest princess, like Madam Song, was a little embarrassed to bring up serious matters with the Fourth Prince. Madam Song ordered her maid to take Qiu-ge'er down to find Hongli. Without her mother present, the eldest princess felt a little timid.
"Yi Mo'er, just tell your father directly." Lan Qin gave the eldest princess an encouraging look.
"Yi Mo'er, tell me what you think," the Fourth Master encouraged her, seeing that even though the eldest princess was already the matriarch of the Xu family, she was still so timid.
“Yes, it’s about my brother-in-law. Father, could you think of a way to transfer Shaowu’s elder brother back from Henan?” the eldest princess said. “They’ve been there for almost two years. Mother-in-law misses them terribly, and Yimo’er also feels that her elder brother and sister-in-law have been away for many years and cannot take care of their parents. They are full of regret. Shaowu also can’t bear to see his father-in-law and mother-in-law missing his brother-in-law and sister-in-law.”
Lanqin hadn't expected that the eldest princess had come today to plead for her brother-in-law and his wife. Back then, the Fourth Prince, angered by the Xu family's neglect of the eldest princess, had deliberately transferred them to Henan to manage the floods, thus making the Xu family realize their mistake. Now that the eldest princess had just taken charge of the household, why did she suddenly want them back?
Fourth Master was clearly surprised as well, looking at the eldest princess and then at Xu Shaowu, wondering what the couple meant.
"Eldest Princess, do your elder brother and sister-in-law wish to come back?" Lanqin asked on his behalf, seeing that the Fourth Master was hesitant to ask.
“No, it’s just that Shaowu and I think that if we can get them transferred back, then my father-in-law and mother-in-law won’t have to suffer the pain of missing them, and my elder brother and sister-in-law won’t have to feel ashamed for not being able to be filial to our parents,” Yi Mo’er said.
“Father, Consort, I came today because I don’t want Yi Mo’er to be too tired. Actually, she is pregnant again now. It’s really not good to make her do housework. I, Shao Wu, am not capable, but I just don’t want Yi Mo’er to suffer. However, my mother is getting old and can no longer handle housework. So I discussed with Yi Mo’er about having my elder brother and sister-in-law come back. They will certainly not mistreat Yi Mo’er anymore. If they find out, I will not allow it.” Xu Shao Wu had been silent until now, but seeing Yi Mo’er’s predicament, he immediately spoke up.
Lanqin roughly understood what was going on. It was clear her mother-in-law, Meng, was trying to bring her eldest son and daughter-in-law back, taking advantage of her pregnancy. It seemed the Xu family was well aware of Xu's eldest son's transfer plans. Looking at the happy-looking Yimo'er, Lanqin felt her personality was still a bit too gentle. Without her father, Fourth Master, with his strong and capable nature, she wouldn't be enjoying such a smooth life in the Xu family.
Fourth Master's thoughts were the same as Lanqin's; he also understood the Xu family's intentions. But what if they treated the eldest princess poorly again after he rashly transferred Xu's eldest brother-in-law back? And then transfer him out again? Fourth Master didn't have that kind of authority.
"You can all stay here today. As for the matter you just mentioned, your father needs to think carefully about how to handle it. After all, the transfer of officials is a major matter for the court, and it's not something your father can decide with just a few words." The Fourth Prince also adopted an official tone.
Seeing that the Fourth Prince did not refuse, the eldest princess exchanged a glance with Xu Shaowu and agreed. After Song returned, she saw Lanqin winking at her.
The dinner was extremely lavish, and the group enjoyed it together in a pleasant atmosphere.
After dinner, Lanqin arranged for the eldest princess and her daughter to stay at the Song family's place, naturally giving the mother and daughter more opportunities to get together.
Fourth Master naturally stayed in the South Courtyard. He and Lanqin stood hand in hand in the courtyard, looking at the full moon in the sky. Perhaps it had been a long time since they had stood side by side under the moonlight like this, and Fourth Master's heart suddenly calmed down. During this period, he had been busy investigating Shi Junyan's affairs and had not often come to the inner quarters.
"Qin'er, why did the eldest princess suddenly come to tell me about her brother-in-law?" Fourth Master said.
“The eldest princess is soft-hearted and easily influenced. Perhaps it was Meng who cried to her. Xu Shaowu is also a filial son. With her husband and mother-in-law attacking her, the eldest princess definitely couldn’t take it anymore,” Lanqin said.
"Hmph, if Meng dares to deliberately make things difficult for Yi Mo'er again, I won't let her off the hook," said the Fourth Master.
“But you have to consider the relationship between the eldest princess and Xu Shaowu. After all, she is going to spend her whole life with Xu Shaowu. If you interfere too much and ruin their relationship, that would be bad,” Lanqin said.
"I have a feeling that if we hastily bring Uncle Xu back, Yi Mo'er will suffer again later." Fourth Master is very protective of his own.
"Why don't you give us a deadline? Anyway, the eldest princess is pregnant now. Let's wait until she's just given birth and is able to manage the household before bringing them back," Lanqin said.
"Hehe, that's a good idea. Anyway, personnel transfers aren't something I can just decide on my own. But I'm still willing to let them postpone it," said the Fourth Prince.
"Yes, let the eldest princess return after giving birth. It won't be appropriate for the Meng family to hand over the reins of the household to the Han family again. This is the right thing to do for the eldest princess," Lanqin nodded.
"Qin'er, about that matter I told you about last time, we still managed to find a clue by Shi Junyan and then the trail went cold," Fourth Master said. "It seems they've taken all precautions. Every time they get to him, the trail just stops."
"If what you expect is true, Your Highness, the Crown Prince will not be easily exposed. You must hold on to this lead and investigate it thoroughly," said Kan Qing.
"But will Father Emperor really want to know that the Crown Prince was behind it? In the past few days, many ministers have impeached Prince Heshuo, putting pressure on Father Emperor. Although Father Emperor has suppressed them all, their memorials impeaching Prince Heshuo continue to be submitted to Father Emperor's desk," the Fourth Prince said.
"I'm afraid this is just their way of putting pressure on us so that Prince Heshuo can be convicted as soon as possible and the matter can be resolved quickly," Lanqin said.
“That’s right. I must find this Shi Junyan now,” said the Fourth Prince.
That night, Fourth Master kept Lanqin in bed and they chatted about many things. Lanqin listened attentively; some things she knew from her future life, and some she didn't.
"My lord, it's said that one of the new brides is from the Fucha clan, the eldest granddaughter of Prince Fu Heng, the Crown Prince. Is it possible that the Fucha clan wants to curry favor with you?" the Fourth Prince asked. Lanqin remembered that Hongli's empress seemed to be from the Fucha family. So she had to ask.
"I don't know. Fu Heng is the tutor of Prince Heshuo, and has always been one of his men. How could he send a woman to you, sir?" Fourth Master said. He had almost forgotten about it if Lanqin hadn't brought it up.
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