"Then what do you suggest we do?" Uya asked.
“Master, why don’t we ask for a separate kitchen with the master and hire a chef from outside, just like in the South Courtyard? Why can’t we have a separate small kitchen when she does?” Cuiyun said.
Uya nodded and said, "That's right, that's the way. Let's also mention it to the master, and say that we don't want to eat the food from the kitchen anymore. As long as we don't eat the food sent from there, we can be sure that there will be no problem with our meals."
Cuiyun nodded, and then Wuya began to hesitate about how to ask the Fourth Prince for the small kitchen.
Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince had been in a bad mood lately because of a quarrel with Lanqin, and he was busy until very late every day before returning to his residence. Today, after court, he did not return to his residence, but instead went out drinking with several ministers with whom he usually got along well.
The group changed into casual clothes and went to Zui Bai Lou, where they found a relatively secluded private room to sit in.
"Fourth Master, please take a seat!" said Vice Minister Wang of the Ministry of Rites to the Fourth Master. He was the deputy to Xu Gong, the Fourth Master's relative by marriage, and directly controlled the Ministry of Rites with Xu Gong. The Fourth Master's father-in-law, Lingzhu, worked under Minister Wang.
"Lord Wang, please have a seat!" The Fourth Master, being the most distinguished among them, naturally took the seat of honor. Besides Lord Wang, there was also Vice Minister Gao of the Ministry of Justice, Prefect Tang of the Capital, and Vice Minister Qin of the Ministry of Works.
Five people sat down at a round table and ordered the best food and drinks from Zui Bai Lou. These men were all supporters of the Fourth Prince; one could say they were all part of the Yongzheng faction. Emperor Kangxi disliked factionalism, so the Fourth Prince never recruited or deliberately cultivated relationships. These men simply gravitated towards him out of respect for his competence and character.
"Sigh, the Crown Prince is becoming more and more outrageous," Lord Wang suddenly said.
"Lord Wang, you mustn't speak carelessly. His Highness the Crown Prince is the heir apparent; if you say such things, be careful, as walls may have ears," Lord Gao said with a smile.
"Lord Wang, what is the Crown Prince doing now?" Fourth Prince picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked. Ever since Hongjun died in Jieyu Abyss, and it was related to the Crown Prince's eldest son, Hongxi, Fourth Prince no longer felt any guilt towards the Crown Prince as before.
"Yes, the Crown Prince has been much more law-abiding since his reinstatement," Lord Qin added.
"Alas, this is utterly indecent, utterly indecent!" Lord Wang shook his head and said, "I don't know whether I should go and tell the Emperor about the Crown Prince's outrageous deeds."
A glint flashed in Fourth Master's eyes, and he said, "Lord Wang, could you please explain in more detail?"
"You may not know, but I am the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. I have received a secret report that the Crown Prince is engaging in homosexual acts in the palace. The entire Crown Prince's palace has been turned upside down by the Crown Prince, which is simply immoral!" Lord Wang said in a low voice.
"The practice of homosexuality?" Lord Tang asked Lord Wang in surprise. Fourth Master was also taken aback. The others also showed expressions of disbelief.
"Your Highness, this is a violation of ancestral rules! To take a male concubine is hardly a glorious thing. How can the people of the country view this future heir apparent when the Crown Prince so openly commits such a scandalous act?" Lord Tang said righteously.
"What Lord Tang says is quite right. Does His Majesty know this?" Lord Qin glanced at the Fourth Prince and asked.
"I'm pondering how to report this to the Emperor. This is not a good thing. Whether the Emperor is willing to listen or how he intends to deal with the Crown Prince is unknown. Perhaps he will even appoint someone else," said Lord Wang.
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Prince understood, and asked, "Is the Crown Prince acting this way?"
"Are some people probably starting to have some ulterior motives again?"
"These things the Crown Prince has done have made even his former supporters feel ashamed. Some of them have severed ties with him, but there are still quite a few who support him, probably about half. Prince Yong, could you go directly to the Emperor and say that the Crown Prince's actions are simply outrageous?" said Lord Wang.
“No, the matter must be revealed to Father Emperor, but how to do so is a process that truly tests one’s willpower,” the Fourth Prince said. The reason he had not reported his experiences to Emperor Kangxi was to give the Emperor a buffer period.
“Your Highness, that matter last time was a big deal. You even found out who it was. Why did you stop?” Tang Bin asked.
"We haven't been able to find the person in the portrait. The Shi family can't investigate either. They've only sent two people to keep an eye on things. There's still no movement. We shouldn't act rashly until we're absolutely certain."
"The matter is so well-documented, yet nothing can be done. Alas, it seems the Crown Prince still has a long way to go," said Lord Tang.
Everyone sighed softly.
The dishes were served, and everyone began to clink glasses and chat happily. While Fourth Master entertained his friends, he also thought of Lanqin.
After the banquet had been going on for four or five minutes, the Fourth Master was slightly drunk and decided to return to his residence.
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