Lanqin stood behind Fourth Master, listening to his story. Although she had long known that Fourth Master would eventually find out, she hadn't expected it to come so soon.
"Qin'er, she is still my mother's niece, and we once had a beautiful relationship. But I never expected her to become such a woman, willing to abandon even her own flesh and blood for the sake of winning favor. I now understand that I no longer have the feelings I once had for her; my heart belongs only to you. The reason I took care of her was out of consideration for our past relationship, and also because I presumptuously thought I should take care of her for the rest of her life. Now, for her own selfish interests, she has exhausted the last bit of affection I had for her." The Fourth Prince turned and stared at Lanqin.
Is he apologizing to me, begging for forgiveness? Lanqin looked at Fourth Master, knowing that what he was saying was not empty words. Should she immediately rush into his arms, embrace him, and forgive him? How could all this happen so quickly?
Lanqin hesitated, looking at Fourth Master, seemingly unable to believe that the obstacle between them had been cleared up so easily.
"Is Master finished speaking?" Lanqin asked.
Fourth Master nodded, and Lanqin said, "I understand. I'm hungry and need to go back for my meal. Please make yourself at home, Your Highness."
After saying that, Lanqin turned and ran away. Fourth Master was once again left standing there by Lanqin.
Lanqin ran and ran, and still ended up at the Qianqing Palace. Anyway, she didn't want to go back now and be caught by Consort De to learn dining etiquette again.
The Fourth Prince, anticipating that Lanqin wouldn't return to Yonghe Palace but instead went to Qianqing Palace, went back to Consort De's quarters instead. He had originally intended to discuss the matter of Lady Wuya with Consort De. Consort De was having her meal when she saw the Fourth Prince return, so she naturally invited him to join her. Fearing he might spoil Consort De's appetite, the Fourth Prince patiently ate lunch with her.
The mother and son moved to a side hall for tea. Consort De noticed the Fourth Prince's presence; he must have something to say to her. No one knows a son better than his mother!
"What? Wanru, she knocked her own over?" Consort De was holding a blue-and-white porcelain cup with a fish and seaweed pattern, filled with a cup of Maojian tea.
Fourth Master used the tea lid to smooth the tea leaves in his teacup and continued, "I have investigated thoroughly and found that she was not wronged. I never imagined she would become so vicious. It's such a waste of Mother's kindness towards her."
If it weren't for Consort De's instigation, the Fourth Prince wouldn't have taken Lady Uya as a concubine. Consort De felt quite uncomfortable hearing the Fourth Prince's words.
"Foolish! It's such a waste that I've always felt guilty towards her. Seeing that she had suddenly lost her husband, I brought her to the palace for a short stay and even brought you two together. It's really..." Consort De couldn't continue.
“Mother, you don’t need to worry about her. I could have sent her to Zhanghua Terrace, but she is, after all, your family. What do you think we should do?” the Fourth Prince asked.
"What can be done about her disgraceful act? Releasing her out would damage your reputation. Send her to Zhanghua Terrace for confinement; as long as she has enough to eat and wear, that's fine. I will handle things with your uncle; you don't need to worry about him," said Consort De.
"Yes. Son will make the arrangements," Fourth Master said.
"It seems that Niohuru still harbors resentment towards you? I see that as long as she's in this palace, I have to keep an eye on her. But your imperial father seems to value her highly," Consort De said.
"I don't want Mother to worry about my affairs with her. I will explain things to her clearly. It's thanks to Mother for reminding me back then, otherwise I'm afraid I would have hurt her even more," the Fourth Prince said.
"Fourth Prince, although Wanru was in the wrong, and you should be punished accordingly, your mother must remind you at this time not to favor one person too much. In your household, there is Lady Nian, the Fujin, and this Niohuru, forming a three-way power struggle. If you favor Niohuru too much, the other two will start fighting, and the inner court will be in turmoil. In the end, it will be your offspring who suffer!" Consort De said.
"Yes, son has remembered," said Fourth Master.
"Your principal wife is still from the Ulanara clan, but the Niohuru clan has given birth to the most children, plus another woman from the Nian clan. If you can manage the relationship between these three women well, your household will be peaceful," said Consort De.
The Fourth Prince paused for a moment, then sighed silently in his heart before saying, "Mother, you don't need to worry that your son will favor someone and lose his sense of propriety. I know that in my heart."
"Alright, I won't say any more. You know what to do. Go ahead and rest assured, I will take care of Niohuru and Hongli," said Consort De. She should also go for her afternoon rest.
When Lanqin arrived at the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Kangxi was speaking with the Crown Prince. Naturally, she dared not disturb him and hurried off to find Hongli.
"Consort, His Majesty invites you in!" Liang Jiugong said with a friendly expression.
"Well, His Highness the Crown Prince is inside. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to go in!" Lanqin said.
"His Majesty said you are welcome to enter," Liang Jiugong said.
"Well, what bad luck! I bumped into the Crown Prince the moment I arrived!" Lanqin thought to herself. She was reluctant to meet the Fourth Prince's political enemy. Ever since the Fourth Prince told her that the Crown Prince was the one who harmed Hongli in the Qianqing Palace, Lanqin had felt a strong aversion to him.
"Daughter-in-law greets Father Emperor!" Lanqin followed Liang Jiugong inside and bowed to Emperor Kangxi.
"This concubine greets Your Highness!" Lanqin then bowed to the Crown Prince.
"Haha, fourth son's wife. Come here, come over to me and grind ink for me." Kangxi said to Lanqin with a smile.
It's really not taking up any time at all. I'm already going to start grinding ink for Kangxi? I haven't even eaten yet! It's like I have no human rights! Lanqin had no choice but to walk over to Kangxi and start working for him.
The Crown Prince watched in surprise as Lanqin walked to Kangxi's side to grind ink for him, and couldn't help but say, "Father, does Consort Niu come here often too?"
Kangxi said, "She's a real joy to behold, just like your third sister. She always makes me happy."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince felt a pang of unease. Why were the fourth prince's son and daughter-in-law all vying for Kangxi's attention? He himself was becoming increasingly insignificant in Kangxi's eyes, while this whole family was becoming more and more prominent!
"Hmm, your ink-grinding technique is quite like your mother's." Kangxi watched as Lanqin picked up the ink stick and began grinding ink, starting very skillfully.
"Your Majesty, Mother specially taught my daughter-in-law how to grind ink so that she could serve me well," Lanqin said.
"Hmm, your mother is very thoughtful," Kangxi said with satisfaction.
But to the Crown Prince, these words were like a nightmare. He was already consumed by jealousy, but he couldn't show it on his face.
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