Lady Fucha was dressed in her finest attire when the Fourth Prince summoned her to the front courtyard to serve him in bed. This was the second time in a row, and she knew she had to make the most of it. She remembered that in her previous life, she had met a tragic end because of her rivalry with Lady Nian. Back then, Lady Niohuru was no threat at all; she was neither favored nor completely invisible. She never imagined that in this life, she would become the most favored woman in the inner quarters. It seemed that one's destiny could indeed be changed.
As Fucha helped Hongqiao walk towards the front yard, she thought about how to gradually establish herself in the Fourth Prince's inner quarters and avoid repeating the mistakes of her previous life.
When Lady Fucha arrived at the front yard, Su Peisheng led her into the Fourth Prince's bedroom.
“Princess Fucha, please wait here. Master is in the study. Please sit here and have some tea,” Su Peisheng said.
"Thank you for your trouble, Father-in-law." Lady Fucha then sat alone in the Fourth Prince's bedroom. It was her first time here, so she began to look around the room.
Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince was still sitting in his study. During the day, he dealt with all sorts of matters in the court, and after returning home, he longed for a place where he could completely relax, dine and sleep with the woman he loved.
When did that little woman start to become intolerant of his distrust and lack of exclusivity? The Lanqin of the past wasn't like this; she was always cheerful, charming, and trying to please him. But now, she seems closer to his heart, yet also more concerned with his own feelings.
The Fourth Prince was thinking of Lanqin, recalling all the little moments they shared, and hadn't visited her for several days. His favoritism towards Lady Liu and Lady Fucha was, in essence, a way of provoking that young woman, making her understand her own status. But doing so didn't bring him happiness. He even began to doubt himself: when he was with these women, did he truly see them as Lanqin, or was he merely trying to fill the deepest void in his heart?
"Master, Princess Fucha has arrived. This servant has escorted her to your room," Su Peisheng said, standing at the study door. He couldn't quite understand the Fourth Prince lately. On the surface, it seemed he and Nan Xiaoyuan had a serious falling out, ignoring each other for several days. But behind the scenes, Su Peisheng could sense the Fourth Prince's concern for Nan Xiaoyuan. Several times, the Fourth Prince almost blurted it out, but ultimately swallowed it back.
"Understood," Fourth Master said. He suddenly didn't want to see Lady Fucha. He realized that although he was favoring new concubines, there was still no movement from the South Courtyard, which made him uneasy. What did that woman want? Did she really want to force him to favor another woman? Did he really have the nerve to beg for that woman's forgiveness?
When Su Peisheng saw that Fourth Master only replied "I know" and did not say anything more about whether he wanted to see her, he was too lazy to ask again.
Fourth Master casually picked up a book, which turned out to be a copy of the Book of Songs. He flipped through it casually and gradually began to read. As he read, Fourth Master gradually fell into deep thought. Perhaps he understood the awkwardness in Lanqin's heart.
He didn't know how much time had passed, but Su Peisheng was standing at the door, starting to doze off, when suddenly the door was pushed open by the Fourth Master.
"Ah, oh, Master!" Su Peisheng perked up immediately and looked at the Fourth Master in surprise.
"You don't need to follow, just wait here," Fourth Master said, then brushed past Su Peisheng.
"Master..." Su Peisheng watched as Fourth Master's figure gradually disappeared into the darkness, but that wasn't the way back to the bedroom. Where was Master going?
Fourth Master did not carry a lantern, because he knew that road too well, and besides, he did not want others to see him walking towards the South Courtyard.
Meanwhile, Lanqin had already coaxed her two daughters to sleep, and Hongli was also fast asleep. Looking at her daughters' and sons' sweet and adorable little faces, Lanqin's mood instantly calmed down.
"My lady, let me help you wash up!" Si Hua said to Lan Qin, who came out of the two princesses' rooms.
"No rush, the moon is beautiful tonight, I want to enjoy it." Lanqin looked up at the bright moon in the sky. Because it was autumn, the night wind was still a bit chilly.
"My lady, let me go back and get you a cloak," Si Hua said, feeling a bit cold.
"Okay, go ahead." Lanqin was just about to enjoy the moon alone, so she asked Sihua to go back and get her cloak.
In the past, Lanqin didn't like being alone and always preferred to have someone with her. But now, she longs to be alone for a while and doesn't like having someone constantly serving her.
Looking at the moon and the stars that shone like diamonds in the night sky, Lanqin couldn't help but marvel at how bright the sky was three hundred years ago. Unlike later generations, where the air is so polluted that the stars are shrouded in mist and can't be seen at all. Although it was late autumn, because the South Courtyard was full of flowering trees, Lanqin could still smell a faint fragrance lingering at her nose.
After Fourth Master entered through the side gate of the South Courtyard, he walked towards Lanqin's main room, only to find her standing alone by the roadside, seemingly admiring the moon. He secretly stood in the shadows of a nearby tree, quietly watching Lanqin.
Just now, he read the poem "Leaving through the East Gate" from the Book of Songs, which depicts a young man's love for a woman. He is unmoved by any beauty or wealth, and his heart is solely devoted to that woman. Perhaps Lanqin desires this kind of love; she wants him to love her wholeheartedly and trust her completely.
The Fourth Prince knew he had once loved Lady Uya, but later married Lady Ulanara. He also had feelings for Lady Li, but eventually grew tired of her affected mannerisms. He had favored many other women, but many were only with him because of the previous dynasty, not because he truly loved them. As for Lanqin, he truly loved her, loved everything about this little woman. So when he saw her alone with another man, he was consumed by anger—jealousy and possessiveness, and also because he loved Lanqin so much that he couldn't allow her even the slightest space in her heart for anyone else.
Fourth Master suddenly understood everything. He believed that Lanqin felt the same way, which was why she said those words. She loved him too, so much so that she couldn't tolerate even the slightest gap, which was why she was acting so awkwardly.
Oh dear, our Sisi has finally figured it out!
"Master!" Si Hua's voice effectively disrupted Si Si's introspection.
"My lady, what brings you here? I've been looking everywhere for you. Here, put this on quickly." Si Hua unfolded Lan Qin's cloak and draped it over her shoulders.
"Well, Si Hua, I'd like to enjoy the moon here alone. You should go back first." Lan Qin was thinking about something when Si Hua interrupted her.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
