Lanqin continued to live in Wanfang Anhe, Fourth Master naturally lived in Jiuzhou Qingyan, Song lived in Changchun Xianguan, Wu lived in Wuling Chunse, Fucha lived in Quyuan Fenghe, and Liu lived in Xinghua Chunguan.
On this day, Lanqin was fishing at Wanfang Anhe. Because it was already late autumn, the weather was a bit cold, and the fish in the water were not as plump as they were in the summer.
"Master, why are you doing this tedious work? If you want to eat fish, just have them go and buy it." Si Hua took a cotton cloak and tied it on Lan Qin.
“Fishing has its pleasures, but I certainly don’t catch fish to eat. Is Hongli sleeping well?” Lanqin asked. The girls, as usual, hired a tutor and moved the small school here. They were gradually enjoying going to school and no longer bothered Lanqin as often. Hongli was almost two years old, able to walk and talk, and they had started teaching him to write and recite poetry, but he was still too young to attend school with his older sisters.
"She's asleep, sleeping soundly!" Si Hua said quickly.
"Has the master sent someone to deliver a message?" Lanqin asked casually. The Fourth Master brought his family to the Yuanmingyuan for a "vacation." He usually met with officials from all walks of life at the Jiuzhou Qingyan, and his days were very busy. He didn't have much free time to spend with Lanqin and her son.
"Not yet! Sigh, those Fucha and Liu women haven't been very peaceful lately, each trying to find a way to see the master," Si Hua said.
"Let the newcomers make a fuss," Lanqin said dismissively. How could a few newcomers possibly interfere in her relationship with the Fourth Master? The Fourth Master would most likely still come to Wanfang Anhe, and no matter what Fucha and Liu tried, they couldn't change that fact.
"Master, what dishes should we prepare tonight? I'm sure the Master will come to dine with you," Si Hua said with a smile.
"But could I catch a few fish?" Lanqin said. "First, prepare some beef and mutton. Slice the beef thinly and make a hot and sour beef and vermicelli soup with it. Let's also grill some lamb chops. If we can catch a few more fish today, we'll make a steamed fish with three kinds of seafood."
"Yes," Si Hua replied.
Meanwhile, Lady Liu was already over three months pregnant, her belly showing a slight growth. She particularly loved sour plums, so the maids speculated that she might be carrying a prince, since "sour for a boy, spicy for a girl" is a superstitious belief!
"Princess, please try this. It's freshly picked sour plums. We brought you a whole big jar of them," said the maid Cuizhu.
"I'm so bored eating sour plums here every day, I'm about to die of boredom." Madam Liu thought that since she was pregnant, the Fourth Master would at least come more often, but she still couldn't attract him.
“Princess, it’s getting colder and colder outside. I’m afraid you’ll catch a cold if you go out,” Cuizhu said.
"The weather is getting colder and colder, and there's no one to talk to. It's so far away, it's really not as good as being in the manor," said Madam Liu. She lived with Madam Fucha in Chunhui Hall. Although they didn't get along, they could still exchange a few words, which was better than living alone in this huge courtyard all day, with no one to argue with or anyone to confide in.
"Master, why don't we go to Changyin Pavilion to watch a play? I heard that Master has invited the most famous Mu Family Troupe in the capital!" Cuizhu said.
"This is the only pastime I have. Have someone prepare a sedan chair; I'm afraid of the cold. Xinghua Chun Pavilion is quite a distance from Changyin Pavilion!" Liu said.
“Yes. However, Master, it’s getting late, and we’ll be having dinner soon. How about we go tomorrow?” Cuizhu said.
"It's still early. After eating three meals a day, even I'm starting to lose my appetite. I'll go out and listen to an hour of opera to digest my food," said Madam Liu.
Seeing that Liu was determined to leave, Cuizhu said nothing more and immediately ordered people to prepare a sedan chair.
Because she was pregnant, the Fourth Prince specially assigned several more eunuchs and maids to serve her, in addition to the existing servants in the Yuanmingyuan Garden. Seeing that their masters had arrived, they naturally hoped to serve them and receive more rewards.
"Watch your step, Master. She's pregnant too. If you drop her, you'll be in big trouble," Cuizhu said to the two sedan chair carriers in the courtyard.
They were all servants in this courtyard, assigned to work at Xinghua Chunguan.
"Yes, yes, no need for you to say more, young lady. We will naturally pay attention. Consort Liu is carrying the young master's son, how dare we not serve her properly!" A eunuch with beady eyes bowed and quickly replied.
Seeing that he was sensible and quick-witted, Cuizhu glanced at him a few more times and said, "Hmm. Serve well, and the princess will reward you handsomely."
After Liu was helped into the sedan chair by Cuizhu, the curtain was lowered and they went together to Changyin Pavilion.
It is said that the Fourth Prince went to great lengths to ensure that the women in his household had a rich and fulfilling life in the Yuanmingyuan. For example, he booked the Mu Family Troupe every month and had them stay in the courtyard behind Changyin Pavilion, specifically for the women in the mansion to enjoy operas.
As Liu rode in the sedan chair, her heart began to pound. Her ostensible reason for going to Changyin Pavilion was to watch a play, but her real purpose was to see the leading man of the Mu family troupe, the one she had once longed to elope with. The last time she saw him was at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet at the Fourth Master's mansion. That time, Liu was terrified, her face turning pale, fearing her old acquaintance would tell the Fourth Master about her past. But since then, he hadn't come looking for her at all. Liu had written back to inquire and learned that Mu Sheng had married and had a son, which put her mind at ease.
Because the Fourth Prince didn't visit Lady Liu often, she inevitably felt some resentment. When she entered the palace for the imperial concubine selection, it was naturally for the sake of her family's interests; she didn't particularly like the Fourth Prince and wasn't favored. Seeing her former lover by her side, a change in her feelings was inevitable, and she naturally wanted to seek comfort from him. Even just visiting him would be good, Lady Liu thought.
“Master, we’ve arrived!” Cui Zhu’s voice rang out from outside.
Liu was startled and, with Cuizhu's help, stepped out of the sedan chair. Perhaps because she was thinking of Mu Sheng, she wasn't careful with her footing and accidentally bumped into the front railing of the chair, causing her to stumble and fall forward.
"Master, be careful!" A strong hand suddenly supported Liu's arm.
It turned out to be the shifty-eyed eunuch who had been walking ahead—the one who had been talking to Cuizhu. Seeing Liu about to fall, he swiftly helped her up. Or perhaps, he had been watching Liu's every move, and this was merely an opportunity for him to curry favor with the noblewoman.
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