"Master, didn't you go a bit too far just now? You should at least have greeted her," Lanqin teased the Fourth Master, feeling the atmosphere was a bit awkward. She was naturally pleased with the Fourth Master's attitude just now; Fucha Shi was always restless, and giving her such a slap in the face must have hurt her quite a bit.
"So you want me to call her in, pour me some tea, and give me a shoulder massage?" Fourth Master teased Lanqin.
"Then could you pour me some water and give me a back massage while you're at it? Is that alright?" Lanqin pouted and smiled.
"Hmm. If you're willing, then so be it!" Fourth Master raised his hand and placed a piece.
Lanqin was astonished to see that Fourth Master's chess skills were truly remarkable. She had specially set up this chess game for him based on the endgame she remembered, and he had actually solved it. In fact, Lanqin's own chess skills were not very good, and she was no match for Fourth Master's level at all.
"I have lost!" Upon seeing Fourth Master's move, Lanqin simply decided to surrender.
"You're already admitting defeat?" Fourth Master said.
"My chess skills are no match for yours, sir. I was merely setting up a puzzle to bluff my way out of trouble. If you can solve a puzzle like this, I concede defeat," Lanqin said.
"I went back and discussed the exam method you mentioned last time with the officials who were proctoring the exam, and they all objected! It really makes me furious!" When Fourth Master saw that Lanqin was unwilling to continue, he simply stopped playing and started talking about his worries.
Lanqin personally poured a cup of tea for Fourth Master and said, "People are naturally resistant to new things. After all, no one has tried them before, and they are afraid of problems, so it's normal for them to object."
The Fourth Prince nodded and said, "You're right. They're all used to the examination methods of previous years and have never heard of questions like this before. However, Father Emperor approves of this method. He told me to organize this examination myself and not to ask him about everything."
Lanqin's heart stirred upon hearing this, and she said, "Your Highness, this is a sign of the Emperor's trust and high regard for you. You must seize this opportunity and make the autumn imperial examination a success, so as to select some capable talents for the court."
Fourth Master looked at Lanqin and said, "I never expected you to be my confidante. With your words, I feel much more at ease."
Lanqin glanced at the Fourth Master and said, "I have always been your confidante. What, do you think I am not your confidante? Then who is your confidante?"
Fourth Master pulled Lanqin into his arms, and the two stood together atop the white jade pavilion, gazing at the maze composed of holly and pagoda pines.
Meanwhile, after suffering a series of setbacks, Lady Fucha returned to her Quyuan Fenghe and took Hongqiao into her inner room, dismissing all the other maids who were serving her.
"Princess!"
Before Hongqiao could say anything, Fucha smashed a red plum blossom vase that she had placed on her dressing table with a loud crash!
“Princess, even if you smash all these antique treasures in this room, it won’t attract Prince Yong!” Hongqiao said, risking punishment from Lady Fucha.
“That’s right, I saw it clearly just now. He didn’t even glance at me,” said Lady Fucha. “I’m not happy about it. Why is it that she gets the master’s favor so much when we’re both his women? What makes me inferior to her?”
Hongqiao knew that Lady Fucha had been feeling aggrieved, and seeing her so agitated, she had no choice but to step forward and tug at her sleeve, saying, "Princess, please keep your voice down. If people find out that you are disrespectful to the Consort, you'll be in trouble again."
Fucha said, "What's there to be afraid of? This is my residence. Do you think she still has spies here?"
Hongqiao said, "Princess, even if we don't have any informants, you still have to be wary of whether there's any connection between the maids serving us here and the maids serving them over there."
Lady Fucha nodded and said, "Hongqiao, we need to think of a way to get the master's attention and make him unable to forget me."
Hongqiao said, "Princess, as for matters between men and women, how would this servant know? This servant thinks that if Princess wants to win the heart of Master, she must do something that makes Master feel grateful to Princess."
"Something to be grateful for?" Fucha asked.
"For example, a princess saved a young prince, or a young princess saved the master or the person the master cares about most?" Hongqiao asked.
“That Niohuru clan doesn’t associate with us at all. It’s impossible to get close to her,” said Fucha.
“Princess, why don’t you calm down and look for opportunities slowly? There will always be opportunities,” Hongqiao said.
"Liu seemed quite attentive to that actor today, which I find rather strange. Hongqiao, send someone to keep an eye on Mu Qingyang at Changyin Pavilion. I feel there seems to be something between him and Liu!" said Fucha.
“Princess, you noticed it too? This servant noticed that Madam Liu seems quite infatuated with Liu Mengmei on the stage. She didn’t even notice us when we went in just now,” Hongqiao said.
“Indeed, I also saw the way she reacted when she suddenly saw me; she was clearly a little flustered. I don’t understand, why was she so nervous watching the play?” said Lady Fucha.
“Princess, then this servant will go to Changyin Pavilion to inquire and see if we can get any information from those actors,” Hongqiao said.
"Go quickly!" said Lady Fucha.
Meanwhile, Hongqiao, carrying some loose silver, arrived at Changyin Pavilion again. She used the pretext of Lady Fucha wanting to request a performance to chat with the steward. As they talked, she learned that Lady Liu had recently been frequently requesting Mu Qingyang's *Peony Pavilion*. Hongqiao grew increasingly suspicious. Then, she told the steward that Lady Fucha had requested Mu Guiying as the lead actress to perform at Quyuan Fenghe, and even smugly instructed them not to let Mu Qingyang perform, but rather have his junior brother perform instead, to avoid further conflict with Lady Liu.
Upon hearing Hongqiao's understanding manner, the steward immediately made the arrangements, daring not to delay. The head of the Mu family troupe, having heard that Princess Fucha had requested a performance, specifically mentioned that Mu Qingyang didn't need to go, which made things even easier. He arranged for several of Mu Qingyang's fellow apprentices to go, giving them some exposure; otherwise, relying solely on Mu Qingyang would lead to the troupe's collapse if he stopped performing.
Meanwhile, Mu Qingyang was already displeased that Princess Fucha had disrupted his preferential treatment with Lady Liu. His fellow disciples, seeing that their mistress had requested a performance, quickly began preparations.
By the time they arrived at Quyuan Fenghe with Hongqiao, it was already late. Fucha Shi specially arranged for them to set up a troupe and perform outside her main house, while she herself had her maids bring benches and sit on the threshold in front of the main house, watching the actors wielding swords and spears.
For several days in a row, Lady Fucha had Hongqiao go there to choose plays, and each time she would directly choose Mu Qingyang's junior brother to sing. Over time, they gradually became familiar with each other.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
