After Mu Qingyang moved to Yue Di Yun Ju, Lan Qin ordered all the maids who were learning opera to gather together and go to his home to get acquainted with him. Hong Qian and Hong Ying from the Wu family went to learn, as did You Xun and Zi Wei, the young maids from the Song family.
After exchanging greetings with Mu Qingyang, the young maids went to Yue Di Yun Ju to learn opera according to the schedule arranged by Si Hua. Generally, one group went in the morning and another in the afternoon, with time in between for them to rest. Lan Qin would also occasionally go to Yue Di Yun Ju to observe and exchange ideas about Western opera with Mu Qingyang, even offering her own opinions. The young maids were all teenagers, and they learned quickly; within a few days, they had become interested in Western opera.
After writing the memorial that day, the Fourth Prince immediately went to the palace to report to Emperor Kangxi. Unexpectedly, he did not return for several days. He only sent someone to deliver a letter to Lanqin, telling her that he was in the palace accompanying Emperor Kangxi to study the imperial examinations and would not be returning to Yuanmingyuan for the time being. He told her to enjoy her life and take good care of the affairs in the garden.
Lanqin treated it like summer vacation, living with the mindset of a summer vacation. With Fourth Master not around, it was as if the head of the family or the homeroom teacher was not around either.
Madam Song often sent people to pick up the two little girls, and Hongli would also go to play. Namin would also go. The children had a great time playing at the Song family's Changchun Immortal Hall, which made Lanqin even more free.
These past few days, Lanqin has been writing play scripts in her study. She has started to create some interesting stories about talented men and beautiful women, imagining what it would be like to have Shuiling and the other maids perform such a play.
"Master!" Si Hua entered quietly. She, Lan Qi, and Shui Ling had gone to Yue Di Yun Ju to learn opera in the morning, and in the afternoon they changed to Jin Ju, Bao Qin, and Yu Xiao.
"What is it?" Lanqin asked when she heard Sihua's voice while she was writing.
"Princess Liu is here!" Si Hua announced.
Lanqin paused, turned to look at Sihua, and said in surprise, "Why is she here?"
“This servant didn’t know either. She was already sitting in the main room. This servant told her that the concubine was in the study, and she said she was waiting there,” Si Hua said.
Lanqin frowned and said, "Have you found her jewelry? Manager Lu didn't come to report it!"
"Manager Lu didn't come, and you didn't ask about it, so the matter was just left unresolved!" Si Hua said.
Lanqin was startled. She hadn't paid much attention to Liu's lost jewelry, leaving everything to her subordinates. Was she here to demand an explanation, blaming her for not finding her jewelry?
Thinking this through, Lanqin said to Sihua, "I understand."
After hesitating for a long time, Lanqin finally got up. She couldn't keep a pregnant woman waiting too long, otherwise, if she told the master, he would think she was being harsh on the pregnant woman.
Lanqin washed her hands with Shuiling's help before heading to her main room.
"This humble servant greets Consort Niu!" Upon seeing Lanqin enter, Lady Liu immediately rose and curtsied, her attitude extremely respectful!
"Cuizhu, quickly help your master sit down!" Lanqin said.
"Mrs. Liu, your jewelry is still missing, but they should still be investigating, so there's no need to worry too much." After waiting for a while, Lanqin saw that Sihua had already served Mrs. Liu tea and snacks, so she simply got straight to the point. Anyway, she didn't like playing games with Mrs. Liu.
Lady Liu was taken aback, then quickly smiled and said, "You've misunderstood, Consort. I didn't come for those jewelry pieces."
"Then why?" Lanqin asked.
"Ah, it's like this. I heard that Consort Mu invited Master Mu to Yue Di Yun Ju to teach the maids Western opera. I'm quite bored at Xing Hua Chun Guan and would like to join in the fun. Why don't I let my maid Cui Zhu go in and learn as well?" Liu said. She waited for several days but found that Mu Qingyang had not left, nor had he reported her. After discussing it, she decided to go and test Lan Qin. If she could send Cui Zhu to Yue Di Yun Ju and clarify the pros and cons with him face to face, it would be even better if he would leave as soon as possible.
Lanqin was a little embarrassed because she hadn't expected Liu to come for this matter. She had no intention of truly uniting everyone and inviting just anyone. She had only invited the maids from Song and Wu; the rest were her own people.
What is this Liu family member planning to do? Can't they see what I'm thinking?
Seeing that Lanqin remained silent, Liu knew that she was unwilling, so she smiled and said, "Consort, I have always wanted to have a friendly relationship with you. Why don't we start now? I have always admired you greatly and hope to reconcile with you."
Lanqin looked at Liu in surprise, not knowing what to say. It seemed that Liu was determined to have her!
"Your Majesty, Princess Fucha is requesting an audience!" Shui Ling rushed in to save the day and said to Lan Qin.
What a day it is today! Why is everyone here?! Lanqin looked at Shuiling in despair and could only say, "Please let her in!"
Fucha, supported by Hongqiao, walked in unsteadily. She was also surprised to see Liu and her servant there, and the latter was looking at her with a look of astonishment.
"Princess Fucha, please sit down," Lanqin said after Lady Fucha had finished bowing to her.
Lady Fucha came today because she hadn't been able to see Mu Qingyang since he entered the Moon Cloud Residence, and she couldn't get through even when she tried to send someone to deliver a message.
"Consort, my friend Hongqiao heard that you are having Master Mu put on a play at Yue Di Yun Ju. She is quite fond of Master Mu's plays. Why don't you let her go in and join in the fun?" Fucha said to Lanqin.
Lanqin almost cried out: Why are you two joining in this fun?
Liu had been staring at Fucha since she entered. Hearing Fucha's words, she said, "Secondary Consort, why don't I and Fucha's maid each bring in another one?"
Only then did Lady Fucha realize that Lady Liu was also going to send someone into Yue Di Yun Ju. She sneered inwardly, "Princess Liu is pregnant now, so she shouldn't get involved in this. Don't you agree, Consort?"
Liu glared at Fucha with dissatisfaction and said, "What are you saying, Sister Fucha? It's not me who's going to learn, but Cuizhu who's going to learn."
Seeing them start arguing in front of her, Lanqin had no choice but to push them forward and shout, "Sorry, we're full. We'll call you next time!"
Liu and Fucha were surprised by Lanqin's response and were about to say something when Lanqin said, "Both of you princesses, please go back. If there's nothing else, please."
Liu had no choice but to help Cuizhu up, curtsy, then glared at Fucha before turning and leaving. Fucha began to struggle with whether or not to tell Lanqin about Liu's affair with Mu Qingyang.
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