By the time Lanqin returned to Wanfang Anhe, it was already quite late, and Fourth Master had actually come back.
"Where have you been?" Fourth Master asked with a dark face as soon as he saw Lanqin return.
"That damn man, he said he wouldn't be back for a while, why is he acting like this?" Although she thought this to herself, Lanqin still put on a smile and said, "Master is back. I went to see the girls learning opera."
"I have something important to tell you, come with me!" Before Lanqin could finish explaining, Fourth Master grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the study.
Seeing him like this, the maids didn't dare to follow, watching as Lanqin was taken away by the Fourth Master like a little chick.
"Master, what's wrong? Can you slow down?" Lanqin staggered as Fourth Master dragged her along, her embroidered shoes almost falling off her feet.
"Qin'er, Father Emperor, Father Emperor has sent you a reward through your grandfather!" the Fourth Prince said excitedly.
The two entered the study and dismissed the servants who were cleaning. The Fourth Prince then pulled Lanqin into his arms and said with great excitement, "Father, you actually told me that your idea is excellent and has solved the problem of cheating on the imperial examinations that has plagued the system for decades. Although the court has repeatedly cracked down on cheating, some people still risk being beheaded to hire someone to take the exam for them."
"Because once you pass the exam, your career path will be limitless. Even a minor county magistrate can earn 100,000 taels of silver a year," Lanqin said.
"That's right, that's exactly what they did. Your Majesty must block these people's path to embezzlement as examiners, so they can no longer corrupt our Great Qing," the Fourth Prince said. "Now, this wish can finally be fulfilled, all thanks to you. Qin'er, do you know how much credit you've given us! Even Father Emperor praised you for coming up with this idea. In the past, the court spent so much silver and manpower to deal with this problem, but there was no proper solution. Now, with just one sentence from you, it's as if you've immediately awakened us from our dream." The Fourth Prince said.
Lanqin chuckled as she looked at the Fourth Master, but inwardly she thought: He's just using the experience of later generations, so naturally you wouldn't have thought of that.
"Your Majesty, has Father Emperor agreed to your suggestion?" Lanqin asked.
"Of course he agreed, and he even appreciated it. Even the Emperor himself received praise from Father. Qin'er, do you know what this rise in the Emperor's favor means?" the Fourth Prince said excitedly.
"I don't know, please enlighten me, Your Highness!" Lanqin pretended to be stupid. Of course she knew that at this moment, Kangxi urgently needed someone to stand up and fill the hole that the deposed crown prince had created in his heart.
“It’s trust and reliance. Qin’er, if Father Emperor is like this, then that position will no longer be a dream for me.” The Fourth Prince said softly to Lanqin.
"Is that so? Then I congratulate you, Your Highness! Congratulations! Your Highness, one day you can finally realize your revenge!" Lanqin said with a smile.
"You and I created all of this together, you know?" Fourth Master said emotionally, holding the waist of the hostess Lanqin. "So when I come back and don't see you, I get incredibly annoyed."
Lanqin smiled and said, "Your Majesty, congratulations on your efforts over the years not being in vain. In fact, Father Emperor values Your Majesty not only because of my little skills, but also because Your Majesty's persistent efforts over the years have gradually taken root in Father Emperor's heart."
"That also needs your brilliant idea to catalyze it!" Fourth Master said.
"My lord, I also have something I'd like to tell you. Perhaps you can see the difference?" Lanqin said.
The Fourth Prince's mind was preoccupied with the autumn imperial examinations. He and Lanqin had finally devised a foolproof plan, and his excitement at receiving Kangxi's praise made him incredibly happy. He nodded and asked, "What is it?"
So Lanqin told the Fourth Master again what had happened after Liu's jewelry was stolen.
"My lord, I truly have no idea how to handle this matter. There are absolutely no clues about the theft of Consort Liu's jewelry. Should we send all the servants around her to be beaten?" Lanqin said.
"What if Liu is lying? Does that explain everything?" Fourth Master said calmly. "If her jewelry really was stolen by that actor, then he should be in a hurry to escape, just as you said, but he stayed. That doesn't make sense. There are also many suspicious points about Liu's claim of seeing a shadowy figure in the middle of the night. For example, where did she keep her jewelry? How could the thief have taken it all in one go? If he didn't know beforehand, it would be difficult to succeed so easily. Although Mu Qingyang has performed at Xinghua Spring Pavilion, he might not have been able to enter Liu's inner room, let alone know where she kept her jewelry." Fourth Master said.
After Fourth Master said that, Lanqin's mind really became much sharper.
"Then, my lord, how should I handle this matter? Is it possible that Liu and her servants are lying? Then why would they lie?" Lanqin asked.
"You handle this matter personally; I won't interfere. Qin'er, if one day you enter the palace, the things you'll have to deal with might be far more complicated than this," the Fourth Prince said.
Yes, if the Fourth Prince becomes the emperor, then I will have to enter the palace as a concubine. That would mean managing such a large palace, so many servants and maids, and so many concubines. If I can't handle even the smallest things, how can I win people's hearts?
"Very well, I will investigate this matter thoroughly. Your Highness need not worry about such a trivial matter," Lanqin said confidently. "If it is found that Liu Shi has a problem, will Your Highness show leniency?"
"It depends on what she did wrong. I said I'd leave it to you to handle, so it's up to you," Fourth Master said.
Lanqin looked at Fourth Master, feeling incredibly happy. This man completely trusted her, not even mentioning that she might harm Liu Shi. Although she had never thought that way, a man like Fourth Master would surely consider the child's well-being!
The Fourth Prince then devoted himself entirely to preparing for the interview stage of the autumn imperial examinations. The written exams were fast approaching, and candidates from all over the country gathered in the capital, all hoping to leap over the dragon gate and realize their great dreams.
However, some are destined to fail; only a few will succeed, becoming the Emperor's protégés and pillars of the nation. The Fourth Prince eagerly anticipates this autumn examination, hoping it will select outstanding talents for the Qing Dynasty. What excites him even more is that he, Aisin-Gioro Yinzhen, will be recognized by scholars across the land as the originator of this examination method, winning him widespread support. This is because those who pass this examination are generally truly talented, and they will undoubtedly be grateful to the Fourth Prince for devising such a method, ensuring their ten years of hard work have not been in vain.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
