"You've already set your sights on the third and second-place scholars so quickly?" Fourth Master laughed. "Aren't you interested in the top scholar?"
"Isn't the top scholar reserved for princesses? My lord, you are that little girl's brother-in-law, after all. I'm thinking this way because I want to help you build connections. Sister Wu's family isn't a wealthy and influential one. If we find her a prominent family in the capital, they might not even look at her. It would be better to find someone from a newly wealthy family, preferably a talented scholar who has risen from humble beginnings. That way, not only can Sister Wu's sister become your principal wife, but she can also become an asset to you in the future!" Lanqin said softly.
Fourth Master glanced at Lanqin's bright eyes and couldn't help but admire her. When did this woman become so clever and cunning as a fox?
"Let's keep an eye on things," Fourth Master said with a smile, then turned to watch the show.
Seeing that the Fourth Prince only glanced at her a few times without showing any surprise, and then chatted happily with Lan Qin, Wu Ruyue couldn't help but feel a little discouraged. She knew that her appearance was outstanding, but in the Fourth Prince's harem, there were all kinds of beautiful women. Was he just used to it?
After the banquet, the Fourth Master rewarded them, and they all thanked the Fourth Master and Lanqin.
Meanwhile, Lady Fucha, having learned of Lanqin's event, arrived at Yue Di Yun Ju under the cover of night. She intended to question Mu Qingyang again, or perhaps to threaten him.
“No, Princess, if we go there rashly like this, who knows what people will say if they see us? We don’t want to get ourselves into trouble,” Hongqiao said.
"Looking at the current situation, I have no choice but to go and talk to Niohuru. Seeing that smug look on Liu's face makes me uncomfortable," Fucha said irritably.
“My lady, I think we should wait a little longer. Liu is also anxious,” Hongqiao said.
“But she hasn’t made a move yet. What if Mu Qingyang leaves one day? If he leaves, we won’t be in a standoff anymore, and that bitch Liu might be fine. Plus, she’s had a child, so she’s even more protected,” said Fucha.
“What you say makes sense, Princess. In that case, let’s go see the concubine and expose the scandal between Liu and Mu Qingyang, let them fight it out!” Hongqiao said.
“Alright, let’s do it that way!” said Lady Fucha.
“Then this servant will accompany you to speak with the concubine tomorrow,” Hongqiao said quickly.
“No, let’s go now. It’s not that late anyway. I heard that the concubine held some kind of banquet at her place tonight, so everyone must still be there. Why don’t we go and talk to her while everyone’s there?” said Lady Fucha.
“Princess, I’m afraid this is a bit inappropriate,” Hongqiao said.
"What's wrong with it?" asked Lady Fucha.
“They’re all here. If you go and talk about this, it will seem like you’re deliberately trying to spoil their fun,” Hongqiao said.
Fucha thought about it and realized it was indeed a good idea. If she went now, the Fourth Prince would probably be there too, and since she would be talking about Liu and Mu Qingyang, she was afraid she would upset him.
“Alright, then we’ll talk about it tomorrow. Liu, I’ll allow you to be happy for a few more days, then you won’t even have time to cry.” Fucha said.
Meanwhile, a servant was hurrying towards Wan Anfang's place. He was a servant who served Mu Qingyang in Yue Di Yun Ju, and he was heading towards Lan Qin's residence.
In the courtyard, the children were unusually excited about the barbecue and opera performance. Lanqin, along with Madam Song, Old Madam Song, and Madam Wu, were discussing how absurd the stories on stage were, and how they could be improved.
The Fourth Prince stayed by Lanqin's side the whole time, watching the play with her. Although the play he wrote didn't suit his taste, it was his duty to entertain the women in the inner quarters.
"Secondary Consort, Secondary Consort!" A servant guarding the gate ran in and called out before he even reached Lanqin.
"No manners! Who let you in?" Fourth Master scolded in a deep voice.
"This servant deserves to die! This servant didn't know the master was here!" The servant, who usually had no chance to serve the Fourth Master, shrank back in fear upon seeing him.
“Master, he looks like he has something urgent to attend to! You’re the gatekeeper, right? What’s wrong?” Lanqin tugged at Fourth Master’s sleeve.
"Reporting to Consort, someone from Yue Di Yun Ju has come to report that Young Master Mu has been poisoned," the servant stammered, still somewhat frightened by the Fourth Prince's anger earlier.
"What?! Young Master Mu has been poisoned!" Lan Qin stared at him in surprise and repeated. The Song and Wu families also heard this and all showed expressions of surprise.
Upon hearing this, Fourth Master also looked at him, realizing that someone had been poisoned in his villa.
"Have him come in and tell us what happened!" Lanqin felt a chill run down her spine. All these things that had happened recently were happening one after another, all of them happening at once.
When the servant who had rushed from Yue Di Yun Ju to deliver the news was brought before Lan Qin, he quickly paid his respects and then said, "Young Master Mu suddenly collapsed, his face pale, and he seems to have lost consciousness."
"Master, please send a doctor over quickly," Lanqin said to the Fourth Master immediately after hearing this.
"Su Peisheng, go and fetch the doctor immediately, and head straight to Yue Di Yun Ju." Fourth Master immediately said to Su Peisheng, who was standing to the side.
Seeing what had happened, the others all came to say goodbye to Lanqin. Lanqin knew that it was impossible to continue at this point, so she told Madam Song and Madam Wu to hurry back.
Wu Ruyue reluctantly followed Madam Wu away. She had secretly glanced at the Fourth Master several times, and the more she looked, the more she wished she could be betrothed to him. After everyone had left, Lanqin said to the Fourth Master, "Your Majesty, I would like to go see Young Master Mu! After all, I invited him; otherwise, he would probably not be in the manor by now."
"I'll go with you!" Fourth Master saw Lanqin frown. Although he was displeased, someone had been poisoned in his villa, so there must be a poisoner. He couldn't ignore it. Lanqin and the children lived here; how could he let a poisoner live around them?
The two followed the maid carrying the palace lanterns toward Yue Di Yun Ju. When they entered, the doctor had already arrived and was taking Mu Qingyang's pulse.
Fourth Master and Lanqin arrived at Mu Qingyang's bedside, only to find him lying there as if he had fainted. His complexion was terrible, and his lips were completely bloodless.
"How could someone be poisoned out of nowhere?" Lanqin asked anxiously.
Several servants who served Mu Qingyang stood aside with bitter faces, not daring to say a word. Although Mu Qingyang was not a proper master, now that someone had gotten into trouble while they were serving him, if the master and his concubine investigated, they would not be able to escape responsibility.
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