After much deliberation, Lanqin decided not to make things difficult for Liu for the time being. Although the Fourth Prince had said he would not tolerate women who stirred up trouble in the inner quarters, Liu was pregnant, so Lanqin decided to postpone the matter. After all, Emperor Kangxi was coming soon, and she should make some preparations. The Fourth Prince had basically made up his mind about Liu's situation and was just waiting for the right moment to deal with her.
In preparation for Emperor Kangxi's arrival, the Fourth Prince decided to send all the women back to the mansion, and the others to return to their own homes. Lanqin wanted to keep Aunt Cui and the others for a few more days, but unfortunately, the Fourth Prince had given the order, and everything was subject to his will.
Old Madam Song returned to the mansion with Madam Song and Song Shucheng, staying at Madam Song's place, as Song Shucheng was awaiting the results of the autumn imperial examinations. Aunt Cui, Nianxue, and Xicha naturally returned to their own residences. Wu Ruyue naturally went back to the mansion with Madam Wu and stayed at her place. Since learning of Mu Qingyang's "death," Madam Fucha had remained silent and quiet. She never imagined that Mu Qingyang would die like this.
Suddenly, the once bustling Yuanmingyuan became deserted. For convenience, Lanqin moved to Jiuzhou Qingyan to live with the Fourth Prince. The Fourth Prince was still busy exchanging and reviewing papers, only returning every two or three days. Lanqin led her three children in the peaceful and harmonious life of Jiuzhou Qingyan, free from so much gossip and trouble. She only wanted to spend her life quietly accompanying her children and the man she could no longer live without.
"Master, Liu's situation is already like that, why don't you punish her?" Si Hua asked Lan Qin, who was sunbathing under a large banyan tree, holding a hand warmer in her hands.
“Liu is pregnant. What should be done with her? Although Master knows Liu is guilty, why did you say you would hand her over to me that day, but you didn’t deal with her yourself?” Lanqin said.
"Does the master mean to wait until Liu gives birth before dealing with her?" Si Hua asked.
"That's what Master means. But I also think her child is innocent, we can't just ask her to have an abortion!" Lanqin said.
Si Hua didn't dare to ask any more questions and said, "Master, when are we going back to the manor? It's so big and cold here, and we servants all want to go back!"
Lanqin looked around at the withered leaves and the scene of autumn falling, and it seemed that winter was just around the corner.
“The Emperor is coming to stay at Changchun Garden. We can’t just leave as soon as he arrives. Besides, this is a good opportunity for you to spend time with the Emperor. How could we miss it?” Lanqin said.
"Oh. The Emperor is coming!" Si Hua exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes, there hasn't been an official announcement yet, so don't say anything carelessly," Lanqin instructed.
A few days later, all the examination papers of the candidates in the autumn examination had been reviewed, and the list of those who passed the examination had been copied down and posted at the main gate of the Imperial College and in the place where the examination results were announced every year.
Song Shucheng was delighted to find his name on the list; he had passed the imperial examination, ranking fifty-eighth. Li Chuang, however, failed again. Soon, the successful candidates were notified to go to the Imperial Academy for portrait registration. Those who had not passed began to leave the capital and return to their hometowns.
Lanqin learned from the letter sent by Song that her younger brother had indeed passed the exam.
On this day, two people came to the outside of Yuanmingyuan and asked the gatekeeper to inform Lanqin that someone from the Niohuru family had come.
Lanqin was a little stunned. She hadn't expected that her two half-brothers had also taken the imperial examination this year. One of them passed and became a Jinshi, while the other failed. The people who came today were Lanqin's father, Lingzhu, and her brother Qiufu, who had passed the exam.
"Let them in!" Lanqin said. After all, Lingzhu was her nominal father, and she couldn't refuse to see him.
When someone led them in, Lanqin met them at the Qin Playing Hall in Kyushu Qingyan.
"This humble servant, Niohuru Lingzhu, greets Consort Lingzhu!"
"This humble servant, Niohuru Qiufu, greets Consort Niohuru!"
"No need for formalities! Sit down and let's talk!" Lanqin knew something was amiss when she saw them bowing like this.
"How is Mother? Why didn't you come along?" Lanqin asked after the maid served her tea.
“Your mother said she would bring Boguo’er to pay her respects to the concubine in a while!” Lingzhu said with a smile.
Lanqin looked at the old man and felt that there was a hint of conspiracy in his smile.
"What brings Father and Fourth Brother here?" Lanqin asked, picking up her teacup.
"Qin'er, your father came today actually because of your fourth brother!" Lingzhu said quickly when Lanqin asked. Of course, he didn't come to see his daughter.
Hearing the name "Qin'er" come out of Lingzhu's mouth, Lanqin felt a little overwhelmed and got goosebumps.
"Qiu Fu? What do you want?" Lan Qin truly knew nothing about this younger brother born to Yang Shi.
"Third sister, Qiu Fu participated in the autumn imperial examination this year! He ranked sixty-fourth on the second-tier list," Qiu Fu said.
Upon hearing this, Lanqin realized that the person had come seeking an official position!
Lingzhu quickly interjected, "Qin'er, it's already quite an achievement that your fourth brother passed the exam. We are all very happy for him. The Niohuru clan has already declined in power, and there are not many of them who can serve as officials in the court now. Your fourth brother may be transferred to a post outside the capital this time. Your father came here this time to talk to you about whether you can ask Prince Yong to see if he can keep your fourth brother in the capital!"
Lanqin knew that Lingzhu didn't want his son to serve as an official outside the capital. But she thought about it: her own elder brother was currently in the Hanlin Academy, and now this half-brother wanted to stay in the capital—wouldn't that mean he'd be competing with her brother for a position? Why wasn't her mother here? It meant she didn't agree!
“Father, the Prince is at the Imperial Academy every day now, and I can’t even see him. Moreover, the Prince has implemented so many reforms this time, the purpose of which is to select virtuous and talented individuals for the Qing Dynasty. They have all been carefully selected, and each person’s position has been carefully considered. My fourth brother has already passed the imperial examination; he only needs to wait patiently, and the court will make the arrangements,” Lanqin said firmly. She didn’t want to try to build a relationship for a half-brother who had never been close to her but was now trying to establish a temporary bond. Besides, her principle was not to casually build relationships for others, which was the reason she and the Fourth Prince could be so honest with each other, and also the reason why the Fourth Prince didn’t like her. Now, this scumbag father, Lingzhu, was visiting her for the first time, and it was for his half-brother.
Lingzhu was taken aback by Lanqin's direct reply, which left no room for negotiation, just like her mother. Qiufu, standing nearby, was even more dumbfounded. His eldest sister, born of the principal wife, was truly heartless. Even though he had become Prince Yong's favored concubine, she hadn't offered any assistance to the family all these years. He had already passed the imperial examination; all he asked was for her to do was to help him secure a position in the capital to avoid being transferred elsewhere.
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