"In the end, he still died. No one has ever truly lived forever, so this kind of thing is utter nonsense!" Fourth Master said firmly.
Lanqin used to be an absolute atheist, just like Fourth Master, and believed one hundred percent that there was no such thing as immortality or elixirs of immortality in this world. However, since he came to us, our Comrade Lanqin has completely begun to doubt her previous worldview.
"What do you think?" Fourth Master looked at Lanqin and saw the puzzled look on her face.
"My lord, I feel that there might be things in this world that we don't know!" Lanqin said. She wasn't sure if there were elixirs of immortality or immortality in this world. Why was she, who was clearly from three hundred years in the future, found herself in the Qing Dynasty after falling into the water and waking up?
Fourth Master was somewhat confused by Lanqin's ambiguous words and said, "You mean, there are still unfathomable things in this world? Zhou Tian just asked Father Emperor to renovate his mausoleum, saying that his mausoleum was not big enough and should be expanded by two times. He said that he would put in the things he found for Father Emperor that could keep Father Emperor alive and immortal."
Lanqin was completely shocked by Kangxi's desire for immortality. It turned out that even this emperor of all ages had the most mundane desires in the world. He was not satisfied with being emperor for his entire life, but wanted to live forever. He wanted to be emperor forever! What about his sons and grandsons? What about the Fourth Prince?
“Master, Zhou Tiangang was sent by the Eighth Prince. He’s trying to please Father Emperor. Master, why is it that he can do what Father Emperor wants, but you have to contradict him to his face? Isn’t that adding points for him and subtracting points for yourself?” Lanqin said.
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Prince thought to himself: "That's really true. Why am I so openly contradicting him? The Eighth Prince still wants to curry favor with the Emperor. I can't let him be so smug."
"Yes, Your Highness will go over this afternoon to apologize to Father Emperor!" said the Fourth Prince.
“That’s right. And you should also tell Father Emperor to personally seek the Dao for him. Then we’ll go to Wudang Mountain to find a truly enlightened monk for Father Emperor!” Lanqin said.
Upon hearing this, Fourth Master thought it was a good idea; why hadn't he thought of it himself?
"You mean we should leave the capital and go to Wudang Mountain to find a highly accomplished monk?" Fourth Master asked.
“That’s right. Since Father Emperor requests the secret of immortality, then I will go for Father Emperor’s sake! I’ll also inquire whether this Zhou Tiangang is some enlightened monk or just some wandering sorcerer!” Lanqin said.
The Fourth Prince pondered for a moment and said, "In this way, I can avoid this debate and stay out of it, letting those people in the cabinet continue to oppose it. Meanwhile, we can go and find a truly enlightened monk to share the Emperor's burdens."
Lanqin nodded and said, "The weather is bad, it's freezing cold, and the New Year is only two months away. It's really unwise to go out at this time."
Fourth Master said, "This is not difficult. Qin'er, you come with me."
Lanqin didn't expect that Fourth Master would want her to go with him. Thinking about how cold it was and that she would have to take a carriage to such a far place as Hubei, but that it would allow her to leave the capital and be with Fourth Master, she hesitated.
"Is it because you can't bear to part with Hongli, and also with Wuxiha and Bechuk?" Fourth Master asked when he saw Lanqin hesitate.
"Yes, sir, I have never been away from the children for so long. I can't bear to leave them," Lanqin said.
“But only after finding a highly virtuous monk for Father Emperor will the three of them have a better future. I want them to become the most honorable princes and grandsons of the emperor. Qin’er, you should come with me,” the Fourth Prince said.
Lanqin also knew that the Fourth Prince absolutely could not make a mistake in front of Emperor Kangxi, especially during this period. The deposed Crown Prince had already been deposed, and the Fourth Prince had become the most prominent prince among all the princes, with countless eyes watching him.
“Alright, then I will go with you, Your Highness. Hongli and Ushihabechuk should be sent back to the manor and left in Sister Song’s care,” Lanqin said. “Hongli can stay with Father Emperor.”
Upon hearing this, Fourth Master thought her idea was good and said, "I originally thought you would be reluctant, but the way you are now, you've thought even further ahead than I have."
Lanqin chuckled and said, "For the sake of Grandpa and the children, a necessary short separation is tolerable."
Fourth Master pulled Lanqin into his arms.
"I'm hungry, go order some food!" the Fourth Prince said. "Let Hongli, Wuxiha, and Bechuk all come and eat together."
Lanqin nodded, still somewhat disoriented at the thought of going to Wudang with Fourth Master.
After the maids had set out the food, the three children were brought in by them. They ran to Lanqin's side, and Wuxiha threw herself into the Fourth Master's arms.
“Ushiha, your father is weak, you mustn’t act like a spoiled child there!” Lanqin said.
"It's alright, my little star just likes to act cute with me!" Fourth Master said, hugging Wuxiha. She was always closer to Fourth Master than to Bechuk and Hongli. Bechuk was always very reserved and didn't seem very close to Fourth Master or Lanqin. Seeing Fourth Master with one arm around Wuxiha and the other around Hongli, she stood there quietly, looking at Fourth Master and then at Lanqin, unsure of which way to go.
"Beichuke, come here, come to your mother!" Lanqin waved to her second daughter, who looked adorable.
“Mother.” Bechuk walked up to Lanqin.
"Good boy, Bie Chuke!" Lanqin put her right arm around Hongli and pulled Bie Chuke into her arms with her left.
"Master, Master, the food is ready!" Si Hua placed the last soup on the table.
“Okay, come on, let’s eat,” Lanqin said.
After settling the three little ones in, the family of five sat around the table and began their meal.
"Hongli, your mother and father will be away for a while. Why don't you stay with your grandfather?" Lanqin said to Hongli first, since he was the youngest. Ushiha and Bechuk were older and had previously stayed with the Song family.
"Father, Mother, where are you going?" Ushiha asked.
"Ushiha, you and your sister Bechuk will stay with Aunt Song. When Father and Mother return, they'll bring you all sorts of new and interesting things from outside," Fourth Master said.
"Father, Mother, where are you going?" Ushiha asked again.
“Ushiha, your mother and father have gone to seek enlightenment for your imperial grandfather. You two stay here quietly in the manor with Aunt Song and wait for your mother and father to return,” Lanqin said.
"Fourth Sister, let's listen to Mother!" Bechuk said.
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