The Fourth Prince decided to send a message by carrier pigeon, instructing his associates in the capital to quickly investigate the matter of the Prefect of Xuchang, while he himself secretly wrote to Emperor Kangxi, detailing the events that had transpired there. The Fourth Prince did not mention the Eighth Prince, but instead recounted to Emperor Kangxi the whole story of how he had been secretly placed under house arrest by the Prefect of Xuchang's men at a villa.
After dealing with these matters, Fourth Master, Lanqin, Du Zhiqian, and the others set off again. As for the days Fourth Master and Lanqin were missing, Du Zhiqian saw that they were both very secretive about it, so he didn't ask further.
Fourth Master continued to ride in the same carriage with Du Zhiqian, and it was unclear what they were saying inside. Lanqin had two maids accompany her, and they traveled at a leisurely pace, stopping frequently along the way, and soon they arrived at Xiakou.
Du Zhiqian was about to take up his post in Xiangyang. On this day, he specially paid out of his own pocket to prepare a feast at the inn where he was staying, inviting Fourth Master and Lanqin as a farewell and a way of expressing his gratitude.
Su Peisheng, along with two maids and two grooms, came down together, and the eight of them sat at one table. Fourth Master and Lanqin sat at the head of the table, Du Zhiqian sat on Fourth Master's side, followed by Su Peisheng, Ling Feng, and Sang Ge. Si Hua and Shui Ling sat down next to Lanqin.
"Brother Ai, this cup of wine is for you! I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to ride in your carriage this time. I have benefited greatly from our conversation along the way." Du Zhiqian raised his wine cup to the Fourth Master.
"Brother Du, you flatter me. I've learned a lot from being with you. This cup of wine is also for you," said Fourth Master.
Seeing that Fourth Master and Du Zhiqian were no longer hostile to each other, Lanqin couldn't help but smile and say, "Your Highness now spends more time with Brother Du than with me!"
Du Zhiqian quickly poured another glass of wine and said to Lan Qin, "I apologize to Madam Ai!"
Upon hearing this, Lanqin chuckled and was about to raise her cup in response to Du Zhiqian when she noticed that Fourth Master's face immediately darkened.
Du Zhiqian seemed to have noticed the Fourth Master's expression, but he really didn't know what he had said that offended this eccentric and unpredictable "Brother Ai".
Su Peisheng quickly mouthed "Mrs. Ai" to Lanqin!
Lanqin immediately understood: "Mrs. Ai" "Mrs. Ai".
Lanqin felt a bead of sweat slide down her side. This man's jealousy was stronger than ever before.
"Thank you, Young Master Du. But Master, why don't you drink this cup for me? I'm not a good drinker!" Lanqin quickly pushed the Fourth Master's arm and whispered to him.
Fourth Master had been keeping a straight face, but when Lanqin brought her small, fair hand holding the wine glass to his lips, he could no longer maintain his composure.
Fourth Master took the wine cup from Lanqin and downed it in one gulp. Lanqin could only chuckle at Du Zhiqian and say, "Brother Du, please make yourself at home. Today you are parting ways with us. Have you arranged the carriage and everything else?"
Du Zhiqian said, "Thank you for your concern, Madam. I have already made the arrangements. It's only a hundred li from Xiakou to Xiangzhou, and it will only take two or three days. I'm afraid I won't have the chance to see Brother Ai and Madam again in the future. Let me offer you another toast."
Lanqin, thinking that Sihua seemed to have feelings for Du Zhiqian, deliberately said, "Young Master Du, won't you show some respect to my two maids? They've been with you all this way."
Si Hua blushed slightly upon hearing this.
Du Zhiqian was taken aback, and quickly said to Si Hua and Shui Ling, "What you say is very true, Madam. I am very grateful for your care along the way. Please drink this cup of wine."
Shui Ling persisted, saying, "Young Master Du, our Si Hua has mended several of your clothes, hasn't she? The other day, I noticed the frayed edges on your clothes. Si Hua, you personally sewed them for you. Young Master Du, shouldn't you offer our Si Hua a special toast?"
Upon hearing this, everyone present smiled knowingly. Lanqin glanced at Shuiling, and had to admit that this maid was indeed very clever; she understood the meaning behind only half of what she said.
Du Zhiqian was a little embarrassed. He looked at Si Hua and could only say, "I am grateful for Miss Si Hua's kindness. Thank you for sewing my clothes."
Si Hua, holding a wine cup, said to Du Zhiqian, "Young Master Du, there's no need for such formalities. It was just a small favor. Young Master Du, your journey has been long and arduous. Si Hua wishes you all the best and smooth sailing!"
After saying that, Si Hua tilted her head back and drank all the wine in her glass, which surprised Du Zhiqian slightly.
Lanqin saw that Sihua was unhappy, so she asked, "Brother Du, how old are you this year? Are you married?"
Fourth Master didn't understand why Lanqin was suddenly asking these questions, and said with a stern face, "Are you planning to be a matchmaker for Young Master Du? Why are you asking about his age?"
Lanqin looked at the Fourth Master and saw his displeasure. She thought to herself: What is this man thinking?
"I saw that you and Brother Du get along very well, so I asked you more about Brother Du's family situation. If there is a suitable girl in the future, wouldn't you have a good person to think of?" Lanqin kicked Fourth Master under the table and glared at him.
This stupid, stingy man!
Fourth Master never expected that Lanqin would dare to kick him and even slap him in front of others. She was simply outrageous. This woman was far too indulgent.
Du Zhiqian blushed. Seeing Lanqin's words, he couldn't refuse, so he said, "I am from Huzhou. I am twenty-two years old this year. I have an elderly mother and a younger sister at home. I am not yet married."
Upon hearing this, Lanqin said, "Oh, did Young Master Du not bring Aunt Du and Sister Du to live with us this time?"
"I'll go over and take a look first. Once things are settled, I'll write to my sister and ask her to bring our mother over," Du Zhiqian said.
“Young Master Du is truly filial. He’s already twenty-two, why isn’t he married yet?” Lanqin said again.
“Having never established a career, Zhiqian has no intention of establishing a family!” Du Zhiqian said.
Fourth Master interrupted Lanqin, saying, "Brother Du has lofty ambitions; he will surely find a beautiful woman to accompany him in the future!"
Lanqin rolled her eyes at Fourth Master again and continued, "Brother Du can correspond with our master from now on. Our master's address in the capital is No. 1, Dong'er Hutong, West District. Young Master Du, please write to inform him of your address in Xiangzhou!"
Fourth Master kicked Lanqin under the table, his eyes flashing a fierce warning: "You're a woman, you shouldn't be talking to men like that in public. Besides, that address was clearly the Cui family's address!"
"I've remembered, and I will definitely write to Brother Ai about it," Du Zhiqian said.
Upon hearing this, Si Hua looked at Lan Qin gratefully, knowing that Lan Qin was trying to find out information for her. However, she was just a maidservant and how could she be worthy of Young Master Du?
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