Fourth Master knew that Lanqin was trying to comfort him, and said, "Has Madam Nian come? What did she say? If you don't want to see her, then I can give the order that she is not allowed to set foot in the South Courtyard again."
Lanqin watched as Fourth Master's features softened, no longer displaying the aloof and refined demeanor he had when he first returned.
"No need. Consort Nian came to offer me a suggestion, but didn't do anything else. Your Highness need not worry," Lanqin said.
"What suggestion?" Fourth Master raised an eyebrow and pulled Lanqin into his arms.
"Consort Nian said that Your Highness could send New Year's gifts to the officials in every department in the capital to show that Your Highness cares about them," Lanqin said.
Upon hearing this, Fourth Master showed no reaction on his cold and stern face, and finally said, "I don't rely on this to build relationships. That's what Eighth Master does."
Lanqin chuckled inwardly, knowing that Fourth Master would react this way. Anyway, now that she had spoken up, Madam Nian couldn't make up stories about her anymore.
"Master, the old Taoist priest has been sent to the Dali Temple. Are you trying to lure Eighth Master there?" Lanqin asked.
"Now it seems, it's not that simple. The old Taoist knows very well that if he speaks, he will definitely be sentenced to death, or even suffer torture like being slowly sliced to death. But now, since he doesn't speak, we dare not take his life casually. This man has thought things through very clearly," Fourth Master said.
Hearing this, Lanqin roughly understood and then said, "Then why not invite the real Zhou Zhenggang from Wudang? He looks exactly like him. If we put these two people in front of Father Emperor, Father Emperor is so shrewd, he will surely be able to distinguish right from wrong."
"I've already sent someone to invite him; he should arrive in about half a month. I've also sent a message to Du Zhiqian via carrier pigeon, asking him to personally go to Wudang to explain the situation," Fourth Master said. Ever since Ling Feng revealed Fourth Master's identity, Du Zhiqian already knew his true identity.
Lanqin nodded, knowing that Fourth Master had already taken many steps ahead, and then said with relief, "Master, don't be too hasty. You have already done what you should do."
The Fourth Prince nodded and said, "It's time to bring Hongli back."
Lanqin said, "Father is still in Changchun Garden, and the weather is cold. I don't think he will return to the palace. Why don't we leave Hongli there and wait until after the New Year?"
"You're willing to let go, and you don't miss him?" Fourth Master raised his hand and pinched Lanqin's chin.
"I do want to, but we can't just think about personal feelings right now; we have to prioritize the greater good of the master," Lanqin said.
Fourth Master glanced at Lanqin, then leaned in and captured her lips with his. The two embraced and kissed for a long time before finally letting go.
"Master, let's have dinner," Lanqin said.
"Yes, the end of the year is approaching. There seem to be more New Year's gifts coming from all over the place than usual. I see the courtyard is piled high with them," Fourth Master said, releasing Lanqin.
Lanqin got up and walked to the door. After calling out "Prepare the meal," she said to the Fourth Master, "Perhaps they see your future prospects, so these people are taking the initiative to curry favor with you."
"If you're too busy, get someone to help you. Get the forms done quickly; I need to see who's involved," Fourth Master said.
The maids came in to set the table, and Lanqin said, "I'll have Sister Song and Sister Wu come and help. It'll be done quickly." Since the Fourth Master hadn't mentioned Lady Nian, there was no need for her to either.
Once the meal was laid out, it was the same beef hot pot with pickled cabbage that Fourth Master loved, and the two of them ate while the vegetables were cooked in the broth.
The next day, Lady Nian learned that the Fourth Prince had heard about her idea but had no reaction. She sat alone on the heated couch, fuming, and even Hongsheng's attempts to comfort her were to no avail. When she learned that Lanqin had asked Lady Song and Lady Wu to help, she became even angrier. She was clearly the concubine, so why didn't they come to her when they needed help, instead making two other concubines do it? It was blatant disrespect!
"Your Highness, our Third Prince is already over four years old. It's time to send him to a private school," Cui Ling whispered from the side. It turned out that Madam Nian doted on Hong Sheng and had always raised him in the East Courtyard. Although there was a private school in the mansion, she was afraid someone would harm her Hong Sheng, so she refused to send him. The Fourth Prince also didn't concern himself with the Third Prince's studies, letting Madam Nian raise him as she pleased.
"We'll spend the money and hire a renowned teacher ourselves to open a private school for Hongsheng in the East Courtyard. He won't have to study with those little girls!" Madam Nian felt a surge of resentment when she thought about Hongsheng's early education. Her Hongsheng was clearly more than two years older than Hongli, yet he was favored by Emperor Kangxi, while her own son was completely ignored.
Cui Ling and Bai Zhi exchanged a glance and quickly said, "Master, isolating the Third Prince like this, preventing him from contacting the other young masters in the mansion, may not be good for him."
"How is it not good?" Nian asked.
“My lord, it seems our East Courtyard is becoming somewhat isolated from the outside world, especially the Third Prince. He doesn’t even know how many brothers and sisters he has. This isn’t good for him. It would be better to let him interact more with the other young masters, so that Your Majesty will have more opportunities to see him. If Your Majesty spends money to hire a famous tutor yourself, what will His Majesty think? Will he think Your Majesty is being unconventional and indulging the Third Prince’s different behavior from the other young masters? Our Master has always disliked extravagance. If you let His Majesty see this, I’m afraid he will be even more displeased,” Bai Zhi said.
After hearing these words, Lady Nian suddenly realized that her previous idea might have been a bit... absurd. Bai Zhi had vehemently opposed it, and she had even given her a good scolding. Now, it seemed that the Fourth Prince's impression of her was even worse...
Lady Nian felt a surge of irritation. The Fourth Master's attitude towards her had always been ambiguous. Now that she had just returned, he had actually sent someone to deliver a precious medicinal herb from Wudang Mountain, something no one else had received.
However, he still hasn't set foot in the East Courtyard. Is he still angry with me, still angry about Niohuru's near fall from her horse? He didn't take me with him the last time we went to the Old Summer Palace, which clearly shows he's still angry!
"Niohuru! You are truly my nemesis. With you around, there is no place for me as your concubine." Lady Nian's nails, painted with cinnamon red, gleamed in the candlelight.
"Master, Lady Fucha requests an audience!" Zi Ning walked to the door and said to Lady Nian.
Startled, Madam Nian glanced at Bai Zhi with surprise and asked, "Why is she here?"
“Master, ever since they returned from the Yuanmingyuan, Lady Liu has been confined to her quarters, and she hasn’t sent out a single message. Why don’t we meet this Lady Fucha and see what she has to say?” Bai Zhi suggested.
"Hmm, let her in. Liu is over seven months pregnant, isn't she? What did she do at the Yuanmingyuan that the master has confined her to her quarters?" Nian asked. Ever since they returned from the Yuanmingyuan, and the Fourth Master took Lanqin to Wudang Mountain without stopping, this inner courtyard has been as lifeless as a still pond.
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