News of Zhou Zhenggang's assassination attempt by men in black finally reached the Fourth Prince. He knew the Emperor would not allow him to pry open the mouth of the fake Taoist priest. He had not yet formally reported his events at Wudang Mountain to the Emperor; he had only brought back a set of sword techniques given to him by the real Zhou Zhenggang as a return gift for the Quanzhen Sect's assistance to the court. The Fourth Prince presented this set, along with local specialties and medicinal herbs he had brought back from Wudang Mountain, to the Emperor.
The Fourth Prince knew he might still not be able to find those few people this time, but he had no time to think about it. The 53rd year of Kangxi's reign had finally arrived. He was busy performing the ancestral sacrifice on the first day of the month on behalf of Kangxi, and also hosting a banquet for the ministers on Kangxi's behalf.
On the 29th day of the lunar calendar, two days before the Spring Festival, the servants throughout Prince Yong's mansion were extremely busy. Because of the Fourth Prince's rising status, more and more people were returning to pay their respects. Although giving gifts was no longer permitted, people were still allowed to come and offer their New Year's greetings.
Therefore, Lanqin was also on high alert and prepared for the worst. She had many new clothes and jewelry made for the New Year this year, specifically for when receiving the wives and children of officials.
Hongli was brought back anyway. Perhaps because Kangxi had seen the Fourteenth Prince and had a new grandson, he agreed to the Fourth Prince's request and brought Hongli back.
Lanqin had to deal with all sorts of things in the mansion, and also take care of Hongli and several other children. She was so busy that she didn't even have time to catch her breath.
Meanwhile, the embroiderers carried two sets of clothes toward the main courtyard, a place they hadn't visited in a long time. This was because the Fourth Prince was to preside over the ancestral worship ceremony on behalf of Emperor Kangxi, as well as host a banquet for the officials, which meant that the Fourth Prince's wife would also be attending.
After several years of silence, Lingxiu had become a more composed maid than before. For her, now in her early twenties, marriage was hardly a wise choice, so she remained by the Fujin's side. Although the Fourth Prince hadn't confined the Fujin to her quarters, the main courtyard was no longer the same as before. Very few people came and went, and the Fujin almost never left her quarters. The only people entering and leaving the courtyard were Lingxiu, a few maids, and the Second Prince, Hongshi!
"Aunt Lingxiu, these two sets of clothes were ordered by the master." The steward of the embroidery room in the Prince's mansion personally led two maids, one set of clothes for each of them, to the main courtyard.
“The Princess Consort is already up. Why don’t we go in and let her try it on to see if there’s anything unsuitable?” Lingxiu said. The embroiderers and maids followed Lingxiu up the steps and into the Princess Consort’s main room.
"This servant greets the Princess Consort!" The embroiderer hadn't seen the Princess Consort for a long time, and when she suddenly saw her, she had a strange feeling. The noble and aloof Fourth Princess Consort of yesteryear had finally grown old.
"Get up, it's been a long time. Are those clothes made for me?" The princess's voice was slightly low, but there was no hint of dejection.
"Yes, you two come here and let the clothes see through so that the Lady can see them," the embroiderer hurriedly said to the two maids behind her.
The two men unfolded the clothes in their hands and showed them to the Fujin.
Both garments were court attire worn when attending court. One was a bright red court skirt with a "福" (fortune) character pattern, along with a hat and court beads—the proper court attire of a prince's wife, suitable for ancestral worship. The second was a light pink brocade robe with a white bird and peacock pattern, the embroidery lifelike and the fabric the latest, likely worn when entertaining officials.
"They look really good, both outfits are very nice." The princess looked at them and said with a dignified smile.
"Why don't you try it on, my lady? I'll help you put it on," the embroiderer said ingratiatingly.
"No need, everything is fine. Lingxiu, reward her!" said the Fourth Princess Consort.
After the embroiderer left satisfied with the large purse belonging to the Fujin, the Fujin said, "Lingxiu, why don't you try serving me?"
"Yes, I have checked all the clothes, and there is nothing wrong with them," Lingxiu said.
It turned out that when the embroiderer offered to help the princess try on the clothes, the princess was worried about the embroiderer and also about whether there was anything wrong with the clothes, so she immediately refused. Lingxiu immediately understood the princess's thoughts, so after having the maid escort the embroiderer out, she went to check the clothes herself.
The princess was very satisfied with Lingxiu's reaction and nodded, saying, "Now that she's in charge, we have to be careful! Especially at times like this."
"My lady, the master has sent a letter. He says that the prince's future is very bright, and he urges you to persevere. If the prince were to ascend the throne one day, you would be the empress!" Lingxiu said, emphasizing each word.
A flicker of change finally appeared in Ulanara's dull eyes at Lingxiu's words. She looked at Lingxiu and said in a hoarse voice, "Yes. One day, this princess will repay the humiliation I suffered today in full!"
Lingxiu smiled slightly and said, "This servant knew that Master is a person of great wealth and honor, and there is no way that his immense wealth and glory could be snatched away by those women from humble backgrounds."
"Help me change my clothes!" the princess said, her face regaining its coldness and calm.
Meanwhile, Lanqin had already heard the report from her spies in the main courtyard that the embroiderer who delivered the clothes had received a red envelope as a reward from the Fujin (principal wife), and that nothing else had happened.
"Master, after these past few years of silence, that person seems to have become indifferent to worldly affairs." Si Hua was styling Lan Qin's hair; she had been busy all day and could finally rest for a while.
In order to deal with various situations, Lanqin and Nianshi discussed and started repairing the various places in the mansion that needed to be repaired in advance, and also prepared the corresponding ingredients and utensils in the kitchen.
"I hope so. I haven't seen her for years, but the thought of what she did still terrifies me," Lanqin said with her eyes closed.
“Master, you don’t need to be afraid of her anymore,” Si Hua said.
“She is still the primary consort after all. Sometimes, that title can be incredibly powerful,” Lanqin said. She knew in her heart that if the Fourth Prince were to ascend the throne one day, the position of Empress would still belong to Ulanara. However, she couldn’t say these things to the maids beforehand.
“As long as Your Highness is on your side, there’s nothing she can do,” Si Hua said.
“Sometimes even if the prince is on my side, it’s useless, because sometimes the prince has no choice in the matter!” Lanqin sighed. She suddenly felt a little afraid that when the Fourth Prince became emperor, the empress would rule the harem, and there would be some things that even the emperor could not interfere with.
"Master, the feast for New Year's Eve is all prepared. Where will it be set up?" Si Hua asked.
"Let's just put it in the front yard. There's space there anyway. It'll be peaceful, and nothing bad will happen," Lanqin said.
“Geng Gege will come eventually; she doesn’t even show her face these days,” Si Hua said.
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