Fourth Master wore a dark brocade robe with a four-clawed dragon embroidered in light moon-white thread. Although it wasn't very prominent, it gave people a sense of suppressed, unstoppable momentum lurking in the shadows.
Several servants stood behind the Fourth Prince, the leader of whom was naturally Su Peisheng, followed by Li Wei and several guards.
“Your Highness, it’s almost time!” Su Peisheng bowed behind the Fourth Prince, but in his heart he was thinking: This General Nian is quite influential, making Your Highness wait for so long and he still hasn’t arrived.
"Perhaps something has delayed him. Send two people to go ahead and greet him immediately. I'll go in and have a cup of tea for a while," Fourth Master calmly instructed.
Having said that, Fourth Master turned and entered through the gate, walking to the gatehouse. The gatekeeper immediately welcomed Fourth Master into the house and brought him a seat, some serving tea and others bringing snacks. It was rare for Fourth Master to sit at the gatehouse; they rarely had the opportunity to serve him, and at this moment they all wished they could immediately make Fourth Master remember them.
Su Peisheng naturally stayed outside. They had to take the place of Fourth Master and wait outside so that they could immediately go in and report as soon as they spotted someone arriving.
Half a quarter of an hour later, the servant who had been sent out to greet them rode back on horseback and told Su Peisheng that Nian Gengyao would be arriving soon.
Su Peisheng suppressed his displeasure, quickly turned around and walked into the door, telling Fourth Master that Nian Gengyao had finally arrived.
As the Fourth Prince descended the steps again, he saw a carriage speeding towards him from afar. Two guards, fully armored and dressed in armor, followed the carriage on either side, inspiring fear in the rider.
The carriage stopped, and Nian Gengyao, without waiting for anyone to lift the curtain, had already stepped out himself. He was then helped down by the coachman. He was dressed in a simple long robe and mandarin jacket, looking like an ordinary merchant.
“Nian Gengyao pays his respects to Prince Yong!” Nian Gengyao patted his sleeves twice, intending to bow to the Fourth Prince.
The Fourth Prince helped Nian Gengyao up first, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Gengyao, there's no need for so much formality between us."
With a full beard, Nian Gengyao laughed heartily and said, "Thank you, Your Highness!"
The Fourth Prince personally led Nian Gengyao into the mansion, first drinking and holding a banquet with him in the front courtyard, and then inviting Nian's wife to accompany them. That night, the Fourth Prince took Nian Gengyao to stay overnight in the front courtyard.
The women in the inner quarters were all filled with curiosity about this Governor-General of Shaanxi, the General Who Guards the West. There were very few women who could be treated with such courtesy by the Fourth Master. Lady Nian was also fawned over, and wherever she went, she felt superior to everyone else.
Lanqin specifically instructed the people in the South Courtyard not to go out and wander around, and preferably not to leave the South Courtyard at all. They were all to behave themselves and not cause trouble. Lanqin knew that Madam Nian had always been jealous of her, so she couldn't give her any opportunity at this time. By keeping the maids in check, she could also avoid some trouble.
It is said that Nian Gengyao spent three days at the Yong Prince's Mansion, staying in the front courtyard every night. Some servants even spread the word that the Fourth Prince and Nian Gengyao talked late into the night in the front courtyard, and sometimes even slept in the same bed.
Many rumors circulated in the Fourth Prince's inner quarters, all speculating about the relationship between the Fourth Prince and Nian Gengyao. Lanqin simply smiled faintly upon hearing this; she understood that the Fourth Prince's efforts to win over the Nian family were naturally motivated by the military power they held.
"My lady, the weather is so nice today, why don't you go out for a walk?" Seeing that Lanqin had been listless these past few days, Cui Niang naturally assumed that it was because of the fact that Madam Nian had been doing very well in the mansion these past few days, so she advised her to go out for a walk.
“If we don’t go out, it will be awkward if we run into some people,” Lanqin said.
“Master, it wouldn’t happen in the inner quarters. He’s a man, he wouldn’t come to our inner quarters!” said Cui Niang.
Lanqin thought about it and realized that it made sense; Nian Gengyao shouldn't have entered the Fourth Prince's inner quarters.
“Alright, what are Ushiha and Bechuk doing? Why don’t we take them out for a stroll?” Lanqin said. These past few days, even the two girls have been kept indoors. Hongli goes to elementary school every day, and she didn’t stop him.
Si Hua quickly slipped away to check on the two princesses.
When the two princesses arrived with Si Hua, Lan Qin's side was already prepared.
So, Lanqin took her two daughters and the three maids, Sihua, Shuiling, and Lanqi, and left the South Courtyard.
"Mother, why haven't I seen Father these past few days? It's been so long!" Wuxiha pouted and clung to Lanqin's left arm. She was now over seven years old, and her features were beginning to resemble the Fourth Prince more and more, and she even bore some resemblance to Consort De.
“Yes, Mother. Bechuk heard that someone came to the manor. What important guest is it?” Five-and-a-half-year-old Bechuk asked as well.
“He’s your father’s…” Lanqin didn’t know how to continue. After all, Nian Gengyao’s identity was special. He was the Fourth Prince’s brother-in-law, but it wasn’t just that relationship. The Fourth Prince didn’t need to be so attentive to the brother-in-law of a concubine.
"What is it?" Ushiha looked up at Lanqin seriously and asked.
"He's an important person to your father. Don't ask any more questions. Once he leaves, your father will come to see you two. Come on, let's go to that garden and take a look." Lanqin didn't want to say anything more, so she pulled her two daughters and walked towards a garden, with the maids following behind.
The group arrived at the garden in a grand procession, where they saw a riot of colors, with all kinds of flowers in bloom, a beautiful scene of spring.
Lanqin immediately felt much more refreshed; being cooped up in the courtyard was truly stifling.
Upon seeing so many flowers, Ushiha and Bechuk stopped asking questions and immediately broke free from Lanqin's arms, running towards the garden.
"Slow down!" Lanqin called out to the two small figures.
“Master, I’ll go after them,” Lan Qi said to Lan Qin.
“Okay. You go and follow them,” Lanqin said.
Lanqi immediately went to chase after the two princesses, while Lanqin and the others walked slowly behind.
Lanqin couldn't help but think of Nian Gengyao in history; she remembered that Nian Gengyao's end was very bad. Not long after Yongzheng ascended the throne, he purged the two great ministers who had helped him succeed in ascending the throne—Nian Gengyao and Longkodo.
Many unofficial histories record that Nian Gengyao was arrogant and disrespectful to Emperor Yongzheng after reaching the highest position in the court. He even dared to ride a horse in the inner court. In addition, he repeatedly did things outside the palace, which angered Yongzheng, who demoted him again and again, eventually forcing him to commit suicide.
Lanqin walked along with the hibiscus, but her mind was constantly on the matter of Nian Gengyao.
"Master, there, there's someone standing there!" Si Hua interrupted Lan Qin's thoughts.
When Lanqin looked as instructed, she indeed saw a master and servant admiring the flowers. Upon closer inspection, she realized they were actually Lady Fucha and her servant.
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