When the two sat down together, Lanqin still dismissed the maids who were serving her.
"The Prefect of the Capital sent me a message today, saying that your half-brother has committed a crime and is currently in prison." Fourth Master had already guessed why Lanqin had invited him over, so he simply said it directly to avoid making the little woman worry or feel embarrassed.
Lanqin's eyes widened. She had thought it would be difficult to talk about, but unexpectedly, the Fourth Prince already knew, and the Prefect of the Capital had even gone directly to inform the Fourth Prince.
“It is no pity that you beat someone to death in the street. I did not want to save her, but Father just couldn’t bring himself to do it. I promise to save her life, but she will be exiled and never allowed to return to the capital.” Lanqin said quickly. Then she looked at the Fourth Prince. Even if he refused, she would not blame him. Perhaps if the Fourth Prince refused, Qiu Gui should pay with his life, and Lingzhu would not blame him for not saving her.
"Alright, let him be exiled to the Northwest to perform hard labor, with his family going with him." After saying that, Fourth Master picked up his chopsticks and began to eat. "Don't just stand there, eat."
What Lanqin found difficult to talk about was easily glossed over by the Fourth Master with just a few words. If Lingzhu knew that he had decided Qiugui's life or death so easily, would he blame himself for not being thorough enough?
Even though Lanqin knew that the Fourth Prince could get things done with a single word, she still wouldn't let Qiu Gui, who had repeatedly committed offenses, off so easily. So she wrote a letter to Lingzhu instead of going back to the mansion to inform him. In the letter, she used all her words to explain that the Fourth Prince was very displeased after learning about Qiu Gui's affairs, but he could only spare his life because he was his half-brother.
Within half a month, Qiu Gui's case was decided: he was exiled to Xining to repair the ancient road, with his family allowed to continue their journey, but no special pardon was permitted, and he was forbidden from returning to the capital. Lan Qin thought the matter was over, but before she could even catch her breath, Ling Zhu's letter arrived again.
The letter still pleaded with her to return to the capital and use her connections with the Fourth Prince to help Qiu Fu. Qiu Gui had taken his wives and concubines to Xining, and Yang Shi needed her son. Besides, Qiu Fu had gained enough experience during his seven or eight years away from home, and now it was a good time for him to return and take care of his mother, so he could also serve his father.
After reading the letter, Lanqin felt a bit amused and exasperated. Her adoptive father was never willing to give her a moment's peace. However, Lanqin couldn't very well refuse his request for wealth, since she owed him a favor.
So Lanqin had no choice but to mention it to the Fourth Master, who readily agreed to transfer Qiu Fu back to the capital. There were several positions available that required his own people. Lanqin's brother, being the Fourth Master's brother-in-law, could naturally be placed as one of his own.
On this day, before returning to Xiangyang, Qiu Fu brought his son and daughter to the Prince's residence to see Lan Qin. Although the Fourth Prince had agreed, he still had to wait for the official transfer order, so Qiu Fu had to go back first to continue doing his job.
"Ning'er greets her aunt!"
"Yu'er greets his aunt!"
The two children, a four-year-old girl and a two-year-old son, one tall and one short, with chubby faces, greeted Lanqin together.
"Come here quickly!" Lanqin glanced at Qiu Fu and his wife, then waved to the two children.
Both children ran affectionately to Lanqin's side, and Lanqin then asked her maid to call Wuxihabechuk and Hongli and the others to come and meet their cousins.
"This humble servant greets Consort Lanqin!" Qiu Fu's wife then stepped forward and gave Lanqin a proper bow. She wore a light apricot-colored cheongsam with leaf patterns, the collar and cuffs trimmed with light purple silk, making her appear dignified and serene. Her surname was Song, and her given name was Fu Rou; true to her name, she possessed an elegant and refined demeanor.
"Sister-in-law, get up quickly. Qiu Fu, sit down with your wife. We're all family, why are you being so formal?" Lan Qin said with a smile, holding one child on each side.
After the couple who were seeking wealth sat down, Cui Niang brought out a wooden box.
Lanqin said, "Here, give the bracelet to your sister and the jade pendant to your brother, each of you take one."
Madam Song quickly replied, "They're all naughty kids who can't wear anything, how could they wear such nice things?"
Lanqin laughed and said, "Wait until they're a little older before they wear them. It won't take up your space to store them or you'll have to feed them. Just leave them there."
Qiu Fu quickly said, "Hurry up and thank your aunt."
The two children thanked her profusely, which was very endearing, and Lanqin liked them from the bottom of her heart.
"Where are my cousins?" Hongli strode in from outside.
"You, why don't you go and meet your fourth uncle and aunt?" Lanqin rolled her eyes at Hongli, seeing his recklessness and lack of manners in front of others.
"Oh, this must be Hongli. You've grown so much, you probably don't recognize me." Qiu Fu stood up from his seat, walked up to Hongli, patted him on the shoulder and said, "When I first met you, you were just a two-year-old baby."
Hongli naturally didn't recognize Qiu Fu, but seeing that he looked somewhat like Lingzhu, he guessed it in his mind and said, "Could it be Uncle Qiu Fu?"
“That’s right! This is your aunt. Those two little rascals are your uncle’s two children,” Qiu Fu said.
"Hongli greets his aunt!" Hongli bowed to Madam Song, then bent down and gestured to the two younger children.
Although Hongli was almost twelve years old, he could still play with the children, and soon he went out to play with the two little rascals.
"The Fourth Prince is so handsome; he's no ordinary man," Qiu Fu said meaningfully.
Lanqin felt that her half-brother was no ordinary person. He had successfully used this opportunity to be transferred back to the capital from another place, and it was reasonable and justifiable. She couldn't refuse him, and it made her feel very comfortable.
“I think your children are very good. Now that your transfer order is pending, why not leave them in the capital to avoid the hassle of traveling back and forth and making the children suffer?” Lanqin said.
“That’s exactly what I was thinking. I’ll let Fu Rou and the child stay with Mother. I’ll go back alone,” Qiu Fu said.
“How can that be? There’s no one to take care of you,” Madam Song said gently. “Why don’t you leave the child here and let your mother look after him? I’ll go back with you.”
Lanqin looked at Song Furou and felt a deep fondness for her. She was like a painting, sitting quietly, yet capable of drawing one's gaze. Qiu Fu was fortunate to have met such a woman. However, according to Anjia, Song's background wasn't high; it seemed her family were merchants. Because of this, Lingzhu and Yang didn't particularly like Song, but seeing how good her children were, they had nothing more to say.
“What my sister-in-law says makes sense. Perhaps we should keep the child. But it depends on whether they are willing to part with him,” Lanqin said.
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