After talking for an unknown amount of time, Fourth Master finally breathed a sigh of relief and sat up. He took Lanqin's hand and carefully examined her: "Qin'er, do you know how happy I am that you came here to keep me company and listen to me?"
Lanqin smiled and said, "Master, everything will be alright. I know all the grievances you have suffered."
Although the Fourth Prince's face was still tense, his tone was much more relaxed. He said helplessly, "I can only tell you this. Too many eyes are watching me, watching this throne. I can't relax for a moment. I can't even trust my own family and brothers..."
Lanqin recalled what Madam Wu, Madam Song, and Madam Geng had told her during the day, and became even more hesitant to speak. She resolved not to tell the Fourth Prince their thoughts, not wanting to add any more trouble to him. They were all her good sisters and would surely understand.
If Lanqin could stop these people, what about Fourth Master's brothers?
Lanqin knew the fate of these princes all too well, and her heart felt heavy, too afraid to think any further. The Fourth Prince was being pressured by them. Although he didn't intend to harm them now, he would be provoked sooner or later.
Lanqin couldn't bear to watch them head towards their respective fates, but she couldn't bring herself to ask the Fourth Master.
After a moment of contemplation, she raised her head and said earnestly to the Fourth Prince, “Your Highness, the late Emperor has not yet been laid to rest, and the Prince has not yet formally held his coronation ceremony. It is inevitable that there will be unrest among the people. Moreover, Your Highness has just ascended the throne, and your foundation is not yet stable. You must not allow anyone to sow discord between the emperor and his ministers. The resentment of the princes is only temporary. Once they accept the facts, they will all calm down. Your Highness still needs the support of your brothers. I think the most urgent task now is to secure the throne. Other matters and people can be dealt with gradually…”
Lanqin spoke sincerely and patiently, offering words of comfort to the Fourth Master.
After listening to Lanqin's words, Fourth Master pondered them for a moment and agreed that they made sense. He gratefully grasped Lanqin's hand and said with satisfaction, "Lanqin, you always manage to impress me..."
Lanqin secretly breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Fourth Master say this, and nodded with a smile, saying, "You're making fun of me again, Master. I only hope that you can be safe and healthy, and not be troubled or worried about these things..."
The Fourth Prince raised his hand, gesturing for Lanqin to look up. He gently stroked Lanqin's temple with his fingers, then suddenly thought of the matter of ranks in the harem and said with a guilty conscience, "If only you could be my Empress..."
Lanqin hadn't expected Fourth Master to bring this up, and she shrank back in surprise: "Master? What's wrong...?"
The Fourth Prince sighed: "On the day I ascend the throne, I will surely appoint an empress, and Ulanara will be the empress..."
As the Fourth Prince spoke, his eyes were fixed on Lanqin, afraid that she would be upset. He quickly explained, "She was personally appointed as the Fourth Prince's Consort by the late Emperor. If I were to depose her, I'm afraid it would anger the court officials. Lanqin, do you know... I don't want to..."
Before the Fourth Prince could finish speaking, Lanqin covered his mouth with her hand, leaned against his chest, listened to his heartbeat, and said softly, "Your Highness, Lanqin has no desire to become Empress. You must not depose the Fourth Princess Consort for Lanqin's sake. It is only right for her to become Empress, and Lanqin has no objection. I only wish to stay by your side forever..."
For a moment hesitant, the Fourth Prince felt a surge of warmth in his heart. Looking at the person in his arms, he held her tightly with tenderness, thinking that Lanqin was so considerate of him, putting the big picture first, and not caring about the status that all women in the world wanted. He felt that Lanqin was as precious as a rare jewel. The Fourth Prince secretly sighed that meeting Lanqin was a blessing from heaven...
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