The next day, when Lanqin woke up, the Fourth Prince had already left. However, before Lanqin could even get up, Zhao Quan from the entire courtyard had already come to deliver a message, instructing Niohuru to pack some things, as she would soon be accompanying the Fourth Prince on a tour of the Yellow River.
After Zhao Quan left, the girls in the South Courtyard were overjoyed. Not only was Lanqin eager to go out, but they were also fifteen or sixteen-year-old girls, and they also wished to go out and travel!
Nianxue would definitely go out with her, but who would be the second, and would there be a third? The maids speculated about who would accompany Lanqin this time. For a moment, even the footsteps in the entire South Courtyard seemed much lighter.
By the time Lanqin called for Nianxue, it was already past 9 AM. After a good night's sleep, Lanqin looked refreshed. After the passionate night, there seemed to be a slight blush on her face. In fact, it was just that Lanqin's heart had changed, so she couldn't help but blush whenever she thought of what happened last night.
Seeing Lanqin sitting in front of the bronze mirror, seemingly lost in thought, Nianxue knew perfectly well that she must be thinking of her master. So, the usually serious Nianxue teased, "Princess, are you thinking of your master?"
Nianxue naturally knew about what had happened last night, and she couldn't help but blush while keeping watch outside. Seeing Lanqin's rosy face now, Nianxue was genuinely happy for the princess. Ever since she helped Fourth Master conceal his miscarriage, she had felt inexplicably uneasy, but seeing the happy smile on Lanqin's face now, she finally felt a little at ease.
"Fine, you dare to cancel your princess title? I'll punish you!" Lanqin glanced at Nianxue and said with a coquettish smile.
"I'm so scared! Princess, please forgive me!" Nianxue joked with Lanqin for the first time ever. At this moment, the two mistress and servant teased each other like close friends, forgetting the difference in their status.
"Then I'll punish you by making you come out with me to serve me," Lanqin said with a smile.
"Then this servant accepts the punishment!" Although Nianxue knew she would definitely go with them, she still felt particularly sweet when she heard Lanqin say it herself. She then asked, "Princess, how many people are you planning to take this time? I'm sure I can manage on my own. It's a bumpy journey, and we don't know what might happen. It would be better to take more people."
Lanqin casually said, "Cherish tea, Huanbi..."
Before Lanqin could finish speaking, Nianxue suddenly interrupted her, saying, "Huanbi, you mustn't!"
Lanqin, unaware of the reason, noticed that Nianxue seemed very reluctant for Huanbi to come along, and asked in confusion, "What's wrong with Huanbi? She's quite clever and not boring at all. Wouldn't it be good to have someone to chat and laugh with along the way?"
Nianxue put down the hair in her hand and said urgently, "Princess, I think Huanbi isn't very honest. She's quick-witted, but she's hard to control. Although Ziran doesn't talk much usually, when you were sick, she gave you several timely and appropriate suggestions. I dare to ask you to take Ziran with you this time. Also, the place we're going to might require a male companion, so why don't you let Uncle Li go along too?"
Lanqin was puzzled by Nianxue's words and wondered why she had so many thoughts about Huanbi. However, Lanqin relied heavily on Nianxue and didn't want to offend her. She thought that she could bring anyone, so she didn't insist on her own idea and smiled, saying, "Whatever you say. Go and tell them later."
When Nianxue saw that Lanqin had agreed to her request so quickly, she felt that Lanqin trusted her and was naturally happy. Her hands moved even more skillfully.
Meanwhile, in the main courtyard, Yan Yu was complaining to the Fujin that the Fourth Prince had not visited her room yet, and that everyone already knew that the Fourth Prince had returned to the mansion last night and stayed overnight in the South Courtyard.
"Elder sister, I've been in the manor for several days now, and the master hasn't come to my room once," Yan Yu said aggrievedly. She felt really bad thinking about how the fourth master had stayed overnight in the south courtyard last night until this morning.
"Please be patient. It's been raining heavily these past few days, and His Majesty has been busy in the palace every day and hasn't returned for several days. He knows that." The Princess Consort looked at the continuous dripping rain and said slowly, "You don't need to complain here. His Majesty already sent word this morning that you will be going out with him in a few days."
Upon hearing this, Yan Yu immediately burst into laughter through her tears, saying, "Really? Eldest sister, you're not kidding me!"
The Fujin glanced at Yan Yu, raised her hand to stroke her profile, and said, "Yu'er, remember what your elder sister told you before. In this inner courtyard, no one can be trusted except your elder sister. This time you go out with the master, you must seize the opportunity. I don't expect you to immediately capture his heart, but at least you won't end up like your elder sister, who only has a title but no favor."
Upon hearing that she finally had the chance to be with the Fourth Prince, and even go out together, all of Yan Yu's unhappiness vanished. Hearing her wife say this, she immediately comforted her, "Don't worry, elder sister, Yu'er will definitely not let you down. By the way, are there any other people accompanying the prince this time?"
The princess's face darkened, and she said, "Yes, it is Niohuru. This woman appears to be innocent and guileless, but she immediately caught the master's attention and overshadowed Li Shi, and is now almost the sole favorite. She must have something extraordinary about her. You will go out with her to serve the master, and for now, you must not turn against her, understand?"
Yan Yu's face darkened, and she said with a hint of resentment, "I know, since the master is now favoring her, I can't just pretend."
The Fujin nodded, then took Yan Yu's hand and said, "Your elder sister is reminding you again: you must never mention what you did before to anyone. This time when you go out, I want Chunliu to go with you to serve you. She has been with your elder sister for more than ten years and is extremely loyal to our family. If you have any issues, discuss them with her, and if you encounter any decisions you cannot make, listen to her advice. Do you understand?"
When Yan Yu heard that Chun Liu was to come with her, she was actually unwilling, but when she thought about being able to go out with Fourth Master this time, she immediately agreed.
In her room, besides Yun Yuan, who was brought by her personally, the Fujin also assigned three maids: Fang Yun, Chun Tao, and Zhui Er.
After giving a few more instructions, the Fujin sent Yan Yu back to prepare some necessary items, while she herself went to the study, picked up the large wolf hair brush from the brush holder, dipped it in a fine She inkstone, and began to write wildly on the prepared white paper.
"Madam, the material for the eldest prince's autumn clothes is ready. Please take a look!" Granny Li said to the madam, who was quietly writing, as she walked to the door of the study.
The continuous rain pattered against the bluestone bricks outside the window, leaving only the sound of a brush sliding across paper inside the room.
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