During dinner, Lanqin specially ordered a table full of delicious dishes. Fourth Master was in a good mood and had wine brought out so he could have a few drinks with Lanqin. Wuxiha was pregnant and could not drink, but volunteered to stand up and pour wine for Fourth Master and Lanqin.
Lanqin was worried about Wuxiha's health, but Wuxiha moved her arms and legs freely and laughed, "Mother, you're being too careful. It's still early, it's nothing serious... It's rare for the three of us to have dinner together, so please sit still and let your daughter serve Father and Mother..."
Fourth Master smiled and praised Wuxiha for persuading Lanqin, saying, "My daughter is sensible, so let Wuxiha pour the wine..."
Fourth Master secretly tightened his grip on Lanqin's hand, and Lanqin was deeply moved: Yes! Such a seemingly ordinary dinner might happen every day in an ordinary family, but for Fourth Master, it was a rare treat. Since that was the case, Lanqin generously asked Wuxiha to pour her a glass of wine, and she and Fourth Master drank together.
After a few drinks, both the Fourth Prince and Lanqin's faces were flushed. Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Wuxiha quickly ate a few mouthfuls of rice and then made an excuse to leave. He took all the maids and servants with him. Su Peisheng, being clever, immediately took notice and stood guard outside the door.
The room suddenly felt empty, with only Fourth Master and Lanqin sitting together. After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Fourth Master embraced Lanqin and closed his eyes to rest.
Lanqin, recalling how Fourth Master had looked when he came before, asked curiously, "Master, did you also encounter some troubles today?"
The Fourth Prince opened his eyes, kissed Lanqin's hair, and said, "Nothing can be hidden from your eyes. I am indeed very annoyed..."
Lanqin gently stroked Fourth Master's chest to soothe him, and said softly, "Master, what happened?"
"Fourteenth suddenly disappeared from the Changping villa..." Fourth Master said slowly and directly.
Lanqin sat up abruptly, her face filled with shock: "What? Disappeared? Don't you think this is suspicious, sir?"
Fourth Master smiled coldly and said, "Even you can tell from the beginning that things are not simple, so how could they just disappear?"
"He was rescued..." Lanqin murmured silently. She had initially considered using the word "abduction," but then thought, who would take such a huge risk as to abduct a prince under strict court surveillance? Whoever did this must have conspired with the Fourteenth Prince and had ulterior motives. Therefore, it seemed he had been rescued...
The Fourth Prince was furious when he mentioned this matter, but because Lanqin was present, he didn't want to frighten her with his anger, so he tried his best to control his emotions and said, "I have already shown him mercy by not taking his life. He should be extremely grateful for the Empress Dowager's desperate protection of him back then, and he should be reflecting on his mistakes and blaming himself in Changping. I thought that since we are blood relatives, I still hoped that if he could behave himself, I could give him his freedom one day. But now it seems that the Fourteenth Prince's treacherous heart remains unchanged, and I have been too lenient with him..."
The worries that had been weighing on Lanqin's heart finally came true. The feud between the Fourth Prince and the Fourteenth Prince seemed irreconcilable. With Consort De gone, the Fourth Prince had no more concerns.
If the Fourteenth Prince doesn't commit any crimes, things will be fine. He might stay in Changping for the rest of his life, at least he'll have his life and be reunited with his family. But if the Fourth Prince finds out he has any other thoughts, he'll probably die without a burial place.
Lanqin leaned towards the Fourth Prince again and softly comforted him, "Your Highness, the Fourteenth Prince has indeed made a mistake and has failed to live up to your expectations. If he is captured and brought back, I suggest that he be exiled to Jingling to guard the late Emperor's tomb..."
Fourth Master was taken aback and looked at Lanqin, asking, "Why do you suggest this?"
Lanqin looked up and said, "If the Emperor executes the Fourteenth Prince, wouldn't all our previous efforts be in vain? Besides, killing someone is the lightest punishment for him. Making him blame himself for his mistakes day and night is the most severe punishment. Presumably, only when facing the late Emperor's memorial tablet will the Fourteenth Prince's heart find peace..."
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