The next day, the heavy rain finally stopped, and the imperial carriage was able to continue its journey. Lanqin still went to Kangxi's side from time to time to chat. In addition, Kangxi suddenly issued an edict: posthumously conferring upon Princess Rongxian the title of Heshuo Gulun Princess, which was the highest honor that could be given to a princess. Only then did everyone learn that Princess Rongxian, who had been married off to the Khorchin for eight years, had passed away.
However, a rumor still circulated among the princesses of various households regarding Lanqin's sudden "favor." Apart from the Fourth Prince and Lanqin themselves knowing why Kangxi summoned her, everyone else watched the Fourth Prince and Lanqin with a sense of wanting to see what would happen.
In addition, Lanqin began to feel a little resistant to the Fourth Prince. If Kangxi hadn't said it to her face, the Fourth Prince would probably still have misunderstood the "intimacy" between her and Kangxi, just like everyone else.
“Princess, the Fourth Prince just came to see you, why did you have such a long face and give the opportunity to that other one for no reason!” Nianxue said, looking at Lanqin who was tying a ruyi knot in the carriage.
"Nianxue, you know why the Emperor likes to talk to me. He said I resemble his beloved daughter, the Third Princess." Lanqin's mind kept replaying the feeling she had when she rode a horse with the Fourth Prince in the rain that day, which made her somewhat depressed. She had never thought about what would happen if the Fourth Prince stopped trusting her one day. Unconsciously, she had placed this man with three wives and four concubines in her heart, and now she felt sad because of his momentary suspicion.
"I know, Princess, please forgive Master. He was just too worried about you, that's why he acted that way," Nianxue said anxiously, afraid that Lanqin wouldn't be able to get over this. It would be a real loss if she quarreled with the Fourth Master like this! She was afraid that some people with ulterior motives would take advantage of the situation, such as Yan Yu, who was sitting in the carriage in front of them.
Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince was resting with his eyes closed in Yan Yu's carriage. Yan Yu noticed his expression and cautiously asked, "Your Highness, I've heard that Sister Niu is often summoned by the Emperor?"
Fourth Master frowned slightly, parted his tightly closed lips, and asked, "What do you want to say?"
After gradually getting used to the bumpy ride in the carriage these past few days, Yan Yu's motion sickness improved. She was feeling depressed, but then she overheard the maids talking and learned that Lan Qin had been summoned by Emperor Kangxi to speak with her. So, she had an idea and wanted to take the opportunity to say something bad about Lan Qin.
"I'm just curious. I heard that Sister Niu has an older sister who is Consort Lan, who serves the Emperor. What a coincidence! Both sisters are favored by the Emperor!"
Chunliu was sitting outside the carriage when she heard what was being said inside. She felt anxious. These words should not be spoken at this time. Yan Yu's temperament is really impulsive!
Sure enough, Fourth Master coughed, raised his hand to lift the car window, looked outside, and said, "Stop the car!"
Upon hearing the Fourth Master's words, the coachman quickly pulled on the reins, and the horse suddenly reared up, neighed, and then stopped.
As the carriage suddenly stopped, everyone inside leaned backward. Yan Yu, caught off guard, fell backward and hit the back of her head against the rear wall of the carriage.
Fourth Master completely ignored him, lifted the front door of the carriage, and climbed out.
"Master!" Yan Yu cried out hastily, ignoring the pain.
But the Fourth Master was clearly annoyed by her words that had just been meant to sow discord between Lanqin and the others, and he was not about to turn back.
After the Fourth Prince left, Chunliu and Yunyuan immediately got into Yan Yu's carriage. Yunyuan asked, "Princess, are you alright?"
Yan Yu looked annoyed and said, "It was clearly Niu Shi who bewitched the emperor, but she took her anger out on me. It's so unfair!"
Seeing that she dared to say such rebellious things, Chunliu immediately said softly, "Princess Yanyu, don't talk nonsense. How can you say things without any basis!"
Yan Yu still protested, "Auntie, haven't you heard? Now everyone in the imperial carriage knows that Lady Niu accompanies the Emperor every day. It's Lady Niu who angered you, but you actually took your anger out on me! It's outrageous!" Yan Yu still didn't understand what the Fourth Prince was unhappy about.
"In my humble opinion, whatever Consort Niu does is none of our business," Yan Yu said, somewhat regretting her impulsiveness. "So what do we do now?"
Chunliu frowned and said, "We can only find an opportunity to slowly dispel the master's 'misunderstanding' of what the princess said just now."
Yan Yu nodded with a gloomy expression.
Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince rode his horse back and forth in front of the imperial carriage. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was on an inspection tour. In reality, the Fourth Prince was furious that Lanqin had ignored his attempts to be friendly these past few days. He had never humbled himself to any other woman before, but that little thing seemed completely indifferent, which really angered the Fourth Prince.
"Fourth Brother, I've seen you running around here several times. Why don't you come and rest in my carriage?" Peach Blossom Nine popped out of the carriage and said with a grin.
When Fourth Prince realized he had unknowingly wandered up to his carriage, he had no choice but to decline, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Ninth Brother, but I still need to go see Father Emperor." With that, he whipped his horse and rode away.
Watching Fourth Master's retreating figure, Ninth Master's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a deep hostility in his icy gaze.
"Alright, they've all gone far away. He's probably not in a good mood right now either." A gentle voice came from inside the carriage.
The Ninth Prince turned to the Eighth Prince sitting beside him and said, "Serves him right! Seeing him like this makes me feel as comfortable as if I've drunk soup! Who told him to love flattering Father Emperor the most? This time he's managed to get his woman into Father Emperor's bedchamber."
Ninth Prince, his face full of sarcasm, said, "He's been running around fawning over Father Emperor this time, and he's earned so much goodwill for himself. But that Lady Niu will soon become his laughingstock!"
Eighth Prince glanced at Ninth Prince and said, "You can only say these things to me. Father Emperor will not be like Emperor Tang Minghuang!"
Ninth Prince interjected, "I dare not speculate on Father Emperor's character, but I am certain I will witness his embarrassment. Didn't you see? The expression on his face just now was the most pleasing one I've seen in years."
Eighth Prince glanced at Ninth Prince and said, "Don't act rashly! What's the situation in the capital?"
The Ninth Prince lowered his voice and said, "The Crown Prince seems to be indulging in women lately, and Prince Zhi is sullen and depressed at home all day long. He must be resenting Father Emperor right now. His precious daughter will be sent away in two months. I'm afraid Rongxian's matter has made them even more dissatisfied!"
Eighth Prince raised his handsome eyes, which could make even men turn their heads. After hearing Ninth Prince's words, a strange light flashed in his eyes. He said in a low voice, "Keep an eye on Prince Zhi. Rongxian's death might prompt our eldest brother to do something outrageous. What do you think?"
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