After the Fourth Prince finished his court session, Su Peisheng prepared a carriage and waited for him outside the palace.
We drove straight to the Old Summer Palace without stopping.
Lanqin has become much more lucid these past few days, waking up more often. With the brothers Biechuk and Hongli by her side, her mood has improved considerably. However, she still cannot get out of bed and walk around. Lying in bed all day with her wounds not yet fully healed is quite a difficult time.
The Fourth Prince rushed in, and Bie Chuke and Hongli exchanged a smile and sensibly withdrew.
Fourth Master rushed to the bedside and carefully examined Lanqin's injuries with a tense expression. Lanqin was unable to move, and it was really embarrassing for Fourth Master to see her from head to toe.
Baoqin and Yuxiao covered their mouths and chuckled, then quietly retreated to a corner.
Lanqin tugged at the Fourth Prince, feigning concern, "Your Majesty, look, your arrival has scared the children away..."
Fourth Master sat by the bed, holding Lanqin's hand tightly, and asked with utmost seriousness, "Qin'er, how are you today? Does it still hurt?"
Lanqin smiled gently and shook her head, saying, "It doesn't hurt anymore... The Emperor sends so many tonics every day, how could I not get better quickly? If the children hadn't stopped me, I could have gotten up already..."
As she spoke, Lanqin braced herself with her hands, trying to move, but suddenly the wound was aggravated, causing her to wince in pain.
The Fourth Prince panicked and didn't know where to help, shouting for the imperial physician: "Quickly! Imperial physician, imperial physician..."
Lanqin reached out to stop the Fourth Prince, enduring the pain as she said, "It's nothing, Your Majesty... it was just a slight aggravation of the wound, Your Majesty... it doesn't hurt anymore..."
Baoqin and Yuxiao watched nervously from the side. Lanqin gestured for them not to come closer, so the Fourth Prince had no choice but to settle Lanqin down to sleep. He then scolded her, "Look at you, you're so badly injured, and you're still not taking care of yourself. I'm really worried about you..."
Lanqin stuck out her tongue and laughed, "It's all because Your Majesty comes to see me every few days, putting me under pressure. If I don't get better soon, I'll be letting Your Majesty down..."
Fourth Master felt much more at ease seeing that Lanqin could still joke around.
After chatting with Lanqin for a while, the Fourth Prince calmly said, "Qin'er, I want to bestow upon you the title of Imperial Concubine..."
Lanqin was surprised that Fourth Master would suddenly say this, and was overjoyed. She asked, "Really?"
Lanqin knew that in the harem, rank meant status and identity. If she could be on equal footing with Consort Nian, she would no longer have to be mindful of Nian Shilan's feelings.
But in the blink of an eye, Lanqin's expression darkened. Fourth Master thought Lanqin was in pain from her wound and asked worriedly, "What's wrong? Is your wound uncomfortable?"
Lanqin silently shook her head and said with a bitter smile, "Your Majesty, have you been in a difficult situation lately? Your Majesty's decision will surely be opposed by many in the court, and Lanqin must have suffered a lot of grievances because of it..."
Fourth Master held Lanqin's hand tightly. Lanqin was always so understanding, which made people feel sorry for her.
The Fourth Prince nodded: "However, I have already made up my mind, and no one can stop me. I will definitely bestow upon you the title of Noble Consort Xi..."
Lanqin comforted the Fourth Prince, saying, "Your Majesty, could you please listen to me? I am very content living in the Yuanmingyuan now. I am not involved in the harem and can live freely. I am very satisfied. Besides, Your Majesty often comes to visit me in the Yuanmingyuan, and the children are all around me. This kind of life is enough for me!"
The Fourth Prince said to Lanqin, "It is I who have wronged you..."
Lanqin forced a smile and comforted the Fourth Prince, saying, "No... Your Majesty makes me feel very happy, and Qin'er wishes to continue living in the Yuanmingyuan. Actually, whether it's Consort Xi or Noble Consort Xi, it's not the most important thing. The most important thing is that Your Majesty has me in your heart..."
After saying this, she pointed to Fourth Master's chest. Seeing Lanqin like this, Fourth Master felt even more guilty. He took Lanqin's hand, pressed it against his cheek, and remained silent for a long time...
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