The Fourth Prince naturally disapproved of arranging a marriage for Hongzhou so early. Moving Hongli's wedding forward would require him to attend to the late Emperor's sacrificial rites, and there were other more important matters to attend to. However, he was still quite surprised to hear Lanqin bring it up herself…
Seeing the Fourth Prince hesitate, Lanqin knew he wouldn't agree easily, so she turned around and said sadly, "Your Highness must think I'm being unreasonable..."
The Fourth Prince quickly comforted him, "What are you saying? I know what you mean..."
Lanqin lowered her head and sighed feignedly, "I had a dream yesterday. I dreamt that Hongzhou was angry with me. He said that I was an incompetent mother, that I only cared about Hongli and never thought about him..." As she spoke, Lanqin's eyes reddened, and her voice trembled as she said, "Even in my dream, Hongzhou wanted me to be near him. That look in his eyes still terrifies me..."
Fourth Master leaned closer and put his arm around Lanqin from behind, comforting her, "I told you it was a dream, don't scare yourself... Although Hongzhou doesn't know you are his biological mother, he watched you grow up, he will understand your difficulties..."
Lanqin shook her head silently, her face full of sorrow: "It's because he doesn't know that I am his birth mother, and he still treats me with utmost respect, that I feel guilty towards him..."
The Fourth Prince couldn't bear it and sighed softly. Lanqin grew even more sorrowful, turning to face the Fourth Prince directly: "He has never snuggled in my arms like Bechuk, Ushiha, and Hongli did, nor has he ever confided his innermost thoughts to me. He always maintains a respectful distance from me. Your Majesty... do you know how much that distance has caused me unbearable pain..."
The Fourth Prince closed his eyes to calm himself, patted Lanqin's shoulder, and murmured, "I had no choice back then. I know you suffered injustice. If you have to blame someone, blame me..."
Lanqin smiled bitterly, grasped the Fourth Prince's hand in return, and said with great emotion, "Your Majesty, I don't blame you. It was my own decision to entrust Hongzhou to Geng Shi's care. It's just that I feel guilty towards him. He is my flesh and blood, my child with Your Majesty, but for so many years, I haven't been able to tell him the truth. Every time I think about it, I feel guilty and uneasy..."
The Fourth Prince felt sorry for Lanqin: "Alas... Fortunately, I have seen that Hongzhou and Hongli have always had a very good relationship over the years, like brothers. So it's not in vain that you cherish him..."
Lanqin naturally wouldn't tell the Fourth Prince about Hongzhou and Xueying's affair. Seeing the Fourth Prince mention Hongli, she advised, "I also see that the two brothers, Hongzhou and Hongli, have a very good relationship, which makes me very happy. That's why I suddenly had the idea to arrange a marriage for Hongzhou as well. This way, it won't favor either of them and it will be fair..."
The Fourth Prince pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. Lanqin followed up, "Although Hongzhou is doing well, and Madam Geng treats him with utmost sincerity, Hongzhou has always been a worry for me. I think it would be better to settle Hongzhou's marriage as soon as possible, so that I can be at peace seeing him happy and content..."
The Fourth Prince reached out and pulled Lanqin into his arms, saying softly, "You... I really can't do anything with you..."
Upon hearing this, Lanqin realized that the Fourth Prince had tacitly agreed. She happily squirmed in his arms, which made him laugh and say, "Since you've asked me for Hongzhou, I naturally can't refuse you. After Hongli's wedding, I'll find a good match for Hongzhou..."
Lanqin struggled to get up from the Fourth Prince's embrace and said respectfully, "On behalf of Hongzhou, I thank Your Majesty..."
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