"Your Majesty, His Majesty invites you in!" Su Peisheng bowed to Lanqin.
"Eunuch Su, there's no need for such formalities. You won't need to bow like this when you see me in the future," Lanqin said, offering a helping hand.
"Your Majesty is too kind to me. Now that Your Majesty is a Noble Consort, how could I not pay my respects to you?" Su Peisheng said respectfully. "Especially now that Your Majesty has regained control of the inner palace, you cannot afford to make the slightest mistake in your actions."
Lanqin understood Su Peisheng's meaning and nodded to him, saying, "Then I'll trouble Eunuch Su to lead the way."
This wasn't Lanqin's first time visiting the Hall of Mental Cultivation, but according to the rules, as a concubine, she couldn't come to such a place as the emperor's court without permission. Instead, she was summoned by the emperor and led in by a eunuch.
The Fourth Prince has indeed been busy with state affairs these days, and he hasn't been visiting Changchun Palace as often as before.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects! May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace!" Lanqin entered the hall and bowed to the Fourth Prince. Su Peisheng's words had just reminded her that she was now a Noble Consort in charge of the harem, and her every word and action was being watched. Any misstep could be seized upon by those with ulterior motives. The Fourth Prince had already strained relations with many ministers in the court in his efforts to elevate her to the rank of Noble Consort, and she couldn't afford to cause him any further trouble.
"Qin'er! Rise and come to me! Su Peisheng, you may all leave!" The Fourth Prince was sitting on the dragon throne reviewing documents when he saw Lanqin arrive, and then he raised his head and said.
"Your Majesty, it's only been a few days since I last saw you, but you seem to have lost some weight." Lanqin walked to the Fourth Prince's side and saw that his face had indeed become thinner, and said with heartache.
"There's been so much going on lately, I've been working myself to the bone. How are you?" The Fourth Prince took Lanqin's hand and asked. "The affairs of the inner palace are also very heavy. You can ask Consort Song and the others for help."
"I know, Your Majesty is so tired, but I can't help you. It really breaks my heart," Lanqin said.
"Don't worry, I have Thirteen and the others helping me," the Fourth Prince said, patting Lanqin's hand.
"I haven't seen the Thirteenth Prince for a long time. What has he been doing?" Lanqin asked.
"I have sent Thirteenth Prince away, and you may not be able to see him for some time," the Fourth Prince said.
"Where did the Thirteenth Prince go?" Lanqin asked casually.
Fourth Master looked at Lanqin but did not answer her question.
"Why is Your Majesty looking at me like that?" Lanqin felt a little awkward as she sensed something deeper in the Fourth Prince's probing gaze. She had never interfered in matters of state before; the Fourth Prince usually took the initiative to talk to her about things. It was unprecedented for him to ask her such probing questions like this today.
"I'm wondering why my Consort Xi is suddenly so concerned about the Thirteenth Prince?" the Fourth Prince asked.
"Your Majesty, I was just asking casually. If Your Majesty doesn't want to answer, then I won't ask," Lanqin said, slightly stuttering.
"Qin'er, if you have anything to say, just tell me directly," the Fourth Prince said with a smile to Lan Qin.
“Your Majesty, I actually came to inquire with the Thirteenth Prince’s wife. The Thirteenth Prince left the residence without telling her anything, and she is worried about him.” Lanqin blurted out, “Wenxiu said that the Thirteenth Prince’s old illness has not been completely cured. She is worried.”
"So it was the Thirteenth Prince's wife who sent you to ask me this!" The Fourth Prince pulled Lanqin into his arms and said.
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