The Third Prince hurriedly arrived at the garden with his skateboard in his arms, only to find Fu Weiting, Zhang Rongyuan, Fei Yanggu, Da Yu'a, and Hong Hui already waiting in their usual spot in the garden.
“Hongjun, where have you been? We’ve been waiting for you for ages. If you don’t come soon, we’re not going to wait for you anymore,” Da Yu A said.
"I overslept, elder brother. You didn't have to wait long, did you?" The Third Prince's face immediately turned red, but he wasn't blushing because of the lie he told; rather, he was blushing because of his suspicion of the First Prince.
"It's alright, we didn't wait long. Let's go, let's skate!" At times like this, the eldest prince Honghui's face was always filled with a smile befitting his age. Only at this moment did he feel truly happy. His body and mind were completely relaxed, without having to think about anything—his father's expectations and his mother's hopes were all irrelevant.
In the garden, a row of boys dressed in brocade robes were seen, each with a skateboard under their feet, gliding and running swiftly forward on the blue brick path.
Seeing the eldest prince right in front of him, the third prince couldn't help but recall what his mother had just told him. He became puzzled and decided to test whether he could actually beat the eldest prince.
The Third Prince quickened his pace. He was the smallest and youngest, so he had less strength when skating. But at this moment, the Third Prince was like the man who suspected his neighbor of stealing his axe. Looking at the First Prince, the doubt in his heart could not be dispelled.
Meanwhile, Li met the man brought in by Que'er in her east side room. After telling him what to do, she confined the man to that room, with Que'er in charge of his food and drink.
Even Xiangqiao and Mingyan didn't know who this person brought in by Que'er was. They only knew that he was Li's cousin, but how could he be locked in a room like this and not be allowed to come out?
After Li came out of that room, she called the people in charge to her side and instructed them not to ask anyone about the people inside.
Que'er helped Li Shi to a pond dug in the east courtyard to admire the red and white carp in the water. Seeing that Li Shi's brows were still furrowed, she asked, "Fujin, are you worried about the Third Prince?"
"This pond was dug by the master when he designed this courtyard. He said that in the summer, some lotus flowers would be planted so that we could enjoy the flowers and eat the lotus seeds. Then some red and white carp would be raised among them. At that time, the master liked to hold my hand and come here to admire the lotus flowers," Madam Li said quietly.
"My lord has always been very devoted to his wife, but the newly arrived Lady Niu and Lady Ula have misled him. However, I believe my lord will soon remember his wife, after all, you gave birth to the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince." Que'er didn't expect Lady Li to bring up these things and didn't know how to respond, so she comforted her in this way.
"Heh, even you said it yourself, out of consideration for the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince, he won't forget me. But when have I, Li Canlian, ever needed such things to secure favor? That's what the head of the household does!" Madam Li was already somewhat agitated. "The Fourth Prince doesn't even have a proper name yet, has he forgotten me?"
Que'er dared not reply further; she knew that Li Shi's feelings were beyond her ability to comfort.
Li sat by the railing, watching the carp swimming in the water, lost in thought, perhaps recalling the time she and Fourth Master had admired the lotus flowers here together.
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