Upon hearing Zhao Quan's words, Lan Qin immediately thought, "Can I not go?! Fourth Master, is this the opportunity you've found for me to go out?! Damn it, going with the first wife to congratulate another first wife on her son's birth, a son born to a concubine. This kind of scene isn't just embarrassing for the two first wives, but even she, a mere supporting character going along, won't have a good time."
However, since the Fourth Master had already sent someone to deliver the message, he had no choice but to go.
"I understand, Nianxue, quickly help me change my clothes." Lanqin instructed Nianxue as she stood up.
Zhao Quan had been hanging around Su Peisheng for years and had long since become a shrewd businessman. He could tell from Lan Qin's tone that the princess wasn't really happy about going. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly: This princess is truly different from the others; this is a matter of the master giving you face. If it were anyone else, they would have been incredibly excited.
“Gege Niu, this servant is waiting outside. Master has instructed us to hurry, the carriages are all ready.” Zhao Quan did not bow and take his leave.
"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Zhao. Please have some tea and some melon seeds and peanuts for you. Waiting for someone is so boring," Lanqin said.
"Thank you for the reward, Princess." Zhao Quan bowed and withdrew.
Lanqin, supported by Nianxue, returned to the inner room to begin tidying up.
“Princess, you should dress up more elegantly today. This is the first time the master is taking you out to social events!” Unlike Lanqin, Nianxue was overjoyed when she heard Zhao Quan’s words.
"No need, let's keep it simple. Besides, I'm going with the Fujin." Lanqin still felt a lingering, unspeakable guilt towards the Fujin, and she thought she should enter respectfully.
Nianxue found a moon-white cheongsam for Lanqin, over which she wore a lake-blue double-breasted vest. Her hair was still styled in a slightly squared double bun, with the kingfisher feather hairpin with butterflies and flowers bestowed upon her by the Fourth Prince in the middle, and a few delicate and simple gauze flowers on either side. She changed her ears to a pair of jade teardrop-shaped earrings, which were Lanqin's favorite, and on her wrist was the jade bracelet that Nianxue had picked out from the jewelry tray at a glance.
Lanqin has fair skin, and this outfit makes her look quite fresh and refined.
...
Fourth Master left with three women.
The Fujin (principal wife) rode in a sedan chair, while Lanqin and Gengshi each rode in a sedan chair. The Fourth Prince himself rode at the very front on horseback.
As they emerged, Lanqin and Gengshi bowed to the Fujin (principal wife). The Fujin wore a fine, kingfisher-feather-adorned hairstyle and a yellow-red dress, exuding the air of a true matriarch. Gengshi wore a light green qipao, her hairstyle equally simple. The two women exchanged a glance and nodded in tacit agreement.
The Third Prince's residence wasn't far from the Fourth Prince's residence, probably only about half an hour's walk. Actually, the closest residence to the Fourth Prince's was the Eighth Prince's, right next door. But these two brothers never seemed to have any private interactions.
Lanqin raised her hand and lifted the "small window" next to the sedan chair, and looked at the "Eighth Prince's Mansion". She saw that the gate was closed and there were no lions or unicorns at the entrance.
The Eighth Prince, like the Fourth Prince, is currently a Prince, so naturally he is not entitled to have lions placed at his gate.
Lanqin couldn't help but feel a little curious about the Eighth Prince, who was just as famous as the Fourth Prince: In "Scarlet Heart", the Eighth Prince was also someone Lin Mengyao liked very much. He was talented and a good person, but his maternal family was of low status, so he always looked frustrated. In fact, such a man could easily arouse a woman's maternal instincts.
The sedan chair slowly came to a stop, and Lanqin quickly brought her thoughts back to reality.
The Fourth Prince, accompanied by his wife and two concubines, arrived in a grand procession at the gate of the Third Prince Yinzhi's residence.
The Third Prince personally came out to greet them.
"Fourth brother, it's been so long since I've seen you. What are you doing hiding in your own residence?" the Third Prince said sarcastically.
"I've come to congratulate Third Brother," Fourth Master said, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect.
"Greetings, Fourth Sister-in-law." The Third Prince nodded to his wife who came up behind him, and only smiled slightly at Lanqin and Gengshi who were further behind.
An old nanny came out and led the Fourth Prince's wife and Lady Lanqin into the mansion. The Fourth Prince followed behind the Third Prince.
A group of people walked noisily into a courtyard, where tables and chairs were set up and some people were sitting on them. When they saw the Fourth Master and the Third Master behind them, they all stood up and raised their fists. The servants around them were busy serving dishes and wine, making quite a lively scene.
It seems that Lady Tian is also favored by the Third Prince. The Third Prince invited so many high-ranking officials and nobles for her son, and it is said that even Prince Zhi came.
Lanqin and Geng followed the Fujin through the bustling crowd outside and headed into the inner room.
Just as I stepped across the threshold, a woman with a pert hairstyle adorned with jewels and a forced smile came to greet me.
"Cousin!" the Third Princess called out. Lanqin was startled. She guessed that the person coming to greet her was definitely the Third Princess, since only she could receive the Fourth Princess. They were actually cousins. She would have to be careful today.
After exchanging greetings with the Third Princess, the Fourth Princess turned to Lanqin and Gengshi and said, "This is the Third Princess, my cousin."
"This servant greets the Third Princess Consort!" Lady Geng bowed deeply.
"This servant greets the Third Princess Consort!" Lanqin also curtsied.
"Get up, everyone. Granny Qin, take the two princesses to the inner room to see Princess Tian and the young prince." The Third Princess's voice was noticeably cold.
Lanqin and Gengshi immediately followed a nanny inside. As she walked, she glanced around and saw that the room was filled with well-dressed women, chatting in twos and threes.
She hadn't taken more than a few steps when she heard the Fourth Prince's wife say from behind, "Come on, let's go and talk to the Fifth and Seventh Prince's wives."
It is said that Prince Zhi has come, but his wife, Lady Irgen Gioro, is bedridden and will definitely not come today. The Second Prince, who is also the Crown Prince, only sent someone to deliver gifts. In other words, the Third and Fourth Princes are the eldest sisters-in-law here.
Lanqin suddenly felt a gaze fixed on her. She looked up and saw that it was Dong Shi!
Good heavens! Lanqin saw that little tiger tooth again. He was wearing a light pink cheongsam, with his hair in a double bun, and the tassels next to his round face were playfully brushing against his face.
Lanqin was so happy to find a girl she knew and didn't dislike among all the women in the group who were of higher status than her. She almost shouted it out.
She gestured to Dong Shi, meaning: Wait for me to go downstairs and see Tian Shi, then I'll come back to find you.
Dong understood, stood there and nodded at Lanqin, then smiled gently. Her little tiger teeth were really adorable.
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