As soon as Lanqin stepped inside, she saw Nianxue rushing out to greet her anxiously. She quickly asked, "What's wrong?"
“Princess, Su Peisheng just sent word that the master will be coming over for dinner later and wants you to order. The cooks at the manor are already waiting in the west wing. I sent Xicha to look for you, but she hasn’t returned.” Nianxue helped Lanqin up and then winked at Huanbi, signaling for tea to be served.
"It's quite hot today, and I don't really feel like eating anything too meaty. Let them stir-fry some vegetables from the estate, and have a pickled bamboo shoot and eight-treasure duck soup to cool me down," Lanqin said, taking a sip of tea. She had been playing with the two princes for almost two hours and was really thirsty. Huanbi was still not as thoughtful as Nianxue.
Upon hearing this, Nianxue quickly went to the west wing to speak with the cook who was waiting in the inner room.
Just then, Fourth Master strode through the corner door, and Nianxue saw him and immediately curtsied. Fourth Master walked straight past her and into the main room.
Lanqin could tell from the look on Fourth Master's face that he was preoccupied, so she didn't rush over as she had before. Instead, she stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"What's wrong with your manners?" Fourth Master grabbed Lanqin, pulled her hand, and made her sit on the couch.
"Master, I played with the eldest prince and the third prince this afternoon." Lanqin thought about talking about his son, and then she put her mind to it.
Fourth Master held Lanqin in his arms, sitting her on his lap, his hand rubbing against her lower back. Hearing what she said, his expression relaxed slightly, and he asked softly, "What did you play?"
Other women never mention to him that the children weren't their own, but this little princess is really straightforward and even takes the initiative to play with the two princes. The prince likes her!
"We played in the sheepfold all afternoon. The Third Prince really liked the lambs. The First Prince initially refused to go in, but I eventually managed to get him in," Lanqin said with a smug smile.
Mentioning the eldest prince, the Fourth Prince's eyes visibly darkened. He had just received a letter from Dai Chuze, which was why he was so sullen. No sooner had he left than his wife's family entered. Dai Chuze had immediately written a letter and sent it by fast horse.
She's scheming for Honghui's Haha Beads! And also planning for herself! Wanting people from Ulanara to come in is fine, but not through this kind of method! Choosing a companion for her eldest son—it was his decision as her father—and she's already started selecting people behind his back. And, a few months ago, when she went to the palace to submit her petition to the Empress, requesting someone, she also stopped by her parents' home after leaving the palace. She's still the same; she seems to never put her husband first in anything she does.
Looking at Fourth Master's expression, Lanqin could feel that the slight relaxation she had just felt seemed to have hardened again.
"Master, what shall we do tomorrow?" Lanqin stood up from Fourth Master's embrace, walked behind the warm couch, and twisted the back of his neck. People like him, who easily get caught up in their thoughts, are most prone to cerebral vascular congestion, causing cerebral hypoxia. Lanqin could tell that this master must have lost a lot of brain cells before coming to her.
Sure enough, after Lanqin massaged him, Fourth Master felt much lighter in his head. He had just felt a bit of a throbbing sensation in his head, but now he felt much better.
"What do you want to do? Ride a horse?" Fourth Master asked softly.
This little princess, whether dining with him or in bed, always made him feel incredibly comfortable. Now, she's so considerate, massaging the back of his neck. She's such a thoughtful girl.
"I want to take the eldest prince and the third prince to farm together. Your Highness, do you know how to farm?" Lan Qin thought to herself: They're used to staying in the courtyard and mansion, so a little farm-style fun would probably be popular. Although she really wanted to learn to ride horses, she had to keep her long-term meal ticket happy, otherwise, if he was unhappy, the servants would have a hard time.
Fourth Master touched the small hand that was kneading the back of his neck, then pulled Lanqin closer and made her sit on his lap.
"Alright, as you wish. Let's go farming tomorrow." He thought the little princess would suggest riding horses and hunting, but he was genuinely pleased to hear that she wanted to take the eldest prince and the third prince to farm. These women, who all enjoyed wealth and luxury in the backyard, were all masters who never lifted a finger. He had never seen anyone like Lanqin who would take the initiative to do manual labor! Her suggestion pleased the fourth prince: experiencing the hardships of farming together would be educational for the two young princes who had been born into a life of luxury, and it would also foster their brotherly bond.
The Fourth Master's previous gloomy mood seemed to have vanished, so he asked again, "What are we having for dinner? I'm hungry."
Just then, the kitchen staff brought the meal.
Lanqin quickly got up from Fourth Master's body. Su Peisheng had already seen this from outside and thought to himself: This Princess Niu is really capable. When Master came just now, I could feel the hostility on him. Now, in no time, I don't know what method this princess used, but she has immediately calmed Master down.
One dish after another was laid out. The aroma of the pickled bamboo shoots and eight-treasure duck immediately whetted the appetite of the Fourth Master. The two of them naturally ate with great relish.
Meanwhile, the princess in another room couldn't eat anything.
Since entering this room, the Fourth Prince had sent a eunuch to instruct her to eat well and take care of her pregnancy, and then there had been no further news. She had thought that since the Fourth Prince had specifically sent her to the estate, he had finally remembered her, and with the child in her womb, he would probably come to her first. But just now, when Ye Ying went to the kitchen, she saw that Lan Qin's meal had already been served, clearly not the portion a princess should receive. As for her meal, the kitchen didn't dare to be careless; perhaps the Fourth Prince had also given orders, and the meal sent wasn't a princess's portion. However, her appetite was already poor, and with her mind preoccupied with other things, it had only worsened.
"Princess, you should eat something. You've been traveling all morning, and you didn't eat much at noon. If you don't eat tonight, the little prince in your belly will go hungry," Ye Ying advised. When the princess was still in the manor, she was a deep thinker and always liked to keep things to herself.
“Princess, you should still use some. Even if you don’t think about yourself, you should think about the child in your belly. Besides, there’s a long future ahead. No one can say for sure how long Princess Niu’s favor will last. But the child in your belly is the master’s own flesh and blood. Right now, there are only three princes in our mansion. If this child is a prince, it will be a great achievement,” Granny Liu also advised.
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