As Fourth Master had predicted, Thirteen was finding it exceptionally difficult to collect the money. Every time he went, they greeted him politely, treated him to good food and drink, but never mentioned repaying the debt. After he left, they still didn't come, so they had been in Hangzhou for several days and were still staying at the inn.
"My lord, although I haven't seen much of the world, I know that you are the fourth prince of the Qing Dynasty. These people really don't respect you at all. The thirteenth prince is having a hard time collecting money, and you're leaving him hanging. How dare they do this?" Su Peisheng said incessantly while tidying the fourth prince's clothes.
"You servant, do you think the maids are useless and have to do all these things for you, so you're always so gossipy?" The Fourth Master has been staying in his room these days and hasn't gone out with the Thirteenth Master. He occasionally goes to chat with the soldiers at the post station.
"This servant wouldn't dare. This servant thinks they're really quite bold," Su Peisheng said calmly, knowing that the Fourth Master was teasing him.
"Having witnessed Master's style of doing things in Yangzhou, they've learned their lesson here. They know that even if they provide me with good food, drink, and lodging, Master will still demand their money back, so they simply ignore it. After all, we can't really say anything about their affairs. In the eyes of the court, they've even become honest, law-abiding, and upright officials who don't form cliques. It seems that everyone in Hangzhou is a smart man," Fourth Master said with a smile.
“My lord, you’re just sitting here idly anyway, why don’t I accompany you for a walk? It’ll be good for your health. Hangzhou is a famous scenic spot, since we’re here, why not take a tour?” Su Peisheng was quite bold, daring to suggest that the Fourth Prince take him out for a stroll.
"When Thirteen returns, let's go for a stroll around West Lake together. I've heard that West Lake is most beautiful at dusk." Fourth Master glanced at Su Peisheng and added, "Li Wei has been busy these past few days; let him come along too."
After noon, just after the Fourth Prince had finished his lunch, the Thirteenth Prince returned with several guards.
"Fourth Brother, I can't do this job anymore. You won't let me get angry, and I have to deal with those people every day, it's infuriating! These pests, no matter what I say, they never mention repaying the money, and when they do, they just keep making excuses. At this rate, when will we ever be able to bring the money from Hangzhou back?" Thirteenth Brother simply left without even offering a meal, turning and walking away. He had just come from the residence managed by the Vice Prefect of Hangzhou, where several officials from the Hangzhou Subprefecture and other prefectures were also present, all of whom owed the court money. Now that the prince had come in person to collect it, they were acting like royalty.
"Thirteenth Brother, come on, let's go for a stroll around West Lake. We were planning to rest for lunch before going. I heard that Lou Wai Lou restaurant is famous for its West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce and Dongpo Pork. Shall we try them today?" Fourth Master patted his younger brother's shoulder, seemingly not taking the anger he had suffered to heart at all.
Thirteen hadn't eaten yet, so when Fourth Master said that, he naturally agreed. Since Li Wei hadn't returned yet, Fourth Master only instructed the innkeeper to inform Li Wei when he returned that Fourth Master had gone to West Lake and that he should go find him himself. Then, he took Su Peisheng and several guards and went out.
The beauty of West Lake lies in its graceful landscape. April, with its misty rain, is the best time to appreciate it. Unfortunately, it's already May, and the sun is shining brightly everywhere; there's not a trace of mistiness. However, the lotus leaves in the pond have all sprouted, fresh and clean, a delightful sight.
The Fourth Prince and the Thirteenth Prince arrived in a leisurely manner and went to Lou Wai Lou restaurant first. The Thirteenth Prince generously ordered the restaurant's most famous dishes, along with a pot of fine wine. The Fourth Prince asked Su Peisheng and several guards to sit at another table, while he ordered a table full of dishes for them to eat as they pleased. Su Peisheng was initially unwilling, but seeing the Fourth Prince's insistence, he had no choice but to agree.
Fourth Master and Thirteenth Master sat by the window, pouring themselves drinks, looking relaxed and happy.
"Fourth Brother, this fish is really good, eat up!" Thirteen had been in a bad mood all morning, but now he could finally enjoy a good meal.
"I've already had lunch, so I can't eat much. You should eat more." The Fourth Prince looked at the Thirteenth Prince and still felt that he was the same Thirteenth Prince who had just arrived at Yonghe Palace more than ten years ago, with eyes full of loneliness and desolation.
At that time, Consort Min had just passed away, leaving the Thirteenth Princess with two younger sisters; they were essentially motherless children. Although Emperor Kangxi was their father, he was also the emperor, burdened with state affairs, numerous concubines, and many children. How much energy could he possibly devote to caring for three children who had lost their mother's protection? The Thirteenth Princess was entrusted to Consort De, while the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Princesses were entrusted to Consort Yi.
Consort De had just given birth to the Fourteenth Prince, and now her womb was filled with another young prince. Although she wanted to care for him, her energy was limited. She entrusted the Thirteenth Prince to a nanny for upbringing. The Fourth Prince was already twelve years old at the time and had been at Yonghe Palace for a year. Since the Thirteenth Prince arrived, he had taken good care of his younger brother. This was because his mother had always been cold towards him, and his young brother, the Fourteenth Prince, was still a nursing infant.
On one occasion, the Fourth Prince witnessed the nanny who served the Thirteenth Prince eating the Thirteenth Prince's food herself and secretly hiding the Thirteenth Prince's supplies in her own room.
Fourth Master was only a twelve-year-old boy, still a child, but he punished that old woman on the spot. In front of all the servants who served Thirteen, he personally picked up a wooden board and beat the old woman thirty times.
Thirteen was only five years old when she saw her older brother disciplining the servants for him, and her little heart was filled with longing and gratitude for the Fourth Prince. After that, the servants who served Thirteen never dared to be negligent again, because they knew that there was a Fourth Prince watching them all the time.
"Slow down! A prince should not be so disrespectful when dining. What kind of behavior is this?!" The Fourth Prince suppressed a smile and gently scolded.
"Fourth Brother, I, Thirteen, am not one to care about rules and etiquette. Although you like rules, this isn't the capital. Just let me do whatever makes me happy," Thirteen said nonchalantly.
In the years since losing Consort Min, Thirteenth Prince had gradually developed a carefree and generous personality, and he was well-liked. The palace servants were always happy to greet him. This was because Thirteenth Prince didn't put on any airs of a prince; even a gatekeeper at the Meridian Gate would speak to him if he took a liking to him, never displaying his princely status.
Both came from humble backgrounds and lived under the roof of others, but Thirteen's personality was completely different from Eighth's. Both were popular, but Thirteen's popularity was genuine, while Eighth's was about winning people over.
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