Suddenly, a small boat emerged gracefully from among the lotus leaves. Lanqin squinted against the light and saw a tall figure standing on the boat.
“Master!” Nianxue blurted out.
"Come here!" He stretched out his large hand, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Seeing that Lanqin was still standing there motionless, Nianxue couldn't help but give her a push from behind.
He stood amidst the lush green lotus leaves, the sunlight slanting behind him, his innate nobility and natural heroic spirit enveloping him, leaving Lanqin somewhat mesmerized.
Is it really true that a day apart feels like three autumns? She felt that Fourth Master had never looked so radiant. He was still wearing a dark blue robe, but he was not wearing a hat or a vest. He only casually tied a light gray belt with gold thread embroidered with fish patterns around his waist, with some tassels and the jade pendant that Lanqin had seen several times before hanging down.
Lanqin smiled and placed her small hand in his large palm. The next moment, she was already in the small boat. Before she could even stand up straight, Fourth Master put one arm around her waist and used the other hand to propel her along the bamboo pole, slowly heading towards the depths of the lotus leaves.
Nianxue beamed with joy, knowing that the princess had been waiting anxiously for the past few days.
Fourth Master released Lanqin, and she slowly moved to the other side of the boat and sat down. Fourth Master held the boat pole and pushed the boat forward. Under his control, the boat moved freely among the lotus leaves like a nimble fish, and soon sailed to the center of the lotus pond.
Lanqin discovered that there were even more flower buds here, each one standing tall and graceful all around, within easy reach.
Many morning dews had not yet completely disappeared, and tiny, glistening lotus seeds rolled among the large lotus leaves. Viewing the lotuses here is a hundred or a thousand times more beautiful than seeing them from the shore.
“These flowers will bloom in a few days. They’ll be even more beautiful then!” Lanqin exclaimed.
Fourth Master had been silent since last week, and was now staring at Lanqin's face without saying a word.
"You look beautiful today!" Finally, someone said something.
"I dressed up especially for you and the other princes," Lanqin said, not wanting to appear shy with her head down, but looking at the Fourth Prince in the sunlight.
"My princess is only for me to see!" Fourth Master said domineeringly, gazing at the pretty face in the sunlight.
Hmph! You can be fickle and have women on both sides, yet you expect every woman in your household to bloom only for you! What an overbearing, feudal-era chauvinist!
Lanqin mentally reviewed the situation, then said aloud, "I don't want to embarrass you, Master. If I dress up nicely, it will make you look good too."
Fourth Master narrowed his eyes and said, "I don't need you to bring me glory in front of them. Wearing such a swaying headdress while riding a horse will be inconvenient. You should change into a lighter headdress later."
Damn, women in feudal society had no human rights whatsoever! Even what flower to wear in their hair was decided by men!
Lanqin turned her face away and did not respond. Suddenly, Fourth Master put down the pole, walked to the center of the small boat, and squatted down.
Lanqin turned her head and saw that Fourth Master was right in front of her. He grabbed Lanqin's chin with one hand, gritted his teeth, and said, "If it weren't daytime, I would want you right now."
After saying that, he pulled Lanqin into his arms and showered her with kisses on her forehead, face, lips and neck.
In the water, carp occasionally leap out of the surface, splashing up tiny ripples that shatter the two figures entangled together.
Nianxue waited on the shore. Although she was bored, the thought that the princess and the master were deep in the lotus pond calmed her heart.
At this moment, supported by Shaoyao, Madam Yin also walked to the edge of the lotus pond. She had been summoned by the Fourth Master to serve him for two consecutive days, and her past worries seemed to have vanished. The rumor that Lanqin's horseback riding had caused the Fourth Master's predicament was already widely known, and now that she had been neglected for several days, he was afraid that she had already been disliked by the Fourth Master.
"Oh, Sister Nianxue, why are you admiring the lotus flowers here all alone?" Peony, true to her name, was quite pretty. She was born into the Imperial Household Department as a bondservant; her father and mother were both from the Bordered White Banner, and she also had an older brother working in the First Prince's residence. Bondservants like her usually stayed for a few years before being married off to a better bannerman. However, although Peony wasn't a mistress herself, she had grown up in luxury with her mistress. Like Chunliu, who served the First Prince's wife, she had long looked down on ordinary families. She had originally hoped to follow a master with a promising future, but unfortunately, she was assigned to this weak and delicate Lady Yin. But things seemed to be going well; Lady Yin quickly became pregnant with the Fourth Prince's child and was now showing signs of regaining favor, which meant she would have more opportunities to see her master.
"This servant greets Lady Yin!" Nianxue ignored Shaoyao's provocation and immediately curtsied to Lady Yin.
"Get up. Is Sister Niu here too?" Madam Yin looked at Nianxue, thinking that Lanqin was probably nearby, otherwise, why would her maid be standing here alone?
Nianxue was momentarily at a loss for words, so she told them that the princess and her master had gone to the lotus pond by boat. Although that was the truth, it still sounded a bit suggestive! It might even lead to gossip about the princess.
Seeing Nianxue speechless for a moment, Shaoyao said sarcastically, "You audacious servant, the princess is asking you a question! You're dawdling and not answering, do you not respect our princess?" She was already jealous of Lanqin for gaining the fourth prince's favor so quickly, and even the maidservant joined in the jealousy.
"In response to Princess Yin, my princess asked Nianxue to come and see if the lotus flowers in the pond have bloomed yet. My princess has loved lotus flowers since she was little, and if they have bloomed, she wants to pick a few to take home and put in her arrangement." Nianxue quickly came up with a reason on a whim.
"Oh. It's not the right time yet, they're still just flower buds." Madam Yin felt relieved. Right now, she didn't want to run into Lanqin. She had just spent two days serving the Fourth Master. Although she hadn't done anything, it was good to see him reading and writing.
"Thank you for reminding me, Princess. I'll take another look here." Nianxue curtsied again, but didn't move. Anyway, this isn't your territory. I don't want to leave, and no one can drive me away.
As Yin was helped by Shaoyao, she walked past Nianxue, and Shaoyao deliberately bumped Nianxue's elbow.
Nianxue breathed a sigh of relief after they had gone far away.
At this moment, Su Peisheng came over with several eunuchs. Seeing Nianxue there, he smiled and asked, "Princess Niu is here too. Have you seen the master?"
Nian Xue thought to herself: Why are so many people asking? Should I tell them that the two of them are in the lotus pond?
"Eighth Master, Ninth Master, Tenth Master, and Fourteenth Master are all here, waiting for Master! Master said he was coming to admire the lotus flowers early this morning, but he hasn't returned yet, which is really worrying." Su Peisheng wiped his forehead; he had left in a hurry, so he was covered in sweat.
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