“Sister, if you keep acting so awkwardly, some people will start to take action.” Madam Song was the first to come to Lanqin.
"Why are you in such a hurry, sister? If Lanqin is only awkward for ten days or so and then she is replaced, why is Lanqin in such a hurry? It's just a matter of methods." Lanqin had already had the servants bring out the dinner.
“Sister, in the royal family, you can’t be so absolute about the feelings between men and women. Our master is a prince, not an ordinary man. He’s not going to bow down to you. Besides, your little squabble is really not worth it, sister!” Seeing that Lanqin seemed to be stuck in a rut, Madam Song was so anxious that she almost shouted.
Seeing Song's anxiety, Lanqin quickly comforted her, "Sister, don't be in such a hurry. We just had dinner at Yin's place. Why are you all so anxious? Besides, sister, don't keep an eye on Lanqin. You should also get ready. Maybe one day you'll run into the master and regain his favor!"
Madam Song spat lightly and said, "You frivolous thing, your sister is so worried about you, and you still want to cancel your sister's marriage. My eldest princess has already had her coming-of-age ceremony, and in a few years, your sister will be someone's mother-in-law."
Lanqin feigned innocence, saying, "Sister is as beautiful as a flower, how could there be no opportunity? Lanqin just thinks that rather than letting others take advantage of the situation, Lanqin would rather let the sisters take advantage of the situation."
"What loophole are you trying to exploit?" Wu's voice rang out at the doorway, and Geng followed her in.
"You all need to come and persuade her. Everything was fine before, but she had to quarrel with the master over that inconsiderate person, giving some people an opportunity to take advantage of her," Madam Song said hurriedly.
Wu and Geng came over and sat in the seats reserved for them.
"Sisters, now Sister Song insists that I bow down and apologize to the Master. What do you think I should do to apologize?" Lanqin really didn't know how to bow down and apologize. It wasn't that she felt awkward about being with the Fourth Master, but she just really didn't know how.
“Qin’er, Sister Song’s worries are not unfounded. Now, we can’t give Madam Yin another chance. Ruyi and I think that you might as well send something to express your feelings, and the master will take the easy way out. You don’t need to say anything.” Madam Geng said.
"Come on, let's not talk about this anymore. The food is getting cold, and it won't taste good if we don't eat it soon." Lanqin felt as if her heart was being held hostage. Although she appeared nonchalant on the surface, she was actually feeling a little sad inside.
Madam Wu glanced at Lanqin and sighed, "Sister, I, Madam Wu, am not good at saying nice things. I'll just say the harshest things. You're now taking advantage of the Master's favor and starting to compete, hoping he'll humble himself before you. You're like a well-fed man who doesn't know the hunger of a starving man. We'd love to have a place in the Master's eyes. Madam Yin is gentle and beautiful; she might just win his heart. Don't be careless; if the Master really falls for her kind of weakness, there'll be no going back."
Lanqin knew that Wu Shi had a sharp tongue, but what she said was the absolute truth.
"I understand. I've taken your advice to heart. Tomorrow, I'll have Niu Baoquan make some snacks and send them over. Is that alright now?" Lanqin said with an expression that said, "I was wrong."
"Tomorrow?" the three of them said almost in unison.
"Make it right away, and send it to the front yard in a bit!!!" Lanqin immediately changed her mind.
Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince had a meal with the Third Prince at Madam Yin's place. The Third Prince was particularly happy and pulled the Fourth Prince to look at the calligraphy and paintings he practiced.
Madam Yin silently stayed by their side, without disturbing the father and son.
When the hour of Wu approached, the Fourth Prince ultimately did not stay. He instructed the Third Prince to continue his efforts and then left Madam Yin's room.
Madam Yin was not without some regrets, but the Fourth Prince's heart was not with her, and forcing him to stay was useless.
"Princess, Master has left. I wish he could have stayed," Ye Ying said from behind Madam Yin.
“One day, when he’s here, and his heart is no longer set on anyone else, it will be good for him to stay,” Madam Yin said softly, then turned and walked into the house without looking back.
Fourth Master returned to the front yard in silence. Before he even entered, he saw Si Hua from the south courtyard carrying a basket walking towards the door.
"This servant greets Your Highness!" Si Hua hurriedly bowed as she saw the Fourth Master approaching from behind.
"But did your master send you?" Fourth Master asked, looking at the basket.
"Indeed, the concubine had Chef Niu make some new pastries, and she thought they were quite good, so she wanted to let Master have a taste." Si Hua untied the cloth draped over the basket and presented the pastries inside to the Fourth Prince.
By the dim light and the glow of the lanterns at the courtyard gate, Fourth Master could clearly see the pastries inside. One dish contained small cakes made of cardamom, and the other contained pastries made of lotus root starch and glutinous rice flour.
She's quite thoughtful, always managing to capture his taste buds. To be honest, the Fourth Master didn't enjoy the meal at Madam Yin's place much earlier. Perhaps he's gotten used to the special meals at Lanqin's place, and even the best dishes from the main kitchen just don't taste quite right.
"Let's go, I won't go into the front yard, I'll go to your master's place." With that, Fourth Master strode towards the south courtyard.
Su Peisheng called out to Si Hua, who was still standing there in a daze, "Silly girl, what are you standing there for? Come on."
After Song and the others left, Lanqin was reading a book, but she couldn't quite concentrate. Perhaps it was Wu's words that had an effect, or perhaps it was Song's anxiety, but Lanqin's mind was beginning to waver. If the master really no longer favored her, what would things be like now?
I wonder how the pastries were delivered? Why haven't you come back to report yet?
Lanqin nestled on the tatami mat, watching the show while her mind wandered aimlessly.
"Princess, let me help you wash up, it's getting late," Nianxue said.
"Has Si Hua not returned yet? Why has she been gone for so long?" Lan Qin asked.
"You clearly have someone on your mind, but you still have to wait until someone else takes advantage of the situation," Nianxue said irritably.
"You little brat, you're getting more and more temperamental, and you're even showing your master attitude?" Lanqin was also not very comfortable with this, and scolded her.
"Nianxue wouldn't dare. Nianxue just feels sorry for Gege, who misses Master so much, yet refuses to lower her head," Nianxue said, feeling wronged.
"Alright, alright, you've got me. If that doesn't work, I'll personally deliver the snacks tomorrow, okay?" Lanqin thought to herself, "I had a little tiff with Fourth Master, and now I'm living in fear with all these people in the house. Sigh..."
"No need for tomorrow, today is fine, okay?" Fourth Master said to Lanqin from the doorway.
"Master, why are you here?" Lanqin put down the book in her hand and immediately jumped up from the couch.
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