Not only was there the Eighth Prince, but there was also a woman sitting opposite him. Upon closer inspection, she was absolutely stunningly beautiful and must be the Eighth Prince's favorite concubine.
Eighth Master also saw Lanqin, and a look of surprise flashed across his eyes.
Lanqin thought to herself: Oh, what a coincidence, we just had to run into each other. Let me say hello.
So Lanqin had no choice but to stand up first and give a slight curtsy to the Eighth Master as a greeting. As for going to him in person to pay her respects, there was no need for that.
"Sister-in-law, I don't want Eighth Brother to know I'm here." The Eighteenth Prince immediately hid behind the window to avoid being spotted by the Eighth Prince.
"Yes, sister-in-law, you're right. He probably didn't see you. You sit over there, he can't see you. Nianxue, you two sit down too, it's just the few of us anyway, let's share." Lanqin saw Nianxue and Xicha standing to the side.
Nianxue shook her head and looked at the Eighteenth Prince, meaning that there were outsiders present and the rules could not be broken, especially since the Eighth Prince was also watching.
Lanqin rubbed her forehead, thinking to herself: These ancient people, they can never let go of their status, rules and such.
"Alright, you can use it over there. Have the servant bring in a table and serve the same dishes." Lanqin never mistreats those who serve her.
“Sister-in-law, you and Mother are the same. In principle, Sister Nianxue and the others shouldn’t be eating with us; they should be serving them.” The Eighteenth Prince said in a serious tone. Although he didn’t dislike his sister-in-law’s behavior, it was too different from the education he had always received.
"Yinjia, when you're out and about, you don't need to follow so many rules. Just be comfortable." Lanqin didn't want to talk about human rights and equality with this little kid here. She felt it was better to leave after the meal, otherwise the Eighth Prince wouldn't be so easy to deal with.
However, before their dishes were served, there was a loud knocking on the door of the private room.
Lanqin stared nervously at the door, then helplessly watched as Nianxue opened it, and a man in a brown brocade robe walked in.
Now the Eighteenth Prince had nowhere to hide, so he had no choice but to stand up with Lanqin and bow to the Eighth Prince, who was looking at him with slight surprise.
"Greetings, Mynah!" The eighteenth brother clasped his hands in a respectful greeting.
"Eighteenth? You, what are you doing here?" The Eighth Prince looked surprised. He thought that the one who came out with Lanqin must be the Fourth Prince. He was in charge of the Imperial Household Department and knew that the Eighteenth Prince had been sent away by Kangxi to recuperate, but Kangxi did not say where he had been sent.
"I..." Eighteen hesitated, wondering why he was here; the reason was rather complicated...
“Eighth Prince, the Eighteenth Prince was naturally brought by me. He is not in good health, so Father Emperor specially arranged for you to bring him to stay at the villa for a while. I noticed that the Eighteenth Prince has never left the palace or seen any excitement, so I brought him out to have a look.” Lanqin thought to herself, there was no way to hide it anymore, so she simply told him the truth.
Eighth Master was such a clever man; in fact, he knew what was going on as soon as he entered the door and saw Eighteen.
“Oh, since we’ve run into Eighth Brother, we should at least let him do his best for Eighteenth Brother. Consort Niu has just been promoted, so she should also show her appreciation. It’s fate that we’ve met today. Why don’t we go to my place and have a meal together? I’ll treat you.” Eighth Prince immediately concealed his surprise and said warmly.
Seeing this, Lanqin realized she couldn't refuse. She noticed that the Eighteenth Prince was also looking at her.
"Then I will trouble you with the Eighteenth Prince," Lanqin said.
Just then, the dishes Lanqin ordered started to be served. Eighth Master instructed them to move everything to the next room and serve the dishes as usual. This private room was left for the people who came with them, and the dishes they ordered were served as usual.
Nianxue and Xicha were in an awkward situation, so they could only watch Lanqin and Shiba leave while they stayed in the private room.
"This humble servant, Mao, greets Consort Niu and the Eighteenth Prince~" Upon entering, a woman dressed in a cherry-red Manchu-style dress bowed.
Lanqin quickly said, "There's no need for such formalities outside. Eighth Prince, aren't you afraid your wife will be jealous if you bring Princess Mao out?"
For some reason, Lanqin just wanted to tease the Eighth Prince. It is said that the Eighth Prince and his wife have an extremely good relationship. Among all of Kangxi's sons, the Eighth Prince has the fewest concubines. It seems that there is only this Mao Shi in front of him and another Zhang Shi.
Seeing that Madam Mao looked slightly embarrassed, Lanqin smiled and said, "Princess Mao, don't mind. I just like to joke around."
Eighth Master didn't mind at all. He simply made a gesture of invitation and said with a smile, "Today is her birthday. I have agreed, so I'll bring her out for a meal."
Upon hearing this, Mao blushed shyly.
Judging from this situation, the Eighth Prince clearly dotes on Lady Mao. What about his harmonious and respectful relationship with his wife? Can a man truly love one woman while never forgetting another?
Lanqin immediately buried these chaotic thoughts in her mind and smiled, "Then the Eighteenth Prince and I have disturbed the Eighth Prince and Princess Mao's enjoyment."
Mao immediately said humbly, "I have long heard of Consort Niu, but I have never had the chance to meet her. It is truly my good fortune to meet her today. I am not disturbing you at all. If anyone is disturbing you, it is I who have disturbed Consort Niu and the Eighteenth Prince's enjoyment."
Mao's mouth is so sweet, and she's beautiful too. No wonder Eighth Prince likes her.
Just think about the Eighth Prince's wife, Lady Guoluo. Does she know that her husband has brought his concubines out to eat?
Lanqin's impression of the Eighth Prince's wife can be summed up in two words: arrogant and haughty.
It is said that Guo Luoluo grew up in the palace from a young age, raised alongside the princesses. Because her maternal grandfather was Nurhaci's son, she was considered a direct granddaughter of the Aisin Gioro family.
Lanqin remained lost in thought until the Eighteenth Prince tugged at her sleeve under the table and hurriedly called out, "Sister-in-law, Eighth Brother is asking if you want to have some wine?"
Lanqin quickly snapped out of her reverie and said awkwardly with a smile, "Please forgive me, Eighth Master. I just remembered something. I won't drink anything today, please have some vegetables instead."
Eighth Master stared at Lanqin and said, "If you don't want to drink, then we won't. Eighth Brother, how are you feeling? Are you doing well staying at Fourth Brother's villa?"
Eighteen quickly replied, "Thank you for your concern, Eighth Brother. My brother is almost fully recovered, and with Sister-in-law's constant encouragement, I'm feeling much better."
Lanqin coughed suddenly, thinking to herself: A child is still a child; can't he see that Eighth Master is trying to trick him into revealing information?
Seeing that Lanqin was deliberately obstructing him, the Eighth Prince smiled and said, "Is Consort Lanqin's throat uncomfortable? Here's a herbal remedy that's very good for the throat. Why don't you order a cup to soothe your throat?"
Lanqin feigned ignorance and said, "Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Eighth Master. Why don't you order some of Princess Mao's favorite dishes? After all, today is her birthday. Princess Mao, if you don't mind, I'll give this to you as my 'birthday present'."
Lanqin took out a hairpin from her bosom. It was an ebony hairpin that she and Shiba had just picked out while browsing the shops.
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