When the carriage had gone so far that no one could see the people behind it, Lanqin looked at the Fourth Master, who was resting with his eyes closed, and asked, "Master? Are you asleep?"
The Fourth Master curled his lips into a barely perceptible smile and said, "You've barely made up for it."
Lanqin pouted and sighed, "We're back at the manor again. I didn't have much fun this time."
Fourth Master leisurely opened his eyes and said, "You already have two children, and you're still thinking about playing?"
Lanqin raised an eyebrow in displeasure and said, "I want to play with both children, is that alright?"
Fourth Prince looked at Lanqin and said with a sigh of relief, "It's fortunate that you spoke up in time. Otherwise, if Eighth Prince had confirmed that Consort Wang and her son were at my villa, it wouldn't have sounded good. Although Father Emperor wouldn't blame me, he would have thought that I hadn't handled things properly."
Lanqin nodded and said, "Fortunately, they didn't see it. Master, what were you and Eighth Master like when you were little?"
Lanqin thought to herself: Since sitting in the car is so boring anyway, I might as well chat with Fourth Master about their childhood gossip.
Fourth Master was taken aback and looked at Lanqin, saying, "You seem particularly curious about Eighth Prince?"
A bead of sweat rolled down Lanqin's forehead: Sigh, isn't she a little petty?
“No, if you don’t want to talk about it, then forget it. Tell me about your childhood, what were the Crown Prince and the First Prince like?” Lanqin asked.
"Eighth Brother has always been exceptionally good to everyone since he was a child, but I think it's impossible for one person to be that good to everyone." Fourth Master raised his hand, lifted the car window, and looked out.
Lanqin rested her chin on her hands, blinked her big eyes, and gestured for Fourth Master to continue.
"The Eighth Prince comes from the Wei clan, a lowly family. That's why he's afraid of being looked down upon, and he's nice to everyone. I can't stand that kind of kindness; it seems harmless, but in reality, it hides a lot of scheming. Now that Father has made him the head of the Imperial Household Department, I'm afraid many people in the palace will have to give him face." The Fourth Prince frowned and said.
Lanqin thought of a phrase: "Do good to others and expect something in return."
"I used to have a close friend who was incredibly kind to everyone, not just me. But when she needed our gratitude, she didn't hold back at all," Lan Qin said, referring to her original self, Lin Mengyao. She had a colleague who was very kind to everyone, and everyone enjoyed talking to her. However, this colleague started recommending life insurance to Lin Mengyao, which Lin Mengyao refused. As a result, the colleague instigated others to ostracize Lin Mengyao, which was utterly outrageous. Lin Mengyao realized that there are all sorts of relationships in life, and that she shouldn't consider such a person a friend.
"Eighth Prince is now praised as a virtuous man by many, both in and out of the court. I, your humble servant, disdain to seek such a reputation. I only follow Father Emperor's wishes, which has earned me the reputation of a cold-faced prince." A mocking smile appeared on Fourth Prince's lips.
Lan Qin sighed: So it turns out he wasn't indifferent; he just knew his reputation was bad, yet he still insisted on doing what he believed was right.
"What you've done, Father Emperor has seen it all, and justice will prevail in due time," Lanqin said unconsciously.
"Fairness? I don't care about fairness. I'm in this position, and I never forget the responsibilities I bear," Fourth Master said, somewhat agitated.
Seeing that even the usually calm Fourth Master was excited in front of her, Lanqin quickly said, "Master, perhaps one day you will be able to realize your dream."
She actually understands?
A glint of light shone in Fourth Master's eyes as he stared at Lanqin like a star.
This young woman always understood his thoughts, yet she never pressured him to give her any position. This was what the Fourth Prince liked most about Lanqin. For example, his wife, from the beginning, relied on the Ulanara family and never truly put her husband first; her mind was always on her family. And then there was Lady Li, who, when he favored her most, demanded rank and power, causing endless trouble with his wife. This young woman's position was given to her by him, and even when offered management duties, she refused to accept it.
"Master, Lanqin will silently support you from behind~~~" Lanqin leaned against Fourth Master's chest.
"What if the road to realizing this ideal is full of thorns?" Fourth Master never asked a woman such a question, because he never intentionally let a woman know his ideals. Lanqin understood it herself, not because Fourth Master told her.
“That road is unlikely to be smooth sailing, and given your status, it certainly won’t be smooth sailing,” Lanqin said.
"Alright, I'm not afraid of any obstacles. With Lanqin by my side, I won't feel lonely." The Fourth Prince tightened his embrace around the woman.
The carriage sped along, and when it arrived at the Fourth Prince's residence, the Fourth Prince dropped off Lanqin and the others, and then, without stopping, led Consort Wang and her son to the palace.
The news of Lanqin's return to the manor was just as astonishing as the news of her sudden departure. The only information they had gathered from the south courtyard was that Lanqin had gone to the other residence at the Fourth Master's behest, and that she hadn't fallen out of favor, which put their minds at ease. Now, hearing that Lanqin had already returned, they rushed over to inquire what had happened.
Lanqin was also very tired. She instructed the wet nurses to settle the two children, while she herself couldn't wait a moment longer and couldn't wait to fall asleep as soon as she hit the pillow.
When Madam Song and the others arrived, Lanqin was already asleep. Nianxue and the other maids didn't dare say anything, and could only tell Madam Song and the others to go back first, promising to inform Lanqin when she woke up.
I slept until evening. When I woke up, it was already dark outside.
"Nianxue, what time is it?" Lanqin asked the figure outside the gauze curtain.
"Reporting to Consort, it's almost 7 PM," Si Hua replied.
"It's already this late. Get up," Lanqin said, getting up.
Si Hua helped Lan Qin change her clothes. While combing her hair, Lan Qin asked, "Where's Nian Xue?"
As Si Hua combed Lan Qin's hair, she said, "Sister Nianxue was summoned by the Fujin (Madam)."
Lanqin frowned almost imperceptibly and asked, "What is it?"
Si Hua shook her head. Lan Qin pondered: Could it be that she's asking what I'm doing outside? Impossible, she knows she can't possibly get the answer.
"Did anyone come while I was asleep?" Lanqin asked again, "Besides the people from the Fujin's quarters."
"Princess Song, Princess Geng, and others have also come." Si Hua styled Lan Qin's hair into a double bun, adorned it with a jade bird hairpin, and then added a few delicate pearl flowers. Lan Qin had never liked heavy jewelry or wearing too many things; a head full of pearls and jewels looked gaudy.
“Oh, I didn’t tell my sisters when I left, I’m sorry to have worried them. Go, invite them to dinner. The master certainly won’t be back early today, he might be eating in the palace right now,” Lanqin said.
Si Hua agreed and helped Lan Qin put on another fox fur collared blouse before leaving.
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