Lanqin stayed at the Ling residence for fifteen days. The Fourth Master sent someone to pick them up. Cui Niang and the servants from the South Courtyard, along with Lanqin's luggage, had already gone over.
The Fourth Prince personally came to fetch her. After bidding farewell to Lingzhu and his wife, Lanqin let the Fourth Prince carry her into the carriage. From that day on, the Fourth Prince seemed even more willing to pamper Lanqin than before. Just look at the carriage that came to pick her up—it was actually a prince's carriage with a vermilion roof, the kind that the Fourth Prince and his wife were only allowed to ride in when entering the palace. Nestled in the Fourth Prince's arms, Lanqin looked up in surprise at his profile, only to see him looking down at her.
Lanqin smiled slightly, and when Fourth Master saw her smile, he also smiled slightly.
Fourth Master carried Lanqin to the carriage shaft, and then, with Su Peisheng's help, got into the carriage himself. Lanqin climbed inside and found it truly extraordinary; it was very spacious, enough to lie down and sleep. There were small cabinets on both sides of the carriage, and the seats were very thick and comfortable, clearly much more comfortable than other carriages.
"My lord, I can't sit at that table. I'll just sit here cross-legged." Lanqin teased, and indeed sat cross-legged in the middle of the carriage, with several layers of woolen cushions on the floor on both sides.
"It's just a seat, what's the big deal? Sit if you want." Fourth Master sat down and said, "There are things in the cabinets on both sides, why don't you open them and take a look?"
Lanqin smiled slyly and said, "I'm not going to sit down. Let me see what's in the cabinet first."
As soon as she spoke, Lanqin reached out and pinched the finely crafted round cabinet handle. With a gentle pull, she saw various small plates inside, each filled with pastries.
Lanqin glanced sideways at the Fourth Master, her expression indescribably charming and delicate. The Fourth Master's heart stirred at the sight, and he pulled Lanqin into his arms.
"Oh, Master!!" Lanqin said coquettishly, pouting as she nestled in Fourth Master's arms, gently patting his chest with her little hands.
"You're becoming more and more alluring!! I wish I could take you right now," Fourth Master said in a hoarse voice.
Lanqin's heart trembled. She sensed the change in Fourth Master's attitude towards her. He seemed to be more attached to her than before, and more indulgent towards her. For example, this carriage. He would never have overstepped the rules before, but now he took the initiative to let her enjoy it and prepared her favorite pastries in the carriage.
"Master, my back is still sore. You have to make it up to me!" Lanqin said sweetly, secretly pleased with the Fourth Master's favor.
Indeed, Lanqin loved the Fourth Prince's doting affection—it was boundless, reaching deep into her heart. What was a Fujin (Prince's wife) compared to that? A Fujin was likely a wife forced upon the Fourth Prince by Emperor Kangxi. She was a time-traveling woman; why should she adhere to the so-called Three Obediences and Four Virtues, truly treating herself like a concubine, trembling with fear before a Fujin? Yes, Lanqin's heart had changed, and this change had also sprouted in the Fourth Prince's heart. They exchanged a knowing smile, understanding each other perfectly.
"Then I'll compensate you with three sets of jewelry, okay?" Fourth Master affectionately lifted Lanqin's chin, then pressed his lips to her cherry-red lips. After saying that, Fourth Master personally opened the small cabinet on the other side, and there were three red lacquered plates inside, all covered with red cloth.
Lanqin casually lifted the lid and saw a set of gold-threaded kingfisher feather inlaid butterfly and flower hairpins. The workmanship was extremely exquisite. The colors on the butterflies fluttering among the flowers and the patterns on their wings were all vividly depicted. It was made of the finest silver with gold and kingfisher feather inlay, and it was clear that it came from the Imperial Household Department.
As the second red cloth was lifted, a set of gilded agate jewelry was revealed, but the flowers on it were all peonies, and each piece was inlaid with a ruby and sapphire the size of a little finger, making it truly priceless.
Lanqin smiled slightly, then lifted the second piece of red cloth, revealing a set of purple pearl jewelry. Purple pearls are rare to begin with, let alone this set where every pearl was perfectly round and of uniform size, making it truly exceptional.
Lanqin smiled and said, "Thank you for your generous gift, sir. But these are all too heavy, and I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to wear them for you to see."
Fourth Master sighed and said, "You keep a lot of the jewelry I gave you locked in a box. These are for you, just keep them. Wear them on appropriate occasions."
The two embraced and kissed deeply for a long time before letting go.
After Fourth Master and Lanqin boarded their carriages, Nianxue and Xicha accompanied the wet nurse, carrying Wuxiha and Xichen, in the two carriages behind. Next, Xinyi, Shuhui, and Chen Xiuzhu rode in one carriage. Dachun did not ride in a carriage but instead rode alongside Fourth Master's carriage, ready to receive his orders. The other accompanying maids rode in several carriages, and finally, everyone's luggage filled two carriages to the brim.
This line of people, good heavens, stretched out from the Lingzhu Mansion all the way for over a hundred meters. Seeing the lively scene at the entrance of the Ling Mansion, the surrounding neighbors stood in the corners talking, naturally filled with envy and anticipation.
The carriage caravan headed towards Fourth Master's villa in Changping. Because of the large number of people and their luggage, the caravan didn't travel very fast, and it wasn't until almost noon that they arrived. Lanqin had only eaten a little porridge for breakfast, and she was already very hungry.
"Master, what are these snacks? They're so delicious! Master, have a piece too!" Lanqin already had a piece in each hand, her mouth bulging with excitement.
"We're almost there. Master has already sent someone over ahead of time. I'm afraid lunch is already prepared. Eat a few pieces, or you won't have an appetite later." Fourth Master looked at the little woman's greedy appearance and thought to himself how he could be so infatuated with such a woman. Of the three sets of headdresses he gave her, Weiwei only glanced at them a few times and then lost interest, but she praised the pastries highly.
"Master, you said we're almost there, there's still at least half an hour left. Oh, right, take some food to Xinyi and the others, they must be starving," Lanqin said belatedly.
"Da Chun!" Lan Qin saw that this distant cousin was very good at handling things, and compared to Su Peisheng, he was much more convenient to get things done.
"Consort, your servant is here." Da Chun had already referred to himself as a servant.
"Go and take this plate of snacks to Shuhui and the others; they must be hungry." Lanqin rolled down the car window, took out a plate of yam cakes, and handed it to him.
"Yes, thank you for thinking of them, Consort." Da Chun deftly took the plate of pastries.
Su Peisheng, riding alongside the carriage, felt a slight unease upon seeing the concubine's cousin serving the Fourth Prince, but he didn't show it on his face. As Lanqin withdrew her hand, she inadvertently caught a glimpse of Su Peisheng's gaze towards Dachun, and was immediately startled, thinking: How could I have forgotten him? Dachun will likely displease him.
"Su Peisheng, take this plate to the wet nurse and the others." Lanqin casually picked up another plate of osmanthus cakes and handed it to Su Peisheng.
"Yes." When Su Peisheng heard Lan Qin mention him, he quickly tightened his grip on the horse's belly and urged it closer to the carriage.
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