The hunt ended three days later, and the princes returned to their residences with a bountiful harvest. Before returning, the Seventh Prince bid farewell to Xin Yi, the Tenth Prince to Shu Hui, and the Eighth Prince to Xiu Zhu. What they said is known only to themselves.
When the three princesses were sent back, each had different thoughts. Xinyi and Shuhui knew that Lanqin would help them, and that if nothing unexpected happened, they would each enter the harems of the Seventh and Tenth Princes respectively. Shuhui seemed the most secure, while whether Xinyi could be betrothed to the Seventh Prince as his primary wife remained to be discussed further. As for Chen Xiuzhu, she was surprisingly the happiest at this moment. Lanqin had specifically sought her out and told her that the Eighth Prince had already spoken to the Fourth Prince.
After seeing them off, Fourth Master stayed behind to keep Lanqin company, since there was nothing much to do at the beginning of the year anyway.
The palace was busy preparing for the imperial concubine selection, and he was too lazy to go back, so he simply stayed there to keep Lanqin company. Because in a while, he was afraid he would have to go on a military expedition with Emperor Kangxi, and then he probably wouldn't see her for a while.
Lanqin watched Xichen walking in the courtyard, led by a maid, and Wuxiha, who was sitting in her new baby walker, wearing a light pink jacket and pants, giggling and babbling as the maids teased him.
"Master, what are the arrangements for lunch? The master has already seen the guests back and is in the stable looking after the horses," Cui Niang reported.
"That's fine, just like the previous few days. I'm too lazy to think about it every time. Let's just do the same menu we discussed beforehand." Lanqin held a hand warmer and smiled at the two children in the yard. Although it was already spring, Lanqin still felt cold. She hadn't taken off her cotton robe yet, and was wearing a thin jacket over it, while holding the hand warmer in her hands.
Cui Niang agreed, and then asked, "Princess, this servant has something I would like to discuss with you, mistress."
Upon hearing this, Lanqin withdrew her gaze from Xichen and Wuxiha, turned her face to look at Cui Niang, and asked, "What is it?"
Cui Niang said somewhat embarrassedly, "My lady, I think my two brothers have been staying outside for several months now. Although you are kind, it's not good for them to just sit around doing nothing. It's a waste of their energy. So, I was thinking, could we let them come to this estate to help with the farming? They are farmers, and if they rest for too long, they might develop health problems."
Upon hearing this, Lanqin realized what it was about and readily agreed, "Alright, let's bring them in, and your mother too. You haven't seen them in a long time; it's time for a reunion."
When Cui Niang saw that Lan Qin agreed so readily without any hesitation, she couldn't help but feel grateful. Meeting Lan Qin was truly the greatest blessing of her life.
"Thank you, Master. My two brothers and I are willing to go through fire and water for you to repay your kindness in saving us and our family," Cui Niang said, kneeling down.
"Get up quickly, you know I don't like these things. Everything you do is for my benefit, I know that very well. So your loyalty should be reported accordingly." Lanqin pulled Cui Niang up and said, "It's just right, I'm afraid we'll all have to stay on this estate for a year or two. I'm worried about leaving your brother and mother outside, I'm afraid that person will have some other ideas."
Cui Niang was slightly startled and asked with concern, "Are we going to stay at this estate for two years?"
Lanqin realized she had let something slip. The Fourth Prince had only vaguely revealed some things to her, but had not mentioned them to anyone else, not even the primary wife of the main wife.
"Well, Aunt Cui, it's good that you know. Don't mention it to anyone else, including your brother. Just secretly plan to stay here for two years," Lanqin said.
Cui Niang agreed and then went to fetch her two brothers and mother.
At noon, Fourth Master returned from the stable. As soon as he entered, he said to Lanqin, "Your cousin is quite good. He was able to think of releasing the horses immediately. When he did that, he really suppressed the arrogance of Eighth and Ninth Brothers."
Upon hearing that he was referring to Dachun, Lanqin immediately suggested, "It's rare for the master to praise someone, so why not keep him by his side to serve?"
Fourth Master glanced at Lanqin, then ripped the black goose feather hat off his head and threw it onto the small table on the heated couch before sitting down.
"Alright, I had the same idea. He's already gone back with your cousin. After the selection, we'll bring him here to work for you. You can just tell him what to do." The Fourth Master's meaning was very clear.
"Thank you for promoting Dachun, sir. Please have lunch, sir." Lanqin gave Fourth Master a sweet smile.
Fourth Master nodded, and after lunch was served, the two of them naturally started to serve each other their own food, occasionally serving each other food as well. The servants retreated outside the room so as not to disturb their mealtime.
"Master, besides Dachun, I'd like to bring three more people in. They can help with the farming; it's not a very important thing," Lanqin said after putting a piece of fish into her mouth.
"Who are they? The farmers on my estate are all bondservants or Han Chinese from within my banner." Fourth Master put down his chopsticks and asked.
“It’s Cui Niang’s brother and her mother. Cui Niang’s brother has bought a property in the capital and lives with his mother. I see that many fields on the estate are still empty. Why don’t we find more people to come and cultivate them?” Lanqin said.
“Cui Niang’s brother is fine, but it’s a minor matter. However, I’m afraid it’s inappropriate for you to bring in people to farm. The Qing Dynasty has clearly stipulated that these fields can only be cultivated by servants of this banner, and it doesn’t say that servants of other banners can be allowed to cultivate them,” said the Fourth Master.
"I'm just making a suggestion. Whether it can be implemented is up to you to reconsider, Your Highness. Let's let Cui Niang's brother in first." Lanqin didn't want to discuss any strategies for governing the country with the Fourth Master right now.
Cui Niang overheard this from outside, and seeing that Fourth Master had no objections, she was so happy she didn't know what to say.
After lunch, the two read books together in the warm pavilion for a while, and then took a nap on the couch inside, still dressed.
Meanwhile, Xinyi, Shuhui, and Dachun returned to Lingzhu Mansion. Madam Anjia only pulled the two of them aside and asked them many questions. Xinyi respectfully told Madam Anjia about the wild game that Lanqin had brought her. Only then did she mention her and Shuhui's participation in the imperial concubine selection, as well as Xiuzhu's matter. Following Lanqin's instructions, she did not reveal a single word, and everything would be decided after the selection was completed.
Meanwhile, when Xiuzhu returned to her residence, she only said that she had accidentally injured her foot while hunting, without mentioning the matter of the Eighth Prince. Lanqin had instructed her to keep her mouth shut and to make arrangements during the imperial concubine selection, otherwise she would bear the consequences. Therefore, Chen Xiuzhu did not say anything to Xiao Anjia for the time being.
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