When the Fourth Prince arrived, his wife was watching Hongshi write in the side room. Little Hongshi, dressed in a light blue robe, was kneeling on a high-backed chair made of rosewood. He looked very serious, his hand holding the brush about a dozen centimeters above the rice paper, writing each character with measured precision.
The Fourth Prince walked behind Hongshi, gestured for his wife to be quiet, and then stood silently behind Hongshi watching him write. Hongshi was writing intently and didn't notice the Fourth Prince watching him from behind.
As the Fujin watched Hongshi's handwriting improve, she felt pleased. Seeing that he had been writing for a while, she said, "Your father is here. Hongshi, take a break."
At this moment, Fourth Master walked to Hongshi's side, patted his little crescent-shaped head, and said, "Not bad, the characters have form, but they still lack a bit of spirit. You are still young, and to be able to write like this is already much better than what your third brother wrote back then."
Hongshi knelt on the rosewood chair and bowed to the Fourth Master before the Fourth Master lifted him down from the chair.
"Go and rest for a while." Fourth Master touched Hongshi's little face.
"No, Father has come all this way, I want to stay with Father a little longer," said Xiao Hongshi, craning his neck expectantly. Fourth Master spent almost the entire winter at the other residence, so naturally Hongjun and Hongshi were neglected.
When the Fujin heard Hongshi say this, her eyes trembled slightly. She hadn't taught Hongshi to say such a thing. The Fourth Prince glanced at the Fujin subtly; it didn't seem like she had taught him.
"Hongshi, be good. Father will try to come see you more often." Fourth Master said, looking at Hongshi's innocent and naive face. But he knew in his heart that these words were probably just to comfort the child. Not to mention that he didn't like coming to the main courtyard, he would be busy for the next year or two preparing for the upcoming war to quell the Dzungar rebellion. Where would he find the time to cultivate a father-son relationship with Hongjun and Hongshi?
"Hongshi, your father has something to attend to. Why don't you go down and rest for a while?" the Fujin said to Hongshi.
Hongshi glanced at the Fourth Prince with slight disappointment, then let Lingxiu lead him out. Only the Fourth Prince and his wife remained in the room. It had been a long time since the two had been alone like this. In the past, when the Fourth Prince still came, his wife often wrote calligraphy here.
"Does the Princess Consort still write often?" The Fourth Prince was slightly embarrassed, but he didn't leave immediately, so he asked casually.
"Yes, I enjoy calligraphy. Calligraphy can calm the mind and reduce desires, and it can also temper my will," the Princess Consort said, slightly excited. This was the first time the Fourth Prince had spoken to her like he always had.
“Hongshi’s handwriting is quite good; you must have taught him. He’s still young, so pay attention to his studies and marriage,” Fourth Master said. He didn’t want to raise another child as rigid as Honghui.
"Yes, Your Highness, I will remember your teachings." The princess bowed respectfully. Although the Fourth Prince's words seemed to be a reprimand, at least he was willing to communicate, which was much better than ignoring her.
"Let's pick a suitable day for the two new recruits to come in," Fourth Master said.
"My lord, would you like to see the portraits of the two new princesses?" the Fujin said.
"Hmm. Let me take a look." Fourth Master then left the side room and walked into the main room.
The princess immediately took two rolls of paper from the drawer of the rosewood square table and then followed her out.
Qiu Chan had already served tea to the Fourth Prince. Seeing that the Fourth Prince was sitting on the main couch drinking tea, the Princess Consort quietly moved over.
"My lord, the two new ladies are Meng Yun from the Manchu Banner Yehenara clan and Nian Shilan, the sister of Nian Gengyao from the Han Banner. Both are beautiful and talented women," the Fujin said, suppressing a pang of bitterness in her heart. She then handed the scroll in her hand to the Fourth Prince.
Fourth Master took them and opened them one by one, but he did not show any surprise, even when he saw Nian Shi's stunning beauty.
The princess subtly glanced at the fourth prince's expression, unable to discern which woman he preferred.
"Master, my two younger sisters have arrived, and we need to arrange accommodations for them. I don't know what kind of people they are, but there are still empty rooms in the West Courtyard and the North Courtyard, so perhaps..." The Fujin (Prince's wife) planned to arrange for Nian Shi to stay in the West Courtyard and Yehe Shi to stay in the North Courtyard.
"Those rooms next to yours are all vacant, right? Have someone clean them up, and then take some things from the master's storeroom and put them there. They'll be for Lady Nian. Lady Yehe will be arranged to stay in the north courtyard. Just rearrange the rooms over there as well," the Fourth Prince interrupted his wife's arrangements.
The princess was startled. What did the Fourth Prince mean by this? Arranging for Lady Nian to live in the courtyard next to the main courtyard? So that's where Yan Yu used to live! And taking things from his storeroom to decorate the room, this shows he values her very much.
"Does the Princess Consort have any objections?" The Fourth Prince asked, noticing the Princess Consort's surprised expression and lack of response.
"No, no. I'm just a little surprised. Lady Nian hasn't even arrived yet, and you're already treating her so well, you're truly blessed," the Princess Consort said, feeling a mix of surprise and bitterness. Although Lady Nian's favor would certainly diminish Lanqin's own, what did the Fourth Prince mean by placing her right under his nose?
“Nian Gengyao is someone the Master relies on. His sister has already been betrothed to him, so naturally we can’t neglect her. When she arrives, you can teach her manners properly. Yehe is said to be very talented, so she probably isn’t one to enjoy crowds. Let her keep Yu Ning company.” The Fourth Master used the lid of his teacup to scrape the tea leaves floating in the teacup.
"Yes, Your Highness, I will arrange everything properly." The princess replied cautiously. "And what are Your Highness's thoughts on the rewards for the two new princesses?"
"Lord Nian will bestow two sets of headdresses, one gilded and one pearl; Lady Yehe will receive one pearl set. As for the other wives, you may decide for yourselves how to bestow them," the Fourth Prince said, taking a sip of tea and setting down his teacup.
"Yes. Then let's set the day after tomorrow for the new princess to enter the manor. The third day of the second lunar month is an auspicious day." Seeing that the matter was almost settled, the Fujin quickly brought up the most important thing.
"Very good. When they arrive, set out a feast in the main courtyard as usual. The old rules." Fourth Master stood up, seeing that he had finished explaining the matter.
"I will make all the arrangements perfectly for you, my lord. I respectfully see you off," the princess said, bowing.
"Princess Consort, there's no need for such formality. Please rest. I'm going back now," the Fourth Prince said, softening his tone slightly upon seeing how polite his wife was.
"I'll rest after you've left, sir," the princess insisted.
The Fourth Prince didn't say anything more, glanced at his wife, and then walked away with his long legs up.
After the Fourth Prince left the main room, the Princess Consort straightened her bent legs and stood up. Looking at that figure, she felt a deep emptiness in her heart. It seemed that his heart had drifted further and further away, and would never be here again.
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