Cui Da and Cui Er watched as Madam Nian sat close to the Fourth Prince, occasionally giving them disdainful looks, which made them feel uneasy. They didn't know that this clingy concubine was Nian Gengyao's sister, assuming she was just using her seductive appearance to bewitch the Fourth Prince.
This was the first time Cui Da and Cui Er had dined at the same table with Fourth Master. They were already much more refined than usual, but they still drew a look of disdain from Madam Nian.
"Master, who are these two people?" Madam Nian finally couldn't help but ask. She recognized the Thirteenth Master. She didn't understand why the Fourth Master would let those two rude people eat at the same table. Moreover, they didn't look like high-ranking officials or nobles at all. Judging from their eating habits, they were no different from lowly peasant slaves.
"They are the master's subordinates, and the master values them highly." Fourth Master was already used to not having servants to serve him and eating by himself. Seeing Cui Da and Cui Er eating with relish, he couldn't help but think of the little woman's appearance when she first dined with him. It must have been more than four months since then.
Upon hearing that the person was a subordinate and indeed not an important figure, Lady Nian said reluctantly, "My lord, I have no appetite just looking at how they eat. I don't need any more."
Cui Da was a little unhappy. He was an honest man and didn't like to read other people's faces, so he said to the Fourth Master, "Master, I've eaten my fill, so I won't stay here any longer."
Cui Er also put down his bowl and chopsticks.
Seeing Nian Shi's attitude, Thirteen was also displeased. He had been investigating the reduced yield of fertile land with Cui Da and Cui Er these past few days, and they got along very well, often dining and chatting together. He had long since put aside his identity as a prince.
Fourth Master frowned: "You're full before you've even finished a bowl of rice?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Nian knew that Fourth Master had just complained to her about Cui Da and Cui Er's unseemly eating habits.
Geng had remained silent the whole time, only offering a toast to both Fourth Prince and Nian at the beginning. Seeing the awkward atmosphere, she quickly stepped in to smooth things over: "Sister Nian is pregnant for the first time, so she's bound to be a little delicate. Brother Cui shouldn't hold it against a young lady like her. What the Consort values in Brother Cui is his straightforwardness and his honest and simple nature, isn't that right?"
When Cui Da and Cui Er saw that Madam Geng had mentioned Lanqin and praised her, they were already feeling embarrassed. Besides, although they didn't really like the little woman sitting next to the Fourth Master, they couldn't refuse to give the Fourth Master face.
"Hehe, I, Cui Da, am a rough man. Please don't take offense, Princess Nian." Cui Da picked up a bowl of wine. "Now that Princess Nian is pregnant, I, Cui Da, wish you a safe and healthy pregnancy and childbirth for Fourth Master." After saying that, he raised the cup of wine in front of him to Princess Nian.
Seeing this, Mr. Nian knew he couldn't continue to act coy, so he patiently picked up his wine glass and responded, but only touched his lips to it.
Of course, Fourth Master didn't pour her any wine; Nian's cup only contained tea.
When Thirteen saw that Nian Shi wouldn't even drink tea with Cui Da, he felt even less liking for her.
"Fourth Brother, I think Alhatu is quite straightforward. Will he be able to help us secretly do that thing this time? Fourth Brother, why do you seem so unhappy as soon as you come out?" Thirteenth Brother was too lazy to watch Nian Shi act coquettishly in front of Fourth Master, so he changed the subject and said.
"Now is the time to celebrate Shilan's unborn child, let's not talk about official business." The Fourth Prince refused to discuss these matters of the court.
“What’s the big deal? When the concubine was around, I thought Fourth Brother spoke quite well.” Thirteenth Brother then revealed his true intention in bringing this up deliberately. Sure enough, upon hearing this, Lady Nian’s expression subtly changed. She hadn’t thought much of what Fourth Prince had said earlier, assuming he didn’t want her to worry. But now, it seemed Fourth Prince confided everything to the concubine, yet avoided mentioning court affairs when it came to her. Furthermore, Lady Nian herself wanted to know about Fourth Prince’s court affairs so she could consider whether she could use this opportunity to help him and improve her standing in his eyes. But now, Fourth Prince didn’t even want to mention it.
Fourth Master immediately saw through Thirteen's intention, glared at him and said, "I see you've had too much to drink, hurry back and get some rest. I'm a little tired too, let's call it a day."
Lady Nian originally wanted to say that she had also read books for men in the past and might not be unable to understand them, but as soon as the Fourth Master said this, everyone dispersed.
"Shilan, you're newly pregnant, you should go back and rest. I won't stay with you today," Fourth Master said to Madam Nian.
Geng Shi had already turned around, supporting Lü Lan, and was about to return to her room when she heard Fourth Master say something to Nian Shi.
Lady Nian looked at the Fourth Prince with mournful eyes. She couldn't believe that he wouldn't spend the night with her. He should at least comfort her tonight.
"I have too many things to do today and I'm tired. Go back to the front and rest. You can stay in the north room." The Fourth Master said this without paying attention to Madam Nian's gaze, and then turned and left. Su Peisheng looked at him and immediately followed the Fourth Master.
Only Madam Nian, Madam Geng, Mama Luo, and some servants remained at the scene. Madam Geng awkwardly said to Mama Luo, "Mama Luo, please remove all of these quickly."
Madam Luo exclaimed "Hello!" and immediately directed the servants to clear away the dishes, glancing at Madam Nian every now and then.
Seeing that Madam Nian's expression was not good, Cui Ling had no choice but to pull Bi Rou along and help Madam Nian up, saying, "Princess, let's go back to the north room. We've already prepared the water for you to wash."
Lady Nian never expected that Fourth Master would do this to her at the end, especially in front of Lady Geng and Mama Luo. It was like a slap in the face. Why would he do this? He was clearly happy; she was pregnant with his child, and he even said this was a celebratory banquet for her. How could he be so disregard for her dignity?
For the first time, Nian Shilan began to doubt the favor the Fourth Prince bestowed upon her. If it weren't for Cui Ling and Bi Rou supporting her, she felt she would have collapsed.
Watching Lady Nian walk towards the north room supported by two maids, Lülan couldn't help but sneer, "Princess, even this servant can't see clearly whether Master is praising her or beating her."
Geng turned around, a faint smile appearing on her lips, almost imperceptible, and said, "How could you possibly fathom the master's thoughts? Let's go back to our room."
Before long, Lady Nian had been helped to rest by her maids, but the Fourth Prince arrived at Lady Geng's room. After talking with the Thirteenth Prince for a while, he returned to the inner quarters and entered Lady Geng's room.
The Fourth Master let Madam Geng massage his limbs for a while, and then settled him down with her.
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