Fourth Master, Thirteenth Master, Cui Da and Cui Er, and Li Fang returned to the mansion. Five days had passed since they left. The remaining cleanup was left to Alhatu, who would send people to take the surviving laborers home. Fourth Master took nothing with him except the purple-gold wooden box and the letter.
When Su Peisheng saw Fourth Master walk in, he almost burst into tears. He rushed to greet him, but heard Fourth Master order, "Arrange a room for Li Fang and call a doctor to change Cui Er's dressing."
The Fourth Prince was busy writing a memorial to Emperor Kangxi, while the Thirteenth Prince took Li Fang to settle things, and Cui Ziran hurriedly went to fetch a doctor for Cui Er. Su Peisheng followed behind the Fourth Prince and cautiously said, "Sir, would you like some water to wash off the mud on your body?"
Fourth Master touched his chest and said, "Go fetch some water first. I'm going to my study, and no one is allowed to disturb me."
Seeing that the Fourth Master spoke so solemnly, Su Peisheng dared not say anything more and quickly agreed and withdrew.
Meanwhile, news of the Fourth Master's return had already reached Madam Nian. She had bribed some of the servants in the mansion to come and report as soon as the Fourth Master returned.
Upon receiving the report, Lady Nian immediately instructed Cuiling to dress and groom her.
"Princess, wear this light purple one. It makes you look incredibly beautiful," Cui Ling complimented. The Fourth Master had been away for the past few days, and Madam Nian's temper had been rather bad. She rarely scolded them, but she couldn't help but scold them several times.
"Alright, this one. Let me wear that pearl headdress with this purple dress; it will make me look elegant and radiant," said Madam Nian.
Following Madam Nian's instructions, several maids began to help her change clothes and do her makeup. Standing before the dressing table, Madam Nian's complexion was exceptionally good due to her pregnancy. She was also extremely skilled at beauty treatments, consuming white bird's nest daily and applying pearl powder to her face. Even though she was pregnant, she hadn't resumed these daily beauty rituals.
Lady Nian casually opened her dressing box and saw the jade bracelet wrapped in gold cakes that her wife had given her. She then took it out of the box and put it on her wrist.
Just imagining herself returning to the Fourth Prince's residence with a swollen belly, wondering what kind of expression the Princess Consort would have upon seeing her like this, Lady Nian felt happy just thinking about it.
"Princess, I've styled your hair into a traditional Chinese topknot, adorned with pearl hair ornaments. Take a look." Bi Rou was the most skilled hairstylist among the four maids; she was the one who styled most of Nian Shi's hair.
Ms. Nian withdrew her gaze from the jade bracelet wrapped in gold jewels on her wrist, looked up at herself in the bronze mirror, and saw that her hair was indeed styled differently than usual. The straight styling stretched the pearls across her head, showcasing their roundness and luster. Combined with Ms. Nian's naturally bright eyes and white teeth, and her skin as white as snow on a moonlit window, the beauty of the pearls complemented each other perfectly, making her truly extraordinary.
"Well done. A reward!" Madam Nian said with a rare smile.
"Thank you for your generous gift, Princess." Bi Rou quickly curtsied.
"Alright, Cuiling, is the bird's nest soup ready? Pour it into a porcelain bowl and help me go see Fourth Master. He hasn't been back for several days; I wonder if he's eating well while he's away," said Madam Nian.
Following Nian's instructions, Cui Ling brought out the bird's nest that was originally meant for her, and then helped Nian move forward.
As the mistress and servant walked out of the house and headed towards the front, Geng, from the east room, was sitting by the window embroidering. She had promised to make bibs for Nian's child and was now embroidering a pair of cloth tigers.
"Princess, look, Nian is going to Master's place. She can't wait any longer; Master just returned and she's already rushing over," said Lülan, standing beside Geng.
"You have no manners! You're just a maid; you shouldn't talk about the princess like that," Geng said without looking up.
"I just can't stand her hurried, eager manner. She's even carrying bird's nest in her hand. She must be really rich. I heard from Granny Luo that Princess Nian consumes bird's nest every day. She must be from a wealthy family; she's even more particular than the ladies in the palace," Green Lan said, mimicking Granny Luo's tone.
This remark amused Madam Geng, who pointed at Lülan's forehead and said, "Alright, you little rascal, your mouth has become increasingly sharp lately. Don't go out and cause trouble, understand? If something really happens, I can't protect you."
Seeing that Madam Geng was speaking seriously, Lülan quickly suppressed her smile and said, "This servant is only talking about Lele in front of you, how could I talk about it outside?"
Madam Geng nodded and said, "It's good that you know. The master has just returned, and it might not be a good thing for her to rush to see him like this. Our master doesn't like women who are eager to cling to people."
Green Lan nodded and said, "The princess also said that Princess Nian is eager to marry him."
Madam Geng smiled and glanced at Lülan a few times before continuing her embroidery. She said softly, "Lülan, prepare some of the kind of oil that I used to massage Master. He might come back today."
When Green Lan heard Geng say this, she immediately agreed happily.
As she embroidered, Madam Geng thought that Fourth Master had been away for several days and must need to relax. Her kneading technique was very suitable for people who were on the front lines of war. Although Fourth Master had not gone to the battlefield, he had not returned for five days in a row, so he had been away all the time.
Then, when Madam Nian, supporting Cui Ling, arrived at the Fourth Master's temporary study, they were blocked by Su Peisheng.
“Princess Nian, the master has ordered that no one is allowed to enter.” Su Peisheng said to Nian for the first time without a smile.
"Oh, Eunuch Su. Fourth Master just returned, why are you hiding in the study? You servant, don't try to play tricks on me. How is Master now? Is he tired?" Seeing that Su Peisheng's face was not smiling, Madam Nian felt a little annoyed.
“Princess Nian, please go back. The Fourth Master is indeed inside, and he personally instructed us not to allow anyone to enter. If you don’t have anything particularly urgent, Princess Nian, please go back first. The Master will come to find you when he’s finished with his business,” Su Peisheng advised.
Madam Nian had always had a smooth and successful life, and she had never seen a servant disobey her wishes like this before, so she was immediately displeased. However, Su Peisheng acted as if he didn't see it and still wouldn't allow them to come any closer.
After a brief standoff with him, Lady Nian flicked her sleeve and said, "Please trouble you, sir, to give this bird's nest to Fourth Master. I'll head back now."
Su Peisheng bowed respectfully and said, "Respectfully escorting Princess Nian back to her room."
Upon hearing this, Nian felt even more strongly that Su Peisheng was mocking her, so she flung her sleeves, stomped her feet, and left.
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