It took the Fourth Prince and his entourage three days to reach Tianjin Prefecture. Along the way, the Fourth Prince and Su Peisheng rode in one carriage, while Madam Wang and Madam Geng each rode in their own carriage with their maids. Just like last time, the official road was shrouded in yellow dust, and after three days, everyone looked as if they had taken a bath in mud, covered in dirt and grime.
Upon arriving at the Tianjin Prefecture post station, Fourth Master instructed Su Peisheng to make arrangements for Madam Wang and Madam Geng before going to take a bath. Madam Wang, always vain and believing herself to be exceptionally beautiful, initially disregarded Madam Geng, despite her presence with her.
Wang had made up her mind: she wanted to get pregnant with Fourth Master's child during this trip with him, so that she would have a reliable asset in the future.
When her personal maid, Zhuyun, helped her into the room assigned to her, Madam Wang said to another maid, Die'er, "Go quickly to the kitchen and get water and a bucket. I need to take a bath. I've been smelling terrible for the past three days."
Zhu Yun was a maidservant brought in by Madam Wang as part of her dowry, so she naturally knew Madam Wang's plan. She said to Die'er, "Go quickly and ask the kitchen if they have any milk or mare's milk, and ask them for some as well."
After putting down her bundle, Die'er hurried to the inn's kitchen.
Zhu Yun helped Wang Shi sit down, then went to her side and massaged her neck. Although she was just a maid, she hoped that Wang Shi could regain the Fourth Master's attention as soon as possible. You see, serving an unfavored master meant that servants like them were constantly being humiliated and had to be mindful of others' feelings. Therefore, Zhu Yun really hoped that Wang Shi could regain favor.
"Princess, it is said that bathing in milk or mare's milk can make your skin as smooth as silk. This servant will serve you a bath later," Zhu Yun said ingratiatingly.
"Hmm, later change me into that pink rose-colored dress, and pick a more exquisite headdress for me to wear." Madam Wang was still very confident in her good looks.
"Don't worry, Princess, I will make sure you look radiant. Humph, that Geng woman is plain-looking, yet she dares to compete with you, Princess. She's really overestimating herself." Zhu Yun said, picking out words that Wang Shi wanted to hear.
In a room not far from them, Madam Geng was sending Shuang'er to fetch water from the kitchen. Lülan was making her bed, while Madam Geng herself sat to the side, lost in thought.
"Princess, I'll help you take a bath and change your clothes later. Now, the master might call you to serve him at any time." Lülan was also a maid who came with Geng Shi as part of her dowry. She had watched her princess sit on the sidelines ever since she entered the Fourth Prince's mansion. She could bear the mistreatment she suffered outside, but even Wu Shi in the courtyard often bullied Geng Shi.
"With someone like Wang around, how can I possibly get ahead?" Geng said quietly.
“Princess, there’s no need to criticize yourself. Although Lady Wang is beautiful, she is still not favored by the master.” As soon as Green Orchid said this, she realized that she had misspoke. Wasn’t she implying that Lady Geng was not favored by the Fourth Prince?
Seeing that Lülan was nervous, Madam Geng smiled calmly and said, "I have never been favored, you are right. But I don't want to remain silent like this. The fact that Master brought me out means that I still have a chance."
Seeing that Madam Geng did not seem to blame her, Lülan immediately went to the round table, poured her a cup of tea, and handed it to her, saying, "Princess, cheer up. I believe that your perseverance over the years will surely pay off."
While the two princesses were each plotting how to use this outing to attract the Fourth Prince's attention, our Fourth Prince had no such intentions at all. After taking a bath, he, along with the Thirteenth Prince, Su Peisheng, and several guards, went to the Tianjin Prefectural Governor's residence.
The Fourth Prince was carrying out an official edict from Emperor Kangxi, so the task wasn't particularly difficult, just quite demanding. In each place he visited, he had to organize the exchange of copper buckets for iron buckets and urge the local authorities to begin immediately. This meant he'd stay in each place for at least six or seven days, and visiting seven prefectures would take a month and a half. Adding travel time, the trip would easily take two months.
Although the Tianjin Prefect had already received the official notice from the palace, he was still taken aback to see the two princes arrive so quickly. He immediately smiled and led the two princes into the inner room.
By the time Fourth Master returned to the post station, it was already late afternoon. Su Peisheng greeted him at the entrance and, seeing Fourth Master's sullen face, thought to himself: This errand is definitely not going to go smoothly. "Princess Wang, don't blame me for taking your money and not speaking to you."
"Fourth Brother," the Thirteenth Prince said, "that Lord Chen just invited you to stay at his estate and even wanted to hold a welcome banquet, but you declined both. I'm afraid it might arouse their suspicion." He wasn't saying the Fourth Prince was heartless, but he worried that such a cold and aloof approach would only discourage the local officials from currying favor, and instead lead to deliberate passive resistance. He knew the Fourth Prince's temperament; he was intolerant of any flattery or obsequiousness. However, that's how things are among officials these days—as the saying goes, things are easier to do over drinks. He worried that the Fourth Prince's actions might actually hinder the Emperor's policy of "replacing the iron bucket with a bronze one."
"We didn't come here for food and drink. Whether he has any doubts is none of my business. But if he dares to deliberately delay the implementation of Father Emperor's decrees, then I will hold him accountable for dereliction of duty." Fourth Prince said mercilessly. "Thirteenth Prince, we must not pander to these people over the years. Alright. I have my own plans. You go back and rest first, and come with me tomorrow morning."
Su Peisheng followed the Fourth Master back to his room and had a eunuch bring him water and a towel to wash up.
"Master, shall I bring you your dinner?" he asked cautiously. Su Peisheng was truly shrewd; he could tell from the Fourth Master's expression and tone whether he had eaten at the Tianjin Prefectural Governor's office or not.
Sure enough, the Fourth Master grunted in acknowledgment, then sat down at the long table and began to write something.
Normally, the kitchen at this post station was quite quiet. By late afternoon, they would have already washed the pots and sealed the stoves, leaving only the water boiler running. But with the arrival of the Fourth Master and the Thirteenth Master, they naturally became more cautious than usual.
When Su Peisheng led the young eunuch to the kitchen of the post station, the head eunuch was already preparing to leave. However, upon seeing them arrive, he immediately bowed and went to greet them, "Grandpa Su, are you here to fetch water for the master?"
Su Peisheng glanced at them and said in a very official tone, "Fourth Master and Thirteenth Master haven't eaten yet. Hurry up and make a few dishes, two of each. Is there any soup?" He was certain that Thirteenth Master hadn't eaten yet either, so he ordered Thirteenth Master's meal as well.
The eunuch in charge dared not delay and immediately ordered people to get to work.
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