"It's useless. Just because they put a little extra powder in those five-colored pills, it's not convincing enough to say they wanted to harm Wuxiha. It'll be just like what happened with the Third Prince last time," Lanqin sighed.
"So you're just letting her act recklessly like this, failing and then trying again? Poor Zhou Mama, she's been dragged into this for no reason," Song Shi said, glancing at the servant. Sure enough, a hint of resentment and anger flashed across his face. It was no wonder he was so upset; his sister was doing a good job as a wet nurse in the concubine's courtyard, but suddenly this happened, and she lost such a good position.
“There was no other way. Zhou Ping, I had no choice but to let your sister go back. I saved her life. If it were back then, Master would have ordered her to be beaten to death,” Lan Qin said.
"Thank you, Consort. This servant understands. This servant only hates that some people have no conscience, even harming such a young child." Zhou Ping said, concealing the resentment in his eyes.
"Cui Niang, get Zhou Ping a purse," Lan Qin suddenly said to Cui Niang beside her.
"This servant thanks Consort Lan for her generous gift. This servant will keep a close eye on things from now on, and if anything goes wrong, I will inform Consort Lan immediately," Zhou Ping hurriedly knelt and thanked her. At this moment, he naturally did not blame Lan Qin for being heartless and driving away his sister. On the contrary, he was grateful to Lan Qin, otherwise his sister's life would have been in danger.
After Nianxue led Zhou Ping out, Song looked at Lanqin, and Lanqin felt a little uncomfortable.
"What's wrong? Is there a flower growing on my face? Why are you staring at me like that, sister?" Lanqin said with a smile.
"Sister, you've played this move brilliantly. Zhou Ping will be your eyes in the kitchen from now on. Anyone who tries to cause trouble there won't escape your notice. Besides, the other party is completely ignorant and has no evidence. That's why I say you've played this move extremely well," Song Shi praised. Lan Qin was gradually achieving what Song Shi herself couldn't, and Song Shi's admiration for Lan Qin's skills grew stronger.
"This was an accident. I only found out that she had a younger brother in the kitchen when I was chatting with Granny Zhou. She mentioned her brother when I sent her away that day. That's why I made this arrangement today," Lanqin said.
"So you deliberately summoned him to the South Courtyard, and even had me cooperate with you to stage this scene in front of him, so that he would feel grateful to the Consort and utterly despise the person who instructed Chef Huang, thus making him loyal to you," said Madam Song.
“Sister is half right. This wasn’t orchestrated by me; it’s just the truth. It seems some people have never given up,” Lanqin sighed.
"Alas, it's true that the tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease! As long as she remains in the position of the Fujin (principal wife), we must be extremely careful. Otherwise, we don't know how she could have killed us!" Madam Song felt a lingering fear. The family banquet during the Mid-Autumn Festival had such a pleasant atmosphere, yet she never expected that such a huge conspiracy was hidden within it.
“Sister, she and I are already at odds,” Lanqin said, raising her hand to stroke her belly. She knew in her heart that this pregnancy was probably another daughter. After all, Qianlong was born in the 50th year of Kangxi’s reign, which was still three and a half years away.
“If this baby is a prince, she will probably be even more restless,” Madam Song said worriedly, looking at Lanqin’s belly.
“Whether she’s a woman or a man, she won’t tolerate me. As long as Master cares about the South Courtyard, she will never truly have peace,” Lanqin said.
"It seems that Lady Yehe has been receiving a lot of favor from the master lately. Are you and the master alright?" Madam Song asked.
"Sister, have you noticed anything different about Yehe Shi than before?" Lanqin recalled what the Fourth Master had told her.
"She suddenly lost a lot of weight before, but has recovered recently. She doesn't seem to have any problems and remains as gentle and quiet as before, just like Yehe Shi. Although she has won the favor of the Fourth Prince, she hasn't become spoiled. If she is truly favored, at least she won't be as arrogant as Nian Shi!" said Song Shi.
"Sister, have you ever heard the saying, 'A dog that doesn't bark can bite the hardest'?" Lanqin recalled how she had been drugged with musk without her knowledge, and how Wuxiha had almost been assassinated. Now, she couldn't help but be vigilant. If she continued to act foolishly as before, she feared she might even lose her child!
"You mean Yehe appears gentle on the outside but is actually ruthless on the inside! It's all just an act!" Song said.
"Her sudden rise to favor might have some reason we don't yet know," Lanqin said.
As they talked, they felt a little bored. Looking at the summer sun outside, although it was hot, it was very tempting to go outside for a walk!
"Why don't we go out for a walk? We're stuck here all day, we're getting bored to death!" Lanqin said.
“Your belly looks scary, you have to be careful,” said Madam Song.
The two women each brought their own maids. Lanqin brought two maids, Nianxue and Xicha.
Song accompanied Lanqin as they walked into the courtyard, where the summer flowers were blooming in vibrant colors under the scorching sun.
"Qin'er, look at those in the water, aren't they mandarin ducks?" Madam Song pointed to a pair of water birds in the water.
Lanqin held Nianxue's hand, looked at her carefully, and said happily, "Yes! Her fur is so beautiful and vibrant."
At this moment, a woman walked out from the other side; it was Madam Nian and her two maids.
"This concubine greets Consort Lanqin!" Lady Nian said, bowing in surprise at encountering Lanqin.
“Princess Nian has also come out,” Lanqin said with a smile.
"It's so boring staying indoors. Let's come out and look at the flowers and water birds to pass the time!" Mrs. Nian said nonchalantly.
“Girl Nian is so beautiful, how could she lose to the Yehe clan?” Lanqin said deliberately.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, the jealousy and resentment in Nian's heart could no longer be concealed.
"That vixen, I don't know what tricks she used. The Master never treated her like this before. Consort, that bastard wasn't here, and she shamelessly went to the Master's side, trying to seduce him right in front of us! She's utterly shameless!" Lady Nian looked annoyed. That bastard's dance was meticulously rehearsed for the Fourth Master's performance, but Lady Yehe stole her thunder. If it weren't for Wuxiha's incident, the Fourth Master would probably have been bewitched and gone to her room again!
Lanqin smiled and said, "I just lament that Princess Nian entered the manor at the same time as her, and her looks and family background were both superior to hers, yet she has fallen behind her now. It's truly a pity. Come on, Sister Song, let's go take a look over there!"
After saying that, Lanqin took Song's hand and went that way, ignoring Nian.
"Sister, are you trying to provoke Nian Shi and make her restrain Yehe Shi?" Song Shi apologized.
“That’s right, the Nian family is the only one who can keep her in check right now,” Lan Qin said.
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