The heavy rains lasted for six days before finally stopping. The imperial court, through the Ministry of Works, had ordered the repair of river channels in all water-rich areas across the country. It also ordered the Fourth Prince, Eighth Prince, Ninth Prince, Tenth Prince, Thirteenth Prince, and Fourteenth Prince to accompany Emperor Kangxi to inspect the Yellow River in ten days. This decree surprised the Fourth Prince slightly; he hadn't expected Kangxi to personally go, but instead, he was personally inspecting the river with so many princes. However, the most favored Prince Zhi and the Crown Prince did not accompany him. The Crown Prince naturally stayed behind to oversee the state, while Prince Zhi personally escorted Princess Gulun Ailanzhu to marry the Dzungar Khanate. It was said that Ailanzhu's dowry nearly emptied half of Prince Zhi's mansion, demonstrating his deep affection for his beloved daughter. Prince Zhi and his wife had always had the best reputation for their relationship, which allowed him to send his eldest daughter away, showing that Kangxi held high hopes for this marriage alliance with the Dzungar Khanate. Although Prince Zhi was the first prince to be granted the title of prince, he had no choice but to obey Emperor Kangxi's order.
After the court session ended that day, the Fourth Prince had just turned to leave the Qianqing Palace when the Thirteenth Prince grabbed his arm from behind and said, "Fourth Brother, let's go have a drink!"
The Thirteenth Prince wore a handsome smile. He was now nineteen years old and still a bald prince. Although he was qualified to attend court and participate in government affairs, he basically had no real duties. This time, Kangxi had specifically named him, which could be considered a task.
The Fourth Prince patted the Thirteenth Prince on the shoulder and said, "Alright, you helped me a lot when we went to promote the copper bucket last time. I'll treat you to a drink today."
After changing out of their court robes, the two walked out of the Meridian Gate together and saw the carriages of the Eighth Prince and the Ninth Prince. They saw the princes talking in front of the Eighth Prince's carriage. When the Fourth Prince and the Thirteenth Prince walked over, they looked at them.
"Fourth Brother, where are we going? Why don't we come to my residence for a drink?" Peach Blossom Nine-Shoulder wore a dark purple casual dress, and because she resembled Consort Yi too much, her brows always had an overly feminine air about them.
"No need, I have other matters to attend to today. I'll trouble you another day," Fourth Master declined outright. In truth, Peach Blossom Nine knew that Fourth Master wouldn't visit his residence; his words were merely a polite formality.
“Fourth Brother, it’s my birthday in a few days. How about we brothers have a banquet? Ten days from now, even if I want to celebrate my birthday, I won’t have time,” said the Eighth Prince. He looked particularly pleasing in his brown robe.
Upon hearing this, the Thirteenth Prince agreed, saying, "Fourth Brother, Eighth Brother is right. Let's have a drink together before we set off."
Fourth Prince had no intention of holding any banquet, but seeing that Thirteenth Prince had said so, he nodded and said, "I'll go back and make some preparations, and in a few days I'll invite all the brothers to my residence for a drink."
The fourth prince and the third prince exchanged a few more words before each boarding their own carriages to return to their residences. The thirteenth prince's carriage followed the fourth prince, and the two carriages traveled along the blue brick road until they reached the Drunken White Pavilion, where they finally stopped. The two princes then alighted from their carriages after their respective personal eunuchs lifted the curtains.
Upon seeing the two distinguished guests arrive, the waiter at the door immediately bowed and greeted them with a beaming smile. Soon after, the innkeeper also came out to greet them. Led by him, the two went directly upstairs and into a private room by the window. The innkeeper, having seen countless people, naturally remembered their faces and dared not be negligent.
"Fourth Brother, order whatever you like. I just enjoy drinking good wine," the Thirteenth Prince said heartily. He was a regular at Zui Bai Lou.
"Just prepare a table according to his usual preferences," Fourth Master instructed the innkeeper standing to the side. The innkeeper nodded repeatedly and bowed as he withdrew. When Fourth Master had a cold face, there was an invisible pressure that made the innkeeper tremble involuntarily.
As soon as the innkeeper went down, he instructed the kitchen to immediately prepare some classic dishes according to the Thirteenth Prince's preferences and send them up. He dared not be careless in serving two princes of the court. Before long, a table full of dishes was served one after another.
"Fourth Brother, come, let me toast you with a glass of wine." The Thirteenth Master poured a glass of wine for the Fourth Master and then filled his own glass.
Fourth Master glanced at Thirteen and said, "Is there something you want to tell me?"
The thirteenth prince gave an awkward smile, tilted his head back, and downed a cup of wine.
"No one understands me better than my fourth brother. There's nothing I can hide from him," the thirteenth prince said.
"Alright, stop flattering me, what is it!" Fourth Master raised his hand, picked up his wine cup, and took a small sip.
"Fourth Brother, I plan to take Luo Ge with me this time." The Thirteenth Prince didn't dare to look at the Fourth Prince and stared at the dishes on the table.
"What? Nonsense!" Fourth Master recalled the night he met Thirteen here with Lanqin, and that beautiful courtesan was Luo Ge.
"I'm not being silly, Fourth Brother, can you help me?" The Thirteenth Prince quickly put his hands together and said.
"This time you're accompanying Father Emperor on his tour. Aren't you afraid people will gossip about this to Father Emperor?" Fourth Prince had always disapproved of Thirteenth Prince getting too close to a commoner courtesan, but Thirteenth Prince wouldn't listen to advice on this matter, and it was no use after several attempts to persuade him.
"I'm only taking one princess with me this time. Please, Fourth Brother, let Luo Ge be mixed into your inner circle and taken along, okay?" The Thirteenth Prince still wouldn't listen and continued to plead.
"Thirteenth Prince, when did you become so confused? Quickly put down these thoughts. What good will it do you if Father Emperor finds out I disagree? I'm afraid you'll just end up looking like a frivolous and dissolute person in his eyes," the Fourth Prince hurriedly said.
“Alas, I’m just a bald prince anyway, Father Emperor will never assign me any tasks.” The Thirteenth Prince suddenly said in a low voice, “Luo Ge and I are deeply in love, but just because of her lowly birth, we can’t be together openly. I’m taking her with me this time just to let Father Emperor see her, maybe I can win his favor, and then I can be with Luo Ge openly.”
The Fourth Prince was surprised that the Thirteenth Prince was so deeply in love with a courtesan, and for a moment he couldn't bear to say anything more. However, he still disagreed with what the Thirteenth Prince had said, and said, "Thirteenth Prince, don't be ridiculous. Luo Ge's status is too low. If you like her, you can keep her in your private residence. Why do you have to appear in front of everyone together? This is something that tarnishes the royal family. Father Emperor will definitely be very angry."
"Fourth Brother, I never expected you to say such a thing. Fine, I won't help you then. Farewell!" With that, the Thirteenth Prince stood up angrily and was about to walk away, but the Fourth Prince grabbed his arm.
“Thirteenth Brother, hiding Luo Ge is not impossible, but if you do this, I’m afraid that someone with ulterior motives will seize on it.” The Fourth Prince was worried that if the Eighth Prince and the Ninth Prince found out, they would definitely make a big fuss about it in front of Emperor Kangxi.
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