Liang Jiugong immediately turned around and took a few steps, then said to one of the eunuchs following behind him, "Hurry up and go to the imperial tent to have him kneel and pay his respects to the Prince and the officials. Also, tell the Fourth Prince that 'His Majesty will send someone to escort Princess Niu back.'"
The young eunuch acknowledged, immediately turned around, rolled up his sleeves, lowered his head, and quickly walked towards the imperial tent.
Meanwhile, inside the imperial tent, Peach Blossom Nine was teasing the Fourth Prince. She said, "Fourth Brother is truly blessed to have taken in such a princess. Even Father Emperor looks at her with special regard. I admire him greatly!"
Fourth Master picked up his teacup, took a sip with an inscrutable expression, seemingly ignoring Ninth Master's words.
Ninth Master's face immediately turned pale. He thought Fourth Master would at least say something, but the other man completely ignored him. He could only snort and take a big gulp of the tea that the servants had brought.
The result~~
"Which damned servant brewed this tea? Is he trying to scald me to death?!" The Ninth Prince slammed the teacup onto the table, spilling a full cup of tea.
The Fourth Prince's lips curled slightly as he said, "He deserves this for his sharp tongue. It might not be good for Ninth Brother to act this way in front of Father Emperor."
At this moment, Eighth Master suddenly said, "Ninth Brother, you just accidentally dropped your teacup on the table, disturbing Fourth Brother. Hurry up and apologize."
Ninth Master said no more, his voice filled with resentment. Fourth Master glanced at Eighth Master beside him and said slowly, "Eighth Brother has a sharp eye; he even noticed whether he was just being careful or not!"
Faced with the princes' chatter, the ministers dared not interrupt and could only pretend not to hear. Then, a young eunuch entered, lifting the curtain, and announced to everyone, "His Majesty has decreed that all the princes, nobles, and officials must kneel and pay their respects. His Majesty also said he will send someone to escort Princess Niu back!"
Meanwhile, Kangxi and Lanqin stood on a raised earthen mound, gazing at the somewhat hazy crescent moon in the sky, remaining silent for a long time.
"Your Majesty, it's a bit chilly here. Why don't I accompany you downstairs?" Lanqin stopped referring to herself as "this concubine." She knew that Kangxi must be thinking of someone at this moment. Didn't people in ancient times always like to gaze at the moon and think of their loved ones? Looking at this vigorous old man, who was not yet sixty but was almost the same age as Lin's father, her heart softened inexplicably.
"My third princess must also be gazing at this crescent moon!" Kangxi said silently without moving.
Lanqin tried hard to recall information about Kangxi's third daughter. It seemed to be Princess Rongxian Gulun, who was married off to the Borjigit tribe of Mongolia by Kangxi. Her birth mother was Consort Rong, of the Majia clan!
Thinking of this, Lanqin understood that Kangxi was missing his beloved daughter, so she immediately replied, "Princess Rongxian would surely be very gratified to know that Your Majesty misses her so much. If Your Majesty really misses the princess, you can arrange for her to visit her family!"
Emperor Kangxi did not respond. After a long while, he sighed and said, "She is no longer alive. My most beloved Third Princess is gone."
Lanqin's expression changed slightly, and she immediately lowered her head nervously, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, Lanqin did not know that Princess Rongxian..."
"It's not your fault. You are now the second person in the Qing Dynasty to know that Rongxian is no longer here!" Kangxi murmured.
The second person to know! Lanqin was utterly astonished, for Princess Rongxian had just passed away, and this news had just reached Kangxi!
"Am I the most cruel father in the world?" Kangxi said emotionally, it was unclear whether he was asking Lanqin or Heaven!
Lanqin thought for a moment, swallowed, and said, "The Emperor is the most cruel father I have ever met, but he is also the most compassionate father I have ever met!"
When Liang Jiugong heard Lanqin say the first half of her sentence, his heart clenched, fearing that her words would displease Kangxi. After all, the emperor's heart was the most unpredictable thing in the world; he might admit to being cruel, but he would never allow his subordinates to say so. However, Lanqin's subsequent words made Liang Jiugong secretly admire this young princess.
"Hehe, continue!" Kangxi stood with his hands behind his back, his back to Lanqin.
"For the sake of the Qing Dynasty, Your Majesty has ensured that millions of your people live in peace and prosperity under your rule, allowing countless daughters to grow up under your parents' care. Therefore, Lanqin believes Your Majesty is the most compassionate father in the world. However, to protect the children of the common people, Your Majesty has sent the princesses away from the Qing Dynasty to marry into foreign lands. Lanqin privately believes this is indeed somewhat cruel to the princesses. If there is another way, Lanqin hereby begs Your Majesty to consider another solution for the princesses of the Qing Dynasty, so as not to cause pain to Your Majesty and Rongxian!" Lanqin only dared to say these words after mustering all her courage. After speaking, seeing that Kangxi remained silent, she felt a little uncertain.
Liang Jiugong was also sweating nervously. What the little princess had said was indeed true, but the Emperor was currently immersed in the grief of losing his daughter. If he were to accidentally anger the Emperor, he feared...
"If there were a way, I would never want to send my daughter and granddaughter away again. Girl, do you know why I asked you to stay with me?" Kangxi's voice sounded somewhat sorrowful. Lanqin looked at this emperor, who was admired and praised by later generations, with emotion, but she felt helpless and sighed in her heart! Everyone says that the emperor is good, but not everyone can bear the responsibilities of the emperor.
"I am unaware, Your Majesty. Please enlighten me," Lanqin said respectfully.
"Because you remind me of my third princess. Like you, she could eat and drink whatever she wanted without restraint in front of me..." Kangxi's voice sounded somewhat distant.
Night had deepened, and a cool breeze blew, lifting the hem of their robes. A piece of the yellow robe fluttered in the night wind, and even long afterward, Lanqin remembered Kangxi under the moon that night, and his slightly melancholy voice.
When Lanqin was escorted back to her tent by the eunuch sent by Liang Jiugong, the Fourth Master had not rested and was sitting in Lanqin's tent with his eyes closed, trying to relax. The maids dared not utter a sound.
When Lanqin came in, Fourth Master immediately opened his eyes and looked at her calm face.
"Master, why haven't you rested yet? Are you waiting for me?" Lanqin walked into the slightly crowded tent, bent her legs, and sat cross-legged next to the Fourth Master.
"Did Father Emperor say anything to you?" the Fourth Prince asked.
Lanqin thought of Rongxian's matter, pondered it for a moment, and then shook her head, saying, "The Emperor didn't say anything, he just asked me to accompany him for a walk and to talk to him."
"Hmm, let's fetch some water to wash up!" Fourth Master suddenly stretched out his long arm and pulled Lanqin tightly into his arms.
That night, Fourth Master stayed up quite late. In the poorly soundproofed tent, Lanqin was so ashamed she wanted to kick him away. But Lanqin felt that the more she resisted, the more intensely Fourth Master took her. Finally, Lanqin could only bite the corner of the blanket tightly to keep her moans and sobs from escaping, but the sound of Fourth Master's heavy breathing still filled the entire tent, making Lanqin feel like she wanted to die.
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