As expected, the Fourth Prince didn't care about the theft of Liu's jewelry at all. When he woke up the next day, he didn't go to court, but instead stayed up with Lanqin until the sun was high in the sky.
"Master, Master! Why didn't you go to the morning court?" Lanqin woke up and was surprised to see the Fourth Master still lying beside her. She immediately raised her hand and patted the Fourth Master's forehead.
"If you keep hitting me like this, aren't you afraid you'll smash my forehead and murder my husband?" Fourth Master said, puffing out his cheeks and opening his eyes.
"You're so naughty, sir! I wasn't in a hurry, I just thought you'd already slept with me!" Lanqin said, relieved to see the Fourth Master joking.
"I'm not going today. The autumn imperial examination is in five days, and I need to go out and inspect the candidates. Will you come with me?" Fourth Master grabbed Lanqin's neck and pulled her down. The next moment, Lanqin's fair face was pressed against Fourth Master's chest.
"Can we go out today?" Lanqin blinked her eyes, her heart already bursting with joy. How long had it been since she had gone out to have some fun? It had been a very long time. She had been the housekeeper for the Fourth Master every day, taking care of three children, his many concubines, and all sorts of messy things in the mansion. She was already exhausted, both physically and mentally.
"You don't want to?" Fourth Master laughed.
"Yes, I really want to. Master, where shall we go today?" Lanqin's voice had changed.
"You should dress as a man today, because I'm going to Qingsong Bookstore, where women aren't allowed," Fourth Master said.
"Hmph, just from the name, it sounds like a gathering place for examinees, and women aren't allowed in!" Lanqin rolled her eyes inwardly and gritted her teeth, saying, "Then I'll disguise myself as your page!"
Fourth Master laughed and said, "Alright, today I'll just pretend to be a handsome young gentleman, accompanied by a delicate little page. Su Peisheng doesn't need to come along; his high-pitched voice sounds like that of a eunuch!"
"You're naughty, Master! Eunuch Su serves you wholeheartedly, you mustn't make fun of him for being a eunuch!" Lanqin said coquettishly.
"Hmm. No wonder he likes you. So you like him just as much. And you're not allowed to call him a eunuch!" Fourth Master said, feigning anger.
"Master!!" Lanqin raised her head and slapped Fourth Master's chest muscles with her small white hand.
This guy is even jealous of a eunuch!
Lanqin rolled her eyes at him several times, speechless, thinking to herself: Su Peisheng is serving him with utmost care!
When the maids came in to help the two get up, Lanqin said she wanted to change into men's clothing, both Sihua and Shuiling were surprised.
"Give me a man's long braid. I'm going out with you today, without any attendants," Lanqin said, sitting in front of the dressing table.
"Master, who will serve you then?" Si Hua asked as she combed Lan Qin's hair.
"No need to serve me. Today, my master and I are going to visit the candidates and get a feel for their abilities," Lanqin said with a smile.
"My lady, I'm worried. Will Eunuch Su go with you?" Si Hua asked.
“Just me and Master, we won’t bring anyone else. What’s there to worry about? Master is with me, and besides, this is the capital, right under the emperor’s nose. What could possibly happen in broad daylight?” Lanqin said.
"What if the young masters ask about this, Master?" Si Hua said, still somewhat worried.
"They go to Old Madam Song's place to play every day and haven't bothered me for a long time. I don't know what magic this old lady has, but she managed to make them so happy today that they don't want to leave!" Lanqin said with a smile.
"I heard that Old Madam Song, along with her three princesses and the Sixth Prince, are farming on the small hill behind Changchun Immortal Hall. Yesterday, Lanqi told me that the Fourth Princess has already planted some cabbage seedlings and goes to check on them every day," Si Hua said.
“Children are bound to be interested in nature since they’re cooped up indoors all day. Go tell Lan Qi to send a few more maids to serve them. Don’t keep them confined, but don’t trouble Sister Song. She doesn’t have many servants to begin with,” Lan Qin said.
"Yes, this servant will take care of it," Si Hua said.
“Master, here are two sets of men’s clothing, which were borrowed from servants of similar stature. I wonder if they will fit?” Shui Ling showed Lan Qin two sets of light gray long robes and hats.
When Lanqin saw that they were all servants' clothes, she was a little unhappy. She said she was the Fourth Master's page, but she really didn't want to wear those clothes.
"It's too late to make them now, so just make do with these. You can't wear my clothes anyway," Fourth Master said as he walked in.
“Alright, then I will truly be your little page!” Lanqin said.
After Lanqin finished dressing and stood next to Fourth Master, she really looked the part.
"Young master! I greet you!" Lanqin playfully made a curtsy.
Several maids smiled, their lips pursed, as they looked at Lanqin.
"Alright, let's go! Let's have breakfast outside today!" Fourth Master was also in high spirits. He held a fan in his hand and flicked it as he spoke.
Su Peisheng had already prepared a carriage for the Fourth Prince, which was already parked at the main gate of the Yuanmingyuan.
After helping the two men into the carriage, Su Peisheng asked with concern, "Sir, are you sure you don't need to bring two guards?"
"Enough with the nagging. If I say I'm not bringing him, then I'm not bringing him." Fourth Master rolled his eyes at him, remembering Lanqin's words defending Su Peisheng.
Lanqin looked at the bewildered Su Peisheng with great sympathy and said, "Don't worry, we went to places where scholars gather today, nothing will happen."
Hearing this, Su Peisheng was relieved and quickly gave the carriage driver a few instructions.
After Fourth Master got into the carriage, he closed his eyes to rest. Lanqin, on the other hand, opened the carriage window and looked around.
"Master, where shall we go for breakfast?" Lanqin asked.
“An unnamed alley. I’ve heard that many poor scholars live in that area,” Fourth Master said.
"Oh. So we're going to listen carefully today?" Lanqin said.
"Yes, just listen. You don't need to speak," Fourth Master said.
"Then could you please stop acting so profound? I find it so boring. Please don't be so serious in front of me!" Lanqin poked the Fourth Prince's chest muscle with her finger.
puff!
The Fourth Master, his composure broken, looked at the young woman with a helpless expression and said, "Don't make a scene! You'd better keep a straight face in front of those scholars later!"
Lanqin stuck out her little tongue and said, "Yes, young master~~"
She was incredibly adorable. Although she was already a mother of four, Lanqin looked so charming in her male attire that she made the Fourth Prince stare at her.
We, Sisi, couldn't help but close our eyes, okay?
"Master, what are you looking at?" Lanqin asked, noticing something was wrong.
"If I close my eyes, you're unhappy; if I open them, you have complaints. What do you want?" Fourth Master said angrily.
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