"Yes, Your Highness, don't forget to drink it. This snow swallow was specially brought by my brother when I came to the capital for the imperial concubine selection. He also said that I should present it to Your Highness and the Fujin. Yesterday, I sent two catties to the Fujin, and the remaining three catties are still with me. I will send those three catties of snow swallow to Your Highness later." Seeing that the Fourth Prince still refused to let her stay and watch him take it, Madam Nian could only say with a little disappointment.
"Gengyao is very kind. After I finish talking with my thirteenth brother, I will go to your place to settle down." Fourth Master looked at Nian Shilan's charming eyes and slender, graceful figure, pondered for a moment, and then said this.
Upon hearing the Fourth Prince's words, Lady Nian's face immediately flushed red. She said coyly, "Your Highness is busy, I'll take my leave now. I'll go back and prepare properly." After saying that, she gave the Fourth Prince a shy glance, then turned and left.
After Nian left, a slight shadow crossed the Fourth Master's deep eyes, but he immediately picked up the storybooks on the table and flipped through them. Xueyan, sitting next to him, was steaming.
"Master, the Thirteenth Master has arrived." Su Peisheng called out from outside the door.
"Let him come to my room, and put the roast lamb there," Fourth Master said, looking at the bowl of snow swallow.
Thirteen was led by a servant to Fourth Master's room, where the dining table was already set, and the tender roasted lamb, sizzling with oil, was already on the table.
When Thirteen saw that it was his favorite food, a smile immediately spread across his face.
When Fourth Master arrived, Thirteen was already sitting in his seat, cutting lamb chops with a gleaming knife.
"I knew you'd like this, so I baked it especially for you." Fourth Master gave Su Peisheng a few instructions, telling him to guard the door and not allow anyone to disturb him.
"Thank you, Fourth Brother. You're the one who treats me best." Thirteen grinned, looking every bit the carefree young nobleman.
"Eat it while it's hot." Fourth Master walked to the opposite side of Thirteen and sat down. He personally picked up the gilded bronze wine pot and two cups of the same color, pouring a cup for Thirteen and himself.
"Thank you, Fourth Brother. Is your wife still at the villa?" Thirteen cut up the lamb chops, picked up a piece for Fourth Brother, and then picked up a piece for himself.
"Yes, it's good to let her live there. The world is vast and wide, and she doesn't need to pay her respects to anyone, which saves her a lot of trouble." A hint of doting flashed in the Fourth Master's eyes. He always felt happy when he mentioned Lanqin.
"I really envy Fourth Brother for having a concubine like Sister-in-law. Speaking of Sister-in-law, Fourth Brother's face is full of smiles," Thirteen said while eating.
"I told you to take a proper concubine, but you never seem to care." Although the Fourth Prince was scolding the Thirteenth Prince, his eyes clearly showed regret and affection. This younger brother was exactly ten years younger than him, but he was closer to him than his own brothers.
"What's the point of me, a bald prince, marrying so many wives? I can't give them wealth and luxury." Thirteen lowered his eyes, muttered to himself, then picked up the cup of wine in front of him and drank it down in one gulp.
The Fourth Prince sighed inwardly and said, "You are still young, and Father Emperor is not comfortable entrusting you with anything. This time, your fourth brother will stay in the palace to assist the Crown Prince in overseeing the country. You come with me."
Thirteen glanced at Fourth Master, feeling a little uneasy: "Fourth Brother has always been the one to help me out. When will I be able to do something for Fourth Brother?"
Fourth Master glanced at Thirteen a few times and said, "You've already done so much for me, and it's all been indispensable. Come, have a drink."
Thirteen and Fourth Master clinked their glasses together and drank the wine in their respective cups.
"We still haven't found anything about the Yangzhou and Hangzhou incidents! I have a feeling that this matter is inextricably linked to certain people in the capital," Thirteen said.
"Without solid evidence, we must not act rashly. You saw what happened during the last hunt. This time, Father didn't let him stay; I'm afraid he might do something underhanded," the Fourth Prince said.
"Hmph, if he dares to make any more small moves during the Emperor's personal campaign, the Emperor will not let him off the hook." A hint of indignation flashed in Thirteen's eyes, but he felt as if he had been forgotten by Kangxi, and he was really sad.
“He naturally won’t leave any trace. But we need to be on our guard. Come, drink with Fourth Brother. If you get drunk, you can rest here.” Fourth Master poured himself another cup, and then personally poured one for Thirteen.
Thirteen watched as Fourth Master drank one cup after another and asked suspiciously, "Fourth Brother seems to have something on his mind?"
Fourth Master looked at Thirteen and laughed, "It's nothing, we're just happy. Let's get drunk together today, brothers."
Thirteen became increasingly suspicious and grabbed the wine pot that Fourth Master was about to pour out, saying, "If Fourth Brother has anything on your mind, just tell me. I will do whatever it takes to help you."
Fourth Master put his arm around his shoulder and said with emotion, "Good brother, but I'm really fine, I'm just happy."
Seeing that Fourth Master was unwilling to speak, Thirteen assumed it was just a spur-of-the-moment decision and generously joined him in drinking.
The two drank for a while and gradually became drunk. Thirteen was probably unhappy, and actually drank even more heavily than Fourth Master. In the end, he was so drunk that he passed out, while Fourth Master was still barely sober.
"Help Thirteen to sleep in the east wing and have someone watch over him, in case he vomits tonight. Tell the kitchen to prepare some hangover soup," Fourth Master said to Su Peisheng.
After Su Peisheng called for someone to help Thirteen up, Su Peisheng said to Fourth Master, "Master, let this servant help you wash up."
Fourth Master shook his head and said, "Let's settle her with the princess last year."
Su Peisheng was shocked. He hadn't expected the Fourth Master to act like this. Why did the Princess seem to be deliberately drunk last year?
Su Peisheng dared not guess what the Fourth Master was thinking. After instructing the people who would take good care of the Thirteenth Prince, he helped the Fourth Master to go to Princess Nian's place.
After returning from the Fourth Prince's place, Lady Nian immediately instructed the maids to prepare fragrant bath water to help her bathe, change clothes, and put on makeup. The Fourth Prince was finally coming, and Lady Nian was naturally overjoyed. He was finally coming to her first. So what if the Princess Consort favored that Yehe woman?
However, after she had bathed, changed her clothes, and put on makeup, the Fourth Prince still did not come.
She played with the snowball that came in with her for a long time, but Fourth Master still hadn't arrived;
She started to feel sleepy and ordered her maid to light incense to stay awake, but the Fourth Prince still hadn't come...
"Princess, it's already 9 PM," Cui Ling said to Nian Shi, who was sitting on the main couch, dozing off with one hand supporting her chin.
"What? It's already Hai Shi (9-11 PM)." Nian Shi suddenly snapped out of her daze and came to her senses.
"Yes, it's just past 9 PM. My lady, I've sent Hongling to the front courtyard several times to inquire, and they all say that Your Highness is drinking with the Thirteenth Prince," Cuiling said in a low voice.
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