Half a month later, Yinzhen copied the Twenty Admonitions for Women, folded them up and put them aside. Su Peisheng handed him a cup of tea.
He waved his hand, rubbing his aching temples. It had been a whole month since he last saw her, which felt like an eternity. She hadn't appeared since that day when he paid his respects.
On the first day of the month, he left court early and rushed back to his residence, only to find his personal maidservant offering greetings in his place. He felt a slight disappointment and helplessness. Seeing Su Peisheng counting the number of papers, he asked, "How many?"
Su Peisheng said, "One hundred and fifty portions, plus the servant's, that makes a total of two hundred portions."
He copied slowly, and it was incredibly difficult for him to write in the same handwriting as Consort Tong. The Emperor, too, only knew how to secretly help Consort Tong copy books, or he would wander around outside the Orchid Courtyard without ever going in. It's true that the Emperor isn't worried, but the eunuchs are dying of anxiety.
As evening fell, Yinzhen and the Thirteenth Prince finished discussing official business in the study. Su Peisheng asked whether they should have a meal. The Thirteenth Prince chimed in, "Fourth Brother, let's skip the meal. I just want some porridge. Just how delicious is the porridge that even Father Emperor is craving?"
Yinzhen's lips twitched slightly. They really knew how to make demands. He wanted to eat too, and even more so, he wanted to see the person who made the porridge, but... the people of Lanyuan were determined, keeping the doors tightly shut, and he couldn't get in.
He glanced at Thirteen, then his mind raced. "Alright," he said, "Su Peisheng, go to the Orchid Courtyard and tell them that the Thirteenth Master has come to pay his respects."
"Yes, sir," Su Peisheng said as he left, secretly relieved. Finally, his master had a good excuse.
Thirteen felt something was off about the way his fourth brother looked at him, but couldn't quite put his finger on it. "Fourth brother, all I want is a bowl of porridge."
Yinzhen lowered his eyes and smiled, "Of course I'll let you drink porridge."
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