Chapter 7 A Kiss  

Fourth Master cupped her face and moved it aside, his cold gaze fixed on her.  

Nian Jiao turned into a stuttering mess: “I… I…”  

“It wasn’t intentional,” she whispered, her voice small, as grievance welled up from the depths of her heart. “It’s all the medicated cream’s fault. It really hurts when it’s rubbed in.”  

Nian Jiao was frantic, terrified that the Prince would distance himself from her after this. She nuzzled against his palm, once, then again.  

Her soft hair brushed against his nose, like a kitten rolling around.  

She didn’t notice the fleeting smile that appeared at the corner of the man’s lips.  

The damp patch on his shoulder was indeed conspicuous. If the Boss walked out like this, who knew what rumors might spread? Nian Jiao began brainstorming solutions: “There’s a cape in the wardrobe. If you wear it, no one will notice. Would you like to try it on?”  

Fourth Master was utterly impressed by her genius idea and finally took mercy on her. “Hmm.”  

Nian Jiao brightened instantly and was about to stand up when Fourth Master reprimanded her again: “Sit still. The wound has just been treated. You shouldn’t move around.”  

He felt as though he’d never been this concerned even with his own children. He called for Mama Qiu to come in.  

Nian Jiao’s wardrobe was filled with elegant clothing, and the capes were no exception. Mama Qiu searched diligently and finally found a plain one without patterns, in a dark blue hue—though it was a bit too small.  

Mama Qiu trembled as she fastened it for him. Fourth Master felt the collar tightening uncomfortably around his neck. He tugged at it slightly but then stopped.  

Nian Jiao guiltily lowered her head.  

Fourth Master glanced at her. “Apply the medicine twice a day. There’s another session this evening. I’ll come back for dinner tonight.”  

Nian Jiao: “Huh?”  

More torture in the evening??  

With those words and a nearly tearful Consort Nian left behind, Fourth Master stepped out of the room.  

He summoned Wen Chun, lightly twirling the Buddhist beads in his hand, and asked, “Since the Consort arrived at the Royal Residence, has there been anything she’s lacked?”  

Wen Chun exchanged a glance with Wen Xia, suppressing their excitement. Was the Prince hinting at compensating the Princess?  

Though Wen Chun was tempted to request a small kitchen where they could braise pig trotters for Nian Jiao, she ultimately replied with restraint, “Your Highness, there’s nothing lacking. Su Da Zongguan has arranged everything perfectly. The furniture added to the inner courtyard is also very suitable…”  

Fourth Master nodded thoughtfully, then turned and headed toward the study.  

Along the way, Su Peisheng couldn’t help but stare at his master’s cape.  

It looked rather delicate—and too small. He silently lowered his head, resolving not to dwell on it.  

By the time they reached the study, the Thirteenth Prince was still sitting there peacefully. Soon, he too was staring at the cape.  

“…” Since when had Fourth Brother’s household become so impoverished that they couldn’t even afford a properly sized cape?  

But now wasn’t the time for jokes. The Thirteenth Prince said, “Eighth Master has gone too far this time.”  

If he had grievances with Fourth Brother in court, he should confront him openly. Why drag the inner household into it? Consort Nian had only just arrived—this was clearly a deliberate provocation, a slap to Fourth Brother’s face.  

To claim that Eighth Fu Jin’s actions had nothing to do with Eighth Master? He didn’t believe it. Everyone in the capital knew that Eighth Master and Eighth Fu Jin were inseparable, a united front in all matters. Eighth Fu Jin would never do anything Eighth Master disapproved of.  

Fourth Master gripped the Buddhist beads, his phoenix eyes glinting coldly.  

Meanwhile, the Thirteenth Prince had already volunteered: “Fourth Brother, focus on your self-cultivation and Buddhist studies. Leave the things you can’t do to me…”

To outsiders, this appeared to be a dispute among the womenfolk. For Fourth Master to intervene would usually be unremarkable, but given Eighth Master’s current downfall and bedridden state, it now seemed like kicking a man when he was down.

Who could blame Fourth Master for being strong while Eighth Master was weak? Yet this was likely something the Emperor would not wish to see.

Fourth Master stopped him: “There’s no need for Thirteenth Brother to get involved.”

He then instructed, “Focus on treating your leg. Stay out of Eighth Master’s affairs.”

Thirteenth Brother wanted to say more, but seeing Fourth Master’s resolute expression—as if he already had a plan—he immediately agreed.

…

News from the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility spread quickly.

At Eighth Prince’s residence, Eighth Master lay on the edge of the bed, coughing violently. Eighth Fu Jin was so frightened she hurriedly patted his back: “Water, water!”

When a servant brought warm water, Eighth Fu Jin carefully fed it to him: “How has this cold gotten worse again? I told you those doctors were useless, a bunch of quacks…”

As she spoke, anger flickered in her eyes. The imperial physicians assigned to their residence now were all mediocre. After so long, Yin Si was still bedridden. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She stood up, ready to dismiss them all.

A hand pulled her back: “Wait… *cough*… wait.”

Eighth Master met her concerned gaze, coughing a few more times: “This morning… what happened in the palace?”

Eighth Fu Jin paused and sat back down.

“What do you mean what happened?” she said coolly. “It was just Fourth Master’s newly taken Consort resembling Empress Xiaoxian, which caught the Empress Dowager’s eye and earned her a few reprimands.”

“Reprimands?” Eighth Master closed his eyes briefly. “It was kneeling punishment. Yong Prince’s Consort has nothing to do with you. What good did you gain from this?”

His voice was bitter: “Why didn’t you discuss it with me first?”

Eighth Fu Jin’s gaze suddenly sharpened.

She said coldly, “Last time, you said I could do whatever I wanted. What, now that I dislike Nian Shi, are you going to scold me for her sake?”

Eighth Master’s cheeks flushed slightly. He opened his mouth but was seized by another fit of violent coughing.

Eighth Fu Jin’s sharpness instantly dissolved into concern: “Yin Si? Someone, call the physician!”

An hour later, Eighth Master leaned against a pillow, the bed curtains drawn, with a trusted advisor standing before him.

The advisor said quietly, “Today’s events are truly unfavorable. Not only have they worsened relations between you and Fourth Master… but they’ve also completely alienated the Nian family. If Nian Gengyao retaliates…”

Eighth Master coughed once before replying after a long pause: “You’re right.”

The advisor’s expression darkened. Nian Gengyao was no ordinary official. If they couldn’t win him over, would they now make an enemy of him?

Moreover, Hui Fei’s intervention to help Nian Shi sent an extremely dangerous signal—she had completely turned away from her foster son, choosing instead to aid an outsider. Even though Nian Gengyao’s wife had ties to Hui Fei’s Nara family, Nian Shi was still an outsider to Hui Fei!

Eighth Master’s eyes darkened momentarily.

Hui E’niang…

“Fu Jin’s actions were indeed ill-considered,” he said with a bitter smile. “As for Fourth Brother… *cough*… we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

The advisor hesitated, wanting to say more.

He sighed inwardly. Fu Jin’s behavior was far beyond just “ill-considered.”

To the outside world, Fu Jin fully represented her husband’s status. The saying that husband and wife were one was not just empty words. Even if Fu Jin dragged him down, Eighth Master still refused to reprimand her even once?

…

The atmosphere at the Eighth Prince’s residence was tense, yet in the Crown Prince’s Yuiqing Palace, the scent of wine lingered and laughter continued as usual.

Regarding the actions of the Eighth Fu Jin, the Crown Prince remained silent. Seated at his desk, he tilted his head back and took a sip of strong liquor.

“Fourth Master, oh Fourth Master, you’d better be careful,” he murmured. “I’ll soon be joining Prince Zhi, but you’re different…”

As he spoke, his phoenix eyes grew hazy, and he laughed heartily. “What an entertaining spectacle awaits!”

……

“Is this true?”

Upon receiving confirmation from his attendant, the Fourteenth Prince gloated inwardly—Eighth Sister-in-law was practically rushing to make trouble for Fourth Master.

Yet the fleeting glimpse from that day suddenly surfaced in his mind, leaving him unsettled.

Making trouble was one thing, but targeting a defenseless woman felt somewhat dishonorable.

……

“Eighth Sister-in-law’s actions are downright disgraceful!” the Tenth Master blurted out, only to be swiftly silenced by the Ninth Master.

“What are you doing? Keep your voice down!” the Ninth Master chided.

The Ninth Consort, tallying accounts nearby, remarked coolly, “It is disgraceful, and yet you won’t let people say so. When Mother recounted it to me, the disdain in her tone was unmistakable! What, are you defending your Eighth Brother’s wife now?”

The Ninth Master winced—what kind of talk was this from his wife?

“Nothing of the sort!” he protested before muttering, “Though Eighth Sister-in-law has indeed become increasingly unrefined… picking fights with a newlywed junior sister-in-law.”

The Tenth Master scoffed. “Isn’t it just because Eighth Brother spoils her?”

For a moment, the room fell silent.

The Ninth Master, reflecting on their current predicament, felt a bitter taste in his mouth. Eighth Brother had recently discussed with him the plan to support the Fourteenth Prince against Fourth Master. Though the “Virtuous Prince” had fallen, his network of influence remained intact. Persuaded, the Ninth Master had felt his ambitions stir anew, convinced this venture held great promise.

But what was Eighth Sister-in-law doing with all this?

Targeting Fourth Master’s newly wedded consort—was this the strategy Eighth Brother had painstakingly devised?

Even if this consort was backed by the Nian family, even if Nian Gengyao’s influence was soaring—Nian Shi was merely a woman. Men’s conflicts should not involve women.

To put it bluntly, it was despicable.

Alas, who knew how Fourth Master would retaliate.

At the thought of Fourth Master’s stern face, the Ninth Master shuddered, his heart growing heavier. Beside him, the Tenth Master’s eyes darted as he sipped his tea in silence.

……

The outside turmoil did not truly disturb Yong Prince’s Manor.

After the Thirteenth Prince’s departure, Fourth Master instructed Su Peisheng to open the private treasury. Gazing at the stacks of fabrics, he paused in rare contemplation, slowly rubbing the thumb ring on his hand.

“Where is the Shu brocade bestowed by the palace?” he asked Su Peisheng. “Do you recall?”

Su Peisheng: “……”

How precious was the Prince’s time? He practically spent six hours daily in court and another six in his study, leaving the rear courtyard all but neglected. Within the manor, the only one who saw him daily was the Third Prince, whose studies were inspected by his father.

For him to open the treasury and inquire about fabrics—this was truly unprecedented!

Su Peisheng replied swiftly, “This servant remembers.”

Fourth Master nodded and then headed to the main courtyard.

After hearing his words, the Fu Jin agreed. “This is the right approach. I shall go out tomorrow to handle it properly and vent some of Her Highness’s grievances.”

She added, “Consort Nian suffered today. She’s young and must miss her family. Why not invite her mother and sisters-in-law for a visit? We can say they’re coming to see me. What do you think?”

Fourth Master was taken aback but agreed: “Fu Jin’s consideration is indeed thorough.”

Fu Jin sighed, “I wonder how her injury is doing.” Then she gestured, “A bruise this big…”

Fourth Master remained silent, while Mama Fang’s lips twitched slightly. Wasn’t this topic a bit inappropriate?

During dinner, Fourth Master kept glancing curiously at Nian Jiao’s face.

Though the injury had mostly healed, having just endured a “torturous” experience, Nian Jiao remained on high alert.

With red-rimmed eyes, she whispered, “What is it?”

Fourth Master replied, “Nothing.”

After the dishes were cleared, he said, “The fabrics Su Peisheng brought earlier are all in colors you usually wear. You can have some new outfits made soon.”

Mentioning this only deepened Nian Jiao’s resentment after eating a table full of bland dishes.

Who liked those pale blues, greens, and whites? She wanted pork trotters and colorful clothes!

Seeing Nian Jiao show no reaction, Fourth Master’s brow furrowed slightly, but when his gaze fell on her knees, his expression softened again.

After a moment’s thought, he said, “Fu Jin has invited your mother and sister-in-law to visit you tomorrow.”

Nian Jiao froze.

The next second, a wave of peach fragrance filled the air as the man suddenly found his arms full of weight.

Nian Jiao wrapped her arms around Fourth Master’s neck, gazing at him with sparkling eyes. “Thank you, Master. You’re the most considerate man in the world, no one else compares to you…”

Mid-sentence, she suddenly realized.

She should be thanking Fu Jin—why was she thanking the Boss?

Oh well. She’d already hugged him—no backing out now.

Fourth Master didn’t notice her distraction, nor did he realize the thoughts running through the mind of the person in his arms—all about how to praise Fu Jin.

When Nian Jiao finally ran out of compliments, he finally sensed something amiss.

The surroundings grew abruptly silent. Coming back to her senses, Nian Jiao found the man staring intently at her, his expression cool, his gaze sharp enough to pierce through her.

Nian Jiao’s heart skipped a beat.

His refined features loomed closer as she leaned in and planted a haphazard kiss on his eyelid.

The warmth lingered for what felt like an eternity, with Fourth Master remaining completely still.

After a long while, she finally whispered, “Master’s eyes are so beautiful.”