Situ Qinger was delighted upon hearing this; it seemed she did hold a place in the Fourth Prince’s heart. However, she did not let her happiness show on her face.
"Fourth Prince, you shouldn’t say such things. My elder sister, having been thrown into the commoners’ world from a young age, is just accustomed to a free and unrestrained life. It’s merely that she can’t change her nature so quickly. Actually, she is a good person with a straightforward nature and takes good care of us sisters."
That day, the sight of Situ Qinger and Xuexue in a standoff in the hall was vivid in the Fourth Prince’s memory. He knew the sisters were at odds, but he thought to himself that Second Miss Situ was not only breathtakingly beautiful but also genuinely kind-hearted for not seizing the opportunity to speak ill of Miss Situ. This made him regard her differently.
"Second Miss is truly a lady of noble birth, with behavior that’s both dignified and generous, invoking admiration."
"You flatter me, Fourth Prince," Situ Qinger responded, her heart swelling with pride while she remained demure on the surface.
Just then, a house servant from the doorkeeper’s post hurried in.
"Second Miss, something terrible has happened."
Situ Qinger was displeased but maintained a radiant smile due to the Fourth Prince’s presence, gently chiding, "What’s with this panic and no manners? Can’t you see the Fourth Prince is here? If your commotion disturbs our distinguished guest, not even nine heads would be enough for you to lose."
The house servant, frightened, fell to his knees with a thud and fervently kowtowed, "Your Highness Fourth Prince, please spare me! It’s only because I was in such a hurry that I unintentionally offended someone of your stature. I hope your magnanimity will forgive this lowly servant."
The Fourth Prince glanced at him and asked indifferently, "What is the matter that has you so flustered?"
The house servant looked between Second Miss and the Fourth Prince, seemingly hesitant to speak.
Situ Qinger grew impatient, "You dog of a servant, the Fourth Prince is not an outsider. If he tells you to speak, just speak."
Situ Qinger’s phrase not an outsider.
The way the Fourth Prince looked at her changed; he was well aware that Second Miss had feelings for him, yet he also felt it was a pity that she was just a concubine-born daughter.
The house servant stammered tremblingly, "The War Prince has sent a palanquin here, saying he wants to fetch Second Miss to the War Prince’s Mansion."
"What? Say that again!" Upon hearing this terrible news, Situ Qinger could no longer maintain her composure and screamed uncontrollably.
"Second Miss, it’s the War Prince who has sent people to take you to the War Prince’s Mansion."
The house servant internally wailed at his misfortune, having encountered all these important figures gathered at the General’s Mansion, making him, a small servant, bear the brunt.
With each word from the house servant striking her heart, Situ Qinger’s complexion turned pale as she slumped onto a stool.
"Second Miss, what’s wrong with you?" The Fourth Prince asked, looking perplexed.
Situ Qinger was at a loss, gazing at him blankly for a few seconds before suddenly, like clasping onto a life-saving straw, she threw herself into the Fourth Prince’s arms, pleading desperately, "Fourth Prince, you must save Qinger."
A faint fragrance assailed his senses; the feeling of a warm and tender beauty in his arms distracted the Fourth Prince, who couldn’t help but greedily inhale the scent, thinking to himself that Second Miss was truly a rare beauty, far surpassing the Consorts and noblewomen of the Imperial Palace.
"Fourth Prince, please save Qinger," with no hope left from her maternal grandfather’s side, the man before her was the only lifeline she had – Situ Qinger was not about to let him slip away easily.
"Second Miss, what’s wrong?"
"Qinger doesn’t want to go to the War Prince’s Mansion. Fourth Prince, please save Qinger." In this moment of panic, Situ Qinger no longer referred to herself as a servant lady.
Looking at the stunning beauty throwing herself into his arms in such a panicked state stirred the heroism in the heart of the Fourth Prince. He patted his chest and solemnly promised, "Don’t worry, Second Miss. Leave this matter to me."