Its probably Hu Xiang herself who carefully smoothed and mended these papers, then sewed them together.

  Although Chao Sheng had practiced writing in her previous life, it was only because she had to take a calligraphy class in school and didnt have a choice. Of course, the teacher wouldnt ask for much, as long as the quantity was sufficient and you could tell what character it was supposed to be. So Chao Sheng bought an 80-cent pen, a 30-cent notebook, and a bottle of ink for 1 yuan and 10 cents, which was all her equipment. The characters she wrote were big or small, with thick or thin strokes, as long as they met the standard for handing in homework.

  To be honest, when she was a kid, she didnt like calligraphy class because there were boys who would maliciously put ink on her chair, causing her to accidentally sit on it and get a big black stain, amidst the laughter of the whole class, she was so humiliated that she wanted to die. When she got home, her mom scolded her severely, completely ignoring her stained clothes and wounded heart.

  Moreover, writing with big characters is always prone to getting hands, clothes and other things dirty. You also need to rinse the pen and wash your hands. Sometimes the ink bottle cant be tightened and will leak in the school bag, which is very difficult to clean.

  Those unbearable memories of big character lessons are actually quite beautiful now.

  Yes, its pretty good.

  After arriving at this place, she had seen the Four Treasures of the Study several times. Once was before entering the palace, she was taken to apply for a small palace girl, where someone wrote her name and age, and after entering the palace, she saw female officials writing letters and keeping accounts.

  Maybe its because of the different mindset now, or maybe its because the ink ground out at this time is different from the convenient ink of later generations. At first, I didnt find this smell unpleasant, on the contrary, not only was it not foul-smelling, but this smell seemed like a kind of...mellow fragrance. Like the fragrance of stones, trees, and springs...it has an air of accumulated years.

  Now, what is emanating from the paper in front of me is precisely this kind of smell.

  She couldnt help but ask: "Who wrote this?"

  Xun Xun shook her head: "I dont know, Xiao Wang said that anyway its someone elses bad handwriting that they didnt want."

  Chao Sheng and the others didnt quite understand the situation in the palace yet, so they couldnt think of who might be writing the letter.

  However, as Chao Sheng thought, it seems that when reading books in the past, such as "Dream of Red Mansions", people with status who wrote bad characters would have them burned. Probably one reason is to avoid embarrassment, and secondly, if handwriting flows out carelessly and falls into others hands, its absolutely not a trivial matter.

  I also dont know where Xiaowang got this from.

  "Hey, little sister, teach me this character." Huán Xūn bit her lip: "I think this one looks really good..."

  Chao Sheng also admitted that the words on this head were really beautiful. She had never seen such recognizable and elegant handwriting before... but she hadnt seen any good calligraphy anyway.

  "Uh-huh, okay." The two of them took small plates, poured water into them, and used the water to write on the table.

  "This is over ten... years, this is just the year."

  One taught, one learned, two people were exceptionally devoted and serious, until the oil lamp wick crackled with a "sizzling" sound, when Chao Sheng suddenly realized that it was late.

  "I have to go back, ah, almost forgot." Chao Sheng took out the two pieces of pastries that had been packed and gave them to Han Xun: "Try some, Sister Sui Mu said they were given by the queen."

  "Wow, such a delicate thing......" Huang Xun wiped her hands on her body twice before taking a piece of pastry, bringing it to the tip of her nose and sniffing it with an intoxicated expression: "So fragrant......"

  "Try it."

  She nibbled a tiny bit with the tip of her teeth, and delicately savored it on the tip of her tongue: "So sweet..." She pushed that piece towards Chao Sheng: "You have some too."

  "I still have some there."

  "Lets eat together."

  Chao Sheng laughed and picked up the dim sum, taking a bite.

  Two people ate the pastries in small bites like two old mice stealing food.

  "Its really worthy of the imperial concubines reward! Ive never had such delicious pastries before." Huan Xiang smacked her lips and licked her fingers: "Last time, I saw Wang Mei sister eating something in the house, it seemed different from this one. Chao Sheng, when we become senior palace maids, well definitely be able to eat as much of these delicious treats as we want!"

  Chao Sheng covered her mouth and laughed: "Look at how greedy you are."

  Xiang Xun carefully put away the book and whispered to Chao Sheng, "By the way, today Wang Mei also said she wants to take me as her apprentice."

  Tide surprised: "Really?"

  "But she said as long as we both know in our hearts, theres no need to let others find out. But of course, youre not an outsider now."

  This is natural. Taking in apprentices in the palace was also a job for female officials, and only eunuchs with ranks could do it. In the palace, the palace girls or eunuchs had no blood relationship with each other, except for interests and benefits, the most reliable one was the master-apprentice relationship. Being a master is equivalent to having younger generations, subordinates, and those who are emotionally close, just like having children. And being an apprentice is equivalent to having a backer, a guide, and some even directly called their masters "dry father" and "dry mother", calling them affectionately.

  No matter in terms of age, experience or emotions, both Chao Sheng and Han Xiang were forced to become apprentices. At the end of the year, she didnt necessarily want to take on disciples, but had no choice. As for Wang Mei, its even more unnecessary to mention, who knows what ideas are brewing in her mind.

  Chao Sheng couldnt persuade Han Xiang, what could she persuade her of? Should she advise her not to worship? Or should she warn her to be careful of Meis schemes? If she spoke up, it would probably only make things worse for Han Xiang and bring her trouble instead.

  Chao Sheng thought for a moment, and carefully said: "If Sister Mei sends you to do something alone, if youre not confident, just come and tell me, the two of us will think of a solution, which is definitely better than one person."

  Han Xun smiled and nodded: "I mean the same thing, you are much smarter than me, Im right to ask for your advice when something happens."

  Im still thinking that I owe someone a favor for making decisions for me. In this palace, saying one wrong word or taking one wrong step is not allowed.

  Chao Sheng returned home, washed his face and lay down, but he thought of the paper he saw at Han Xuns place earlier.

  The handwriting on that page was messy, but one sentence could be made out: "I have a few lines of tears, not falling for over ten years". Chao Sheng hadnt studied ancient poetry or literature, but he could still sense the sorrowful meaning behind it.

  I dont know why people who cant write would write such an article, and what they are thinking when writing those words.

  On the thirteenth of June, Chen Fei got up early. Chao Sheng guessed that she probably didnt sleep much last night. Moreover, unlike usual, Chao Sheng was actually called over to comb Chen Feis hair.

  In the past, it was always Qing Jings turn to comb her hair, and now Qing Jing is fine.

  The anxious and worried look on her face was written all over, Chen Fei smiled and said: "Every day is almost the same, today is my birthday, I called you to see if you can come up with something fresh."

  Uh, I think Chen Fei is trying to make a good start for the new year.

  Chao Sheng responded with a sound, thought for a moment, and gave Chen Fei a long-life bun. The hair in the middle was combed into a bun, the hair on both sides was tied into hanging braids, and a string of rice pearls was attached to the tassels. Chen Feis skin was white and beautiful, and when reflected by the pearl light, her skin looked even more delicate and translucent.

  At the end of the year, Xiǎo Mù smiled and said: "Hey, look at this hair bun, isnt it cleverly done?"

  Chen Fei stared at the mirror, suddenly lost in thought: "I remember before entering the palace, there was a time when my father took my brother and me to watch the dragon boat race on Dragon Boat Festival. That day, I seemed to have worn my hair like this too, but back then, I didnt wear pearls on my head."

  Although Chen Fei was sentimental, she was still happy and changed into the new clothes made for her birthday. Standing there, she looked elegant and charming, with her pearl-embroidered dress and hair gently swaying in the wind. Chao Sheng didnt say anything but also agreed that she looked like a "water fairy from a poem".

  Chen Fei was indeed a beauty, otherwise she wouldnt have caught the eye of Empress Dowager Jianzha back then. Although she is now considered old in the palace, her skin is still smooth and bright, her eyes are clear and shining, without any signs of aging, only adding to her mature charm. Xu Cairen from the Smoke and Clouds Palace, as well as the late Huang Meiren, although they excel in youth and beauty, cannot compare to Chen Fei in terms of appearance and charm.

  The palace maids in the Yinxia Palace first paid their respects to Empress Chen, and then those who lived in the other palaces, including Xu Zhirong, also came to offer their congratulations. Then it was the turn of the external guests.

  Originally, Chao Sheng thought that since Chen Fei was not in favor, it shouldnt be too lively, but unexpectedly many people came, and the stools in the Yunxia Palace were temporarily insufficient. Chen Fei herself was also very surprised, let alone these busy palace maids.

  The tide was born with a wide-open eye, and it turned out that there were so many beautiful women in the world, and they were all so charming and moving, each with its own unique charm. The first ones to come were not high-ranking officials, nor were their clothes particularly luxurious, but they won over people with their youthful energy and lively beauty. The later ones were more substantial figures, one of whom was a Li imperial concubine who seemed as delicate as if made of water. Another was an He imperial concubine who was bold and vivacious. Looking at the layers of beauties, Chao Sheng couldnt help but sigh that this emperor really had eclectic tastes, collecting all sorts of beautiful women in his hands. Unlike some people who have picky eating habits, only liking gentle types or lively types.

  But there are so many...so many... beauties that even two hands cant hold, the Emperor...cough, wont he become rusty like a flower needle being ground by an iron pestle?

  The empress didnt come, but she sent someone with a gift of congratulations, which greatly pleased Empress Chen.

  Unfortunately, in this place, if you want to get ahead, you have to rely on the emperor. Has the empress forgotten what shes good for? The emperor has long since forgotten her.

  After noon, the Chen familys people finally got to come in and pay their respects. It was Chen Feis sister-in-law who came, bringing her two daughters along with her. The two little maids were both wearing pink lotus-leaf-edged satin dresses, looking like each one was a lovely budding lotus flower.

  Chen Feis true feelings were revealed this time, her eyes were red and on the verge of tears. Sai Mu hurried over to comfort her, Chen Feis sister-in-law also tried to calm her down. The two children stood aside, looking timid and uncertain, they probably didnt know why their beautiful "auntie" who lived in the big house was crying.

  He then went to pay his respects to Chen Furen, the elder sister of Chen Fei. Chen Furen refused to accept his greetings, saying: "Youve been serving our mistress with all your heart and soul these past years, were all aware of that. Your familys doing well, except for your fathers waist injury, but its nothing serious. And now your sister-in-law is pregnant again, after the new year youll be an aunt once more."

  The end of the year is also surprising and delightful.

  Its obvious that Chao Sheng can see it, and at the end of the year, she naturally wants to leave the palace.

  Although older, still can get married. Whats the fun in spending a lifetime buried in the palace?

  Chen Fei had someone bring a gift for her younger niece. The two little girls sweetly said thank you in unison, its clear that they were well taught.

  Chen Fei asked about her family, whether they were all well, and even asked about the banana tree behind her old window, showing that she had been thinking of home to a certain extent.