Guizhi and Guiyu did not stay in Yiqiu Palace either, and no one knew where they went.

  Chao Sheng thought, maybe Gui Zhi was like her at the beginning, after being beaten and demoted to Huanyi Alley. But what about Gui Yu? Her wound hadn't healed yet, she had lost so much blood, where did she go?

  From Gui Zhi's reaction, it can be seen that Gui Yu and she were in cahoots with each other until Gui Yu suddenly spoke up in front of the Fourth Prince.

  So at that time, Gui Zhi's reaction was so strange.

  The sudden change in Gui Yu must also have a reason, and this reason... should be related to Xiao Su and the Fourth Prince.

  Jin Hua and Jin Ye also left Yi Qiu Palace, led away by Wei Gonggong. Unlike the ostentatious display when they arrived, they left quietly. One morning, they vanished from Huaye Residence.

  Chao Sheng quietly asked Qiu Yan, Qiu Yan only looked at her and said lightly: "This is not something we should ask about."

  Yes.

  Tide also understands.

  Chun Mo stayed behind, but she became much quieter than before, and many important things were gradually handed over to Qiu Yan.

  Time flies so fast, and Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. Aunt Li has indeed picked a lot of osmanthus flowers to make osmanthus sugar, osmanthus cake, which are sweet and fragrant.

  Chao Sheng asked Li Auntie for another plate of Osmanthus cake and took it to find Han Xun.

  Xiang Xun sneaked out to see her, smiling and saying: "I'm impressed you remembered I love eating this. Hey, last Mid-Autumn Festival you also gave me mooncakes to eat - time really flies, it's already been a year."

  How fast?

  Chao Sheng was taken aback for a moment. It's really been only a year. But why did she feel like it had been a long time?

  The days in the laundry alley were incredibly long and difficult, less than a year had passed, yet she was worn out.

  I saw a sentence before, and I think it's quite sour.

  Adversity makes one stronger.

  Those who have never experienced it will not understand.

  Xun whispered: "What's going on with you guys over there?"

  "Guiyu herself admitted that it was her own carelessness that caused her to bump into Chunmo's scissors, and it was an accident."

  "Didn't get you involved, did it?"

  Chao Sheng shook his head.

  "That's good. I've been worried for several days, just afraid it would be like last time..."

  "I'm fine." Chao Sheng said in a low voice, "It's just Chun Mo sister... Although she escaped this disaster, but recently she hasn't been talking much. In the past, although her temper wasn't very good, it wasn't like now, making people unable to guess what she was thinking."

  She stuffed a piece of cake into her mouth: "Anyway, you have to be more careful. Our prince quickly and neatly drove the person away, but I heard that Song Cui's sister said that the empress and the emperor complained about it, and the marriage that was originally arranged for the prince was also put on hold. It seems that she said that even the palace maid she chose wouldn't stay, so the marriage she found must not have been to the liking of the second prince either."

  It's about time to arrange a marriage for the Second Prince, his son the Third Prince is already married, but the Second Prince still lives in the East Palace without any embarrassment. This time, taking advantage of the palace maid's affair, there is another good excuse.

  It's said that the fourth prince is two years younger than the third prince, and also more capable. In another year or two, the fourth prince will probably get married too? I wonder if at that time he'll be able to move out of the palace and build his own estate elsewhere.

  Chao Sheng has been dreaming of leaving this place for a long time.

  Although it's not a paradise outside either.

  "Aunt Li's craftsmanship is unmatched, this osmanthus cake is a masterpiece. Yesterday, Sister Song was still mentioning that today should be the day to make osmanthus cake, how come it hasn't been sent over for us to try yet?"

  "This is the first time I've tried steaming, let me try the flavor. Besides, it's still several days before the holiday. Wait until tomorrow or the day after tomorrow to steam again, and I'll definitely send some over."

  The two of them said a few more words, and then Huan Xun was called away. In her haste, Gao didn't even have time to grab the pastries, but fortunately she had already eaten several pieces, leaving only two or three on the plate.

  The eunuch took the dishes back. The maple pool and the imperial river in the Autumn Palace are connected, and when crossing the bridge, you can hear the sound of flowing water. The maple leaves have gradually turned red, reflecting the green pine and yellow cypress, with bright and colorful colors, as if a plate of seasonings had been overturned. When the wind blows, the leaves flutter and sway, and the colors seem to be flowing too. The surface of the water is also turbulent and trembling with various colors.

  The surging waves blinded his eyes with spray and he stood still, waiting for the gust of wind to pass.

  The wind stopped, and the water under the bridge also became still, like a smooth mirror, clearly reflecting the maple trees by the pool, red and fiery.

  And then there was the person sitting under the maple tree.

  Chao Sheng raised his head and the Fourth Prince had no idea how long he had been sitting there.

  He beckoned with his hand as he walked towards the rising tide.

  The tide was low under the bridge, and he carefully made his way around it.

  The fourth prince wore a robe of a light brown color, with a fishing rod placed beside his feet, leaning against the rock in an exceptionally leisurely manner, like a hermit from the world, a recluse in the mountains.

  "What instructions does Your Highness have?"

  The fourth prince pointed to one side, and next to the fishing rod was a basket with a pot of tea and teacups inside.

  Chao Sheng put down the plate in his hand, picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea, handing it to the Fourth Prince.

  The fourth prince took a glance at the dish: "Osmanthus cake?"

  When changing shifts normally, if the master shows interest in a certain food, it should be presented to him immediately.

  But now this cake is left over——

  "Shall I go and get two dim sum for Your Highness?"

  The fourth prince shook his head, and he looked very handsome when he smiled.

  However, Chao Sheng always felt that he didn't seem like someone of his age.

  He is too steady and introverted. Usually he either reads books or writes words, or plays chess - now he even fishes.

  Alright, reading and writing are considered proper work, while playing chess and fishing can be regarded as hobbies.

  But playing chess... fishing... sounds like a hobby for old men in their sixties or seventies.

  He's just in his teens, he can be more energetic and lively.

  The princes should also have sports like horse riding and archery...

  Look at the Second Prince...

  Uh, the second prince doesn't have much to do either. His legs and feet are inconvenient, let alone riding horses and shooting arrows. According to what Hanyun usually says, the second prince likes fine clothes and delicious food, and loves to call people from Luyu to sing and dance.

  This hobby is like a middle-aged uncle with a big appetite!

  Stop imagining immediately.

  The fourth prince said: "No need."

  The fourth prince should have been sitting here for quite some time, but there isn't a single fish in his bucket.

  And the fishing rod is casually placed there, and the fourth prince doesn't even notice whether it's moving or not. Even if a fish bites, it will be let go, won't it?

  The fourth prince leaned against the back of the chair: "Have you ever fished?"

  Chao nodded slightly.

  "Oh? Have you ever caught a big fish?"

  Chao Sheng felt a bit embarrassed: "I've only caught water grass before... and once I caught a loach." He had never caught any fish.

  She was impatient at that time. There were too many interesting things, who would be bored to sit for half a day waiting for the fish to take the bait?

  The fourth prince was taken aback: "Mud eel? Haha, it's a pretty good catch. You come and pull the rod up to take a look."

  Chao Sheng squatted down and picked up the fishing rod, reeled in the line and took a look. The hook was empty, with no bait on it.

  "Your Highness isn't baiting?"

  The fourth prince said with a smile: "It's up to you, after all."

  Speechless.

  No profit, no rise early. Who does something without any benefit? If you want the fish to take the bait, you have to give it some benefits and a sweet head.

  The fourth prince is here, not fishing, but emulating the ancients and learning from Jiang Taigong?

  A slight movement in her heart.

  Jiang Taigong was not waiting for the fish to take the bait, but rather he himself was a big and fragrant bait. In the end, he hooked a certain King Zhou, and finally fulfilled his dream of becoming an official...

  What is the fourth prince trying to fish for?

  "Isn't this rice cake? Take some."

  Chao Sheng responded with a sound, pinched a little cake and put it on the hook.

  The osmanthus cake is particularly soft and delicate, if not pinched well, it will easily break into pieces. The tide was born with two hands full of fragments, sweating profusely, and the hands were all sticky and greasy, only then was the bait successfully loaded onto the fishhook.

  It turns out that the fish in the pool and Hanyin might have a preference for a certain flavor, loving to eat Osmanthus cake. Chao Sheng baited his hook and cast it into the water, and before long, the float began to move. He pulled it up to take a look, and indeed, he had caught a fish, about three inches long, its pale red scales shining brightly in the sunlight.

  A sense of achievement unlike any other surged up in his heart at that moment!

  It's fish!

  She caught it.

  "Your Highness, look quickly!" Chao Sheng said with glee: "I've caught a fish!"

  The fourth prince nodded seriously: "I saw it."

  The fourth prince smiled, and the maple leaves beside him, like fire, reflected a layer of red glow on his hands and face.

  ——————————————

  In Qingyang Palace, I lost 99 yuan of fragrant oil money. Many fellow travelers said: Didn't bring any money...

  Why didn't I think of saying it back then? I just obediently took it out...