The air in the courtyard seemed to have solidified, without a single breeze. Everyone's heart was uneasy, but they couldn't express it.

  The sky was overcast and gloomy, with clouds getting lower and lower, as if they were going to press down on our heads.

  Chao Sheng felt suffocated in his chest, as if he was being squeezed and blocked like being submerged in deep water. But it was so quiet here that one didn't dare to take a deep breath.

  The person who went into the house to talk finally came out, and roughly that female official in charge asked Wu's mother about some of the detailed circumstances of these people. For example, those things that were not written on the roster, which could not be seen at a glance.

  Who would be deceitful or whose craftsmanship is exceptionally good, who has an unknown relationship with whom.

  Chao Sheng was worried about what Wu's mother would say about her situation?

  The female official in charge walked past her side, and Chao Sheng felt his throat dry up, swallowing a mouthful of saliva.

  She must have used some kind of fragrant cream, although she looks like she's approaching middle age, her skin is still white and smooth.

  The female official in charge opened the name list and looked up at the crowd below.

  At this moment she was high above, and the opportunities of these people below were all in her hands.

  She read out four names:

  Feng Yan and Man Er were both chosen.

  However, Chao Sheng was eliminated.

  After reading out those four names, Chao Sheng slightly lifted his feet and leaned forward.

  She was hoping at this moment that there would be one more person below who would read out another name.

  Her own name.

  But after a while, there was still no sound.

  The tide is clear and it's over.

  She lost the election.

  This means she will still have to stay in Huanyi Alley afterwards.

  And maybe there won't be another chance again.

  Even if there were still opportunities at that time, she might have been old and no longer qualified.

  Cháo shēng says he can't describe the feeling in his heart, it's empty and hollow, as if a vital bone has been extracted, and with it, all his strength has been drained away. He clenched his teeth to prevent himself from collapsing to the ground.

  "Cough..." The eunuch standing beside him coughed, he had not made a sound since entering, but now his voice did not sound particularly shrill, nor was it the kind of eerie, glass-scraping-on-blackboard sound that sent shivers down one's spine.

  "Is Auntie He done picking yet?"

  The female official in charge was originally surnamed He.

  She said: "We've delayed Mr. Wei, shall we go to Zuo Xiang now?"

  "It's fine." Old Master Wei waved his hand and said lazily, "Looks like it's going to rain again, I won't bother running around anymore. There are two that aren't bad."

  He Nu Guan asked: "Oh? Which two?"

  Duke Wei pointed casually with his hand.

  One is Yuka standing on the far left, and the other is Choshin.

  Chao Sheng was stunned for a moment. Wei Gonggong's hand looked thin and weak, and he casually pointed from afar.

  Is it her? Or is it someone behind her?

  He Nu Guan smiled and said: "Mmm, these two look quite clever too."

  What's with this Mr. Wei?

  The tide was born dizzy and confused, and returned home with others to pack up their luggage.

  Feng Yan glanced at her and nodded in her direction.

  She felt it was unreal - as if this opportunity shouldn't have fallen to her. Maybe the next moment Mr. Wei would say he made a mistake, and she'd still be stuck at the bottom of Huanyi Alley, day after day, year after year, until she rotted away with those clothes soaked in dirty water.

  "Congratulations, it's a boy."

  "Should I be congratulating you, Sister Feng Yan?"

  Feng Yan shook her head: "Actually, your opportunity is better than mine. Wei Gonggong is a person from the East Palace, and there are many people in the palace, it's not easy to stand out. If you go to the East Palace... with your skills and appearance, you shouldn't be overlooked."

  "Inside?"

  Chao Sheng thought of Han Xun first, wasn't she also in the East Palace?

  "Then... take care of yourselves." Feng Yan probably hadn't spoken such soft words to anyone before, her expression awkward, and after saying this sentence, she picked up her luggage and left the house first.

  Lost in thought, dazed and distracted.

  Going to Dong Nei...... Doesn't that mean she can see Han Xun? And Cai Zhu, she can also see her?

  Man'er looked around outside the door and took advantage of the opportunity to come in, calling out to her, before Chao Sheng came back to his senses.

  "Chao Sheng, it seems we won't be seeing each other often from now on..." Man Er's eyes were slightly red: "You must take good care of yourself, don't eat cold or hard things, and be careful not to get a stomachache."

  "I know, you are too. If there is a senior palace maid to train you, don't talk back, be careful when doing things, don't break anything, don't cause trouble, and don't speak excessively..." Chao Sheng had many concerns about Man Er. Man Er had always stayed in the laundry alley, where although there were also intrigues and struggles, but more often it was straightforward quarrels and fights. Except for working, the rules weren't that strict either. Now that she's going out, can she adapt to life outside?

  Man's eyes were red: "I thought we could choose a place to go, where is that Wei Gonggong from?"

  "Don't worry, I heard he's from Dongnei, it's a good place to go."

  "But," Man'er choked back a sob: "The East Palace is so far from the imperial palace..."

  Just as she was about to cry, Cao Sheng hastily said: "Don't cry, we're leaving soon, it's not good for others to see. If I have the chance in the future, I'll go find you."

  These words are just vague comfort. The palace maid is busy with her daily chores and has no freedom, it's hard to get out of the door even once. Cai Zhen came to see her a few times, but each time was in a hurry, and when handing things over, she was careful not to be caught by others. Moreover, from Dong Nei to Yi Ting Gong, it is so far away.

  "But these two sentences made Man Er believe: 'Okay, if I have time, I will also go find you.'"

  Chao Sheng smiled and nodded.

  It's gradually becoming more realistic.

  It's really time to leave this place now.

  It's hard to put into words what I feel in my heart.

  Originally wanted to leave the alley, where every day is hard work, food and clothing are rough. This place is filled with her hardships and pain. There is no future here, the road ahead is dark.

  But when it was time to leave, Chao Sheng suddenly felt reluctant to part with her.

  The mottled walls with moss, the windows that have opened a crack, the grass mats on the bed, the coarse ceramic bowls with a mouthful of cracks, the low eaves, the worn-out well rope... Everything that was taken for granted before now seems so familiar and dear.

  Even in a terrible place, after living there for a long time, you will get used to it and have feelings for it.

  There is also confusion about the future.

  Dongnei...... is so far and unfamiliar to her.

  Where will she go in Dongnei? What kind of errand is it? Will she... encounter another unexpected disaster like last time? Will she be bullied? Can she handle all the new things?

  Chao Sheng and another chosen Yu Jia followed behind Wei Gonggong.

  As he was about to leave the alley of the laundry shop, Chao Sheng turned his head and took a look back.

  Deep alleys, high palace walls.

  Several magpies stood in the eaves of the roof, looking far away at those several solid black dots, not moving at all.

  ＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋

  Update again tomorrow...

  Yesterday, my husband and I went to the supermarket. After checking out, we heard a female staff member at the entrance shouting: "Leave the man behind..." I was shocked, thinking it was a robbery or something. But after listening more carefully, she actually said: "Leave the basket behind~~"