Chapter 64: Extracting Silk

  Chapter 64: Extracting Silk

  Never thought I had a two-faced and three-knife talent, with a mouth that doesn't match my heart.

  It turns out that human potential is infinite, it depends on whether you go and dig it up.

  She knew Autumn Ink's secret now, and Autumn Ink probably had an idea too, after all, the person in the kitchen had already been driven out.

  However, after Qiuyan recovered from his illness, the two of them met again and were still very affectionate, even more so than before. Qiuyan showed extra care for Chaosheng everywhere, and Chaosheng also reciprocated with kindness, not giving anyone any reason to gossip.

  When she and Qiū Yuè were chatting in front of people, Cháo Shēng didn't know what Qiū Yuè was thinking in her heart.

  Anyway, she thought it was absurd enough.

  But think about it, some couples have different dreams in the same bed, and sons are waiting for their parents to die early so they can get their inheritance. What's the big deal with me and Qiu Yan?

  Some things have completely changed from before.

  You don't know there's a snake hiding behind the pillow, you can sleep soundly. Now you only dare to lie down lightly and never dare to fall asleep deeply, and you will jump up with a start at the slightest rustling of grass.

  Qiu Yan is that snake.

  And for Qiū Yuàn, perhaps her existence is also equally dangerous.

  Calmness is temporary.

  This point, Chao Sheng is clear about it.

  That autumn sword didn't succeed once, it will definitely make a move again.

  When and how he will make his move is beyond Cao's guess.

  She can't be so passive.

  But ——

  She didn't know what she should take the initiative to do.

  Should she learn from Qiu Yan's example and poison him too?

  Let's not talk about whether she can do it or not, even if she can, where does the medicine come from?

  It's really hard for a clever housewife to cook without rice. Watching TV dramas, it's so easy for them to poison someone, just mix some incompatible foods and it's done in the blink of an eye. Arsenic is everywhere, and poisonous plants like Datura, Oleander, and Aconitum are readily available...

  Unfortunately, it's an artistic exaggeration, and there aren't that many poisonous flowers, weeds, or medicines in real life.

  Where did the medicine used by Shang Qi last autumn come from?

  Yes, they have a powerful backer and must have a way in.

  Why didn't she use poison?

  Yes, this is easy to understand.

  Using poison, whether it was the tenth princess or the eighth prince who died, this matter would be huge. Not only would the newborns die, but the entire kitchen of Huaye Manor... no, not just the kitchen, almost everyone except for the fourth prince would likely meet their demise.

  Qiu Yan of course couldn't let herself get dragged in as well, so she used a laxative instead of poison.

  Just thinking about the consequences of not being aware and presenting that row of meat to several princesses - Chao Sheng hated it so much that his teeth ached, he simply wanted to give Qiu Mo another dose of medicine.

  But for a well-behaved child like Chao Sheng, learning bad things seems even more difficult than learning good ones.

  Having told a lie, it's hard to sleep soundly at night. She can defend herself against others, but taking the initiative... probably, possibly...

  Still can't make it.

  Chunmo didn't know what he had seen, but when no one was around, he asked Chaosheng: "What's going on between you and Qiuzhu?"

  Chao Sheng was startled: "No, why did sister ask this?"

  Chun Mo hummed: "You're quite bold, thinking you can deceive me? Besides, Qiu Yan has been acting strange these past few days."

  Chao Sheng didn't know what to say either, so he simply lowered his head.

  "Alright, I know you have your reasons. As for Qiu Shan... we've known each other for years, who doesn't know who? If she wants to make things difficult for you, just avoid her and don't provoke her."

  Huh? So that means Chun Mo is on this side?

  What else does Chun Mo know?

  Chao Sheng lifted his head and said cautiously: "I... I didn't do anything, but Autumn Ink sister she..."

  Chun Mo poked her forehead, somewhat helplessly: "What haven't you done that makes her so wary of you? I've never seen her be so cautious before. She's all smiles and talk, but actually she's hiding everything tightly, afraid to reveal even a crack."

  Chao Sheng couldn't confirm whether Chun Mo was with Qiu Yan, and vaguely said: "Maybe I offended Sister Qiu Yan somewhere, I don't know myself. Ah, right, Sister Chun Mo, do you know if she has any relatives or old friends in the palace? Maybe I offended someone else who is close to her..."

  "Ah, you're still trying to play dumb in front of me. But even if I tell you, it's useless. In the past few years, there were some sisters... but these two years, except for Chen Ayi from the Yueting Palace, she hasn't had any contact with others. Hmm, when she was ill, didn't Chen Ayi send someone to deliver things to her?"

  Aunt Chen?

  Chao Sheng quickly thought back over his experiences and confirmed that he did not know any female officials with the surname Chen.

  When Qiu Shan was sick a few days ago, someone indeed sent some things over. But at that time, Qiu Shan didn't think of asking who had sent the things or what they were.

  The East Palace and the Rear Palace are far apart, and in ordinary times, Autumn Ink cannot leave the gate of the Autumn Palace.

  Will there be any laxatives or arsenic hidden in the things that were sent over?

  Who is that Aunt Chen again?

  Chao Sheng felt bewildered.

  Even if she knew, what could she do about it?

  Who is this big shot who wants her life, what can she do?

  As Li Auntie said, the lives of these insignificant people are as worthless as ants in the eyes of their superiors.

  Now can only be more careful.

  This year's New Year is spent in a cold and quiet manner. Last year during the New Year, the Second Prince had arranged for a troupe of singers and dancers to come, and even had people tie up flowers made of colored paper and silk on the trees in the garden, decorating the Autumn Palace with a profusion of flowers like brocade, filling the air with a fresh and lively atmosphere. However, this year the Second Prince is not in good spirits, the Fourth Prince has always been one who loves quietness, while the Eighth Prince was loudly calling out to personally set off firecrackers, but unfortunately he slipped on the ice as soon as he went out and fell, scaring Winter Paper and the others so much that they didn't dare let him go out again.

  The fourth prince wrote a spring couplet with his own hands and posted it on the door, then pushed away the pen, ink and inkstone: "Quickly put them away, I won't touch them again until the fifteenth."

  It's rare to see someone so diligent in their studies, and with a smile, Chao Sheng put away the Four Treasures of the Study. On the desk, only a celadon incense burner and a butterfly-necked vase remained, with a plum blossom inserted into it. Although the red plum was beautiful, the entire study still seemed too solemn and lacking in festivity.

  "That's it, I won't write or read books for these days, and I won't enter this room either."

  The fourth prince walked out, followed closely by Chao Sheng.

  Xiao Su was still standing at the door, guarding it.

  The fourth prince was a young prince who did not hold any power, but his study was heavily guarded at all times. The outside world said that the fourth prince loved books and did not want anyone to enter or exit his study casually, nor did he like others to randomly move things around.

  As for other things, the fourth prince was always good at talking. However, only the study room - when Jin Hua and Jin Ye wanted to enter, they were also stopped by Xiao Su, no matter how soft or hard they tried, they all hit a wall with Xiao Su.

  But before Jin Hua and Jin Ye came here, Xiao Su had been guarding this door for more than one or two days.

  At that time, who was the fourth prince defending?

  Those who can enter this house... People from Huaye Residence...

  The fourth prince has always been on guard against the people in his own courtyard?

  Chao Sheng finally realized that he was very foolish, it took him so long to understand this point.

  Since Chunmo was scolded and forbidden to leave, the chores in the study seemed to be done more by Chao Sheng. She had served tea, sent water, ground ink, and swept the floor. However, each time she would not be allowed to enter the study alone, either the Fourth Prince or Xiao Su were present.

  Still on guard against her.

  However, it seems that he is no longer as guarded as he was at the beginning. It's as if Chao Sheng has more freedom to come and go compared to others.

  "Your Highness can take a good rest these few days. After all, it's only during the New Year that one can relax."

  The fourth prince smiled and said, "Just wait and see. In these days of guarding the age, offering sacrifices to heaven, opening banquets... there will be no lack of socializing, writing poetry, not to mention resting, I'm afraid it will be even more exhausting than usual."

  Uh...

  Chao Sheng felt a little ashamed.

  She was unfamiliar with what the fourth prince had said.

  I thought everyone could have a good rest during the New Year, and the fourth prince didn't need to go to school either.

  The result was just the opposite.

  "With the arrival of spring, we will have new neighbors again."

  Yes, after the beginning of spring, I heard that the sixth and seventh princes will move into the East Palace. It's just unknown which side they will live on. The east side's Yichun Palace is empty, if someone lives there, it's likely to be renovated. The fifth prince's Changqing Hall can still accommodate people, but since the sixth prince is the emperor's eldest son, it's unlikely he'll squeeze in with the fifth prince, and Changqing Hall isn't spacious anyway. Further ahead, Guangtian Hall and Liren Hall aren't suitable for living either - Yichun Palace has a large space and beautiful scenery, so it's most likely to be Yichun Palace.

  If the sixth prince of Kai comes in spring, then it's likely that after the New Year, Yichun Palace will have to rush to repair and renovate, otherwise it won't be done on time.

  But time is so tight, can it be rushed?

  Just then, Autumn Rush came hurrying over. The atmosphere was suddenly tense and everyone was on high alert.

  Recently she has been reacting like this whenever she sees Qián Yuàn.

  Qiu Yan said: "Your Highness, the Emperor has issued an imperial edict summoning you to come over."

  The fourth prince changed his clothes and went out. Autumn Ink and Chao Sheng looked at each other, and Autumn Ink smiled and said: "There's nothing to do now, go help Aunt Li."

  Chao Sheng smiled and said: "Let Autumn take care of it."

  Turning around with a smile still on his face, but he couldn't help but let out a sigh in his heart.

  In the past, Qiū Yàn had been very supportive and caring towards her, and Cháo Shēng still didn't want to believe that it was all just pretence.

  But the past is just the past. She and Qiu Yan are now on guard against each other, not daring to relax for a moment.

  Chao Sheng asked Li Aunt, and Li Aunt thought for a moment: "With the surname Chen... I remember now, it's Chen Sufen."

  "Who is this person?"

  "Now she is a housekeeper in the palace of Yeting." Li Aunt frowned: "But she seems to have no obvious tendency towards any master. Others are easy to say, like Liu Lianghong, she is the emperor's confidant. He Yuan and others have always been close to Lai Gonggong. Chen Sufen has just started, but there has been no promotion or change for so many years..."

  Chao Sheng sincerely admired: "Auntie is indeed familiar with these people."

  Auntie Li smiled self-deprecatingly: "Don't spout nonsense, I don't need you to flatter me. What's the point of being familiar with someone? Back then, some people climbed up, some fell down, and I was stuck in between, neither up nor down. Those people were all acquaintances back then, but now... who still remembers who I am?"

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