Chapter Seventy-Five: The Incident Occurs

  That night, the palace was very quiet. But it's said that outside the palace is very lively. The flower lantern festival and so on have been bustling all night. It's worth noting that the Lantern Festival is the only time of the year without a curfew, and these three days can be enjoyed freely. When Coral and others talked about it, they all had a look of longing.

  She didn't feel much after eating the Tangyuan, she didn't know if it was because of the glutinous rice balls or the taro she ate later, anyway, she always felt that her stomach was a bit bloated and she didn't sleep well at night.

  As soon as I woke up, I heard people discussing and rejoicing. The fourth prince was praised by the emperor, saying he was "filial" and "studious". Although these words have been symbolically exaggerated for most scholars, it can be said that in this era, being a person requires these two essential qualities - at least on the surface.

  But who is the fourth prince? Who is the emperor?

  Words spoken from the emperor's mouth are golden words and jade phrases.

  What does this mean?

  The fourth prince's father was very fond of this son.

  The fourth prince has a promising future

  It also means that almost all of these people in Yiqiu Palace are promising.

  No future... Hmm, it's also glorious in a way.

  The emperor's praise was not just verbal, but also material.

  Uh, of course, it's not about giving away gold and silver treasures. A parent who says "Here, take 100 bucks to have some fun" is a modern way of doing things.

  The emperor's reward includes: 1. Two new books, 2. Two boxes of tribute ink, 3. A pair of white jade paperweights, and 4. Two boxes of pens.

  Look, they all look good but don't taste good.

  But this is an honor

  Just like in the past, everyone really wanted the small red flower given by the teacher, but that flower was neither edible nor wearable.

  But it's an affirmation of your efforts.

  The fourth prince has been studying hard from dawn till dusk, what's the point of that?

  He didn't go to take the imperial examination for Xiucai and Juren.

  Why do people all over the world read books? There is a saying: "Learn literature and martial arts, and you can be a valuable asset to the imperial family."

  It's like an emperor opening a big company and all the scholars in the world sharpening their heads to squeeze into this company.

  Because this company is the only one in the world, it has a monopoly and absolute authority, and can bring you wealth and glory, with everyone at your service.

  The fourth prince, as the son of the company's president, also needs the affirmation and recognition of the emperor, who is both his boss and father.

  The second prince also got a reward, and the fourth prince was not much different. This one is known for not loving to read books. The emperor's reward to him - or it can be said that welfare is very practical.

  A house.

  This house should have been given anyway.

  The second prince has already settled his marriage and will get married this year. Once he gets married, of course, he can't live in the East Palace anymore?

  Young guys are the same, once you have a wife, you can't let your wife squeeze into a dormitory with you. Even if you go out to rent, you have to rent a small house for your wife to settle down.

  So the prince gets married, a house is a must-give, and apart from that, there are also fields, money, labor...

  The emperor's reward is just giving what should be given a little earlier. What's the big deal? The second prince can't move in ahead of time anyway.

  The emperor is too cunning.

  But the second prince was overjoyed, as if he had picked up a great bargain.

  Chao Sheng suddenly felt that the second prince was very silly.

  It's just like a kid who never gets parental love, constantly rebelling and being difficult. Suddenly, the old man shows some fatherly love, symbolically pats him on the head and praises him with a "good boy", he immediately becomes sunny and can't find his bearings, just like a small dog wagging its tail and running around its owner's feet.

  Look at our own fourth prince, this is called calmness.

  You give me, I'll accept it; you don't give me, I won't ask for it. If you want to come, then come; if you don't want to come, I won't beg you.

  To survive in the palace, this mentality is necessary.

  The fourth prince had to attend classes again after seventeen, so for the next two days, he didn't go out and focused on reviewing his books. The Huaye residence immediately became quiet, with everyone speaking in hushed tones, afraid of disturbing their master's studies.

  Chao Sheng was worried about Qiu Yan's whereabouts, and after noon, Qiu Yan went out again.

  It's not easy for a palace maid to go out. First, she is not allowed to go out alone. Second, there must be a clear errand. Third, she must wear the waist card of her department to prevent being questioned when passing through various palace gates. None of these three can be missing.

  Qiu Shan went out yesterday for what reason, Chao Sheng inquired about it.

  Go to Weiyuan Palace, it's still Li Auntie's errand, go and collect things.

  But today I went out because the person in charge was not there yesterday and couldn't pick it up, so I went again today.

  There is much to be said about this.

  Chao Sheng knew there must be a plot. What did Aunt Li send Qiu Shan to do? Or was it to pass on a message to someone?

  The tide was born and ended, and tea entered the study.

  The floor of the study is also made of water-grinding stone bricks. Under the desk, a grey-blue carpet was laid out.

  The overall impression of the study is very simple and plain.

  It's so plain... there's no vitality at all.

  Chao Sheng put down the tea cup, the fourth prince raised his head, looked at her for a moment, and picked up the tea to smell it.

  "How did you come up with this?"

  "Your Highness also came last night and ate some yuanxiao and drank wine."

  The fourth prince didn't say anything else, took a sip and put down his tea cup.

  Chao Sheng had gone to Songtao Pavilion several times and had also entered the Second Prince's study once.

  It's really... inside there

  Yes, the walls are hung with them, the floor is covered with them, and the table is filled with them... It's really colorful and beautiful, but it's too crowded and too flashy, not like a place for reading.

  Read a book, probably still in the house of the fourth prince, it looks empty and quiet.

  Only then can I feel at ease and slowly read books.

  The fourth prince had no other orders, and Chao Sheng retreated two steps and walked out of the study door.

  Because of the addition of two snowfalls, the previous day's snow had just stopped. On the sixteenth day, the weather was warm again, and the sun shone brightly, melting the snow on the roof bit by bit. Water droplets dripped down along the eaves, first sparse, then gradually faster and faster, just like a sudden rainstorm.

  Chao Sheng carefully made her way through the beaded curtain, but still got splashed with two drops on her neck, which made her shiver.

  This day passed quietly and peacefully —— except that Autumn Ink didn't come back, but Old Man Wei did.

  Auntie Li and he seemed to be old friends, but Mr. Wei's face didn't look too good, quickly walking in the door, Chao Sheng hurriedly stood up, Auntie Li was still sitting, slowly saying: "What's wrong?"

  "Are you asking me? I'd like to ask you instead. Elder sister, after all these years... now isn't it just great?"

  Auntie Li said innocently: "I also want to live a good life, but someone doesn't let me. Say, what's going on now?"

  Duke Wei said: "What else is there to say? Come with me for a trip. This... is your little apprentice?"

  Duke Wei's gaze fell on Chao Sheng's body, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

  Sometimes people are like this, wanting to see things clearly, but instead of opening their eyes wide, they narrow them.

  "This has nothing to do with her."

  Wei Gong said with his hands behind his back: "Whether or not it's closed, we've already said what we have to say. Let's go together."

  A wave is born in his heart with anxiety.

  What exactly did Aunt Li do?

  Is this going... is it... never coming back again?

  It's a good thing he thought of it at this time.

  Luckily she entrusted the little money she had saved to Han Xun, if she didn't come back, the money wouldn't be taken advantage of by others. With some money in hand, Han Xun thought that whatever he wanted to do would be more convenient.

  Duke Wei led them out of the side door, and instead of going through Yanxi Gate, they went directly from behind Yiqiu Palace, passing through a small gate, after which Chao Sheng suddenly realized that they had already left the East Palace.

  Both sides were high palace walls.

  Cháo shēng knows where this place is now.

  On one side was the Eastern Palace, and on the wall of that location - it should be the Yunxia Palace.

  They are now on the middle palace path.

  The wall is extremely high and blocks out the sun. The snow here hasn't been swept away by anyone, it's still quietly piled up here, with only two sparse lines of footprints on top.

  However, this snow that has accumulated over the past few days is different from the newly fallen snow.

  This snow doesn't look so clean.

  Chao Sheng supported Li Aunt's hand and followed behind Wei Grandfather.

  She thought it was for good - maybe just asking questions.

  If it were a settled case, it wouldn't be just Lord Wei coming alone now. The scene was so impressive that I still remember it vividly to this day.

  It turned out that Chao Sheng was right.

  As Wei Gong walked for half a day, Chao Sheng didn't know where they had arrived. In short, the house wasn't big and looked somewhat like the one she used to be locked in before.

  There is already someone in the house.

  Behind the table sat two eunuchs, and on one side against the wall was placed a chair, in which an elderly woman official with great authority was seated.

  The one who kneels down is Qiu Yan.

  Her hair and clothes were still neat and clean, her face and hands didn't seem to have any injuries, and her expression was... calm.

  The female officer's gaze fell on her first, and when she saw Li Gugu, she also narrowed her eyes: "You...Li Yutuan?"

  Li Aunt kneeled down and paid her respects, Cao Sheng hastily followed suit.

  The eunuch sitting in the middle spoke in a slightly deep voice: "What? Does Director Pei know her?"

  "Recognized." The palm reader nodded: "She used to be under me."

  That eunuch's face revealed a hint of a smile. But the smile looked extremely unnatural, as if someone had forcibly pulled his face to make it appear: "What a coincidence, this offender is under your command, and so is the witness."

  "Ask whatever you want to ask, it's a good day for settling this matter during the holiday season, and it will save everyone from worrying."

  That eunuch seemed to have some reservations, and after collecting his smile, he asked Li Gugu: "This palace maid Autumn Ink, is she from your Yi Qiu Palace?"

  "Yes, she has been serving the Fourth Prince since Jianping 8th year."

  "She had tampered with the food at the Imperial Autumn Palace last October, intending to harm the Princess and the Crown Prince. Was it like that?"

  This thing...

  Qiu Yan lowered his head and remained silent, while Li Auntie spoke calmly: "It's true, the one who made the move was Huang Xi from the kitchen. She has already confessed that it was Qiu Yan who told her to do it, and the medicine was also given by Qiu Yan. There is even a receipt signed, including the jar of meat that was tampered with, all handed over to Wei Gong for inspection."

  The eunuch nodded: "That's it. Why didn't you report it at the time? And why did you leave this palace maid in Yi Qiu Palace?"

  His heart skipped a beat as he heard this sentence.

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  Ugh, I'm so bloated.

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