Chapter 77 Rewarding Flowers

  The fourth prince didn't ask anything else and continued writing with his head down.

  Chao Sheng walked out of the house and felt his legs slightly weakening.

  It is said that the Fourth Prince has never been angry, nor has he ever dealt with anyone like the Second Prince did. Even when Guiyu was injured last time, he remained calm and composed.

  But Cai Sheng felt... somewhat afraid of him.

  Some people don't need to slam their fists on the table or shout loudly to have that kind of demeanor.

  Although this person doesn't say anything, he understands everything in his heart.

  Qiu Yan is the Empress's person, the Fourth Prince must know.

  This kind of thing often happens in the palace.

  Anyone with some status and means will certainly place one or two informants elsewhere to grasp the news at any time.

  The emperor must have someone in the Yiqiu Palace.

  The queen must have one too.

  Are there still people from the Imperial Noble Consort's side? The Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort's side?

  These things can be said to be universally acknowledged, open secrets, and mutually understood.

  Especially as princes, the second and fourth princes have no territory of their own, no one to rely on - they can't do anything now. Even if they confirm that someone has a problem, they can only secretly guard against it. What's the point of finding an excuse to drive this person away? The next person who comes in may be unknown what kind of background and unknown bottom line, more troublesome. It's better to leave this person who already knows the root.

  The next day, Aunt Li told Qiū Zhèn that the matter had already been settled.

  "Uh..."

  "Chen Suping is dead, what about Qiu Yan... She was forced by Chen Suping due to family reasons, and she didn't know the inside story. Moreover, she reported Chen Suping, so she only received 40 lashes."

  What a coincidence, also forty-four.

  "Where is she?"

  Li Aunt gave Chao Sheng a white eye: "Ask so many questions anyway she won't come back to Yi Qiu Palace again. Don't mention this person from now on."

  Chao nodded slightly.

  "Chen Suping is not some kind of good man or believing woman, she also has someone's life in her hands. Now she's getting what she deserves, it's not unjust at all." Li Auntie tapped the back of Chao Sheng's hand with a spatula: "What are you spacing out for, hurry up and get off the stove."

  The busy tide uses a cloth to wrap around the ears of the sand pot and moves it aside.

  There is a chicken stewing in the casserole, and the aroma is overwhelming.

  Auntie Li scooped a spoonful of soup for Chao Sheng to taste.

  The soup is extremely delicious.

  Auntie Li herself doesn't taste the dishes, to use her own words, she can never tell whether the dishes she cooks are good or not. So this arduous task usually falls on Chao Sheng's shoulders.

  He eats so much snacks from left and right that he is usually full before meal time.

  Auntie Li didn't mention it again and Chao Sheng also stopped talking.

  Yes, it's as if this person never existed.

  The people around him are also like this, no one asks, and no one asks why Qiu Yan suddenly disappeared.

  That's the rule of the palace.

  But - there are exceptions.

  He and Qiū Zhù lived in a house with Xīn Yuè and Wén Yuè, who had secretly asked around.

  The person they were looking for was coincidentally Chao Sheng.

  Maybe they think it's good for Tsundere to be temperamental and easy to talk to.

  It's also possible that they vaguely sensed something and knew that Chao Sheng was related to this matter.

  However, Chao Sheng could only answer what they didn't know.

  Also warned them not to ask others about Qiu Shan.

  A bewildered expression appeared on Coral's face.

  The tide was born as if she saw her former self in her.

  The little girl who just entered the palace has not yet experienced the cruelty of the imperial court rules.

  Li Aunt made no sound, and Autumn Ink and Chen Sufen were done for.

  It seems like this matter has come to an end.

  It ended so smoothly, so quietly.

  However, Chao Sheng felt that this matter was far from being so simple.

  Aunt Li did everything for this matter from beginning to end, but Chao Sheng could only see a small part of it.

  For example, when Aunt Li made soup for the emperor, she said in front of him...

  These things must be meaningful.

  But Chaosheng didn't understand and couldn't guess what was going on.

  This matter will absolutely not end like this.

  Because the mastermind is still at large.

  Chen Suping is dead, but the people behind her are still there.

  Qiu Yan left the East Palace, but is there still someone else in the East Palace like Qiu Yan? Serving as other people's eyes, ears, and claws.

  At some point, danger will jump out from the dark again and show its ferocious true face to her.

  The weather is getting warmer day by day, and winter clothes will soon be worn out. The willow catkins are flying everywhere, white and fluffy, rolling on the ground in clusters, drifting with the wind, as if it has returned to winter, snowflakes falling continuously. The fifth prince sent a note inviting the second and fourth princes to go to Yichun Palace to admire the flowers.

  The peach blossoms in Yichun Palace have bloomed, with petals that are red, soft, fragrant and dense, looking like clouds of sunset from afar.

  Chun Mo and Chao Sheng also went with the Fourth Prince.

  This was Chao's first time at Yichun Palace.

  After Qiuyan left, Chao Sheng naturally took her place and became the second highest-ranking palace maid in Huaye Manor, next only to Chunmo... Cough, but the problem of her appointment was still unresolved.

  The highlight of Yichun Palace lies in the word "spring". Indeed, it is most beautiful during springtime. The warm and gentle spring breeze makes the tender green willow branches seem like a green wave. Occasionally, you can catch a glimpse of a lovely palace maid peeking out from among the greenery, lively as an oriole.

  The Yichun Palace is also very beautiful.

  Heiyu Palace is entirely different. The beauty of Heiyu Palace lies in autumn, luxurious, radiant and serene. It makes people sigh with emotion, and also feel a sense of melancholy, "The sunset is not good, it's just near dusk".

  The beauty of Yichun Palace is flourishing, spring is the season when all things sprout.

  Both have their own merits and it's hard to say who is more beautiful.

  But the second prince bluntly said, "Ah - this broken place is even paying me to stay and I wouldn't live here. What kind of thing is this, always crawling into my nose?"

  Song Chan handed over a handkerchief, the second prince took it and covered his mouth and nose, saying with a look of disgust: "What's so good about flowers? I heard you got some good tea the other day, hurry up and bring it out for your brother to taste."

  The fifth prince seemed somewhat displeased, saying: "Second brother doesn't like to appreciate flowers, so please go in and sit down first. I'll accompany fourth brother here for a stroll. The scenery is the best at this time of year, after two days the willow leaves will all grow out and there won't be such a shallow and misty color."

  The second prince waved his hand like a fly swatter: "Alright, alright, you can go."

  Chao Sheng followed behind the Fourth Prince.

  The fifth prince seemed to be quite pleased with himself, and the two of them walked together. He recited two poems, one about peach blossoms and one about willows. As he recited the poems, he shook his head and swayed back and forth, appearing to be deeply intoxicated.

  What a sour thing this is.

  Chao Sheng felt that overnight rice would become sour.

  Moreover, she felt that the fifth prince's poem was obviously not thought of on the spot, but had been prepared in advance and was waiting for this moment to be used.

  The fourth prince smiled, seemingly appreciating both the scenery and the poem.

  As for whether he really appreciates it that much, it's hard to say.

  The fifth prince invited the fourth prince to the pavilion on the artificial hill: "It's better to look from above, it's just red, fat and green thin."

  The fourth prince nodded and said: "Good."

  The fifth prince was very enthusiastic: "Fourth brother be careful with your feet on the ground, this stone is quite slippery."

  The tide and they were wearing skirts, so it was inconvenient to follow them up, so they stayed below and waited.

  The fifth prince was talking to the fourth prince on the pavilion, his voice wasn't loud and nothing could be heard from below.

  The fourth prince's expression never changed, always with a smile on his face, neither angry nor furious. The fifth prince's expression, however, gradually underwent some changes - as if he was somewhat displeased.

  Could it be that he wrote poetry again, and this time the Fourth Prince didn't go along with him?

  Obviously not.

  The fifth prince specially invited the fourth prince to the pavilion, pushing away all the others, and must have something to say.

  After a while, the fourth prince and fifth prince came down from the fake mountain one after another. Chao Sheng lowered his eyebrows and eyes, pretending not to see the fifth prince's unpleasant face.

  There is no good banquet and no good gathering.

  Even admiring flowers in a simple and honest way can lead to gossip and rumors.

  However, the fifth prince seemed to have come to a realization after a while and became cheerful again. At lunchtime, he frequently offered wine to his two older brothers. The second prince's nose and eyes were red, it was unclear whether it was due to an allergy or something else. Song Yan didn't dare let him drink. The fourth prince also didn't drink, saying "The schoolwork has been too intense these past few days, I'll pass on the wine."

  The fifth prince didn't force it either, smiling and saying: "That's true, if I really got punished, that would be embarrassing."

  He proudly pointed to the dishes on the table: "This, these few, Peach Blossom Fish, Willow Leaf Soup... you can't eat this at Yiyu Palace. I'm the only one who has it here, using the flowers and leaves from my own garden. Second Brother, Fourth Brother, try some!"

  The second prince grunted and didn't move to touch the two things he mentioned. The fourth prince, on the other hand, tasted the fish and nodded, saying: "Not bad, very innovative, with a hint of floral fragrance, and the fish meat is tender."

  It seems that Chao Sheng thinks this dish should be cooked similarly to steamed fish with tea aroma, the only difference being that the tea leaves are replaced with peach blossoms.

  The second prince didn't eat much, his appearance was like a little white rabbit that had been bullied badly, even if he was given the most delicious dishes and delicacies, he might not be able to taste them. The fifth prince looked at him several times, as if wanting to laugh, but held back.

  "Second brother, as your younger brother, I'd like to congratulate you first. You've got a wife and a great house now. When you move out and relocate to the new mansion, be sure to invite me and fourth brother over for a good tour."

  The second prince said listlessly: "You all come if you want to - anyway it's not far."

  "I've heard that your future sister-in-law is talented and virtuous, so it seems your second brother has good fortune this time."

  "What good fortune is there? It's just a matter of course."

  The second prince, who was in a bad mood due to allergies, left early. As soon as he said he wanted to leave, the fourth prince also bid farewell, and the fifth prince saw him off at the door, smiling and saying goodbye.

  The second prince turned around and asked: "Did Old Five say something to you?"

  The fourth prince smiled and said: "Why did second brother say such a thing?"

  "Cut, I still don't know him? He's as stingy as a iron rooster, he moved here not just for one or two days, how come this year he suddenly remembered to invite us to admire the flowers? There must be some small calculation."

  The fourth prince did not hide it and said: "The fifth brother just said, let's also mention him more in front of the emperor, and didn't say anything else."

  "Did you promise him?"

  "The fourth prince smiled: 'How can I answer this? When Father Emperor examines our homework, he and I are equally able to see Father Emperor. What words can't be said face-to-face to Father Emperor, why do they have to come from me in a roundabout way?'"

  The second prince curled his lips: "He's just too petty."

  Nothing more was said.

  ——————－

  The temperature has dropped to 12-13 degrees.

  My goodness, I'm freezing to death.

  Today was a day of various misfortunes. I ate peanut sugar and my tooth hurt as soon as I finished eating. I ate fish and got poked by the bones, which were short and small, and it took a lot of effort to pull them out.