Chapter Eighty-two Newcomer

  Just look at the Fourth Prince now, so refined and composed... when he was young, he must have been quite a handful.

  Maybe the fourth prince was so serious when he was a kid, striding with his short legs and holding books...

  Tidal life steals a smile.

  So cute!

  Although all kinds of personalities of children are lovely, Chao Sheng still likes the quieter ones. Like the eighth prince who is so lively, except when he's sleeping, you never see him being quiet for a moment. Dong Zhi and Xia Bi together don't have as much energy as he does alone.

  Speaking of children, wasn't it said last year that the sixth prince and his family were going to move into the East Palace? How come this year has passed quickly, but there's still no sign of them moving?

  Although this matter has nothing to do with Chao Sheng, she just finds it a bit strange.

  The second prince finally got married, and the wedding was said to be grand. The second prince did not go to welcome his bride in person due to his leg condition, but instead had the fourth prince do it for him. The bride was said to be beautiful and elegant, and everyone who saw her praised her. This is not important to Chao Sheng, what's important is that Xiao Shun brought her news about Huan Xiang.

  "Huang Xiang's daughter said everything is fine, had a good rest, the accommodation is spacious and the food is not bad either. Now Song Can sister is in charge of the warehouse accounts and whatnot, busy running around..."

  Song Can still hasn't changed her temper, she wants to grasp all the crucial things in her own hands.

  But she's busy with something good, once she's busy, she won't have time to look for trouble anymore.

  Xiao Shun smiled and said: "I see that Hanyun's complexion is very good, it seems she hasn't suffered much. By the way, she asked me to pass on a message to you, everything is fine, don't worry, just take care of yourself."

  Yes, Han Xiang is someone who won't speak out even if she has any worries.

  People are always like this, separated by distance, and tend to report good news but not bad news.

  What else can be done? Speak out troubles and let friends and family worry in vain?

  Worrying is useless, can't even see each other's face.

  Although it is only separated by a palace wall, this wall cannot be crossed.

  "I also brought some wedding cakes." Xiaoshun pulled out a paper package, inside which were several round cakes with deep red "double happiness" characters printed in the middle.

  "There are several fillings, try them all."

  Chao Sheng smiled and thanked him: "Did you see it with your own eyes? Is the second prince's consort really that beautiful?"

  Xiao Shun just smiled: "I'm afraid I won't be able to attend - people like us can't enter a new house."

  Ah, I almost forgot about the tide.

  At that time, people were very particular about weddings and taboos. Widows and those in mourning could not enter the new house, nor could Xiao Shun, who was physically disabled.

  She felt a little apologetic, but Xiaoshun didn't take it to heart himself.

  He's probably gotten used to it already.

  He never married and had children in his life.

  Whoever has a little bit of a way would never send their children to be eunuchs.

  They were all forced out.

  Although physically imperfect, this lifetime...

  At least there's food to eat and I'm still alive.

  Chao Sheng had only asked Xiao Shun once where his hometown was, and she hadn't inquired about anything else.

  Anyway... everyone has a belly full of bitter water, no one is better than anyone else.

  Just then, Coral and the others came in laughing and rushed to grab the sweet pastries. Chao Sheng laughed and said: "Don't fight, let's share them."

  In the end, everyone scrambled for it fiercely, her feet were trampled several times, and her hands were empty, all the sweet pastries were snatched away.

  It's not that everyone hasn't seen the world and isn't greedy for this cake, mainly because when people encounter happy events they feel refreshed in spirit and want to share in the good fortune and joy.

  "Little Shun, have you seen the second prince's consort? Is she pretty?"

  Got it, another careless one.

  Xiao Shun said: "I didn't go in, I heard it's very beautiful."

  Coral took a bite of her cake: "Mine is filled with red bean paste."

  "My osmanthus cake."

  "This sesame filling."

  On the third day after the wedding, the second prince and his new wife entered the palace together to thank the emperor and empress. They first paid their respects to the emperor and empress.

  This is the etiquette, even if the second prince doesn't want to pay respects to the empress, he can't avoid this step. Then he still needs to go and pay respects to the consorts with status in the harem. The virtuous consort, noble consort, and gentle consort are all places he must visit... As for the remaining consorts of lower rank, such as the ladies-in-waiting and beauties, there's no need to go - after all, the second prince and his wife's ranks are higher than theirs, how could they possibly pay respects to them?

  This circle of people kowtowing is not in vain. Everyone naturally has to give each other gifts, and the heaviest gift is given by the empress: a white jade Guanyin statue, a pair of gold-inlaid jade ornaments, a pair of white jade pillows with pearls, and many other miscellaneous items. Xia Dong thinks that although the second prince has accepted the gifts for now, it's unlikely that he will smash them when he gets home. Given his personality, it's entirely possible.

  Then lunch was used at Yiqiu Palace. Not only did the two emperors' husbands and wives come, but also the sixth emperor, seventh emperor, and even Princess Ten, Princess Eleven, and several of her sisters came. Yiqiu Palace suddenly became lively, and Shanhu and others had never seen so many dragon sons and phoenix grandchildren in one day before. For a while, they were at a loss, like headless flies, rushing around randomly. A few people went to serve tea, but after being stopped by Chunmo, they all went to move the tables and chairs together.

  Spring ink is burnt and her head is cracked. Normally she would have scolded people long ago, but now she can't even muster the energy to do so.

  Chao Sheng is also busy running around in circles.

  So many princes and princesses have to eat lunch here, can't this be a bit more lively?

  One dish after another was put on the stove, and one dish after another was served at the table. Chao Sheng felt like a spinning top that had been constantly whipped, busy to the point of being dizzy. With great difficulty, when all the work was almost done, she relaxed for a moment, and suddenly felt as if she were going to fall apart.

  "Tidal birth."

  Huh?

  She raised her head and saw Hanyin standing at the kitchen door smiling at her.

  "How did you get here?"

  A surge of excitement, just about to stand up, two legs softened, and heavily sat back in place.

  "I just came by earlier, you were busy." Huán Xūn looked around the room and smiled as she asked a woman sitting on the threshold: "Excuse me, where is the tea?"

  Chao Sheng waved his hand weakly: "Don't ask her, she doesn't know either - today is all in a mess. If you're thirsty, there's hot water in the pot over there, scoop out a bowl to moisten your throat first."

  Han Xun said, "I'm not thirsty." But she found a bowl, scooped up some water and handed it to Chao Sheng: "You'd better take a sip, you probably haven't had time to drink any water all morning."

  She didn't think she was thirsty at first, but once she started talking, she felt extremely parched.

  She took the bowl and drank a big mouthful.

  Drank too hastily, water all flowed out from mouth corner.

  Han Xun said: "Slow down, be careful you choke." At the same time, she took out a handkerchief to help her wipe it.

  Chao Sheng asked: "Did you enter the palace with the Second Prince today? Why didn't I see you just now?"

  "Our master brought two people into the palace today, one is me and the other is her maid Ruan Xiang from home. Ruan Xiang is quite clever, but she has never been to the palace before, so she can't do errands or deliver messages, that's why our master sent me to deliver the message, so I came late."

  No wonder I didn't see it just now.

  When the Second Prince and his entourage arrived, Chao Sheng didn't see Han Xun and thought she hadn't followed them into the palace. It made sense, after all - Song Can was more reliable by the Second Prince's side. With many people to meet today and much to pay attention to, it would be better for Song Can to attend and remind him. Unexpectedly, however, the Second Prince's consort, Liang Shi, hadn't brought Song Can but had chosen Han Xun instead.

  "How was it earlier?" Chao Sheng asked: "I've been at the back for half a day - it's quite lively on the seats, isn't it."

  "Spring Ink sister is quite majestic, directing with ease, without any mishaps. The sixth prince even praised the chef's skills." Huanyun sat down beside her: "I sneaked a peek earlier, you were busy and looked very impressive, just like Spring Ink sister, so dignified."

  Chao Sheng laughed: "What kind of prestige do I have? It's all because of Aunt Li's influence."

  Otherwise, would the people in the kitchen listen to her arrangements? Who wants to do chores without thinking about taking it easy? They all want to shirk off heavy tasks like cooking and fetching water, and scramble to do light and easy jobs.

  Usually nothing, once encountered a big scene, immediately turned not round. Li Aunt alone, can manage this side but not that side, Chao Sheng was on one side helping with the work, Li Aunt didn't see it and he watched for her, didn't think of it and reminded her in a sentence.

  Chao Sheng asked her: "How are you over there?"

  This is what she has been most worried about these days.

  "Pretty good. The place we live now is huge, with courtyards within courtyards, and it took me several days to get familiar with the layout after I first arrived. There's a really big garden..."

  What I want to hear is not these things.

  She took a sip of tea.

  "Hmm, suddenly a lot of people came out, not only from our place, but also from the inner servant monitor and the palace. Newcomers, four big maidservants, eight small maidservants, and many lower servants."

  "Is... your new master easy to get along with?"

  Xiang Xun whispered: "The days are still short, and nothing can be seen. That morning, we all went to pay our respects, and each of us received a reward. Song Cui led the people to serve in the palace, helping with changing clothes and so on..."

  "Take care of yourself." Chao Sheng whispered softly: "If something happens, you'd better hide far away and don't rush to take the lead."

  "I know, am I that kind of person?" Huai Xiang said: "I just honestly do my part well, what would happen."

  Tides are born in the heart, you haven't heard a saying that goes "Why make it difficult for women by being a woman yourself."

  Especially in this era.

  Newcomers always have to make a name for themselves, right? Who knows whose head these three fires will burn.

  Besides, Xiangxiang looks good too.

  Chao Sheng saw the second prince's consort today, although it was just a fleeting glance. The second prince's consort, Liang Shi, is indeed beautiful, with smooth skin and delicate features, wearing elegant clothes and high hairdo, with a pair of bright phoenix eyes that gaze at people without evasion or reserve, showing that she is not a timid or weak person.

  I hope she's not someone like Wang Xifeng.

  How can one sleep soundly with others by his side on the same bed?

  There is only one man, but many maidservants, each with their own charm... The second prince has such a personality.

  The fragrance can't stay for long, the two of them hastily said a few words, and she went back ahead.

  Chao Sheng pulled her hand and they walked on, stopping from time to time.

  But still have to be apart.

  "Take heart, I'll come visit you again when I have the chance. You can also send someone to deliver a message for me. Tell Cai Zhu for me too, don't worry about me. I'm fine."

  "Take care."

  "Take care."

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  It's weekend today, wish everyone a happy weekend!