Chapter Eighty-Three: Awakening

  He frankly admitted that he was a man without great ambitions.

  She thought that learning a skill would be a good idea, so no matter where she went in the future, people would always need to eat, and being able to cook would always provide her with something to do.

  But more people hold another belief.

  It's better to marry well than to study well.

  No matter how skilled you are, you will still be a subordinate for your whole life. If you put more thought into serving your master, you can become the master yourself.

  Of course, both have their pros and cons.

  The former can be considered a technical profession, and is not afraid of changes in dynasties. However, serving people for a lifetime is hard work.

  The latter is low input, high return, overnight success, and immediate wealth - but also with great risk.

  None of these is what Chao Sheng is most concerned about right now.

  Her greatest crisis came from the queen.

  Li Aunt last time took action, pulled out the Autumn Inkstone, got rid of Chen Sufen, and the Empress's side seemed to be unaffected, without any movement.

  Chao Sheng didn't think the queen had forgotten about her because of being busy with affairs, and she absolutely didn't dare to be careless.

  It's most likely that the queen had other things on her mind and couldn't be bothered with getting rid of her.

  It seems that both Xianfei and Guifei have been bothering her lately.

  There is also a newly promoted beauty, who is said to be very beautiful and has won the emperor's favor.

  In June, the sixth and seventh princes moved into the Eastern Palace.

  The sixth prince lived in Changqing Palace, and the seventh prince moved into Yichun Palace, becoming a neighbor with the fifth prince.

  Changqing Palace did not undergo major repairs, only the main house was renovated first, and it's likely that the white powder on the walls hadn't even dried yet.

  Aunt Li definitely said to Chao Sheng, there must be something that caught the empress's attention, otherwise, with her temperament, she would not allow people to be so perfunctory in the matter of the sixth prince.

  As for what it is, I haven't had a chance to ask around yet.

  The sixth and seventh princes moved over, and the East Palace immediately became lively. The sixth prince was lively in character and also got along with the fourth prince, often running to the Yi Qiu Palace every other day, and frequently scrounging for food here.

  Chao Sheng had no grudges against Liu Huang Zi.

  Although his mother is not a good person, the sixth prince has nothing to do with this matter. He smiled and treated people kindly, unlike the third prince who looked down on others just because he was the eldest son of the empress.

  He is he, his mother is his mother, two people are not one thing.

  The sixth prince is clever, but he has no patience. For things that require patience, such as reciting books, practicing calligraphy, and playing chess, he will drag his feet or escape if possible. However, when it comes to horseback riding, archery, and playing polo, he is tireless. The emperor had also scolded him for this, but he retorted with a smile: "I don't need to take the imperial examination, what's the point of reading so many books? It'll just turn people into bookworms. I'm going to be a great general in the future, leading troops and fighting battles, and I can still make contributions to Father Emperor."

  It seems that the child's ambition is firm... and perhaps what he said just happened to cater to the emperor's taste, so he didn't force him too much. The sixth prince escaped from class from then on in a bright and upright manner.

  The second prince didn't like reading either, but he was just a broken pot, anyway I'm already a useless person, why bother trying so hard? The emperor never paid attention to him and let him do as he pleased.

  It's really true that "a dragon has nine sons, each different".

  The seventh prince was relatively easy to learn, and at first glance, he was a clever and proud person. He was the noble consort, and his status in the palace was second only to the empress, so he naturally had reason to be proud.

  But this pride can never be fully expressed.

  Just like this time moving into the East Palace, the sixth prince lived alone in Changqing Palace, he had to live with the fifth prince together - although the scenery of Changchun Palace was also beautiful and the place was spacious. But people are afraid of comparison, Changchun Palace is not bad, but still have to share with others. The sixth prince can occupy Changqing Palace alone, which makes the seventh prince feel unfair in his heart, and he has been ignoring the sixth prince for many days, even if the two went to Yiqiu Palace together after school, they didn't talk to each other, each saying their own words. The fourth prince had advised once, the sixth prince said: "It's not that I want to find fault, it's him who always shows me his face. Why should I take the initiative to talk to him again?"

  Why bother with the Seventh Prince? This one actually agreed, saying that he wouldn't be petty about some small things, but the Sixth Prince was too flighty and the two couldn't get along.

  Got it, after twice, the fourth prince also stopped persuading him.

  The queen and the noble consort were not very harmonious to begin with, they could still maintain a superficial harmony in the past. Since the noble consort was implicated in the An Consort's affair, the two of them can't even pretend to be harmonious on the surface now. The sixth prince and seventh prince didn't get along from the start, this isn't something that the fourth prince can mediate with just one or two attempts at persuasion.

  The seventh prince and fourth prince are fine, but not very close with the fifth prince.

  The Fifth Prince... isn't really that bad. However, he has a narrow mind and is petty and mean-spirited, which is plain for all to see. He thinks he's the older brother, so the Seventh Prince should show him respect. But the Seventh Prince thinks this Fifth Brother can't compare to him in terms of birth, talent, or character - there's nothing about him that's impressive. So why should he be worthy of his respect?

  In the East Palace, the fourth prince is considered the eldest. He has a gentle temperament and excels in both character and learning. He is highly regarded by the Emperor and the academies, and his relationships with his brothers are also the best. The fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth princes all love to be close to him.

  The second prince has settled his lifelong event, and now it's the turn of the fourth prince.

  Although no one says it out loud, everyone has a number in mind.

  Chun Mo has been dazed lately, and others have also shown their magical powers, inquiring everywhere.

  What kind of daughter-in-law will the fourth prince marry?

  Of course, the future fourth imperial concubine's family background can't be compared to that of Imperial Concubine Wang. But it should be better than that of Imperial Concubine Liang, right?

  After all, the second prince has a disability, and people from high-ranking families with real power will not give their precious daughter to a disabled prince with no future. The second prince will end up being a wealthy idle person, spending his life playing with birds and raising fish.

  So they chose Liang's family.

  Her mother died early, and her family was not prominent. After her father remarried, he went out to be an official and did not return for over a decade. However, Liang remained in the capital, growing up under the care of her grandparents.

  So the second prince was very dissatisfied with this marriage at first, thinking that the empress was deliberate and the emperor was indifferent, and he had arranged such a marriage for him.

  To be honest, the second prince's conditions are just about suitable for the Liang family.

  The second prince feels wronged? Maybe Liang's daughter is even more wronged.

  The second prince has a bad temper and is physically disabled - whoever looks at him can see the four words "no future" engraved on his forehead.

  But whether they were resentful or delighted, the marriage was beyond their control.

  The fourth prince is no exception.

  He can't make his own decisions about who he wants to marry.

  His birth mother had long since passed away. Even if she were still alive, it's likely that she wouldn't have been able to intervene in her son's marriage. The empress could make at least half of the decisions, but ultimately, the emperor would have to give his final approval.

  The fourth prince himself was very calm and did what he had to do.

  Chao Sheng couldn't help but give him a thumbs up in his heart and praise: "What a strong man!"

  How old is the fourth prince this year?

  But this temperament, this composure, even people in their thirties or forties may not necessarily possess.

  What's the word I'm thinking of?

  Yes, unmoved by fame or shame.

  This summer seems particularly hot.

  Auntie Li boiled a large pot of mung bean soup every day, filled it into jars and cooled it with well water, then added some malt sugar. This drink was very popular and everyone in the Autumn Palace loved to drink it.

  The hotter the weather, the harder the work in the kitchen. Once the fire is lit, everyone is roasted to sweat profusely, and they have to change their clothes two or three times a day - no choice, all soaked with sweat, and summer clothes are thin, not changing is really not decent.

  She is now skilled in cooking, almost reaching 60-70% of Li's aunt's level. Many dishes are made with Li's aunt guiding her and she takes charge of the cooking.

  Others say that being a kitchen apprentice is hard work, but Cao Sheng thinks that the relationships here are actually simpler; as long as you master your craft, there's no harm.

  After noon, the Yiqiu Palace was quiet, the fourth prince had taken a nap, and others were also taking a break. The cicadas on the trees called out one after another. The scorching sun poured down to the ground, Chao Sheng held a basin by the well and washed her clothes, hanging them up one by one.

  Bent over for half a day, back and waist are sore. Turned around and stretched neck, lifted head up.

  The scorching sunlight shone on his face, making him feel slightly dizzy.

  She heard footsteps and turned around, and the Eighth Prince was emerging from behind a bush of mountain tea.

  "Your Highness, why didn't you take a nap?"

  The eighth prince scratched his face, and there were some red marks on his face and hands.

  These flowers and grasses have very sharp edges on their leaves, and if you're not careful, you'll get cut.

  "Uh, I'm thirsty."

  He's probably sneaking out again because he doesn't want to take a nap, so no one is following him.

  Chao Sheng poured a bowl of green bean soup for him, and the eighth prince picked it up and drank it in several big gulps. He stretched out his bowl: "More."

  Chao Sheng poured him another half bowl, not daring to pour more. Fortunately, the Eighth Prince drank another half bowl and didn't ask for more.

  "Everyone else is asleep, why isn't Your Highness taking a nap?"

  "I couldn't sleep." The eighth prince said with a straight face, "These cicadas are too loud, disturbing my sleep. I'll catch them and bring them down."

  Tide was born with a suppressed smile.

  Is it the cicada making noise or does this young master want to catch a cicada for fun?

  "Your Highness says that cicada is very noisy."

  The eighth prince furrowed his brow for a moment and asked Chao Sheng: "Do you know how to catch a cicada?"

  Chao Sheng shook his head: "I've never caught cicadas before, this tree is too tall, I can't reach it."

  She didn't want to take responsibility for this matter herself.

  Joking, she's not getting paid by the eighth prince, why bother with something that doesn't pay off?

  "I heard people say, you have to use a pole..."

  The eighth prince took a look at Chao Sheng, turned around and walked to the edge of the flower cluster where he had just crawled out, and actually pulled out a bamboo pole.

  This kid is really... well-prepared!

  Nor did he know how he managed to smuggle out a bamboo pole taller than himself.

  The eighth prince handed over the bamboo pole: "Here you are."

  "Your Highness, this is..."

  The eighth prince said matter-of-factly: "You help me catch"

  Chao Sheng blankly took over the bamboo pole——

  How is this caught?

  Hit the tree with a bamboo pole and knock down the cicadas?

  ————————————

  Because I didn't feel well last night and didn't sleep well, I slept too long this afternoon. After waking up, my head felt dizzy and heavy.

  It's really impossible to sleep for long during an afternoon nap.

  It feels like an hour is just about right, any more and you'll be even less spirited.

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