Farewell Flower Festival

That day, Chao Yan was invited by Concubine Yin to have tea in the palace. When he arrived at Fenghua Palace, he found that he was the only one there. It felt a bit like the Hongmen Banquet, so he became more alert.

This was the first time that she was summoned alone by Concubine Yin after her marriage. Before that, she had asked her to stay with her and asked Aunt Hong to take her to meet the Crown Princess. She also gave her a lot of gifts when she left the palace, which made her suspect that the Concubine had chosen her as her daughter-in-law.

Now that she is married to Mu Tianling, she feels that his attitude is somewhat distant. Although it is not obvious, she can feel the subtle difference.

After Aunt Hong served Chao Yan a cup of tea, she asked everyone else to leave.

Chao Yan nodded slightly, and Feicui and Amber also followed Aunt Hong to retreat.

"This is this year's new tea. Let's try it and see how it tastes." Concubine Yin picked up the teacup and scraped it. Chao Yan also picked up the teacup and scraped it. Seeing Concubine Yin take a sip of tea, she also took a sip, covering it with her hand without really drinking it, and praised the tea for being delicious.

Concubine Yin said that she had been in a bad mood recently. When asked how she was feeling, Chaoyan said that she might be a little tired recently and felt sleepy easily.

Concubine Yin called Aunt Hong in and asked her to ask Imperial Doctor Li to come over.

Chaoyan said that she was fine, but Concubine Yin said that her health was more important and asked Aunt Hong to invite the imperial physician.

Soon Aunt Hong came back with Doctor Li, and said that she happened to meet Doctor Li on the way and came to check her pulse.

Concubine Yin asked Imperial Physician Li to check on Chaoyan first. When Imperial Physician Li took her pulse, Chaoyan felt a little nervous because she had basically spent her time in the hospital when she was a child. She was very taboo about seeing a doctor. Whether she was seeing a doctor over there or here, she was afraid that some new illness would be discovered.

After taking the pulse, Doctor Li asked about Chaoyan's appetite recently. She said her appetite was the same as usual. Doctor Li then asked her how she slept at night. She said it was the same as usual. Doctor Li said that there was nothing wrong with her body.

Concubine Yin mentioned that Chao Yan had been feeling sleepy lately, but Doctor Li said it was nothing to worry about as the weather had been changing over the past few days and she would be fine in a few days.

After taking Concubine Yin's pulse, Aunt Hong sent Doctor Li away.

Concubine Yin asked if Mu Tianling was busy recently. Chao Yanxin said that she finally got to the point. She said that Mu Tianling was not too busy recently. He went out after breakfast in the morning and usually came back before noon.

Concubine Yin also talked about how she and Han Min went to the Duke's Mansion to visit Shang Qingrong a few days ago, and took the opportunity to ask about Shang Qingrong's health. Chao Yan said that Shang Qingrong was fine, and did not reveal that Shang Qingrong was pregnant, but she guessed that with Concubine Yin's intelligence ability, she should have known it a long time ago.

Concubine Yin mentioned that Wen Yunlan is now highly regarded by Emperor Mu and is expected to succeed Prime Minister Shang in the future. She also mentioned that Mu Tianqi, Mu Tianchen, Mu Tianling and Wen Yunlan had studied together in the school of Hanlin Garden, and lamented that time passed so quickly and in the blink of an eye they had all started families.

Chaoyan also echoed the sigh, saying that time flies.

"Recently, I have been thinking about people and events from the past. In the past, I, Shu Fei, and Mei Fei often played chess and piano together. Mei Fei played the piano the best."

Chaoyan was a little surprised when Concubine Yin mentioned Mu Tianling's mother.

"Now that Concubine Mei is gone and Concubine Shu is not in good health, I wonder how many more years I can hold on?"

Concubine Yin looked emotional, but Chaoyan didn't say anything, keeping quiet so as not to disturb Concubine Yin's emotion. After a while, Concubine Yin put away her emotional expression, glanced at Chaoyan, and said, "The matter of Concubine Mei is a taboo for the emperor. If what I said to you today is heard by the emperor, I'm afraid the emperor will be angry."

Chao Yan comforted her, "Don't worry, Madam. As long as you don't say anything and I don't say anything, Father won't know."

Concubine Yin glanced at Chaoyan, as if waiting for her to ask questions. Chaoyan did care about Concubine Mei very much, but she wanted to wait for Mu Tianling to tell her instead of her finding out from others behind his back.

Seeing that Chaoyan had no questions to ask, Concubine Yin said it was getting late and called Aunt Hong in to ask her to see Chaoyan off.

Not long after leaving Fenghua Palace, Chao Yan ran into Mu Tianqi on the road. She casually asked, "Second brother, are you here to visit the Imperial Concubine?"

Hearing the name "Second Brother", Mu Tianqi flashed a strange smile and said, "I heard that Fourth Brother is investigating a case recently?"

Chao Yan pretended to be confused and said, "Who told you that, Second Brother? His Highness didn't say he was investigating a case recently?"

Mu Tianqi said that he happened to see Mu Tianling inviting Mu Tianchen to a teahouse on the street two days ago, as if they had something to discuss, and he thought there was a new case.

Chaoyan said that it might just be drinking tea, and asked Mu Tianqi not to think too much about it. She would ask Mu Tianling to invite him for tea another day. Mu Tianqi said that he would be free tomorrow, and then left.

Chaoyan was thinking about how to tell Mu Tianling about this matter when she got back. It shouldn’t be a problem to have a cup of tea together. . . . .

She looked in the direction of Heng Garden again. She didn't know when she would enter the palace next time, so she decided to go and visit Priest Yu Chen.

The little palace maid who led the way seemed a little embarrassed when she heard Chaoyan say that they were going to Hengyuan. She said that Lord Yuchen liked quietness and didn't like outsiders to disturb him on weekdays.

Chao Yan lied that she had asked the priest Yu Chen for a peace amulet before, and that she would return the amulet to the priest Yu Chen in a month so that he could chant sutras and pray for blessings, otherwise it would not work.

The maid believed it and seemed a little embarrassed, saying that she had never been to Heng Garden and didn't know which way to go. Chao Yan said that she knew the way and she could go there by herself, and asked the maid to go back first.

The little palace maid didn't seem to want to go over, so she followed Chaoyan's instructions and went back first.

After coming back, the little palace maid reported to Aunt Hong that Chaoyan went to Heng Garden to find Lord Yuchen to chant scriptures and pray for the amulet. Aunt Hong then reported to Concubine Yin. Naturally, Concubine Yin did not believe the amulet story. Aunt Hong asked whether to send someone to keep an eye on it. Concubine Yin said no because Yin Lin was there.

Chaoyan took Feicui and Amber across the wooden bridge and arrived at the gate of Hengyuan.

The door was closed, and Chaoyan raised her hand and knocked twice.

After a while, a servant boy in white came to open the door. Chaoyan asked if the priest Yuchen was free. The servant boy saluted Chaoyan, made a gesture of invitation, and led the master and servant to the Wenxing Tower in front.

Jade and Amber were also surprised to see a lake in the garden.

The water is emerald green and clear as a mirror, and the sky looks like a sapphire embedded in it.

Looking at such a clear and calm lake, your mood will also calm down.

When the white-clothed page boy led the three of them to the Wenxing Tower, they were stopped by Yin Lin. Yin Lin asked Feicui and Amber to stay outside, and she took Chaoyan in.

After entering the building, Chao Yan was attracted by the tall and empty roof.

"What does the princess want to see the master for?" Yin Lin asked.

Chao Yan answered the question irrelevantly, "Is Priest Yuchen your master?"

"Princess, if you have nothing else to do, please go back." Yin Lin made a gesture of invitation, "Master will be in seclusion tomorrow, so please don't come and disturb me again, Princess."

I don’t know if it’s my illusion, but Chaoyan feels that this girl is quite hostile towards me.

She came here uninvited today, and since she is not welcome, she will just leave first.

……

After coming back, Chao Yan went to the study to find Mu Tianling. Seeing that he was practicing calligraphy, she took the initiative to grind ink for him and gave him a flattering smile. He asked her if she had gotten into trouble in the palace. Chao Yan shook her head and went over to massage his shoulders.

"Your Highness, you have to treat your second brother to a cup of tea tomorrow."

"..."