Farewell Flower Festival

In the following days, Zhao Huan no longer bribed people in the palace to cause trouble, and Mu Tianyuan no longer made trouble, so life was very peaceful.

In the blink of an eye, the leaves turned dark green, the cicadas gradually became louder, and summer arrived.

All the favored concubines in the palace followed Emperor Mu to the Crystal Garden to escape the summer heat. Crown Prince Mu Tianyuan and the young princes and princesses also went with them.

Chao Yan heard that the Crystal Garden was like spring all year round, with neither scorching heat nor severe cold, and with innumerable exotic flowers and plants. It was simply the place where gods lived. She could only envy him but could do nothing about it. After all, the Second Prince and the Third Prince had not been there, let alone her own prince.

"Come here and grind the ink." Mu Tianling glanced at Chao Yan who was lying on the table and wondered if it was so hot.

"Your Highness, please fan me." Chao Yan said listlessly, like some kind of mollusk paralyzed by the heat. If the temperature was any higher, it would probably melt.

"Are you the master or am I the master?" Mu Tianling asked.

Chao Yan moved her head and turned to look at Mu Tianling who was still practicing calligraphy, and sighed, "Your Highness, why aren't you afraid of the heat?"

Mu Tianling said: "When your heart is calm, you will naturally feel cooler."

Chaoyan: “…” It’s the same as not saying anything. It’s better not to ask.

When Eunuch Wu came in with two bowls of mung bean soup to relieve the heat, Chaoyan was already daydreaming. Various flavors of ice cream, popsicles and smoothies appeared in her mind. She really wanted to try chocolate flavor, and strawberry flavor would be good too... When Eunuch Wu put the mung bean soup in front of her, Chaoyan came back to her senses. After taking a sip, she missed the mung bean smoothie, but comforted herself that it was good to have the mung bean soup.

She finished her bowl in one gulp after another. Seeing that Mu Tianling hadn't touched his yet, she asked him if he wanted to drink more. He said, "If you want to drink, come and get it yourself." Chao Yan finally got up from the stool, walked over and took the mung bean soup away.

"Uncle, you and His Highness seem to be both not afraid of the heat, do you have any secrets?"

"If you keep calm, you will feel cooler. Xiao Lian should try it too."

"..."

......

When the leaves on the treetops turn slightly yellow, summer is about to pass. After a night of wind and rain, the temperature suddenly drops and the air becomes cool.

Chaoyan's appetite improved, she became more energetic, her skin became smoother, her hair became smoother, and she looked more beautiful. Every time he passed by Mu Tianling, his eyes would unconsciously follow her, as if he was attracted by a beautiful butterfly. Chaoyan caught him doing this two or three times, but he still refused to admit it and insisted that he was watching whether she was working seriously.

After returning from morning class, his eyes would unconsciously search for Chao Yan's figure as soon as he entered the door. Mu Tianling felt that he seemed to be paying more and more attention to her. This feeling made him a little annoyed. That girl was lazy and vain. How could he possibly like her? It must be an illusion.

In order to eliminate this illusion, he devoted all his energy to practicing calligraphy, but he still habitually called Chaoyan to come over to grind ink. When he looked up and saw her big watery eyes, this illusion showed signs of getting worse.

Chaoyan was unaware of Mu Tianling's psychological changes. She just felt that he was a little capricious recently. Sometimes he asked her to come over to grind ink, and sometimes he asked her to leave. She suspected that the change of seasons caused his mood disorder. It was probably an old problem. After she quietly told Eunuch Wu about this speculation, Eunuch Wu smiled with satisfaction and looked at her with a mysterious encouraging look, as if asking her to work harder. Chaoyan didn't understand why.

……

This year, Emperor Mu will go to Nanshan Paddock for autumn hunting, bringing the Second Prince Mu Tianqi and the Third Prince Mu Tianchen with him, leaving Crown Prince Mu Tianyuan as regent.

When Eunuch Wu told Chaoyan the news, she had a bad feeling that the evil prince would become even more domineering.

Sure enough, within two days, Eunuch Gao came to convey Mu Tianyuan's words, asking Mu Tianling to go to the banquet to add to the fun, and to bring Chaoyan along, and Eunuch Wu also went along.

The lights in the hall were brightly on. Before entering, one could hear the sound of stringed instruments. Six graceful dancers were dancing inside. Mu Tianyuan was leaning on his seat, surrounded by four beautiful palace maids serving him. One was massaging his shoulders, one was massaging his legs, one was holding a fruit plate with a bunch of crystal clear grapes on it, and one was holding a plate to catch the grape skins.

Mu Tianyuan picked up a grape and put it in his mouth, then glanced towards the door. Eunuch Gao came in with Mu Tianling and the other two.

Chaoyan glanced ahead and complained in her heart that this troublesome prince really knew how to enjoy himself, and he would either be a tyrant or a fool in the future.

"Your Highness, I have brought the person here." Eunuch Gao reported attentively.

Mu Tianyuan tilted his head, spat the grape skins into the plate, waved his hand, the string music stopped, and the six dancers retreated to the side. Mu Tianyuan picked his nails nonchalantly and asked Mu Tianling to read a poem to liven up the atmosphere. Mu Tianling said, "I am stupid and don't know what poem to read to liven up the atmosphere. Your Highness, please teach me." Mu Tianyuan said, "You can't even read a poem. It's really a bummer. Let's tell a joke."

Chaoyan complained in her heart that this person was treating people like monkeys and had a really bad personality.

"If Your Highness wants to hear a joke, why not let me tell one?" said Eunuch Wu.

Mu Tianyuan snorted disdainfully, "Do you have the right to butt in here?" He glanced at Zhao Yan and pointed with his finger, "Dance for me."

If you want to dance by yourself, then you'll have to wait and see.

Chao Yan walked out, moved her hands and feet, did some stretching exercises, then turned her shoulders and twisted her waist. After completing the preparations, she began to do radio gymnastics, which made everyone look confused and with an expression of "What the hell is this?"

“Stop, stop, stop dancing.” Mu Tianyuan waved his hands in disdain. “What a mess you’re dancing. Can’t you even turn around?”

Chao Yan replied: "I have never learned to dance. This dance I just performed was created by me. It can strengthen the body and refresh the mind. Your Highness, do you want to learn it?"

Mu Tianyuan said, "I'm in good health, there's no need for me to learn these messy things." He then hooked his finger and said, "Come here and pour me some wine." Chaoyan complained in her heart that having four people to serve was not enough, and there would be no room for her to stand there if she went over there.

Seeing that she didn't move, Eunuch Gao scolded, "Are you deaf? Come over and pour wine for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!" At this time, Mu Tianling came over and stood in front of Chao Yan, and said, "This girl is clumsy. If she spills the wine, it will ruin His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's mood." Mu Tianyuan raised his hand and pointed at him, saying, "Then come over and pour wine for me." Mu Tianling clenched his fists, bowed and replied, "As you command." When he was about to go over, Chao Yan pulled his sleeve. She shook her head and told him not to go. Mu Tianling whispered that it was okay and went over.

"Kneel down."

Seeing that Mu Tianyuan asked Mu Tianling to kneel down and pour the wine, Chao Yan couldn't bear it any longer. Just as she took a step forward, she was stopped by Eunuch Wu. Eunuch Wu whispered, "The emperor is not in the palace now. Just be patient for a while and everything will be fine."