"Sister Yan," Cheng Chuyu asked the maid in the princess's mansion for fish food and said, "Let's go feed the fish."

She happily took Sheng Xiyan's arm and went to sit by the lake.

There are many koi fish in Wenxin Lake, all of them are fat and strong. If you throw a handful of bait, a large school of fish will swim over happily, wagging their tails.

Cheng Chuyu stared at the koi for a while and said with regret, "It's a pity that it doesn't taste good."

Sheng Xiyan: “…”

"Sister Yan, don't disbelieve me," Cheng Chuyu said seriously, "I ate this once when I first came to the capital. The fish was very tough, not even as good as the fish I caught from the river in the northern border. I like to go fishing with my third brother the most. After catching the fish, we just light a fire and grill them. It's so delicious!"

She licked her lips and said regretfully, "What a pity." She looked as if there was no point in raising the fish so fat if she couldn't eat it.

Sheng Xiyan chuckled, her eyebrows curved.

"They say that the people in Beijing are outstanding and talented, but I feel that they are not as good as those in Northern Xinjiang. I have been detained to death in Beijing for the past two years." Cheng Chuyu was helpless. She changed the subject and asked with great interest, "Sister Yan, after you get married, will you also go to Northern Xinjiang with the prince? It's a great place there."

Sheng Xiyan became thoughtful and asked, "What is the Northern Frontier like?"

"Northern Xinjiang is extremely beautiful." Cheng Chuyu became excited when talking about Northern Xinjiang, and said enthusiastically, "There are large grasslands where you can ride horses freely. There is also a desert where you can ride camels. Sister Yan, do you know camels? They are bigger than horses and can walk in the desert for several days without food or water. I really want to raise one, but my mother won't let me..."

The Cheng family is the Wuping Marquisate, and Cheng Chuyu's family is the third branch. General Cheng served in the Zhenbei Army for many years until two years ago, when he was transferred back to the capital with his family.

Cheng Chuyu praised Beijiang all over, and said with some emotion: "In fact, if it weren't for the Zhenbei Palace, Beijiang wouldn't be so good..."

The Northern Yan was ferocious and had been eyeing Darong covetously for a hundred years. The other barbarian states in the northern border also followed the lead of the Northern Yan. Almost every ten years or so, the Northern Yan would launch a wave of fierce attacks, followed by several years of continuous war.

The Zhenbei Palace had thought about completely annihilating the Northern Yan, but after the war, the soldiers in the Northern Frontier were destitute and needed to recuperate. Moreover, even if the Northern Yan did not come, those barbaric small countries would cross the border to plunder from time to time, and small-scale conflicts would never stop.

"When the prince died in battle, people from our northern border pinned apricot blossoms on his head." Cheng Chuyu held her chin with both hands and sat in a very informal posture for the noble ladies in the capital.

"Apricot blossoms?" Sheng Xiyan raised her eyebrows, her face thoughtful, "Does the Northern Frontier use apricot blossoms as a symbol of mourning?"

Cheng Chuyu shook his head, grabbed a handful of fish food and threw it down, saying without looking up: "At that time, the people of Northern Yan buried the prince's body under the apricot tree and used it as fertilizer to humiliate the Northern Frontier Army. When the prince took back the prince's body, the body had already rotted. So, when the prince brought the coffin back, he filled the coffin with apricot flowers to cover up the smell. After burying the prince, the prince scattered these apricot flowers in front of the tomb. When we went to pay homage to him in those days, we would wear one in our hair."

At that time, all the soldiers and civilians in Jiangyue City, men and women, wore apricot blossoms in their hair. When all the apricot blossoms in front of the tomb were picked, they spontaneously went out to pick them for their hairpins. Everyone in Northern Frontier remembered the death of the prince, and under the leadership of Chu Yuanchen, they fought a great victory with a smaller force, and defeated the Northern Yan army that was already at the gate of the city. This bought Northern Frontier some breathing time.

Cheng Chuyu looked around and saw that no one was paying attention to them. She fixed her eyes on the emperor in the pavilion for a moment, then she leaned close to Sheng Xiyan's ear and whispered in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "I once heard from my father that after the prince reported the war situation, someone in the court proposed that the prince should observe a seven-day mourning period and that all civil and military officials should wear apricot blossoms to show that they had forgotten the past shame and were united. But in the end, it didn't seem to work out."

"And more..."

It is indeed a little unseemly for a girl to whisper in someone's ear in public, but it won't attract attention.

"Shengda girl."

At this time, a maid dressed in a green vest ran over in a hurry. She knelt down to Sheng Xiyan and panted anxiously, "Princess Jingle has fainted."

Sheng Xiyan was startled, her pretty face turned pale, and she quickly stood up and asked, "What happened?"

Just now in the flower pavilion, Sheng Xiyan noticed that Princess Jingle looked a little unhappy, as if she was angry, so later, she deliberately said a few more words to make her happy and relieve her mood.

The maid reported in a panic, "Her Royal Highness was about to bring the princess and the others here, but halfway through the journey, the princess suddenly fell down, holding her chest, and then fell unconscious. Her Royal Highness has asked someone to call the imperial physician, and asked this servant to ask you to come over and accompany her."

Sheng Xiyan frowned slightly and thought: Jingle came out to visit and only brought her personal maid. If she really fainted due to anger, it would be too late for the imperial physician to arrive.

Thinking of this, Sheng Xiyan said to Cheng Chuyu: "I'll go take a look."

The children of Northern Frontier all have some admiration for the Zhenbei Palace. Cheng Chuyu hurriedly said, "Go ahead. If anything happens, ask Xigui to come back and tell me."

"good."

"Miss Sheng, please come this way." The maid lowered her head and led the way for her in front, and Xigui also followed behind Sheng Xiyan.

After leaving the waterfront pavilion, the maid quickened her pace. She led Sheng Xiyan through a winding bluestone path. There were fewer and fewer people around them. From a distance, they could still vaguely hear some movements coming from the waterfront pavilion. On both sides of the stone path were large trees providing shade. Through the dense shadows of the trees, the waterfront pavilion was full of shadows.

Because of the emperor's presence, the waterside pavilion corridor was no longer as lively and noisy as before. Except for Prince Zhao and Princess Qingping who continued to talk and laugh, everyone else was inevitably a little reserved and didn't even dare to speak loudly. Even if the emperor didn't want so many people around and sent them out to play, it wouldn't be fun enough. Therefore, Zhao Yuanrou, who was neither humble nor arrogant, made the emperor look at her a few more times.

Zhao Yuanrou was reciting "Song of the Hero" with great enthusiasm. In the heroic spirit of the poem, her eyes and eyebrows also added a bit of heroism.

The emperor waved the folding fan in his hand nonchalantly, thinking: No wonder my brother is so fond of her that he is willing to give up those noble ladies to marry her as his principal wife. She is indeed more charming than those noble ladies.

"Uncle, mother is here." Qingping was raised to be spoiled and lively. After shouting happily, she waved to Yongan who was walking towards her.

Princess Yong'an was wearing heavy makeup and a scarlet brocade robe. She was so beautiful that she easily attracted everyone's attention. However, when she was with Princess Jingle, she was obviously overshadowed.

Princess Jingle only put on a light layer of powder, but her appearance became even better. More importantly, Jingle had the stern and unyielding demeanor of a daughter of a general.

Princess Jingle didn't see Sheng Xiyan, she raised her eyebrows and thought: Where did the little girl go?

Did she go to change clothes? However, this little girl didn't seem to be the type to join in the fun, so maybe she was playing nearby...

She couldn't help but look towards the shore of Wenxin Lake. At this time, Sheng Xiyan had already walked through a corridor and came to a small garden. The garden had carved railings and jade bricks, winding paths and was extremely quiet. There was not even a single servant in sight.

The maid was still leading the way, and she moved her shoulders a little stiffly.

Sheng Xiyan raised the corners of her mouth and slowed down her steps.

Seeing that she hadn't caught up, the maid turned back and urged, "Ms. Shengda, she's just ahead."

"No hurry." Sheng Xiyan smiled and asked, "What's your name, young lady?"

The maid was stunned, not understanding her intention, and only replied: "My name is Wen'er."

Sheng Xiyan nodded slightly: "Miss Wen'er."

"Miss Shengda." Wen'er urged again. She pointed ahead and said anxiously, "Princess Jingle is just ahead."

Sheng Xiyan asked with a half-smile, "What did you say happened to Princess Jingle just now?"

Wen'er quickly repeated, "The princess was on her way to the waterfront pavilion when she suddenly collapsed, clutching her chest. Her Royal Highness the Princess had her placed in the Wangqing Pavilion in front to rest..."

"Ah." Sheng Xiyan sighed and said, "I always feel that everyone in the princess's mansion thinks I'm a fool."

Wen'er: "..."

For a moment, her eyes flickered, and then she said calmly, "Miss Shengda, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

Sheng Xiyan took in every change in her expression.

She smiled without saying anything, and casually picked an unknown red flower from the branch, pinched it with her fingertips and played with it, saying, "This flower is so beautiful."

Xigui said at the right moment: "Yes, young lady, it is definitely suitable for hairpins."

"Let me see." Sheng Xiyan put the flower hairpin in Xigui's hair, tilted her head to look at it, and smiled, "It's really beautiful! I remember there is a red coral pearl flower in my makeup box. It will definitely look good on you. I will find it to show you when I get back."

Xigui said with a smile: "I have taken note of it. I will definitely ask you for it when I return. You must not refuse me."

Sheng Xiyan tapped her forehead: "You're not missing any..."

The two chatted and laughed, and Sheng Xiyan fiddled with the flowers for her, as if she was not in a hurry at all.

Sheng Xiyan was not anxious, but Wen'er was already anxious.

She looked around in the direction she had just pointed. The eldest princess ordered her to bring Miss Sheng to Qingwang Pavilion, but Sheng Xiyan's sudden change of expression and her current unhurried attitude made her a little confused.

She looked obviously impatient, and she urged again, "Miss Shengda, you'd better hurry over there, the princess said..." There was a hint of firmness in her gentle voice.

"Miss Wen'er." Sheng Xiyan finally turned her head back, interrupted her and said, "Do you feel weak under your feet, dizzy, or buzzing in your ears?" She spoke word by word, and with each word she spoke, she took a step forward, getting closer and closer to Wen'er.

Wen'er's body tensed slightly. She didn't say anything, nor did she respond with "yes" or "no".

She instinctively took two steps back, and there was a bit more fear in Sheng Xiyan's eyes, as if her eyebrows were saying: How did you know?

Sheng Xiyan smiled and changed the subject, saying, "I heard that the princess planted an apricot tree in her mansion, which she brought back from the northern border. Miss Wen'er, do you know where this apricot tree is?"

"Miss Shengda, what are you talking about?" Wen'er frowned. "If you delay like this, you won't be able to bear the consequences if Her Royal Highness the Princess blames you."

Sheng Xiyan said calmly: "Is Princess Jingle really in front?"

Her eyes were clear, as if no trick could escape her eyes. This made Wen'er's heart beat fast. How much did she know?

Sheng Xiyan asked again: "Do you know where the apricot tree is?"

Wen'er: "..."

Sheng Xiyan approached her again, with a smile on her face but not in her eyes: "Do you feel more dizzy now? Close your eyes and see if you can't even stand steadily?"

Wen'er's pupils shrank and she couldn't help but touch her forehead. She subconsciously closed her eyes as she was told.

It would have been fine if she hadn't closed it. But once she did, she immediately felt even more dizzy. Her body swayed back and forth, and Sheng Xiyan's voice came to her ears, "Be careful not to fall. If you fall, you may never get up again."

Wen'er quickly held onto the tree trunk beside her, cold sweat broke out on her forehead, her face was full of fear, and even her fingers were shaking.

She didn't know what Sheng Xiyan had done to her, and her heart was filled with fear of the unknown.

Sheng Xiyan took out a water-green sachet from her sleeve pocket. There was an embroidered lotus flower on the sachet. It was small and delicate, and exuded a scent like snow-covered winter plum blossoms, elegant and refreshing.

This sachet... Xigui was slightly surprised, but did not show any expression on his face.

Sheng Xiyan pinched the string on the sachet and gently waved it in front of her eyes.

The smell rushed into Wen'er's nose, and she suddenly felt refreshed. It seemed that even her dizziness was no longer so severe, and her hands and feet had strength again.

Wen'er raised her hand to take it, but Sheng Xiyan turned around and grabbed the sachet in her palm, so that she could see it but not take it.

"Just tell me where the apricot tree is." Sheng Xiyan opened her red lips and spoke softly and seductively. "Even if someone finds out, you don't have to admit it. Just assume that I touched it myself. Isn't that enough? The princess's mansion is so big, it won't be taboo for me to just walk around."

"It's just a small matter, isn't it?"

Wen'er's eyelashes trembled and her heart was moved.

Xigui stood there without saying a word, his eyes filled with admiration.

She knew that Wen'er would definitely be convinced by the girl.

Sure enough, the next moment, Wen'er nodded gently, her voice as soft as a mosquito: "...Okay."

The wind blows, the branches and leaves rustle, peaceful and quiet.

Sheng Xiyan threw the sachet to her and said with a smile, "Lead the way."

Wen'er took the sachet in a hurry, put it under her nose hastily and took a deep sniff. She felt refreshed and the listless grayness on her face seemed to disappear.

Wen'er: "..."

She bit her lip, seemed to have made up her mind, and said, "Miss Shengda, please, please follow me..."

Wen'er led her to change direction and led the way obediently in front.

She didn't dare to play any tricks. Sheng Xiyan's expression made it clear that she already knew what the Princess was going to do. If she didn't behave herself, she might be targeted.

She believed that this lady from Shengda must have some mysterious means, otherwise how could she fall into her trap without knowing it?

Although she was just a maid and her life was worthless in the eyes of these nobles, she did not want to die in obscurity.

If you fail to complete the task assigned by the princess, at most you will be scolded and fined a few months' salary. But if you dare to mess up, you may even lose your life.

The more Wen'er thought about it, the more scared she became. She lowered her head and quickened her pace without Sheng Xiyan urging her. This time, she stopped after walking for a while and raised her hand, saying, "Miss Sheng, the apricot tree is here."

The apricot trees were planted casually in the garden. The princess's mansion was very large and full of lush flowers and trees. If there was no one to lead the way, it would be difficult for Sheng Xiyan to find it even if she wanted to.

Sheng Xiyan looked at the apricot tree, pondered for a moment, and asked Wen'er for a bamboo basket.

Wen'er looked surprised, and her eyes seemed to say, "Isn't she afraid that she will run and call for help?" She moved her lips, but ultimately did not dare to ask and went to look for the bamboo basket.

After the person left, Xigui finally had the chance to ask, "Miss, wasn't it mint leaves that you put in the sachet for her?"

Xigui saw Sheng Xiyan make the sachet with his own eyes. In addition to mint leaves, there were also a few other herbs that refreshed the mind, which Xigui bought at Baicaotang when he went out of the mansion. In addition, there were only some petals that were randomly picked and dried in the mansion garden. There was nothing special.

Even this lake green scent bag was picked out by the girl in the embroidery shop last time she went out. Ten empty scent bags only cost one or two taels of silver. The girl also said at the time that there were embroidery shops all over the capital, so if you want a purse scent bag, just buy it, you don’t need to bother making it yourself.

"It's mint leaves." Sheng Xiyan picked a blooming apricot flower, motioned her to take it, and nodded, saying, "It's the same as the one I gave you."

There are many mosquitoes in the summer, and mint can be used to repel mosquitoes and refresh the mind. She made several, one for Sheng Yan and Xigui, and she also had one hanging around her waist. When Wen'er wasn't paying attention, she had taken it off and put it in her sleeve pocket.

The return of the past is not surprising at all.

Just seeing Wen'er being frightened and stunned, as if the girl had poisoned her, she felt like a feather was twitching in her heart, and she really couldn't understand it.

Sheng Xiyan smiled and said, "She just has neck paralysis."

Neck pain refers to the obstruction of the meridians by pathogenic factors such as wind, cold, dampness and heat, which often causes neck pain and may be accompanied by dizziness. [1]