good season

Chapter 177 Palace Gate (First Update)
Zhao Shiqing arrived at Ruyi Pavilion early and went to the Third Prince's residence with Xiao Zhen.

Looking at Xiao Zhen, who was dressed in brand new clothes just like her, Zhao Shiqing shook her head. The new clothes she made for Xiao Zhen were based on Xiao Zhen's real face, which would make him look even more handsome. Unfortunately, Xiao Zhen was now wearing an ugly fake face, so even the nice clothes looked ordinary on him.

"Why are you suddenly unhappy?" Xiao Zhen had been paying attention to the girl's expression, and when he saw the momentary disappointment in her eyes, he felt a sense of emptiness in his heart.

"It's nothing, it's just that you're too ugly." Miss Zhao felt there was no need to be hypocritical at this moment, so she chose to tell the truth.

Xiao Zhen fell silent.

He subconsciously touched his fake face. It was Zhen Gui who was ugly, what did it have to do with Xiao Zhen?

Xiao Zhen couldn't help but chuckle, looking at Zhao Shiqing: "You look adorable today."

Zhao Shiqing looked up at the sky speechlessly. She asked Xiuxiu to disguise her as a handsome man as good-looking as Pan An. However, Zhen Wuduo immediately objected, saying that the more aristocratic the circle, the more complicated it was, and that a handsome boy like her, who had no power or influence, was very dangerous.

So Xiuxiu listened to Zhen Wuduo's words and gave her a fair and clean face with plain features. Moreover, she looked only twelve or thirteen years old, clearly a child even younger than her!

Now, when she walks with Xiao Zhen, it's like an older brother leading a younger brother.

When the two brothers arrived at the Third Prince's residence, they did not enter. Instead, they bowed to the Third Prince and his entourage from a distance as they came out. The Third Prince nodded slightly to them and then boarded his carriage.

The two brothers also boarded their own carriages and followed at a distance behind the prince's entourage.

The Third Prince alighted from his carriage in front of the palace gate. Although he was Emperor Yongjia's most beloved son, he could only walk in. However, the Crown Prince was able to change to a palanquin. Even though the Crown Prince was not favored, his entourage was still incredibly impressive.

The Fifth Prince had arrived long ago, but he did not enter the palace; instead, he waited here.

Upon seeing the Third Prince alight from the carriage, the Fifth Prince quickly approached: "Third Brother, you've arrived! You look radiant and in excellent health."

In the past, if the Third Prince had heard the Fifth Prince say such a thing, he would not have paid any attention to it and would have taken it as just ordinary small talk.

But now, these words have taken on a different meaning when heard.

Is this saying that he's in high spirits because of a happy event? Is it being sarcastic that he got to go to the Dali Temple to observe politics, or has he found out about Young Master Zhen bringing silver to his residence?
This fifth brother is a venomous snake lurking in the shadows!
The Third Prince remained calm and said to the Fifth Prince, "I brought a few more people with me to the palace today. Besides my advisors, there is another person whom I believe you know."

The Fifth Prince followed the Third Prince's gaze and saw the Zhen brothers.

The Fifth Prince was taken aback. Zhen Gui? The Third Prince actually brought Zhen Gui into the palace?
The Fifth Prince clenched his fists tightly in his sleeves. It felt terrible, like a rat had punched a hole in his own treasury.

But he could only endure it. With his current strength, he could not possibly contend with the Third Prince. Zhen Gui, though a commoner, was someone he could not afford to offend. On the contrary, he had to win him over.

That was his God of Wealth, the God of Wealth who could bring him mountains of gold and seas of silver.

If he were an ordinary merchant, he would use what he could and destroy what he couldn't. He had a hundred ways to confiscate people's property.

But he was powerless to help Zhen Gui.

He knew his own limitations; he could only manage things on land, but as for things that flew in the sky or swam in the sea, not only he, but even his father, the emperor, were powerless to do anything about them.

Zhen Gui is the one who swims in the sea!

The more anxious the Fifth Prince was, the more sincere his smile became.

He laughed heartily: "Young Master Zhen, long time no see! Haha, Young Master Zhen, you're as dashing as ever! And this young master is..."

Young Master Zhen stepped forward and bowed, then pointed to Zhao Shiqing beside him and said, "This humble subject greets Your Highness, Fifth Prince. This is my younger brother." Zhao Shiqing followed Young Master Zhen's example and bowed, saying, "This humble subject, Zhen Bao, greets Your Highness, Fifth Prince. This is my younger brother."

The Fifth Prince glanced at Zhao Shiqing's face once and then lost interest. It was said that Zhen Wuduo had many sons, so he wouldn't be surprised how many younger brothers Zhen Gui had.

The Third Prince saw all of this. He was disgusted by the Fifth Prince's hypocritical smile. One day, he would tear that bastard to pieces!

Anyone who dares to scheme against him or betray him must die!

Just then, a discordant voice rang out from behind: "Third Brother, Fifth Brother, how have you been?"

Everyone looked over and saw the Fourth Prince walking towards them alone.

The Third Prince and the Fifth Prince were both taken aback and looked at the Fourth Prince's legs at the same time.

The fourth brother didn't use a cane or ask for help, yet he walked very steadily, without limping or panting.

Is the fourth brother's leg healed?

Young Master Zhen was also looking at the Fourth Prince, but unlike the other two princes, his gaze lingered on the Fourth Prince's face.

This was the first time he had seen the Fourth Prince since the incident at Shijishan.

He wasn't surprised that the Fourth Prince wasn't lame anymore; he himself had escaped death, let alone the Fourth Prince, the instigator.

What surprised him was the fourth prince's appearance.

The saying goes, "Your appearance reflects your heart."

Although the former fourth prince was born into the royal family, he was still quite young, and his face still showed the immaturity that a young man should have.

It had only been a year since they parted ways at Shijishan, but the Fourth Prince had undergone a complete transformation. He had shed his immaturity and gained a maturity beyond his years. Even his facial features had matured, and he no longer had the baby fat of the past. His hooked nose was even more striking.

But the same face appears different to Zhao Shiqing.

Zhao Shiqing thought to herself that this was the first time she had ever met someone who was both young and old.

Young yet old—that was her assessment of the Fourth Prince.

Even the reborn Xiao Zhen didn't receive such high praise.

Upon seeing the Fourth Prince, the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince were both taken aback. Wasn't the Fourth Prince under house arrest? Why was he out?
As the victim from last time, the Third Prince will not remain silent.

"Fourth brother, shouldn't you be reflecting on your mistakes in the manor?"

That being said, the Third Prince knew very well that if it weren't for his father's imperial decree, even if he had the courage to do so, he wouldn't dare to sneak out.

He just didn't want to think that way; he preferred to believe that the fourth brother had run away by stealth.

But things obviously didn't go as he expected. The fourth prince was very moved: "Father Emperor took pity on me being alone on this festive day and granted me permission to enter the palace today to reunite with my family. Third brother and fifth brother, it's been a long time."

The Third Prince gritted his teeth and forced out a cold laugh: "Fourth Brother seems to be much better. Congratulations."

There will be another update at noon.