good season

The old nanny was a servant born into the Wei family. She followed Consort Li into the palace and never married.

Although the Wei family prospered thanks to Consort Li, Consort Li was, after all, in the palace, and there were bound to be oversights in matters outside the palace.

Although the old nanny's parents had died long ago, the indentures of her brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, and grandnephews—more than thirty people from her maternal family—had all fallen into the hands of Old Madam Wei.

She had given most of her savings to her nephews over the years, hoping that she could have some incense offerings during the Ghost Festival and Qingming Festival after her death. Moreover, if her family members were all dead, they would not forgive her in the underworld.

She was extremely loyal to Consort Li, otherwise she wouldn't have been kept by Consort Li's side for most of her life. However, this bond between mistress and servant meant nothing in the face of the lives of more than thirty members of her own family.

The old nanny had known Madam Wei for decades and knew all too well Madam Wei's methods; she was truly ruthless and merciless. The old nanny dared not gamble.

Madam Wei's request this time was actually a multiple-choice question.

Either restore Zhu Yu's status as a noble son and give him posthumous honors, or let her enter the palace and live with Consort Li for a while.

Zhu Yu committed a serious crime during his lifetime. The Zhu family removed Zhu Yu's name from the family genealogy to avoid being implicated. Even if Zhu Yu was the son of a marquis, or even if he were the biological son of Emperor Yongjia, Emperor Yongjia would not have gone back on his word and restored Zhu Yu's status, which had been demoted to commoner during his lifetime.

Madam Wei knew perfectly well that Emperor Yongjia would not agree; what she wanted was to enter the palace.

She wants to enter the palace!

From the moment those snakes crawled onto her bedside, she hated the fake mother and son in the palace. She knew that if she rashly revealed that matter now, no one would believe her. Even if someone believed it in their heart, they would say it was a lie. Not only would it not shake the person on the dragon throne, but it would also cause the Baoqing Marquis's mansion to vanish into thin air.

Therefore, she could only proceed step by step.

Just as Emperor Yongjia was overwhelmed with worry about Deng Qian's death, an inconspicuous carriage slowly drove out of the Wei family's estate.

Madam Wei has made a comeback!

Xiao Guai had just finished a feast at the Third Prince's residence when she encountered two crows.

Xiao Guai recognizes them; these aren't wild crows, but crow soldiers under the command of the Crow King.

Crow Soldier A: [The old woman has come out, in a carriage, heading towards the capital.]

Crow Soldier B: [That's the old woman who attracts snakes.]

Xiao Guai thought for a moment and seemed to remember that there was such an old woman. She told the two crow soldiers to wait a moment, then turned around and flew back to the Third Prince's residence, giving the two crow soldiers the half chicken she had just finished eating.

The two crow soldiers were overjoyed and hid in a secluded spot to eat chicken. In the Third Prince's residence, a young eunuch watched this scene in astonishment. My God, the divine bird crow is actually Lord Divine Eagle's little brother!
After feeding the crow soldiers, Xiao Guai didn't go straight home. Instead, she flew to the Baoqing Marquis's residence to wait for the carriage the crow soldiers had mentioned.

But after waiting for several hours, Xiao Guai still didn't see a carriage come in, so she had no choice but to go home.

After hearing this, Zhao Shiqing thought about it. Old Madam Wei returned to the capital but did not return to the Baoqing Marquis's residence. Where did she go?

Who does Madam Wei hate the most right now?

Of course, it was the person who released the snake for her. Hmm, that person wasn't Miss Zhao the Second, it was Consort Li!
Enter the palace!

"Little Demon, Big Fatty, come here!"

These two often stroll through the palace gardens and have connections with the palace cats in several palaces. Let's leave this matter to them.

That evening, Xiao Yao and Da Pang returned. Zhao Shiqing was right; Old Madam Wei had indeed gone to the palace!

"Hahahaha!" In the dead of night, a burst of laughter, like the neighing of wild horses, came from the second young lady's boudoir. That night, everyone in the courtyard, young and old, had nightmares.

Zhao Shiqing originally thought that Yang Shengqiu would have a new chance encounter with Xiuxiu in a few days, but she was wrong. Xiuxiu went out to buy things every day as she was told, but she never met Yang Shengqiu again.

The sensation caused by Deng Qian's murder gradually subsided, but the murderer was still not caught.

Deng Qian's case was directly supervised by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and even if Yan Xia returned to the capital, Zhao Shiqing would not be able to get any information from him.

Zhao Tingluo would come to Tianjing Hutong every few days. Although he would disguise himself each time, the guards noticed that there were more strangers outside Tianjing Hutong after he came so often.

The guard, Old Fan, pretended to be drunk, grabbed a man, beat him up, and the man confessed. It turned out that he was from the Prince of Fu's mansion.

They found this place by following Zhao Tingluo.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shiqing became anxious and grabbed Zhao Tingluo by the collar, ready to throw him out. Zhao Tingluo swore to the heavens that he would definitely investigate this matter thoroughly.

Two days later, Zhao Tingluo indeed found out the truth.

Immediately afterwards, the people outside Tianjing Hutong disappeared.

Zhao Tingluo only told his mother about finding his younger brother, and his mother only told her trusted maid, telling them not to look for him anymore.

The problem lies with the servants; one of them was bribed by Zhao Tingluo's father, the heir of the Prince of Fu.

Therefore, the news that Xiao Bao has been found is now known to the Prince of Fu.

Zhao Tinglu was furious and decided to tell her grandfather about it. Although Prince Fu had no feelings for Xiaobao, he was still his own grandson, and a legitimate grandson at that. Compared to that fake illegitimate son, one was like a piece of fine jade, while the other was like rough porcelain and broken tiles. They were incomparable.

However, since Xiao Bao is currently in Liangdi, Prince Fu, who has been cautious his whole life, dares not make a fuss. He plans to send someone out of the capital quietly after the first month of the lunar calendar to bring Xiao Bao to the capital. He will then say that he found him in a charity hall outside the capital.

Zhao Tinglu looked ashamed: "I'm sorry, my grandfather was too timid. Liang is such a big place, and it's not just the Liang Prince's Mansion. But he was just afraid that the person in the palace would become suspicious and mistakenly think that Xiaobao has a relationship with the Liang Prince's Mansion."

Zhao Shiqing: Of course we have a connection.

However, Zhao Shiqing believed that with Zhao Tingluo's intelligence, this matter could not be kept secret for long.

So she simply stopped hiding it and revealed her identity to Zhao Tingluo directly.

“Your grandfather’s worries were not unfounded. Xiao Bao was indeed protected by the Liang Prince’s Mansion in Liangdi. The Baihe Village on Baihe Mountain where he now lives belongs to the second young lady of the Liang Prince’s Mansion. When Niqiu came to the capital, the person who took care of him was named Murong Linlang. She is the master of the second young lady Zhao. And I am the clever and beautiful second young lady of the Liang Prince’s Mansion, Zhao Shiqing.”

Zhao Tinglu blinked: "Hmm, so that's how it is. Oh, aren't you a monk? Why are you eating meat? I understand, you're not practicing Quanzhen."

Zhao Shiqing rolled her eyes: "I'm an evil cultivator who specializes in using children to refine pills."

Zhao Tinglu scratched his head and chuckled dryly: "You're not. It seems the rumors are unreliable. You never became a monk at all."

Seeing that he showed no surprise whatsoever, Zhao Shiqing understood that even if this kid hadn't guessed everything, he had at least guessed half of it correctly. He might not know that she was Zhao Shiqing, but he could guess that she was related to the Liang Prince's Mansion.

A child who is favored in the palace and survives to the age of ten cannot possibly be innocent and naive.

"You told me about your grandfather sending people to Liangdi just to test me, didn't you?" Zhao Tingluo continued to smile, her smile adorable.

Zhao Shiqing said, "There's no need to test them anymore. I originally planned to send Niqiu back to Liangdi after the New Year to bring Xiaobao back. Now that your family is in such a hurry, I'll write a letter and ask them to send Xiaobao back. As for the people your grandfather sent, I don't trust them, and my master won't hand Xiaobao over to them either."

Zhao Tingluo understood Zhao Shiqing's meaning. For Xiaobao, the Prince Fu's mansion was a den of wolves and tigers. Even if the Prince Fu agreed to let Xiaobao return, who could guarantee that the people he sent would not make mistakes?
If a father can bribe his mother's maid, why can't he bribe his grandfather's men?
The father may not necessarily harm Xiaobao, but he will definitely use Xiaobao to his advantage.

What else wouldn't a father who would use an illegitimate child to impersonate his legitimate son do?

"Okay, sister, I'll listen to you. I'll talk to Grandfather. Don't worry, sister, I still have some face in front of Grandfather."

Which grandfather wouldn't give face to a child who can act cute and charming in front of the emperor?
Just then, there was a knock on the door. It was Shen Wangxing's voice: "Second Miss, your master has arrived."

Zhao Shiqing was stunned for a moment, not reacting immediately.

"Second Miss, Second Miss, come out quickly, Master Murong is here!"

This time it was Lingbo's voice. Zhao Shiqing immediately jumped up from her chair. Shen Wangxing couldn't explain it, but Lingbo wouldn't mistake it.

It's Master! Master has arrived!

Upon hearing the words "Master Murong," Zhao Tingluo's eyes immediately lit up.

What did Zhao Shiqing just say? She said that the person taking care of Xiaobao now is her master, Murong Linlang!

With a bang, the door was flung open, and Zhao Shiqing rushed out. Mudfish tried to follow, but Zhao Tingluo was faster and managed to get out before him.

The person who came had already entered the courtyard.

Who else could that beautiful woman standing there be but Master?
Zhao Shiqing hadn't seen her master for almost a year. She rushed over and hugged Murong Linlang tightly, crying, "Master, Master, Master!"

Murong Linlang let her head rub against her body before pushing her away.

"Second miss."

A childish voice rang out, and Zhao Shiqing looked down to see a chubby little dumpling.

It's Xiaobao!
Xiao Bao has grown taller since the last time I saw him, and his features have matured a bit. He looks about four or five points similar to Zhao Tingluo.

"Xiaobao?"

Zhao Shiqing, Niqiu, and Zhao Tinglu all spoke in unison.

Zhao Shiqing and Niqiu were both surprised and delighted to see Xiaobao. Zhao Tinglu had never seen Xiaobao before, but the child who was with Murong Linlang was so good-looking, so it must be Xiaobao.

With both her biological and adopted brothers present, Zhao Shiqing decided not to get involved. More importantly, she noticed that besides Wei Ren and Jian Deng, there was another person who shouldn't be there with Murong Linlang.

Shen Guanyue!
Although Shen Guanyue's face was smeared with charcoal black and he was wearing a coarse cotton-padded coat, Zhao Shiqing still recognized him at a glance.

"Master, it's cold outside, let's go inside."

She said to the loach, "Take them to your room."

At this hour, Zhen Wuduo went out to walk his dog and bird again, and Xiuxiu was also ordered to take Zhang Ye out.

Once inside, Zhao Shiqing couldn't wait to ask, "Master, why did you suddenly come to the capital? Did you miss me?"

Murong Linlang said, "I didn't miss you. I just heard that the Grand Princess was going to send people over. I haven't been to the capital for many years, so I came to the capital to see the lanterns."

Zhao Shiqing didn't believe it!

Jian Deng chuckled and interjected, "Your master on the mountain talks about you every day, and he's even lost interest in cooking."

Murong Linlang rolled her eyes.

Zhao Shiqing smiled and said, "I knew Master missed me. Master, I love you the most."

Murong Linlang reached out and tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, saying, "You've grown a bit taller and fairer. You must have gotten tanned from running around in the mountains before."

Zhao Shiqing chuckled, but her expression changed when she looked at Shen Guanyue. She asked sternly, "Why are you here? Does your brother know?"

Murong Linlang sighed, "That kid deserves a beating. We agreed that he would stay on the mountain to guard the house, but he hid in the box. We only found out when he sneaked out in the middle of the night to find something to eat."

This is someone else's younger brother, not her own. Zhao Shiqing could only glare at him fiercely before handing him over to his brother to see how his brother would deal with him.

Shen Guanyue chuckled, "Since you've all come to the capital, I'm bored on the mountain by myself. I'm just killing time anyway, so I thought I'd come and wander around the capital. Don't worry, I won't let anyone find out."

Zhao Shiqing didn't believe him at all; he was a hot potato, and she wanted to get rid of him to Xiao Zhen as soon as possible.

Zhao Shiqing looked at Murong Linlang: "Master, my sister has sent people again?"

Murong Linlang said, "The eldest princess sent thirty people and a batch of things this time, some of which are her own and some are for you. However, they have not entered the city yet. The people who came before have set up a manor outside the city, and those people and things are temporarily in the manor."

Zhao Shiqing thought to herself, "My sister wants to find a place to put her things. Tell her that she has many houses and estates, all bought by my grandfather."

Zhao Shiqing said, "You've come at the right time. Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. Let's go see the lanterns."

Then she talked to Murong Linlang about Xiao Bao. Murong Linlang frowned as she listened: "That lousy family, it would be better not to have it at all."

Zhao Shiqing: "Why not? Xiaobao is the second grandson of the eldest son of the Prince of Fu's family. Although the Prince of Fu's family is not hereditary, and Xiaobao is the second son, his brother will be appointed as a general in the future, and he will also receive a title. Although he will not have a princely title, as the eldest son, he will have a large family fortune to inherit. This family is too good to pass up. If he doesn't want it, it will fall into the hands of someone else, and it might even be that illegitimate child who impersonates him."

Murong Linlang was a member of the martial arts world. In her eyes, it was better to be a carefree commoner than to live a life of leisure with a pack of wolves. However, Zhao Shiqing was right. If Xiaobao didn't want the family business, it would just be a waste for that bastard.

"Alright, let him go back. If someone from the Prince of Fu's mansion tries to harm him, we can just kill them."

Zhao Shiqing was overjoyed. Her master had arrived, and she could go to the lantern festival with him tomorrow.

She hasn't had a proper chance to experience the lantern festival in Beijing yet.

Tomorrow's lantern festival will also feature stilt walking, and the emperor will also be watching the lanterns and enjoying the festivities with the people.

A figure flashed through Zhao Shiqing's mind: Lan Caihe. (End of Chapter)