Soon the sun set in the west, and it was time for You Jian Tavern to open for business.

Right up until closing time, Luo Sheng didn’t see that familiar crimson figure.

Shi Yan’s face was full of worry. “I wonder if something happened to our master. Why didn’t he come to eat?”

In his heart, it wasn’t worry but frustration at his master’s failure to meet expectations.

My dear master, after touching the young lady’s hand, you don’t dare come anymore?

Can you really handle this or not? You’re truly driving people to distraction.

Luo Sheng gave him a light glance. “Because the Prince didn’t come, you’ve lost your appetite?”

Shi Yan’s expression jolted, and he quickly waved his hands. “Mistress has misunderstood. Whether Master comes or not doesn’t affect my appetite at all!”

Watching as the food and wine were served and Hong Dou and the others gathered around eating merrily, Luo Sheng pulled out an exquisite cloud-patterned card from her sleeve.

It was an invitation from the Crown Princess to visit the Eastern Palace tomorrow.

Regarding the Crown Princess, she had no impression whatsoever.

After all, she had grown up in the south and had no dealings with the noble ladies of the capital.

And she didn’t have Miss Luo’s memories.

Calculating the time, when the Crown Princess entered the Eastern Palace as its mistress, Miss Luo had been only seven or eight years old. Presumably the two had little interaction.

After returning to the Grand Commander’s Manor, Luo Sheng casually asked Hong Dou about it.

“Interaction?” Hong Dou’s pair of lively eyes widened slightly as she said in a matter-of-fact tone, “Of course there was interaction. Miss, have you forgotten? That year when you went out for a spring outing, didn’t you kick the Crown Princess and her younger sister into a drainage ditch?”

Luo Sheng fell silent for a moment before asking again, “For what reason?”

This stumped Hong Dou.

She scratched her head, thinking hard, finally giving up helplessly. “It was so long ago, this servant can’t remember. It must have been their fault, that’s for sure.”

From the time she could remember, Miss had beaten up who knew how many people. Who could remember clearly what each incident was about?

“Should this servant ask Kou’er? She loves remembering these trivial little matters.”

After a pause, Luo Sheng said helplessly, “Then go ask.”

Kou’er wasn’t on duty tonight. Hong Dou went out briefly and called Kou’er in.

“Miss has something to ask this servant?”

Luo Sheng nodded slightly and asked about kicking the Crown Princess’s sisters into the drainage ditch.

“Oh that—this servant remembers.” After thinking briefly, Kou’er recalled, “Second Miss Qiao was showing off to you that her older sister was going to marry the Crown Prince and become Crown Princess. You were displeased hearing this, so you kicked her. Actually, you didn’t kick her into the ditch on purpose. Who knew there just happened to be a ditch right there? Wasn’t that just coincidence—”

“Tell the truth.” Luo Sheng said coolly.

Kou’er’s expression became solemn. “You really did do it on purpose. Miss, tomorrow when you see the Crown Princess, if she’s petty and brings up the past, you absolutely cannot admit it was intentional…”

Luo Sheng rubbed the space between her brows.

She understood now.

The next day was somewhat inauspicious. When Luo Sheng left, the sky was overcast, looking like rain was about to fall.

Kou’er very thoughtfully prepared two umbrellas and placed them in the carriage, unwillingly asking, “Miss, are you sure you don’t need this servant to accompany you?”

Hong Dou had a poor memory. If she went into the palace, she wouldn’t be as attentive as Kou’er.

Being so thorough and comprehensive, how did Hong Dou always get chosen first every time?

As Kou’er felt aggrieved, Hong Dou spat. “What would you go for? If Miss encounters danger, would you just nag at them?”

The little wretch dared to compete with her.

If someone bullied Miss, she could at least knock down three people.

“What danger could there be in the palace? Even if there really was danger, one person’s martial strength wouldn’t be enough. Ai—” Seeing the carriage start moving, Kou’er angrily flicked her handkerchief.

Inside the carriage, Luo Sheng closed her eyes to rest.

The monotonous creaking sound of the wheels came through, making one feel even more bored.

“Miss, why didn’t Prince Kaiyang come to eat last night?” Hong Dou started a topic at random.

Luo Sheng’s lashes trembled slightly, but she didn’t open her eyes.

Hong Dou continued analyzing. “Just the day before, he prepaid ten thousand taels of silver. By rights, last night he should have come for a big meal… It seems Prince Kaiyang really did encounter some matter—”

Luo Sheng opened her eyes, her voice slightly cold. “If you keep chattering, next time I’ll bring Kou’er instead.”

Hong Dou quickly covered her mouth.

Was Miss in a bad mood?

It definitely wasn’t because of entering the palace—after all, back then Miss hadn’t suffered any loss. If anyone should be in a bad mood, it should be the Crown Princess.

So why would Miss be in a bad mood?

She had just mentioned Prince Kaiyang—Hong Dou had a flash of inspiration and thought of the reason.

Having figured it out, Hong Dou opened her mouth and asked, “Miss, do you miss Prince Kaiyang?”

Calm as Luo Sheng was, at this moment her body couldn’t help but sway as she looked sternly at the astounding little maid.

“If you miss him, just send Shi Sanhu to the Prince’s manor to summon him. There’s no need to wrong yourself.”

How big a deal was it? If Prince Kaiyang didn’t have the status of a prince, she would have helped her mistress seize him back to the Grand Commander’s Manor already.

Come to think of it, men with status too high weren’t good either.

“Don’t speak nonsense. It has nothing to do with Prince Kaiyang.” Luo Sheng closed her eyes again.

She was just thinking about what Zhaohua’s situation had been like over these twelve years.

Among the four chief maids, Shufeng was clever and astute, Jiangxue was resolute and carefree, Xiu Yue was innocent and sweet, while Zhaohua was more sensitive.

Given Zhaohua’s nature, having surrendered herself to that beast Wei Qiang for twelve years—how torturous must that have been?

As for betrayal—she had actually considered this possibility too.

Human hearts changed easily, riches and honor dazzled the eyes. No one dared say a person would absolutely never change.

That’s why she had to make this trip—to see for herself.

In any case, compared to betraying her and falling for Wei Qiang, she was more willing to believe Zhaohua was still her maid.

Still her Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon.

Luo Sheng pressed her fingertips against the corners of her eyes, suppressing her tears.

At this moment, Zhaohua should have tasted the pickled radish peels Wei Qiang brought. If all went smoothly, then she already knew there was a tavern called You Jian Tavern on Qingxing Street.

Others all thought the name You Jian Tavern meant “there is a tavern”—straightforward to the point of being both vulgar and elegant.

Actually, that wasn’t it.

That year, when Xiu Yue asked her what they should name their tavern—

She had parents above who doted on her, older sisters below who loved her. Precious as gold and jade, without worries.

Looking at her four maids, she had thought of the tavern’s name.

Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon—the four seasons of the mortal world.

How could she as a child have imagined that the mortal world held not only wind, flowers, snow, and moon, but also wolves, tigers, and leopards?

Later, she learned.

She died.

She grew up.

Hong Dou secretly glanced at Luo Sheng.

Was it really unrelated to Prince Kaiyang?

Miss seemed to be in a very bad mood.

The carriage finally stopped.

Supported by Hong Dou, Luo Sheng descended from the carriage. Having recovered her calm expression, she was led by a eunuch who had been waiting there toward the Crown Princess’s bedchamber.

“Crown Princess, Miss Luo has arrived.”

Thinking of meeting that Miss Luo today, the Crown Princess had specially chosen a dignified set of clothing and headdress imposing enough to command the scene. She opened her mouth with restraint. “Invite her in.”

Soon after, a plainly-dressed young lady entered gracefully.

“Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Princess.”

The Crown Princess carefully scrutinized the young lady and smiled. “Not having seen you for several years, I didn’t expect Miss Luo would have blossomed so remarkably.”