The sleeping people, unaware at this moment, that from the moment the sun rises tomorrow, this imperial capital will no longer have its former peace.
The next day, it was still a clear day.
As the first ray of morning sunlight shone into the window, Shen Xiaoyan's eyes fluttered open.
It was indeed her own territory where she could sleep soundly.
This was the best sleep she had had since she started traveling.
Shen Xiaoyan gently turned her head and saw three little heads lined up beside her, with Zheng Wei lying on the outermost side.
Seeing that Shen Xiaoyan was also awake, Zheng Wei smiled warmly at her.
Noticing Zheng Wei about to speak, Shen Xiaoyan quickly raised her right hand to her lips, making a gesture for silence.
Seeing this, the smile on Zheng Wei's face deepened, but he said nothing more.
The two looked at each other in silence and finally closed their eyes together again.
The room returned to quiet, though Shen Xiaoyan could faintly hear voices from outside.
After about a quarter of an hour, a child's whimper broke the silence.
Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei turned over and sat up, then began to help Sanshengzi get dressed.
After they were dressed, Zheng Wei went out first.
As soon as he stepped out of the room, he saw Huo Fen waiting outside. Zheng Wei said, "Go and get some hot water."
Huo Fen curtsied in agreement, then turned and quickly left.
Zheng Wei also turned and re-entered the room.
Huo Fen did not make Zheng Wei wait long; soon she returned with Xiao Nizi, carrying washbasins, hot water, and towels.
After everyone had finished, Huo Fen asked Xiao Nizi to take the things away and then said, "Breakfast is ready, we can eat together."
Shen Xiaoyan nodded upon hearing this, "Understood, let's go then."
They arrived at the main house and saw that everyone else was already there, sitting together and talking.
Seeing Shen Xiaoyan, Zheng Wei, and Sanshengzi arrive, Yi Zhixie smiled and said, "Did you sleep well last night? Did you feel cold during the night?"
"It's strange to say, but I didn't feel cold at all last night. Perhaps it's because of your courtyard?"
Although Shen Xiaoyan spoke in a questioning tone, everyone could tell from her words that she was actually very certain.
"Heh heh..."
Yi Zhixie did not continue the topic, nor did he seem inclined to explain.
After everyone finished breakfast together, the sky outside had already warmed up.
Zheng Wei said, "We were in a hurry to find a place to sleep yesterday. Since we'll be living here for a long time, it's better to choose our own courtyards as soon as possible. It will be more convenient to live this way."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
They had heard from Yi Zhixie yesterday that there were many courtyards here, each with a different style. Since they were few in number, they could even change courtyards to live in every month if they were so inclined.
The group walked out of Changchun Yuan and then proceeded along the small path in front of the gate.
Every time they arrived at a courtyard, Yi Zhixie would lead them in to have a look and introduce it.
By the time they had toured all the courtyards, it was already half an hour later.
Returning to Changchun Yuan, everyone sat down, and the maids promptly served tea.
After taking a sip of the porcelain cup, Yi Zhixie said, "We've seen all the courtyards. Have you all made a decision in your hearts?"
"We will live in Shi'an Yuan," Shen Xiaoyan said with a smile.
"Then we will live in Qingliang Zhai," Yue Qingxin said.
"Have you all chosen? Then I will live in Mingshe Ju," Lu Taobao said.
Hearing that everyone had already chosen their residences, Shen Xiaoyan said, "Then I will live in Tingxue Tang."
Since everyone had chosen their own residences, the next step was to move in.
"Where will you live?" Shen Xiaoyan asked Yi Zhixie and Na Muzhong curiously.
Hearing Shen Xiaoyan's question, the others also looked at Yi Zhixie and Na Muzhong, awaiting their reply.
Yi Zhixie did not answer, but looked at Na Muzhong.
Seeing Yi Zhixie's expression, everyone understood that Yi Zhixie meant he would follow Na Muzhong's arrangements.
Na Muzhong pondered for a moment and said, "Although there are many courtyards, it would be inconvenient if everyone lived too far apart. I see that you have all chosen courtyards that are close to each other. Then we will live in Tangli Xuan. The scenery there is good, the view is open, and it's very close to you all."
Everyone nodded upon hearing this. The scenery in Tangli Xuan was indeed very beautiful, and there was a delicately crafted pavilion. From the pavilion, one could see the garden and Moon Green Lake not far away.
If it weren't for Sanshengzi being there, Shen Xiaoyan would have also really wanted to live there, for fear that they might secretly go up to the pavilion when they grew up and get into danger.
However, even if they didn't live there, they could still visit often.
When spring arrives, all the flowers will be in bloom.
Sitting in the pavilion, with a cup of flower tea at hand, looking at the flowers not far away, it is simply a pleasure to imagine.
Since they had already chosen, the next step was to move.
When they said "move," it actually meant just taking the bedding they slept on last night. As for other belongings, they were all still kept by Yi Zhixie and had not been brought out.
Therefore, Yi Zhixie was very busy during this time.
He had to go with several people to different courtyards to bring out their belongings, and then hurry to the next courtyard.
Thus, the first day was spent packing things.
They were in these high courtyards, surrounded by residential areas, quiet and peaceful, unaware that while they were packing, the outside world had already turned upside down.
The reason for this was that Sima Han and his companions had left without notice, and Jiang Yubao had hurriedly returned to the Forbidden City to report the matter to the Grand Empress Dowager.
The Grand Empress Dowager was naturally very angry when she heard Jiang Yubao's report.
Her original intention was merely to give Sima Han a warning, to make him realize his place.
In the future, even if she gave him various favors, he should not harbor any improper thoughts.
After all, although she had doted on Sima Han in the past, she would often leave him hanging, or give him a push when other princes suppressed him.
Only by doing so could Sima Han be tightly bound to her, and she could control him better.
But who knew that in just a few years, Sima Han's temperament had changed so much.
Facing her coldness, in the past, he would always send people to inquire or carefully offer apologies and serve her.
As long as she gave him a slight smile, he would be as happy as if he had eaten honey, grinning from ear to ear.
But now, he had run away without a word.
Where did he get the audacity to defy her like this?
Jiang Yubao secretly glanced at the Grand Empress Dowager, seeing her face grow uglier, and felt a thump in his heart.
If he didn't say something now to appease the Grand Empress Dowager's anger, then in the days to come, before Sima Han was found, he would only be able to be a scapegoat.
At this moment, Jiang Yubao suddenly had an idea, a brilliant explanation.
"Grand Empress Dowager, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should say it or not."
Hearing this, the Grand Empress Dowager looked up at Jiang Yubao, her gaze sharp and piercing, unlike that of an old woman approaching seventy.
"Speak quickly if you have something to say. When did you become so long-winded?"