Shaohua is Junqing

The summer sun is scorching and people are looking for places to cool off everywhere. However, there is a cool place in Prince Chen's Mansion, which is a small pavilion under the trellis in the garden - Qiu Shuang Pavilion.

"Miss Siyu, the prince invites you to the Qiushuang Pavilion to cool off and eat some fruit." Caidie said.

"Okay, let's go."

Siyu came to Qiushuang Pavilion, Beitang Mo Ran and Su Xunxian were drinking tea.

"Your Majesty, Lord Su is here too."

"I brought this new tribute fruit from Nan'an County to His Majesty. I'd like to borrow the precious place in the palace to cool off. It's really too hot outside."

"It's really hot outside, but this place is cool."

The maid brought up a plate of bright red fruits.

“It’s lychee!”

"Nan'an County is rich in lychees. Every year at this time, a large amount of lychees will be tributed to the royal family, princes and nobles." Su Xunxian said.

“These lychees look very fresh.”

"Once picked, lychees cannot be stored for a long time, so the picked lychees will be placed in an insulated box with ice and sent to the capital as quickly as possible," Su Xunxian explained.

"So this is ah."

"Are there any particular rules for eating lychees? Do you need to soak them in salt water before eating them?"

"Master Su, do you still remember what happened last time? Lychees come with shells, so you can just peel them and eat them. There's just one thing you need to be careful about."

"It really is a particular thing. What is it?"

"If it rains before picking lychees, tiny insects will grow at the base of the fruit. If you encounter this, you should pay attention."

"Xunxian, did the people who offered tribute of lychees mention the weather conditions?" Beitang Mo Ran asked.

"I have never paid attention to this matter before, so why would I talk about it?"

"Be careful next time."

"Yes, I obey your command. But I was thinking, since the insect is so tiny, what is there to be afraid of?"

"Lord Su is brave and powerful, so he is not afraid. But I am not. In this situation, I dare not even touch the lychee."

"Miss Siyu, are you praising me or insulting me?"

"Of course I'm praising you."

"Okay, the girl starts praising me as soon as she opens her mouth." The three of them laughed.

"Since you are afraid, don't do it. I will peel it for you."

Beitang Mo Ran picked up a lychee and gently pinched it with his fingers. The shell cracked, and then he peeled off the shell, revealing the jade-white flesh. He looked carefully at the root and found no tiny insects.

He handed the peeled lychee to Siyu, "This one is clean, you can eat it with peace of mind."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Does the absence of bugs mean it's not raining?"

"That's not necessarily the case. Not every lychee will have worms, so it's better to keep an eye on it."

Siyu took a bite of the lychee, her mouth full of sweet juice, "Sweet and juicy, so delicious."

"If you like, eat more. I'll peel it for you."

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty. Please eat too."

"Xunxian, if you are not afraid of bugs, do it yourself. You don't need me to peel it for you."

"Yes, I will do it myself."

"Cai Die, go get a bowl of water."

"Yes."

"If you find worms in the fruit, rinse it in water before eating it."

"It can be seen that Miss Siyu is a meticulous person."

"Lord Su is the same, fanning himself with a folding fan, drinking tea, playing chess, and leading a very relaxing and comfortable life."

"After the girl said that, it seems that I have nothing to do."

"That was never the intention."

"These lychees are so delicious. No wonder Su Shi said, 'If I could eat 300 lychees a day, I would be willing to live in Lingnan forever.'"

"Although this statement is a bit exaggerated, it is also true. But who is this Su Shi?"

"He is a lyricist." Siyu explained simply.

"I have never heard of this person."

"He is from Meishan, which is very far from the capital. It's not surprising that the prince doesn't know about it."

Beitang Mo Ran smiled slightly and did not continue the topic.

"Siyu, are you used to living in the palace?"

"It's pretty good. The palace is quiet and comfortable. There's food and drink, and I don't have to do so much. I don't even want to leave."

"If you like, you can stay longer." Siyu nodded with a smile.

The three of them ate fruit, drank tea, and chatted, having a relaxing and enjoyable time.