The story of a bullied daughter's rise to power

An hour had passed by the time Madam Situ ordered lunch to be prepared, and General Situ hadn't returned yet. Situ Honglei's mother wasn't allowed to eat at the table unless General Situ was home. Therefore, the only people present were Situ Yaorao, Situ Honglei, the princess, Nangong Ling, and Gu Yunjing.

The princess sat beside Nangong Ling, serving him food affectionately and smiling sweetly at him. They looked like a married couple. Nangong Ling didn't try to stop her, but continued to eat in silence. Situ Honglei glanced cautiously at Situ Yaorao, and seeing that her expression didn't change, she felt resentful.

Gu Yunjing sat next to Situ Yaorao. He ate quickly and elegantly. After the meal, the princess suggested, "Everyone, I heard that there's a strange sight near Hongyue Lake recently. It's said that it's full of unknown red flowers. And in the lake, there's even a golden carp. I came here today, firstly to confirm the matter between Miss Situ and Brother Nangong, and secondly, for the golden carp. The Empress Dowager has been in a bad mood recently, so I want to take the golden carp back to cheer her up. I wonder if you can help?"

Princess Lianqiao spoke, and everyone naturally couldn't refuse. So they all agreed.

Madam Situ looked at Situ Yaorao and said, "Yaorao, don't cause trouble when you go to the lake."

"Yes, I understand." Situ Yaorao said respectfully.

"Yunjing, you should keep an eye on her when the time comes. I'm a little worried about this child." Madam Situ looked at Gu Yunjing and said with some worry. Gu Yunjing nodded when he heard it.

Then everyone set off.

They all took a carriage to Red Moon Lake. Along the way, the princess took great care of Situ Honglei, who appeared to be a well-behaved child. Situ Yaorao and Gu Yunjing sat together, while Nangong Ling sat on his own. No one spoke in the carriage.

They were silent all the way. When they arrived at Hongyue Lake, there were already quite a few people there.

Many pleasure boats come here to fish for the golden carp. But unfortunately, none of them have caught any. The fish in Red Moon Lake are so numerous that catching a golden carp among so many is even more unlikely than winning the modern lottery. After all, you can win the lottery, but if a carp hides in one place, you can't catch it!

Because they were going to catch fish for the Queen Mother, even Princess Lianqiao was very concerned about it. She first rented a large boat and then hired a few boatmen. Then she boarded the boat with everyone else.

Situ Yaorao had never liked fishing; it was both troublesome and boring. However, no matter how much she disliked it, she still had to accompany him fishing. After all, it was the princess' order.

Compared to Situ Yaorao's bored expression, Gu Yunjing was remarkably calm. This man treated every task like a mission, completing them rigorously and perfectly. Situ Yaorao felt tired just watching him. "Cousin, it's just fishing, no need to be so serious."

"Sorry, I'm used to it." Gu Yunjing said with a little embarrassment. Situ Yaorao fell silent after hearing this.

Fishing is not only a matter of patience, but also a matter of luck. Gu Yunjing, who was standing by, could catch a fish almost every moment, but Situ Yaorao, by comparison, didn't catch even one.

This made Situ Yaorao wonder, in fact, fishing depends on appearance! Whoever is handsome will catch fish!

After fishing for a while, Princess Lianqiao got tired of it and ordered her people to cast the net down.

The area surrounding Red Moon Lake is covered in a sea of ​​Lycoris radiata, a bewitching yet eerie sight. The reflections cast by the lake make the water appear red. The name Red Moon Lake is quite fitting.

Many people were fishing, and Situ Yaorao and the others followed suit. But the fish seemed to be aware that someone was trying to catch it, and it never appeared. It didn't appear until dark.

The princess had to return to the palace, and Nangong Ling's house was also accessed.

So, everyone went their separate ways.

Situ Yaorao did not go back first, but let Gu Yunjing go back alone. As for Situ Honglei, she returned to the Situ family with the princess.

Sitting on the shore, Situ Yaorao felt the cool breeze and looked at the calm lake. After a while, she saw a golden carp jump out of the water and then dive back into the lake.

The golden light glittered, and that scene was unforgettable.

"Are you here to see it too?" Just when Situ Yaorao was amazed by the appearance of the fish and didn't know what to say, a pleasant voice was heard.

Upon hearing this, Situ Yaorao turned around in a daze. She saw Tantai Yunyi standing behind her. He was holding a green oil-paper umbrella, looking like a beauty straight out of a painting.

"Nice to meet you again, Your Highness." Situ Yaorao stood up and said respectfully.

"Yes, we meet again. What a coincidence." Tan Tai Yun Yi said with emotion.

"Why is the prince here at this time?" Situ Yaorao was puzzled.

"Because only at this time, in the dead of night, will the carp appear." Tantai Yunyi sighed softly. Situ Yaorao heard this and her eyes flashed: "This fish is very beautiful. The prince also thinks it is beautiful, so is he here?"

"Who knows? I just want to check on it a few more times before it's caught. After all, once it's caught, it's either going to lose its freedom or become a meal," Tan Tai Yun Yi said calmly. Situ Yao Rao's mouth twitched when she heard this, and she said, "Perhaps, but I think this fish might not be caught."

"Yes, there will always be someone who can catch him." Tan Tai Yun Yi looked at Situ Yao Rao and said with certainty.

"Why is Your Highness so confident?" Situ Yaorao was puzzled.

"Who knows? Miss Situ, are you interested in boating?" Tan Tai Yun Yi looked at Situ Yao Rao and made an invitation gesture. Situ Yao Rao nodded and put her hand in his.

At this time, there was no boatman. Situ Yaorao sat in the boat while Tantai Yunyi rowed. The two of them were just in the middle of the lake. Situ Yaorao could occasionally see the golden carp swimming underwater.

"Miss Situ, there is no absolute in this world. And this fish will not be caught absolutely either." Tan Tai Yun Yi said.

"If that's the case, why doesn't Your Highness catch it? The princess said that the Queen Mother was in a bad mood. Perhaps catching this fish will make her happy." Situ Yaorao said.

Tan Tai Yun Yi smiled and shook his head. "Even so, what can we do? The little girl's mind is always so simple. I don't intend to catch this fish, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince doesn't intend to catch it either."

"Why?"

"This is a secret, but one day you will know it, and that day is not far away." After saying this, Tan Tai Yun Yi rowed the boat back to the shore.

Situ Yaorao was standing among the red spider lilies. Tantai Yunyi looked at her and felt that the red was too glaring. He could not see anything else except Situ Yaorao.

"Your Highness, what exactly is that fish?" Situ Yaorao asked calmly, looking at the man. Tantai Yunyi chuckled, "The Imperial Observatory says it's a sign of good fortune. Whoever sees it will be the true emperor. This is a fish that can't be caught, but must be caught."