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Xiao Jizi was the first to react and hurriedly went over to pull back Young Master Lian, fearing that in her excitement, she might punch Beauty Li again.

Now that Beauty Li’s misdeeds were exposed and her guilt confirmed, there was no need to hit her—after all, she was not yet condemned and she was still a Beauty—wouldn’t this incident be considered insubordination by Young Master Lian?

He cleared his throat and quietly reminded Lian Hua, "Young Master, that is—Xiao Linzi heard everything Beauty Li said. Your innocence has been verified, so there’s no need to hit her again, what if you get bitten back?"

And, shielding from others’ view, he said in a low voice, "There will be other days. She is still a Beauty for now, and Xiao Linzi is still here."

"Huh?" Lian Hua came to her senses, right, Beauty Li had admitted it herself, so there would be no trouble for her afterwards!

It was over, she had thought about smashing the pot since it was already broken, to hit her and deal with the consequences later—she simply couldn’t help it!!!

She had forgotten, thinking she might end up back in jail anyway. Since she was the one who hit her, Xiao Qing and Xiao Jizi wouldn’t be implicated, so she gave in to her urges. After hitting her, she felt particularly relieved!

It was over, she had hit a Beauty, it was all over!

Unable to help herself, Lian Hua panicked, drew closer to Xiao Jizi and asked quietly, "Brother Xiao Ji, is there anything in the palace regulations about what happens if you hit a Beauty?"

Xiao Jizi was exasperated. Young Master Lian was only thinking of this now? The palace regulations didn’t specify such details—who would dare to beat a superior concubine in public?

But, it should be treated as insubordination, shouldn’t it?

After a moment’s thought, he realized he needed to find a way to smooth things over for Young Master Lian. With this in mind, his eyes darted about before he walked over to Xiao Linzi.

At this moment, Xiao Linzi was feeling anxious. Having witnessed Young Master Lian’s violent behavior, his view of the world was crumbling, and while he still hadn’t come to terms with it, Xiao Jizi wrapped an arm around his shoulder.

Xiao Jizi started whispering in Xiao Linzi’s ear, trying to brainwash him. Xiao Linzi, looking bewildered, did not even seem to be taking it in.

Seeing Xiao Jizi take action, Lian Hua secretly breathed a sigh of relief. With Brother Xiao Ji stepping in, success was assured, and she could rest easy.

She couldn’t resist looking back at Beauty Li again.

At that moment, Beauty Li was surrounded by panicked Little Palace Maids helping her up.

She had a look of shock and fear on her face, being supported and retreating further away from Lian Hua, frantically scolding her Palace Maids, but not daring to berate Lian Hua for fear of another attack.

She had never expected Little Daying, who seemed so weak and submissive, to dare hit her in public.

Seeing Beauty Li again, anger surged in Lian Hua— one punch hadn’t been enough to vent her anger.

No, she needed to scare her, to reclaim some power!

With this thought in mind, Lian Hua became agitated again, her face forming a cunning smile as she started to approach Beauty Li once more.

Just then, she felt the world spinning, as if there were numerous little stars before her eyes, and everything went dark as she fainted.

Xiao Qing had come over while Young Master Lian and Xiao Jizi were talking. Seeing Lian Hua about to fall, her heart nearly leaped out of her chest, and she screamed, "Young Master!"

She rushed over to catch Lian Hua.

Xiao Jizi, who was in the middle of handling public relations with Xiao Linzi, heard the cry, turned around, and was scared out of his wits. Releasing Xiao Linzi, he immediately ran over.

After catching Young Master Lian, Xiao Qing and Xiao Jizi called out continuously:

"Young Master, wake up, don’t scare us!"

"Young Master, Young Master!"

After calling a few times and getting no response, Xiao Jizi looked fiercely at Beauty Li and shouted, "What did you do to Young Master Lian!" as if his gaze could kill.

"I didn’t, she—it was her who wanted to hit me again, she fainted on her own!" Beauty Li, now fearful, wronged, and crying, began to wail.

As Lian Hua approached her again, the smile on her face was utterly terrifying, and she felt petrified. Ignoring the pain, she grabbed the Little Palace Maid, intending to leave, but at that very moment, the person who wanted to hit her fell to the ground instead!

But what did someone else falling have to do with her? She was still far away, yet they questioned her about what she had done to the person. Ah, now this was the work of a master at framing others.

Where was Nanny Sun? She needed to find Nanny Sun. Canglan Court was too terrifying, full of lunatics—all of them lunatics! She would never come here again!

Beauty Li pushed away the Little Palace Maid’s hand and ran out of Canglan Court, sobbing and stumbling. The Little Palace Maid also followed her in a panic, continuously calling out "master, master," until the two gradually disappeared into the distance.

Xiao Jizi looked on fiercely as they left. If anything happened to the Young Master, he would never let Beauty Li off the hook!

Once everyone had left, Xiao Jizi withdrew his gaze and looked worriedly at Lian Hua, while Xiao Qing was still calling out to Lian Hua, unable to stop her tears from flowing.

Seeing that they couldn’t wake Lian Hua, Xiao Jizi decisively instructed, "Xiao Qing, help the Young Master onto my back. I’ll carry him back to the room. Later, I’ll go out and find the Imperial Physician. You stand guard in front of the Young Master’s door with a stick. Don’t open it for anyone."

Xiao Qing wiped her tears and nodded, "Okay, I’ll listen to you." As she said this, she placed Lian Hua onto Xiao Jizi’s back.

After settling the person inside the room, Xiao Jizi hurried out of the door, only to see Xiao Linzi still standing there, dazed as if he hadn’t come to his senses yet.

This dimwit!

Xiao Jizi walked over and slapped him on the back, saying, "What are you zoning out for? Come with me!"

Xiao Linzi dazedly responded, "Oh," and hurriedly followed Xiao Jizi.

After taking a few steps, he finally reacted and asked, "Brother Xiao Ji, where are we going?"

Xiao Jizi kept walking without turning back and said, "Dimwit, with such a serious situation, don’t you think we should report to His Majesty?

Of course, you should find His Majesty, and I’ll find the Imperial Physician!

Go to Star Palace and inform His Majesty.

Tell him that Young Master Lian has been rendered unconscious by Beauty Li.

If His Majesty isn’t there, find Steward Zhang. Be quick!"

"Oh!" Xiao Linzi obediently quickened his pace towards Star Palace.

As he ran, another thought occurred to him: Was Young Master Lian really rendered unconscious by Beauty Li? It didn’t seem that way, but Brother Xiao Ji’s words must be correct.

By the time Xiao Linzi was nearing Star Palace, he happened to encounter Steward Zhang.

Upon seeing him, Steward Zhang became anxious and grabbed him, asking where Young Master Lian was.

Meanwhile, the Emperor was somewhat distracted during the morning court session, sitting on the Dragon Throne, listening to the ministers squabbling below, while his thoughts were occupied with the Little Concubine’s affairs.

He had brought the Little Concubine back the previous night. She didn’t seem scared, which somewhat relieved him. Fortunately, she was unharmed, and he had brought her back in time, preventing any major mistake.

Thinking that she must still be sleeping in his chamber, his chest filled with satisfaction and contentment.

He decided he would coddle her after the court session adjourned. Whatever she desired, he would grant it, along with some additional rewards from himself.

What should he reward her? Jewelry, of course. The Little Concubine barely had any jewelry; they had a disagreement over it last time, and it was time to compensate her!

He would reward her with some fabrics as well.

Ah, but she was not good with her hands, so it would be better to have the Weaving Bureau make the clothes before rewarding them.

She only had a few outfits, so it would be best to reward her with more.

He liked seeing her in different garments - her delicate and tender appearance was indeed cute and pitiable.

As for food, that was a must. She loved to eat, so he would simply provide her whatever she wanted.

It had been too long since he had attended to the Harem; it was time to pay it some attention. He had been vaguely aware of Noble Consort Xue’s maneuvers, but he had been too lazy to deal with them. Now it was time to take action...