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"My lord, this meat is delicious. Please, have a taste," Lian Hua couldn’t help but offer His Majesty a piece of the meat as soon as she found it delectable.

She watched unblinkingly as His Majesty took the bowl and tasted a bite, and couldn’t help but inquire, "Is it good?"

The Emperor’s mouth curved slightly as he nodded: "Mmm, not bad." He was very satisfied; the Little Concubine of old had returned, which was wonderful.

Lian Hua smiled happily—His Majesty liked it just as she did.

As they ate, Lian Hua suddenly remembered something and asked, "Your Majesty, the truth about Beauty Li’s betrayal has come to light. Will I still need to attend an inquiry?"

Perhaps facing each other, like in court? That’s how it’s written in the books.

Her lips were greasy again, and the Emperor couldn’t help but wipe them with a handkerchief, playfully pinching her cheek and saying with a smile, "No need."

How could he bear it, especially since he had dealt with the culprit that morning, and likely everything was resolved by now.

She was pregnant now; he would spare her from knowing the bloody details if possible, to avoid frightening her.

Lian Hua put down her chopsticks and asked seriously, "Really, no need?"

If needed, she could endure it; His Majesty’s reputation was of utmost importance.

The Emperor affirmed with a nod, "No need."

"All right then." Lian Hua also nodded, saying no more, leaving the issue in His Majesty’s hands.

Mentioning Beauty Li reminded her of Xiao Jizi with his face swollen like a pig’s head, making her increasingly angry, which showed in her expression.

As she ate, she unconsciously slammed her chopsticks down with a fierce gleam in her eye.

The Emperor, who had been watching her, had never seen her so fierce and quickly asked, "What’s wrong?"

Was someone bullying her? The thought turned his expression icy.

Lian Hua retorted irritably, "Your Majesty, Xiao Jizi was beaten. I want to strike back!"

How dare they beat someone close to her, and to such a degree; she was determined to seek retribution, hmph!

The Emperor, relieved it wasn’t bullying, felt pleasure in his heart. What was he to do? Even his Little Concubine wanting to hit someone was adorable.

Seeing that His Majesty said nothing, Lian Hua pouted and, despite trying to hold back, could not help but say, "Your Majesty, you’re deceiving me again."

Just now, he had said she could do as she wished, yet now he wouldn’t even support her.

Her lips trembled and her eyes began to water—why did she feel like crying again? She quickly turned her head away, unwilling to look at His Majesty any longer.

Seeing this, the Emperor realized she had misunderstood and quickly turned her face back, explaining earnestly, "I’m not stopping you from striking back. I dealt with the offenders last night. You can hit them if you want to."

Lian Hua lifted her gaze, looking half convinced.

For some reason, talking openly with His Majesty softened her, unlike her usual robust self. She wasn’t a weak person; having been in the palace for so many years, she hadn’t cried until she met His Majesty, and surprisingly each cry had occurred before him.

Now that they had cleared the air, the Emperor, who couldn’t bear to be distrusted by his Little Concubine, worried they might drift apart again if this matter wasn’t handled well. He reassured her to be patient and called out, "Zhang Qing."

After a while, Zhang Qing appeared at the entrance, bowing respectfully: "Your Majesty, your servant is here."

This morning, after His Majesty had arranged things, he had entered the Side Hall and waited for Young Master Lian to wake up. He and the others stood outside, not daring to interrupt.

Later, hearing some noise, he knew that Young Master Lian was awake, then soon heard His Majesty instruct to prepare the meal.

Not long after the meal had been arranged, the cries of Young Master Lian were heard, and he quickly drove everyone far away, standing by himself not far off, waiting to be summoned.

Soon, the faint sound of His Majesty consoling someone followed, which shocked him all the more.

To win over Young Master Lian’s favor, His Majesty had allowed what he usually forbade.

He even said that he would personally help sell the imperial gold hairpin and let Young Master Lian count the money.

Heavens, what rules haven’t been broken!

He feared that if Young Master Lian wished for it, His Majesty would even pluck stars from the sky for her!

Having served his lord for many years, he had never seen him so anxious about someone.

Latterly, the crying within the room had gradually subsided, and he knew that His Majesty had managed to console the person, which somewhat relieved him. His Majesty would not be so lonesome anymore, and they seemed to be returning to the days previously spent in Canglan Court, which was wonderful.

At that moment, hearing His Majesty call out, although Zhang Qing did not know why he was being summoned, he still came over cheerfully—His Majesty’s happiness was his happiness!

The Emperor cleared his throat and asked, "Where is the person who beat Xiao Jizi now?"

Upon hearing the question, Lian Hua couldn’t help but glance at Zhang Qing.

Zhang Qing’s smile froze on his face, and now talking about his foster son, his heart was still heavy—for he had invested so many years in him, even a foe would cultivate feelings at that span, having spent so much effort on a dim-witted, it hurt his liver and heart!

Upon hearing His Majesty’s question and seeing Young Master Lian staring at him, he knew a settling of accounts had come in autumn, and he internally cursed the foolishness, this imbecile!

Forcing an ugly smile, Zhang Qing said, "Your Majesty, the person has already been sent to the Laundry Bureau."

Upon hearing the assailant’s whereabouts, Lian Hua couldn’t help but stand up and say, "Your Excellency, today’s issues must end today. I will fetch him myself." With those words, she started to walk out.

The Emperor felt a sudden pang in his heart, thinking that once the matter was resolved she would be satisfied; why did she still want to go fetch the person herself?

How could that be allowed? How could he dare let her go to such a place? What if she got hurt?

Moreover, going to beat someone when she was so faint-hearted, it was only a spur of the moment anger, likely scaring her more than anyone else if she truly had to beat someone. That wouldn’t do at all!

With this thought, the Emperor quickly got up and grabbed her, saying, "I have already beaten the person for you, there’s no need to go. You must take care of your health."

After speaking, he signaled to Zhang Qing with his eyes.

He had instructed Zhang Qing the previous night to deal with the person, and he believed Zhang Qing would indeed give him a satisfactory resolution. As it was such a minor issue, he had not asked how it had been handled.

Receiving His Majesty’s look, Zhang Qing felt a lump in his throat. Oh His Majesty, this wasn’t a pretense, he really had the person beaten; dozens of strikes, leaving them barely half alive!

But he couldn’t say that, so with tears, he nodded and cooperatively said, "Yes, I had the person beaten with fifty heavy sticks; the person is still lying down, unable to get up for at least ten to fifteen days."

"Ah?" That many, she just wanted to give the person a thorough beating, not ask for much, just beat him into a pig’s head was all.

Upon hearing it was fifty heavy sticks, she shuddered; although the anger had been vented, it seemed a bit excessive...

When she was still a palace maid, she heard from Palace Maid Sister that the execution stick was long and thick, the striking area even had protrusions, making someone’s buttocks swell high with each heavy stick—very painful.

Hence, every time they were admonished to be careful in their work, they were threatened with the punishment of heavy sticks.

Thinking she was dissatisfied, the Emperor hurriedly asked, "Is it enough, or shall I order more beating?"

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