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Zhang Qing was on the verge of tears after hearing the news; he had thought that by dealing with Zhang Sancai last night, and not lightly at that, Zhang Sancai would still be left with a life to live.

Little did he realize that in the end, he couldn’t be saved; old tears flowed freely in his heart. ..

Lian Hua shook her head and said, "There’s no need for so many, this servant merely wishes to see the person beaten to the same extent as Xiao Jizi. Fifty lashes seem a bit too much, it sounds very painful." Thinking of the legendary punishment of caning, she couldn’t help but shiver.

The Emperor felt pained and looked at how timid his Little Concubine was, just the mention of fifty lashes was enough to scare her. He couldn’t help but feel annoyed at Zhang Qing who brought it up, turning his head to give him a glare, meaning why did he say so much.

Zhang Qing felt like coughing up blood, this seemed unreasonable. How could it be wrong to say too much or to simply tell the truth?

He had no choice but to compose himself, and with some difficulty, he managed to add, "Young Master Lian, forgive me, this servant misspoke just now, not so many were given, just over twenty lashes, a bit harder than what Feng Ji received but not by much." There, satisfied now...

Indeed, after hearing this, Lian Hua nodded with satisfaction. If you’re going to strike back, you should at least gain some interest, she thought; this was very good.

The Emperor sighed in relief, glad she no longer wished to go.

Lian Hua sat back down and suddenly thought that it wasn’t right just for her to feel avenged; the most important thing was for Xiao Jizi to have his turn. She suggested, "Your Majesty, this servant will take Xiao Jizi to see the person, to let him have his revenge as well."

Seeing their pitiful state would surely make Xiao Jizi feel much better, just like she felt after beating Beauty Li, feeling truly good afterwards, with no more pent-up frustrations or anger!

As soon as the Emperor heard this, his heart tightened. How could he let her see such a gore-strewn scene? He quickly said, "I will let Xiao Jizi take a look himself, aren’t you supposed to eat? What, you’re full already?"

Lian Hua touched her belly. She could still eat another bowl, so she said, "Not yet." Letting Xiao Jizi go was fine, too.

Finally, having moved past the issue, both the Emperor and Zhang Qing breathed a sigh of relief.

The Emperor thought, at least she had been coaxed into not going anymore.

Zhang Qing thought to himself that Young Master Lian was still very kind; his foolish son was surely safe now.

After their meal, the Emperor instructed Zhang Qing to find the Imperial Physician to take her pulse again; he was still worried, especially since his Little Concubine had just had a crying fit; he feared that the crying might have harmed her health.

He also ordered people to move all the things he had previously taken from Canglan Court back in.

He personally directed the staff to wrap the edges and corners of the tables and chairs in the room with soft cloth.

After the meal, Lian Hua felt a bit drowsy, her mind foggy, and she sat on the dressing stool, propping her head up and watching His Majesty bustling about.

His Majesty wouldn’t let her sleep, saying that going to sleep right after eating wasn’t good for her health.

Outside was a fine day, with clear skies and fresh air.

Inside, she felt very secure and peaceful in her heart.

Watching His Majesty giving orders, occasionally turning back to smile gently at her, her heart swelled with contentment and sweetness. She couldn’t hide the smile in her eyes; she didn’t ponder much and felt as if time had stopped at that moment.

"Young Master, Young Master?" Xiao Qing came in with the fetus-preserving medicine, calling several times before realizing that the Young Master wasn’t paying any attention to her, never taking her eyes off His Majesty, her mouth curving upwards.

Seeing the Young Master not responding, Xiao Qing called out a few more times.

The Emperor was giving instructions for even the edges of the screen to be wrapped in soft cloth, insisting on checking everything himself to ensure it was secure and wouldn’t hurt anyone.

Hearing the palace maid by his Little Concubine’s side continuously calling out to her without eliciting any response, he couldn’t help but let the wrapping continue as he personally went to see what the situation was.

Lian Hua had been looking at His Majesty all this time, as if she could never get enough; when she saw His Majesty approaching, she couldn’t help but sit up straight, her eyes shining brightly as she watched him, already smiling with curved eyes and brows before he even came close.

The Emperor also smiled, walking up to her and embracing her with both arms, lowering his head to kiss her forehead gently, and asking, "What’s the matter, looking at me like this?"

"I just want to look~" Lian Hua said coquettishly, then, feeling shy, buried her head in his chest and couldn’t help but giggle quietly.

The Emperor, gazing down at her tenderly, stroked her hair and couldn’t resist kissing the top of her head again.

Xiao Qing, with her head down, was holding the medicine, but she didn’t know if she should stay or retreat; she was very anxious.

After another round of tender kisses and embraces, the Emperor felt the time was about right, and he looked at Xiao Qing, signaling her to speak.

Understanding, Xiao Qing approached a bit and said, "Young Master, it’s time for your medicine." His Majesty watched from the side, making her somewhat nervous.

"Medicine? What medicine?" Upon hearing the word ’medicine,’ Lian Hua suddenly looked up, turning her head towards Xiao Qing.

She was fully awake now, no longer sleepy or confused, and her heart was no longer at peace.

She had always had a fear of bitter medicines; when she was young, she would rather get beaten than take any.

Plus, her health was excellent; she seldom fell ill. While other children would be crying from sickness every day, she would be bouncing around at home, causing mayhem, hardly ever having to take medicine as a child!

But in her memories, there seemed to be a time, all hazy and bitter, when the air was perpetually tainted with the scent of medicine, which continued for a long while; she forgot why she was sick.

Ever since that time, she had grown even more fearful of taking medicine; it was so bitter, it made her days seem gray, everything tasted of bitterness.

The Emperor’s brow furrowed slightly; he had been so overcome with joy that he seemed to have forgotten to tell his Little Concubine about her pregnancy; he didn’t know how she would react upon hearing it.

Just as Xiao Qing was about to explain the medicine, the Emperor stopped her, took the medicine bowl from her hands, and waved for her to step back.

After Xiao Qing stepped back, Lian Hua watched His Majesty with a look of frightened vigilance, quickly shaking her head; she didn’t want to take the medicine, it looked very bitter.

The Emperor cleared his throat uncomfortably, hesitating inwardly; his Little Concubine was still such a lovable baby, and now she was carrying his child inside her, he wondered how best to explain this.

He thought for a moment, placed the medicine on the dressing table, bent down to be at eye level with her, and was just about to say something.

Lian Hua, on guard, kept shaking her head at His Majesty, refusing to be persuaded to take the medicine; she was fine, she wouldn’t drink it!

The Emperor felt a bit helpless; he hadn’t even spoken yet, and his Little Concubine was already so resistant; what to do?

He cupped Lian Hua’s face with both his hands and said, "Dear Lian Hua, it’s all my fault, you’ve suffered these past days, have been too worried, and your peace of mind and body have been disturbed; it’s all my fault."

Lian Hua, looking at His Majesty, saw eyes that seemed to contain only her, and noticing the self-reproach in them, felt moved and a little heartbroken, shaking her head, "His Majesty, your servant is fine."

Thinking back on the past days, the Emperor’s voice was a bit strained; he composed himself, and then spoke earnestly, "Dear, you are already two months pregnant. Drinking the medicine is to nourish your body, it’s not bitter; drinking it will be good for you, okay?"

Lian Hua felt as if the clear skies had vanished, the sky was flashing and thundering, she didn’t hear what His Majesty said behind her, her mind was in chaos, leaving only a host of questions.