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"...This Ruby Scepter Gold Hairpin was a reward from His Majesty after our last chess game. Despite His Majesty's unfathomable strategies that I could never beat, he still praised my good style of play. He said that given time, I would surely improve and bestowed this gift upon me," said a beauty with a melon seed-shaped face, clothed in goose yellow, her fingers caressing the hairpin on her head with a somewhat proud expression.

"His Majesty is truly considerate; the gold hairpin suits my sister's complexion perfectly. Unlike for me, His Majesty gifted a white jade bracelet. While the bracelet is exquisite indeed, I lack fine clothes to match it and can only make do with a skirt made of Heavenly Silkworm Silk," said a round-faced concubine holding a fan, a slight sorrow in her voice and a look of sadness on her face, even though the clothes she wore were obviously very expensive.

Hearing this, Lian Hua felt a pang of sourness in her heart. It seemed to her that His Majesty was generous to everyone else, rewarding even the most trivial of things; only towards her was he miserly, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't gain his favor. Well, it made sense; she was just a lowly Daying, unworthy of His Majesty's rewards.

Lian Hua's mood sank, her nose began to feel sore, and she buried her head to eat her fill, no longer listening to what the other concubines were saying.

Before long, it was noon, the sun started to intensify, and the lotus appreciation banquet was nearing its end. One by one, the concubines departed, and Lian Hua, along with Xiao Qing, made her way back to Canglan Court.

Not long after returning to Canglan Court, an Imperial Eunuch with Decree arrived with a smile, informing Lian Hua that the Emperor would visit her tonight. After receiving the decree, she instructed Xiao Qing to buy some ingredients. Xiao Qing hesitated, looking at Lian Hua with an expression of wanting to speak but stopping herself.

"What is it, Xiao Qing?" Lian Hua asked, puzzled by her hesitation.

"Young Master, we're almost out of silver," Xiao Qing said with a worried look.

"All the silver in the jar is spent?" Lian Hua was shocked, then remembered that it was almost gone days ago. These few days have been all expenditures and no income. The remaining silver was the result of strict budgeting.

"There's only around six or seven taels left," Xiao Qing said, head lowered, looking as if she had done something wrong.

Lian Hua felt worn out. The day seemed so long, and it was only noon, but she already felt exhausted. She turned her back, took a deep breath, and said to Xiao Qing, "Stay here and wait for me. I will return shortly." With that, she entered her inner chamber.

After washing her face and changing her clothes, Lian Hua came out and said to Xiao Qing, "Come with me. Take all the remaining silver."

Xiao Qing, seeing that Lian Hua appeared enlivened, as if she had thought of a solution, also began to feel cheerful.

That day, Lian Hua spent every last bit of her household's money. She had a quick lunch and started preparing the evening meal from the Horse Hour (11 am-1 pm), steaming and stewing various dishes until the early You Hour. Lian Hua filled a bowl with food for Xiao Qing, telling her to eat first in the kitchen.

By the end of You Hour, the Emperor finally arrived, fashionably late. Lian Hua, with her attendants, hurriedly served the hot dishes from the pot, presenting a full table.

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, seeing so many dishes, which was quite uncommon. He thought to himself, since when was this thrifty Little Concubine so generous?

Little did he know that Lian Hua had spent every last piece of silver, treating this meal as if it was her last supper. The Emperor was dining, but it was she who was facing the end, penniless, unable to afford the Emperor's needs in the future, awaiting punishment.

Lian Hua didn't eat a bite of dinner, her appetite lost at the thought of what was to come. She figured she needed to protect Xiao Qing, that if anyone was to be punished, let it be only her.

The time to retire for the night soon arrived, and as usual, the Emperor sought to engage with Lian Hua physically. He noticed her knees were heavily bruised, and startled, he stopped.

Earlier during dinner, the Emperor had noticed that the Little Concubine was somewhat distracted, speaking less than usual. So, something had happened, and she hadn't told him. He asked, somewhat angrily, "How did you injure your knees? Does it hurt?"

Lian Hua opened her eyes wearily, shook her head, and said it was nothing.

Perturbed, the Emperor thrust against her forcefully, eliciting a moan from Lian Hua, and he demanded, "How did it happen?"

Cornered into responding, Lian Hua softly said that she had accidentally bumped them. As she spoke, she clung to the Emperor's neck with both hands and buried her head into his chest, too ashamed to face him.

The Emperor scoffed internally, 'Both knees bruised so evenly? That's a lie for fools. This Little Concubine still dares to deceive her Emperor; she shall see how I deal with her.'

Thus, he avoided her knees and had his way with her ruthlessly.

After it was over, Lian Hua felt as if her body had fallen apart. When the person behind her fell asleep, Lian Hua opened her eyes, lost in thought.

She reflected on the various incidents of recent times, on the day's events, on the outcomes that lay ahead. As she pondered, tears fell unconstrainedly.

Fearing she would wake the person behind her, Lian Hua maintained her position, not daring to move. However, as her sadness deepened, she could no longer control her sobs and had to bite into the quilt to stifle her cries.

The Emperor, half asleep with his arms around Lian Hua's waist, sensed the trembling of the body in front of him and occasionally heard suppressed sobs, arousing him from his slumber. He sat up and looked at Lian Hua.

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