Page 121

The Emperor felt something was amiss, afraid she might be thinking of catching fish, but also afraid that if he didn’t let her, his own words would be for naught and that might upset her.

He pondered over his wording and slowly began, "Mmm, well written, your calligraphy is improving. My Lian Hua is quite remarkable." First he would praise her before anything else.

Sure enough, after hearing His Majesty’s praise, Little Concubine couldn’t help but smile with her eyes crescent-shaped.

Seeing this, he subtly tested further, "The weather has been cold lately, and with you being pregnant, the mist from Huaqing Pool can be too chilly. It’s not safe to be too close to the water’s edge. Are you perhaps craving fish? Why doesn’t His Majesty have someone catch it for you instead?"

Lian Hua was initially pleased with His Majesty complimenting her handwriting, but after hearing him offer to catch fish for her, her heart was both sweet and happy, and the worry she had been harboring eased. It seemed the Lord did not suspect her, which was good.

Turning to face him, with almond-shaped eyes brimming with warmth, she addressed His Majesty at her side, "My Lord, there’s no need to bother, I don’t feel like eating fish right now."

She used to love it, craving it incessantly for a while, but lately, the smell seemed too strong and nauseating, and she had lost the desire to eat it.

The Emperor, looking into her eyes, realized she was telling the truth. A weight lifted from his heart—it was a relief she didn’t want to catch fish.

As Lian Hua recalled His Majesty’s words of concern, her heart filled with a tender warmth.

After some thought, to comfort him she added, "Even if I wanted to catch fish, I wouldn’t go near the water.

Rest assured, I know my limits. At most, I would just point directions from afar and not personally do the catching. I am aware of what’s at stake."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor grew even more worried. Was she still pondering catching fish? He’d have Xiao Linzi watch her closely and report immediately at the first sign of trouble.

The matter seemed to be put to rest, and Lian Hua’s little secret remained undiscovered. Yet the Emperor’s worries hadn’t completely subsided.

Both felt tired that day, so they changed into their nightwear and readied for bed.

Sitting in bed before going to sleep, Lian Hua remembered the issue with Xiao Linzi and hesitated a few times before swallowing her words.

This was His Majesty showing his care for her.

How could she refuse? She also felt shy about telling His Majesty of her difficulties in supporting one more person.

The last time she spoke of being short on money, they had a falling out.

Now that they had just reconciled, she didn’t want to trouble His Majesty again over such matters.

But to accept Xiao Linzi would indeed be a bit of a struggle.

Thinking of this, her face revealed a hint of worry.

The Emperor noticed her conflicted expression and slightly furrowed brow. With tenderness, he stroked her forehead and gently kissed her brow, asking softly, "What’s wrong?"

Lian Hua opened her mouth as if to speak, thought better of it, and closed it again, shaking her head. She decided not to mention it—after all, taking in Xiao Linzi just meant eating a little less.

Seeing her hesitant and seemingly troubled, the Emperor felt extreme compassion and said, embracing her soothingly, "My dear, if you have something to say, just say it. If you keep it inside, it will hurt me to know you’re suffering in silence."

Ah? Is that so? Then... I shall speak!

"My Lord, did you assign Xiao Linzi to come to Canglan Court to watch over me?" Lian Hua finished her question and stared at His Majesty without blinking.

"Cough..." The Emperor nearly choked on his own saliva. His Little Concubine had become so vigilant. She was not easily deceived anymore.

Seeing His Majesty coughing, Lian Hua worried she had misspoken and quickly helped to pat his back.

The Emperor paused for a moment, cleared his throat to suppress the itch, and said solemnly, "How is it an external assignment?

Once assigned to you, he is your person; how can you say he is externally assigned?

" As for watching over her, he automatically ignored that part; it was not something to be elaborated on.

"Ah, is that not the case? He said he was only sent temporarily to Canglan Court, eating and drinking at my expense for most of the day, and only returning to Star Palace once. Isn’t that because you wanted him to watch over me?

" Lian Hua scratched her head, she hadn’t remembered wrong, Xiao Jizi had told her that.

The Emperor held his forehead inwardly, what a blockhead Xiao Linzi was, completely taking Zhang Qing’s instructions and turning them around.

Although that’s what the Emperor was thinking, his expression did not show it.

Looking at Lian Hua, who was watching him, he said in all seriousness, "He is incorrect. Canglan Court is short on staff; right now, there’s only one Little Palace Maid and one eunuch.

I truly couldn’t be at ease. As your body becomes heavier in the future, how could you manage without a few more people to take care of you?

I saw that Xiao Linzi was quite obedient, so I assigned him to you. From now on, he is your person."

"Oh~" So that’s how it was. Lian Hua nodded in understanding. So Xiao Linzi was hers from now on? He would follow her orders?

But... her train of thought derailed by His Majesty, she almost forgot the most crucial point and was about to mention it.

Seeing she still had questions, the Emperor immediately understood what she wanted to say and preempted her, "The future expenses of Canglan Court will all come from my private coffers. Keep your Monthly Silver for yourself, whether you want to reward your servants or use it for your own purposes, it’s up to you. "

Lian Hua’s eyes brightened upon hearing this, ah, how could this be...

This time, she could no longer maintain her modesty and composure, excitedly looking down and starting to count on her fingers, ten taels of Monthly Silver, wouldn’t that mean she could save a hundred and twenty taels in a year?

If she gave Xiao Qing and Xiao Jizi each two taels of Monthly Silver, after deducting these expenses, she would still have seventy-two taels left. That was a lot of silver.

The more she calculated, the happier she got, a joyous smile unable to be contained on her face.

As for Xiao Linzi, at this moment, she had entirely forgotten him; Monthly Silver, that’s nothing.

The Emperor watched the little miser before him with some surprise. Hearing that he would support her, she didn’t even thank him, she just started busily calculating right in front of him, and truth be told, she calculated quite accurately.

The Emperor internally shook his head; his Little Concubine was still so straightforward and candid, it really made him want to pamper her to the heavens.

Once Lian Hua had finished calculating, the Emperor pinched her cheeks affectionately and asked, "All done?"

Lian Hua’s lips curved up, her cheeks blushing and her bright eyes looked up at him as she nodded her head.

After nodding, she couldn’t help but wrap her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his face with a smack, whispering, "Thank you, Your Majesty. You’ve been too kind to this servant.

" After saying this, she felt a bit shy and involuntarily buried her head into the crook of his neck, her ears turning pink. ..

The Emperor was stunned for a moment, somewhat disbelievingly touching the place she kissed, still warm from her lips.

His Little Concubine was extremely shy on a regular basis.

When he first met her, a little tease could easily provoke a bright red blush.

Not to mention kissing him, she would even shy away from holding hands in public.

It took her many attempts before she became bold enough, and it also took her a long time to get used to kissing her in front of servants.

Now she had taken the initiative to kiss him, something she had never done before, even at their most intimate, if he pushed her, she would only agree to a light touch, nothing like the natural kiss just now.

This was the first time his Little Concubine had been so enthusiastic.