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The Emperor felt as if he were stepping on clouds, so soft and tender that his heart melted, such sweetness his Little Concubine possessed!

He couldn’t help but huskily ask, "Little dear, may I have another kiss?"

Upon hearing this, Lian Hua grew even shyer, burying her face in the crook of his neck, her ears turning crimson.

The Emperor couldn’t help but kiss her hair and her ear, tenderly and meticulously caressing her, until he suddenly came to his senses and stopped, panting heavily above her.

His voice, hoarse, asked, "Where is the safety buckle?" He liked seeing it worn close to her body.

Lian Hua, blushing all over, opened a slit in her eyes to look at His Majesty, and said dreamily, "It’s buried."

His Majesty really was naughty, always leaving her in just her undergarments while he remained fully dressed...

The Emperor couldn’t help but nuzzle against her ear and ask, "Why is it buried?"

Lian Hua whispered as soft as a mosquito, "I was afraid I’d think of you..."

Initially afraid that the memories would stir emotions, she had buried it.

The Emperor understood what she meant, his heart softening completely, thinking that during that time, it wasn’t just him pining alone; she was also thinking of him, his most cherished Little Concubine.

He gently tempted, "How about wearing it tomorrow?"

"Yes," Lian Hua softly agreed.

Hearing her consent, the Emperor was satisfied. He couldn’t help but kiss her again before letting her go, and helped her get dressed, otherwise he wouldn’t be able to restrain himself.

Lian Hua was somewhat puzzled, as usually at this time, His Majesty would...

Remembering past scenes, Lian Hua couldn’t help but become shy again, daring not to think further.

When His Majesty had helped her get dressed and tucked her in, he mentioned he needed to step out for a while and would be back soon.

Lian Hua’s cheeks still flushed from earlier, felt reluctant and pitifully asked where he needed to go so late?

The Emperor gave a bitter smile, needing to cool himself with a cold bath, where else could he go?

Staying further in bed with her, he truly didn’t know if he could keep himself in check, especially since they had been apart for quite some time, and his Little Concubine now was most delicate, and he dared not touch.

Seeing her holding on to his hand and not letting go, he smiled helplessly, leaned close to her, and whispered something in her ear, causing her face to turn thoroughly red, seemingly understanding his meaning.

She no longer clung to his sleeve and stopped him from leaving, burying herself in the covers, daring not to obstruct him further.

He chuckled softly, ruffled her hair, made sure she was well covered, and walked out.

When he returned after calming down, his Little Concubine had already fallen deeply asleep.

He waited a while, until the coolness on his body faded, climbed back into bed, and pulled her into his arms, contentedly falling asleep.

Early the next morning, Xiao Linzi was taken to a corner by Zhang Qing and was seriously scolded, literally getting his head knocked.

Xiao Linzi asked with grievance, whether he ultimately belonged to Young Master Lian or to His Majesty from now on.

Zhang Qing, half-angered to death, called him a blockhead and bluntly instructed him to forget about that notion, declaring that openly he would now belong to Young Master Lian, as His Majesty would not acknowledge him. However, secretly, he still had to listen to His Majesty.

Xiao Linzi was completely befuddled, wondering whose man he really was.

Zhang Qing knocked him on the head again, telling him to simply do whatever Young Master Lian asked during the day and to secretly visit Star Palace occasionally. That would settle it!

He suddenly understood, realizing it was indeed possible to do so.

Lastly, Zhang Qing instructed him to keep their conversation confidential and not to disclose it to anyone. If asked, he was to say that he now belonged to Young Master Lian, and not to utter another word about anything else.

Xiao Linzi seemed to understand but also not, and he asked what would happen if he was utterly useless and went to Canglan Court just to freeload, and what if Young Master Lian refused to take him in?

Zhang Qing felt utterly helpless, and seeing the Emperor was about to leave, he hastily dropped the sentence, "Then kneel until Young Master Lian agrees to take you in," before running off.

So there it was, now, Xiao Jizi asked him anything, and he would always say he belonged to Young Master Lian and knew nothing else.

Xiao Jizi: "..."

This fool had slept with him last night, and when His Majesty went to court in the morning, this fool eagerly followed, only to be pulled aside by the Chief steward for a lecture, though he didn’t know what was said.

When he came back, he just squatted in the corner, still carrying his small bundle.

He felt somewhat sympathetic, so he politely asked him what he’d like for breakfast. Though the fool was dull, he bore no ill intentions. Since the Young Master was still sleeping and his fate hadn’t been decided, it was alright to give him something to eat.

The result was the same sentence in response, infuriating indeed!

Forget it, just give him whatever to eat, he couldn’t be bothered to ask anymore.

After he and Xiao Qing had breakfast, he saw the fool kneeling in front of the Young Master’s room, which gave him quite a scare. Unable to persuade him to stand, he had no choice but to stuff a steamed bun into his hand so he could nibble while kneeling.

By the time Lian Hua woke up, it was already well into the morning; the Emperor had gone to the early court.

Opening her eyes, she couldn’t help but roll over to the spot where the Emperor had lain and lay down herself, inhaling the lingering scent, imagining his presence, and feeling utterly content.

She hadn’t lain there long before her stomach began to rumble. Lian Hua reluctantly got up, preparing to have breakfast.

Lately, she had been waking up late and having breakfast quite late. She told Xiao Qing and Xiao Jizi to go ahead without her, not to wait, knowing she had slept in. Initially, they disagreed, but after her persistence, they accepted it.

She put on her shoes, changed her clothes, fixed her hair, and walked to the front door of the small hall, ready to open it. Then she heard voices from outside:

"Brother Xiao Ji, I now belong to Young Master Lian, and I will listen to Young Master Lian from now on." It was Xiao Linzi’s voice.

"Then you shouldn’t just kneel for no reason, the Young Master doesn’t appreciate this sort of behavior. What if the Young Master opens the door and gets startled by suddenly seeing someone?" It was Xiao Jizi’s voice.

"Oh, then I’ll kneel a bit to the side." Xiao Linzi said as he shifted.

"..." Is that really the problem? The issue was to get him to stop kneeling, Xiao Jizi was completely speechless after trying to convince him for ages.

Hearing this, Lian Hua then remembered, oh right, there was Xiao Linzi.

Last night, His Majesty had personally told her that Xiao Linzi would be hers from now on and it wouldn’t cost her a penny to keep him. Ah, and Xiao Linzi could tell stories, so she definitely should take him in.

Having realized this, Lian Hua briskly opened the door, smiling warmly at Xiao Linzi as if looking at a lamb ready for slaughter.

Xiao Linzi jumped in fright, daring not to meet her gaze, and weakly called out "Young Master Lian" before falling silent.

Lian Hua touched her chin and hummed, walking around Xiao Linzi twice, which frightened him into shivering.

"Xiao Linzi, from now on, you’ll be under my care, won’t you?" Lian Hua, holding her chin, scrutinized Xiao Linzi, a slight mischievousness playing across her face.

"Yes, yes, Young Master Lian." Xiao Linzi was somewhat panicked, lowering his head as he replied.

"Hmm? Calling me so formally?"

"Yes, yes, Young Master."

"That’s better. From now on, you must obey me."

"Yes, Young Master..." Xiao Linzi felt like crying; now he was officially under Young Master Lian, which made him feel quite aggrieved.

However, upon further reflection, that Young Master Lian was willing to take him in meant he wasn’t completely useless, which did make him a bit happy.