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By the time Zhang Qing handed the imperial decree to her, she stood up, weighed it in her hand, and felt its texture, appreciating that the material of the decree was indeed very good.

Still unsure about some calculations, she turned to Zhang Qing and asked, "Steward Zhang, could you stay and talk with me for a moment?"

Zhang Qing had no plans to leave anyway as he needed to stay at Canglan Court to oversee things on behalf of His Majesty. Upon hearing her request, he assumed Master Lian wanted to discuss her promotion or perhaps express her gratitude towards His Majesty.

He said with a beaming smile, "Please go ahead, Master Lian."

As Lian Hua pondered, she asked, "Steward Zhang, how much is the monthly palace allowance for a beauty?"

"Huh?" Zhang Qing was a bit taken aback, almost wanting to clear his ears and listen again before quickly replying, "To answer Master Lian, it is sixty taels." He couldn’t quite remember the other allowances for clothing and fabrics though.

But why ask this? Shouldn’t she be humbly refusing at first, expressing her trepidation, and then thanking His Majesty for his great kindness?

"Oh~," nodded Lian Hua as if she had an epiphany. She had feared that she might not remember correctly, but now she figured that her calculations must be right.

Unable to contain herself, she handed over the imperial decree to Xiao Jizi with both hands, startling him into hastily catching it. Oh my heavens, this was the imperial decree, and it was his first time holding one.

There was a senior eunuch in the Star Palace who specialized in delivering decrees.

Xiao Jizi had never been assigned such a task when he served there, and naturally, he had never had the chance to touch an imperial decree.

Now, receiving it from his master, he couldn’t help but feel his legs go weak.

With her hands now free, Lian Hua began to count on her fingers while mumbling: Sixty taels a month makes seven hundred and twenty taels a year; Xiao Qing and Xiao Jizi could have their monthly silver increased, say to four taels each; Xiao Linzi, being new and not knowing much, will get at most two taels.

That leaves fifty taels a month, making up to six hundred taels a year!

Raising three hundred of the inexpensive Xiao Linzi would be no problem.

Having finished her calculations, she couldn’t resist the urge to put her hands on her hips and laugh wildly!

Good heavens, this was even more than what His Majesty had promised her last night. From a poor household, she was about to leap into the ranks of the wealthy!

That was six hundred taels! If she had had six hundred taels back then, she could have easily supported His Majesty; there would have been no need to scrounge in the Imperial Garden!

Oh my, she was going to be rich!

She rubbed her hands together excitedly, completely overcome with joy. If Xiao Qing hadn’t been there to support her arm, fearing she might get too excited and fall, she would have jumped up and down to express her elated feelings.

Zhang Qing truly cursed his ears for being so sharp!

After realizing what was happening, Master Lian’s reaction was completely different from what he had expected.

There was no anxiety or gratitude, just her happily calculating her finances right in front of him, getting more and more pleased with herself.

And now look at her, her eyes narrowed to slits from smiling, all teeth and no eyes.

Zhang Qing was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. What was he to do? If His Majesty asked, should he tell or keep it to himself?

He clasped his hands in front of him, unsure whether to join in the laughter, to look disapproving and remind her not to get carried away, or perhaps to pretend he hadn’t heard anything.

He thought to himself that Master Lian was no ordinary person, only His Majesty could handle her.

With that thought, he chastised himself inwardly, tsk-tsking at his disrespect. It was wrong even to think such things.

At least Xiao Jizi was more composed. He had been holding the imperial decree with trepidation, but upon hearing his master calculating their pay, planning to raise his and Xiao Qing’s monthly silver to four taels, he felt pleased, reassured, and moved all at once.

Indeed, he hadn’t chosen the wrong master.

As soon as she got promoted, the first thing she thought about was to increase their pay.

Afterwards, Steward Zhang seemed to have overheard the master’s murmurs, his expression a kaleidoscope of colors, thinking to himself that something had gone wrong. If Steward Zhang had overheard, wouldn’t His Majesty also get to know? What would His Majesty think then?

In a rush, he coughed loudly and moved to stand beside the master, with his back towards Zhang Qing, making faces and continuously gesturing backwards with his mouth, reminding the master that there were many others present.

Lian Hua realized what had happened, fixed her gaze, and saw that Steward Zhang, followed by a group of young eunuchs, was eyeing her with an expression of surprise and uncertainty.

Oh no, she had gotten carried away and been careless!

She quickly composed herself, cleared her throat, and adopting the usual routine, she said earnestly, "I’ve been troubled by steward Zhang’s attention.

I’ve just received His Majesty’s decree, and I’m honored and afraid, undeserving of His Majesty’s esteem.

Anxiety fills my heart, causing my conduct to become unseemly.

I hope steward Zhang takes no offense." Now that she had said this, would it still be of any use?

Zhang Qing was speechless inside, but his face betrayed none of his thoughts; he cracked a smile and said, "Not at all. Master Lian has been diligent in attending to His Majesty and is now rightfully promoted to Beauty, all due to her own merits. My congratulations to Beauty Lian."

Lian Hua couldn’t help herself; her lips curved up involuntarily, and she waved her hands continuously, humbly saying, "Oh my, serving His Majesty is my duty, no great merit.

Please, Steward Zhang, tell His Majesty that I am deeply grateful for his grace.

I shall stay diligent and devoted to my duties in the future.

Could you convey my thanks to Steward Zhang and express my gratitude to him as well? "

Zhang Qing opened his mouth, wanting to correct her usage of "stay diligent and devoted to duty," but seeing that Master Lian seemed unaware, he let it go, deciding not to embarrass her, knowing His Majesty would be pained by it.

Before he could react, Lian Hua asked, "Would Steward Zhang care for a cup of tea before departing?" That’s the proper way to host, right?

Should she also offer reward silver? As she pondered this, Lian Hua moved closer to Xiao Jizi, intending to inquire.

"Tea?" Upon hearing about the tea from Canglan Court, a jolt shot through Zhang Qing’s heart and an urgent need to relieve himself arose.

He waved his hands frantically, backing away as he said, "No, no, not at all, Master Lian is too polite.

I have other matters to attend to." Hastily, he led his followers away.

Before Lian Hua could even consult Xiao Jizi about the reward silver, Zhang Qing had gone far off.

Once outside the gate of Canglan Court, a young eunuch whispered, "Chief Steward, do we still need to guard Canglan Court?" Wasn’t that the plan before?

Smacking his forehead, Zhang Qing exclaimed, Ah, I had forgotten all about it. The mention of tea by Master Lian made me so urgently in need that I had completely forgotten.

What to do now?

What else could be done but to send someone to continue guarding around Canglan Court while he himself took his place back in the pavilion?

After making arrangements, Zhang Qing looked into the distance and noticed several sneaky figures.

His eyes narrowed, thinking that there are always restless people in the harem. After today, Master Lian would be thoroughly placed in the spotlight.

With this thought, a cold glint passed through his eyes. He called over a young eunuch, instructing him that like the day before, when feigning blindness, he must also feign deafness today. Master Lian’s reaction to the decree must not be leaked, or else he would face execution.

Once he had given his instructions, Zhang Qing sat in the pavilion with a sense of sentimentality.

Master Lian’s favor was so great, she was the first since His Majesty ascended the throne; whether it was a blessing or a curse was uncertain, as she could become the target of collective envy in the harem.

But then he thought, since His Majesty had even summoned Cao De back, there shouldn’t be much of an issue.

Alas, he had never seen His Majesty dote on anyone so dearly, truly to the very core.

At this shichen, His Majesty should also have left court by now, probably coming here to join Master Lian for lunch, right?