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When Lian Hua had calmed down and looked around, there was no one nearby.

She held the imperial decree, looking left and right, not knowing where best to hang it.

It was her first time receiving an imperial decree, and she had no idea where others usually placed theirs.

Her space was too small; she couldn’t put it on the dressing table, His Majesty’s desk was not an option, nor was the chest for clothing. Therefore, between the head of the bed and the antiquities shelf, she had to choose one!

After pondering a bit, she realized this was a document sealed by His Majesty’s emblem—no, more significant than a mere document, it was the king of documents and needed to be well-preserved.

Otherwise, should she hang it with a string at the head of the bed?

One, it would be festive and seeing the decree would make people happy; two, it also showed how much she valued it.

Yes, that’s a good idea.

After hanging the decree, Lian Hua looked at it once more and, thinking about how she would now be known as Beauty Lian, couldn’t help but feel delighted.

Being a Beauty had many benefits. At the very least, people would bow to her from now on, and she wouldn’t have to bow to any Beauties or younger sisters anymore.

Plus, in the palace allowance, there was more pork, lamb, and poultry, not to mention the fabrics.

Coming winter, she planned to make a thicker curtain to keep out the cold.

In previous years, she made do with thin curtains layered together, reluctant to use thick fabric as it was needed for clothing.

If only her sewing skills were better, then she wouldn’t have to pay extra for the Weaving Bureau’s services.

Ah, why was she still thinking so frugally? No need to save, this year there was plenty of Silver, no worries at all, ha ha.

The more Lian Hua thought about it, the brighter her future seemed; life was getting better thanks to His Majesty’s blessing.

Thinking of His Majesty, she paused, her brain momentarily hitched.

Uh, what had that Young Eunuch sent by Steward Zhang said again?

His Majesty would come to Canglan Court for lunch soon!

She looked out the window at the sky. Oh dear, it was getting late.

Her thoughts had wandered too pleasantly before, and only now had she realized the time.

In a rush, she changed into a new set of clothes and neatly tied her hair before heading to the kitchen.

She hadn’t made anything for His Majesty since yesterday; that wouldn’t do. His Majesty had been so kind to her, and she wanted to do whatever she could for him.

Though Xiao Qing’s cooking skills were decent, she wanted to cook personally for His Majesty. Just the thought of him eating her cooking made her feel incredibly sweet and satisfied.

By the time Lian Hua reached the kitchen door, the kitchen was already bustling.

As she hurriedly tried to enter, Xiao Jizi, who was managing the fire, noticed her and blocked the doorway, ready to burst into tears.

Lian Hua’s eyebrows shot up, and with a fierce gaze and hands on hips, she said sternly, "Xiao Jizi, are you trying to repeat yesterday’s tantrum? What did we discuss last evening? I’m your master, and you must listen to me, otherwise, hmph!"

Xiao Jizi hesitated, stopping his antics, but then said, "Master, your status is noble, and you are with child... I... I’m just worried..."

After hearing this, Lian Hua lowered her hands from her hips and, thinking seriously, said, "Before I entered the palace, I saw pregnant kitchen maids working hard every day, and they had no issues at all.

They were still cooking the day before delivery.

" She had learned some of her skills from such a maid.

"So, I’m not that delicate, unable to do this or that just because I’m pregnant. If you let me idle every day, that would really be bad for me. I’d be unhappy, grow unhappy, start to overthink. Didn’t that somber Imperial Physician say I had been overthinking before?"

"So for your master’s sake, you must let me do some things I want to do. I promise you, I’ll be extra careful, after all—"

At this point, Lian Hua subconsciously placed her right hand on her abdomen, which showed no signs of pregnancy yet, a smile gracing her lips and a tender gleam flickering in her eyes, as she continued, "I too am eagerly looking forward to the birth of the baby His Majesty and I will have.

I will protect it, you know. I am even more worried about it than you, so rest assured. "

Until now, she still felt somewhat dazed. She was carrying His Majesty’s child! Thinking that it was a child conceived with His Majesty, a silent happiness filled her heart, as if her drifting heart had finally found a haven.

Isn’t ordinary happiness just like this? Having a baby with the one you love and living a joyful life together.

Xiao Jizi, having heard Lian Hua’s words, silently stepped aside.

In his heart, he subconsciously thought that his master was still not mature enough and feared she might hurt herself out of ignorance.

He felt the need to properly guide her, yet had not considered that she had already thought through these issues.

The master was right. With her personality, if she were cooped up in the inner chambers daily and treated like a delicate flower, she would probably go mad. It was better to let her do what she wanted.

In the future, whatever the master wanted to do, they would just protect her by her side. If there really were any danger, they would simply prevent her from doing it, even if it meant forcibly stopping her.

Seeing him step aside, Xiao Qing, who was cooking not far behind, also heard and nodded in agreement.

Knowing they had understood, she patted Xiao Jizi’s shoulder, praising, "Well done, well done. Truly a member of Canglan Court, you catch on quickly. I am very pleased as your master."

Xiao Jizi smiled and responded, "It’s all thanks to our wise master’s guidance."

The three of them laughed.

This time, Lian Hua stopped chopping vegetables and handling cold water, merely giving directions from the side, waiting for Xiao Qing to prepare the ready ingredients, then she would stir-fry and season, managing the heat.

When the Emperor arrived at Canglan Court, he saw that meals had already been set out in the small hall, but his Little Concubine was not there.

He had entered the courtyard unannounced, and the gatekeeping eunuch reported that she had not left the courtyard at all; where could she have gone?

He walked out of the small hall, about to look for someone, when he heard a voice:

"Xiao Qing, the most important part of Mandarin Duck Chicken is to steam it in its original broth until tender and flaky. Don’t use plain water, or the flavor will be lost."

"Yes, master, I didn’t realize there was so much to consider."

Turning around, who could it be if not his dearly beloved Little Concubine?

Seeing her attire, she must have gone to the kitchen to cook. How could that be allowed.

He couldn’t help feeling distressed. He wished to keep his beloved protected in the palm of his hand, not needing her to do anything.

At that moment, Lian Hua also spotted His Majesty, exclaiming with joy, "Your Majesty, you are here!"

Before she could finish speaking, she couldn’t help but hurry over.

The Emperor also strode forward to meet her, embracing her and gently kissing her as he asked, "Where have you been just now?"

Lian Hua pursed her lips and smiled, replying, "I was cooking for you. Why did you have time to come for lunch today?"

The Emperor felt a warmth in his heart. "I wanted to see you, so I came."

Upon hearing this, Lian Hua couldn’t help but smile gleefully, her eyebrows curving. It was the first time he had said he wanted to see her—she felt so happy and a bit shy.

She bit her lip, casting a coquettish glance at His Majesty, and said, "My Lord, I made many delicious dishes for you. You’ll have to praise me later."