Page 140

After Zhang Qing took the Gold Hairpin away, he turned around and saw his Little Concubine propping up her head, her eyes half-open, slightly drowsy and confused.

The Emperor felt a pang of distress, walked over to her, and wanted to pick her up.

Lian Hua, groggy and confused, saw His Majesty approaching, and couldn’t help but support herself on his hand and asked, "My Lord, would you like to change your clothes?"

The Emperor nodded, "Yes, let’s go to sleep." After that, he wiped the sleepy confusion from the tears at the corner of her eyes.

Gathering her energy, Lian Hua said, "My Lord, let me help you change." She loved doing whatever she could for His Majesty, and helping him change was one of those things; it made her feel fulfilled and secure.

"Ok," the Emperor touched her head, feeling warm inside with a sense of serene years.

Seeing his Little Concubine struggle to stay awake yet still insisting on helping him change made him feel both distressed and delighted. It was just like how ordinary families lived their days.

Lian Hua rubbed her eyes and scrubbed her face to wake up a bit more, beginning to help His Majesty change. When she reached his belt, she noticed that the string of the Jade Pendant she gave to His Majesty was tied to it and couldn’t be untied.

She leaned in closer to look, "Eh, how come this knot won’t come undone? Eh... Eh..."

As she made the questioning noise, she continued to try to undo it, but after several attempts, it still wasn’t undone, she scratched her head, suddenly remembered she was the one who tied the Jade Pendant on for His Majesty.

"My Lord, did I tie a dead knot when I tied it on for you earlier? Eh, why is the string of the Jade Pendant tied dead on the belt?" She scratched her head again, wondering if she had tied a dead knot, not quite remembering.

The Emperor looked amusedly at his little confused consort. She had just realized it, truly a little confused.

He reassured her, "It doesn’t matter, it’s good this way, it saves the trouble of tying it again tomorrow." Saying this, he took her hand, smoothly undoing the entire belt, with the Jade Pendant still hanging tied to it.

Lian Hua looked up at His Majesty and blinked, hesitantly saying, "But the knot is on the front of the belt, and it seems to be crooked. Won’t it look odd to others?"

"No, ordinary people don’t dare look directly at me," the Emperor pinched her face, blatantly lying.

"Oh~" Lian Hua thought for a moment, it didn’t seem to be a problem, and she guessed it was okay.

Yet she forgot that although ordinary people did not dare to look directly at the Emperor, during bowing and rising from greetings, their gazes often fell on the Emperor’s waist, wouldn’t they all see it then?

But even if someone noticed, no one would dare to say anything unless they wished for death, daring to offend the Emperor.

After changing clothes, Lian Hua got into bed and had barely settled the blanket when she directly drifted into dreams, utterly exhausted, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

The Emperor chuckled, shaking his head, tenderly kissed her brow, covered her properly with the blanket, adjusted her position, and cuddled her into his embrace as he too drifted off to sleep.

In the middle of the night, Zhang Qing approached the Small Crescent Moon Gate of the Side Hall, softly calling out "His Majesty."

It was a letter from Master Cao, His Majesty had said to inform him immediately, or else even he wouldn’t dare disturb His Majesty’s peaceful sleep.

Hearing the voice, the Emperor opened his eyes, looked at the person in his arms, gently let her go, and repositioned her to sleep comfortably.

As he sat up, he noticed his Little Concubine’s foot sticking out from the blanket, her tiny toes pale and delicate, particularly conspicuous under the dim nightlight.

The Emperor chuckled to himself, thinking that if he hadn’t been holding her, his Little Concubine would definitely have kicked off the blanket; then in the middle of the night, feeling cold, she would have curled up on her own.

One night it had been just like this and when he realized the person beside him had moved away, he didn’t know how long she had been huddled towards the inside.

He reached over, pinched her round and adorable little toes, and tucked them back under the blanket.

At that moment, it was unclear what she was dreaming about, but a sweet smile graced her face as she smacked her lips twice and turned over to sleep again.

The Emperor’s gaze was so tender it could wring water, his Little Concubine truly adorable. Just watching her quietly made him feel content, and he couldn’t help but want to kiss her.

Zhang Qing heard some rustling noises inside, thinking His Majesty had awakened, but after waiting for a long while with no one coming out, he was about to call out again.

Before he could call out, he saw His Majesty get out of bed and walk towards him, making a ’shush’ gesture with his hand; Zhang Qing quickly held his tongue.

Once the two were outside, the Emperor asked, "What is it?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, Master Cao has sent a letter." Zhang Qing said as he took out an envelope and presented it after opening.

In this palace, only one eunuch could be addressed as Master, and that was Cao De, and Cao De never called himself a servant in front of His Majesty, only a subject, so Zhang Qing also respectfully addressed him as Master Cao.

The Emperor understood immediately; this was as he had instructed, to report to him immediately if there was news from Cao De.

There had been undercurrents in the Harem lately, especially after today’s summons, so when Cao De returned was critical.

Now, the Palace Concubines had not yet reacted, or were all observing; no one had come to Canglan Court yet, but that might not be the case later.

Zhang Qing couldn’t always be stationed at Canglan Court, guarding it to prevent people from coming; even with guarding, there would always be times when he couldn’t.

Cao De, best at gauging people’s hearts and arranging undercover agents, was flawless in dealing with covert schemes. Be it a human or a ghost, nothing could hide from him; his return was more than appropriate.

If he were to intervene in the Harem, he would do so thoroughly, ensuring his Little Concubine was without worry.

Thinking to this point, the Emperor signaled for Zhang Qing to read the contents of the letter directly.

Understanding the cue, Zhang Qing opened the letter and after glancing at it, he looked troubled and said, "Your Majesty, this, this..." Cao De was too bold, unprecedentedly so; these written words were difficult for him to read aloud...

"Read!" The Emperor’s expression was indifferent, hands clasped behind his back; without seeing him, one would know that scoundrel wouldn’t produce anything edifying.

"Yes." Zhang Qing hesitated no more, cleared his throat, looked at the letter, and read, "My Lord, the letter states, ’Your Majesty, your subject has developed rheumatism and is having difficulty moving. I hope for your understanding...’"

Did this imply Cao De wasn’t coming? Such audacity to defy an imperial command; even if His Majesty treated him well, this couldn’t be tolerated, could it?

It seemed that His Majesty was likely to erupt in anger...

Zhang Qing wiped his sweat, his head bowing even lower, and cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, Master Cao truly seems to be ill. Should your servant send someone to inquire again?"

The Emperor remained silent for a moment, thinking it was just as he suspected; that fellow was always so, completely informal. Although the letter said this, he suspected the man might already be in the Capital; otherwise, how could the letter have arrived so quickly?

After not seeing him for several years, who knew how he had been? Living freely and merrily outside? He somewhat missed him.

This fellow had deserted his duties immediately after he ascended the throne and sought revenge on the excuse of having other business.

So many years had passed; it was time someone found him, and made him come back to assist him.

The Emperor smiled silently, leaving behind the words "no need to bother" before returning to the Side Hall.

Leaving a bewildered Zhang Qing behind, who couldn’t figure out whether His Majesty was angry or not.