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The girl, seeing them, neither paid her respects nor hesitated to size them up before asking, "Are you the masters here?"

Cai Xia, seeing the girl’s rudeness, angrily rebuked, "How bold, who are you not to come and pay your respects to the Noble Consort immediately? Could it be that everyone from Canglan Court is this disrespectful?"

The Noble Consort waited for Cai Xia to finish, then raised her hand to stop her, about to inquire about the whereabouts of Beauty Lian, when suddenly she spotted an elderly woman with meticulously combed hair emerging from the Side Hall.

She was shocked and exclaimed, "Nanny Qi?!"

Elsewhere, Lian Hua was enjoying her day fishing, occasionally checking on the two fish in the barrel and couldn’t help discussing enthusiastically with Xiao Qing and the others about how to cook them.

This fish must weigh about five or six pounds, quite plump, let’s start with steaming it, that method is exceptionally good, and the taste is delicious.

And then think about what to do with the remaining fish.

As for the method mentioned by the Young Eunuch previously, she chose not to consider it, not because it wasn’t tasty, but because it was too drying for autumn, and she couldn’t bear to make His Majesty too dry.

Moreover, that method’s chief appeal was its wild charm – lighting a campfire, setting the charcoals, placing the fish to roast, and eating right off the hands, His Majesty wouldn’t consent to such a rough method of eating, and it would lose its charm if presented at the table.

By the time their grand procession returned to Canglan Court, Lian Hua suddenly sensed something amiss in the air; she quietened down, and so did the others gradually.

The main gate of Canglan Court was open, unguarded, and eerily silent.

Zhang Qing’s heart skipped a beat; he had distinctly left someone to guard the gate before heading to Huaqing Pool, had repeatedly instructed to guard well and not to let anyone in, how could this gate be...

Lian Hua felt something was off, she couldn’t pinpoint what exactly, just a sense of foreboding akin to when as a child, she had done something wrong, and her mother would wait at the door with a stick, a storm brewing!

She felt somewhat cowardly, hesitating to step forward, and those behind her also halted.

Xiao Qing, not sensing anything amiss, walked up to Lian Hua and asked, "Master, what is wrong? Is something amiss?"

Lian Hua shook her head; it was just a premonition, probably nothing, perhaps she was just mistaken.

She glanced back at her group of young followers, all looking to her for leadership, and suddenly she felt assured, straightened her back, and continued walking inward.

As they approached the Side Hall, a sedan chair came into view, followed by several servants carrying it; she recognized this sedan as belonging to the Noble Consort.

Ever since being framed by Beauty Li a few days ago, the Noble Consort had left a very negative impression on her.

Although Beauty Li’s servant was very convincing that day, and she had no retort, the Noble Consort seemed to side with Beauty Li’s servant, seeming eager to convict her.

If not for Xu Zhaoyi and His Majesty, she wouldn’t know how things would have turned out – certainly not well.

So, seeing this sedan, she was somewhat repulsed, uncertain of why the Noble Consort had come here.

Xiao Jizi, upon seeing the Noble Consort’s sedan, internally panicked. Behind Lian Hua, he was anxious; just a few days of peace for his master, and now the Noble Consort had arrived, yet it was unclear what awaited the master.

He didn’t see the Noble Consort as a benevolent figure likely to treat his master well, but he couldn’t overstep his bounds to go ahead; he could only follow behind and fret secretly.

Zhang Qing saw this sedan, and his heart sank, why had Noble Consort Xue come here? That seemed inappropriate, the gap between the rank of Consorts and Beauties was significant, what business required her personal visit to see a Beauty?

His Majesty had said that outsiders were not to be allowed into Canglan Court, except for the people from Canglan Court and Star Palace; all others were considered outsiders, and this included the Noble Consort.

Now that someone had entered Canglan Court, that was his negligence indeed.

Zhang Qing suppressed the thoughts in his mind; although he did not know why the Noble Consort had come, with him around, it would probably amount to nothing, so let her come; he could always lend support.

Just as he was about to step forward, Lian Hua, walking beside him, moved towards the Side Hall a step ahead of him.

Lian Hua braced herself, thinking that what could be a blessing was not necessarily a curse, and if it were a curse, it couldn’t be avoided.

Since the person had already arrived, she wouldn’t be afraid.

It was like someone challenging you to a fight; the more you feared, the more vigorously they would assault.

It was better to meet it bravely— at least one could die with some dignity.

She mentally prepared herself to treat the Noble Consort as a challenger; meet force with force, and cover water with soil, simply doing the formalities properly was all that was necessary. There was nothing to be afraid of.

Having psyched herself up, she took the lead and walked towards the open door of the Side Hall,

Zhang Qing was stunned for a moment, seeing a hint of the resolute spirit of heroes in harsh winds and cold waters in Lian Hua, utterly unlike the typically naive and gentle concubines.

Several servants who were hurrying by upon seeing Lian Hua immediately stopped and stepped aside to salute her.

Lian Hua walked past them straightforwardly, not sparing them a glance; her whole mind was on what was waiting for her in the Side Hall.

Zhang Qing came to his senses and swiftly overtook Lian Hua, saying, "The path is treacherous, Master Lian, please walk slower, I will clear the way for you first."

Joking aside, wasn’t it his duty, appointed by His Majesty, to shield Master Lian from adversities? If His Majesty were to know that Master Lian had to face the storm head-on, he too might as well not bother with his duties.

At this moment, people inside the Side Hall, hearing the noise, began to emerge, with the Noble Consort leading, dressed in a peony brocade robe and a Falling Cloud Hairbun, radiantly magnificent, though her complexion seemed of poor health.

Upon seeing the Noble Consort, Zhang Qing adopted his trademark smile, just about to salute,

he then saw a plump maid supporting an old lady coming out behind the Noble Consort, trailed by the young eunuch who was assigned to guard the door, looking submissive and downtrodden.

Upon seeing this old lady, Zhang Qing was shocked; wasn’t this... wasn’t this Nanny Qi, the managerial nanny who had been in charge at the side of the Former Empress Dowager!

Why here? How had he not received any news? Could it be that His Majesty’s previous visit to Yixiang Palace was to invite Nanny Qi here?

Zhang Qing was greatly alarmed, quickly lowering his head to hide it. For Master Lian, the strategies laid by His Majesty step by step were escalating greatly, presumably, Master Lian’s future would be extraordinary...

Lian Hua was somewhat at a loss, recognizing the Noble Consort, but not the imposing old lady standing behind her.

This old lady did not seem like an ordinary person, her stern and spirited demeanor, her hair white yet meticulously combed, appearing around the age of seventy, only half a step behind the Noble Consort; next to her, the Noble Consort seemed almost diminished in stature.

She blinked, and since the situation was unclear, decided to adapt to whatever came and being courteous was best.

She walked forward and, observing proper decorum, bowed to the Noble Consort, "Greetings to Your Highness the Noble Consort, may you be forever blessed."

Then, turning slightly towards the old lady, she hesitantly greeted, "Hello, madam," not knowing how to address this old lady.