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Xiao Jizi swallowed his saliva, feeling extremely ominous.

Lian Hua had the same premonition. The senior lady in front of them seemed intent on chasing away those who weren’t members of this courtyard, then closing the door to deal with the family’s disgrace.

She grew fearful, stealing glances at Xiao Jizi, her eyes asking what to do. Sensing her gaze, Xiao Jizi gently shook his head.

All Lian Hua could do was shrink her neck and pretend to be a partridge.

Nanny Qi noticed their subtle movements and called out indifferently, "Master Lian."

"Ah, here!" Startled by the call, Lian Hua quickly straightened up. It was her turn, her turn—what awaited her!

Huaqing Palace.

The Noble Consort returned to the hall, feeling a tightness in her chest, suffocated with discomfort.

For many years in the Harem, she had nearly feared no one. Even when she had bowed to the Favored Concubine during the Late Emperor’s time, it wasn’t out of fear but forced by the situation.

She feared the Former Empress Dowager even less. The Former Empress Dowager was very fond of her and held her in high regard during her lifetime, so why would she be afraid?

If there was truly someone to fear, it would be Nanny Qi!

Seeing Nanny Qi, she would feel intimidated, her courage dissipating. Nanny Qi’s piercing eyes seemed to see through everyone’s hearts, making her feel exposed and uneasy.

She had tried to win Nanny Qi’s favor, but that old woman was unyielding and inflexible. No matter what she did, Nanny Qi always treated her with an air of indifference, leaving her as if she had put a hot face against a cold butt.

And yet, this old woman was the person most trusted by the Former Empress Dowager, and also highly valued by His Majesty. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that His Majesty regarded her as an elder, making her untouchable.

The plan for her visit today had been ruined by Nanny Qi.

The moment she entered and saw Nanny Qi, she felt her guts shake with fear.

She had never expected to encounter this powerful figure at a Little Beauty’s courtyard, which threw her into complete disarray and nearly caused her to reveal her true intentions.

The trip ended up being utterly fruitless, gaining nothing at all. She neither intimidated nor bribed the individual in Canglan Court, nor did she procure any useful information.

Why was Nanny Qi in Canglan Court, and how could the resident there have enough influence to summon her?

Suddenly, the Noble Consort felt a trace of confusion. With Nanny Qi around, what should she do next, what could she do?

As the Noble Consort wallowed in confusion, Cai Qin entered silently and whispered a few words into her ear.

The Noble Consort stood up abruptly, her voice sharp as she exclaimed, "What?"

The resident of Canglan Court was actually more than two months pregnant!!!

So that was it, that explained it. She understood why Nanny Qi had gone to Canglan Court—this made everything clear.

Well, well, how splendid. Just when had that individual hooked up with His Majesty, secretly engaging in a clandestine affair, and had been pregnant for more than two months right under her nose, yet she was totally unaware.

The Noble Consort’s heart fluctuated wildly; she felt a headache threatening to split her head open, and the world spun before her eyes, almost causing her to fall to the ground. Cai Qin managed to steady her in time.

Just as Cai Qin was about to call the Imperial Physician, the Noble Consort quickly grabbed her, enduring waves of dizziness, and said weakly, "Don’t call..."

She had to act as if nothing had happened. Otherwise, if she fainted right after returning from Canglan Court, people might think it was intentional.

Cai Qin hesitated for a moment but could only comply, helping the Noble Consort to sit back down and massaging her temples to ease the headache.

"This headache of yours, Consort, is something you’ve been afflicted with since the womb, and it acts up under stress, or when you’ve had a poor night’s sleep," said Nanny Chen.

In the past, you’ve managed it well, with few episodes, but recently the frequency has increased. I’ve advised you not to worry too much, but that is beyond your nature, Consort," she continued.

Once the Noble Consort had recovered, she grabbed Cai Qin’s hand and said sternly, "From now on, you’ll take over Nanny Chen’s duties.

If that old thing is still useful, keep her around for now; if not, well.

.." Let’s just say there are too many secrets she knows; if she’s no use, we dispose of her.

Cai Qin understood the unspoken meaning in the Noble Consort’s words and calmly replied, "Yes."

Thinking of the one in Canglan Court, a viciousness flashed across the Noble Consort’s face, her eyes briefly gleaming with malice. She then closed her eyes, forced herself to stop thinking, and took a short rest under Cai Qin’s massages.

By evening, the Emperor hurried towards Canglan Court.

Zhang Qing had returned with his entourage since noon and had reported the arrival of Nanny Qi. He had wanted to go back once but was too occupied to leave, delaying until now.

Once he arrived at Canglan Court and stopped, he signaled an eunuch to announce his arrival. The eunuch understood and sang out, "His Majesty has arrived."

Today was unlike other days; Nanny Qi was a stickler for etiquette and protocol, which shouldn’t be neglected on the surface.

After the announcement, as the Emperor walked forward, he saw his Little Concubine stepping lightly in a graceful lotus gait, walking demurely out to him, her eyes downcast as she curtseyed slowly and said, "This Consort pays respects to Your Majesty."

It pained his eyes to see her like this, so unaccustomed he was to it. Ever since he had met his Little Concubine, he had never seen her behave with such formality; she had been only slightly shyer at the beginning and somewhat more proper, but that had not lasted long.

Bearing the discomfort, the Emperor ordered her to rise, "You may stand, no need for excessive formalities."

Just as he intended to help her up and ask what was wrong, he saw his Little Concubine quickly lift her head, bite her lip, blink furiously, and give a pitiful look while making covert signs with her eyes, all the while maintaining a poised stance as she rose slowly.

He got the hint and somewhat understood why his Little Concubine was acting out of character.

As expected, Nanny Qi also came out at this moment, giving a proper curtsy, "This old servant pays respects to Your Majesty."

The Emperor quickly stepped forward to help Nanny Qi up, "Nanny, please stand, there’s no need for such formalities."

As Nanny Qi rose with the Emperor’s assistance, she said in an even tone, "Thank you, Your Majesty. There must be distinction between high and low, and etiquette cannot be abandoned."

The Emperor knew he couldn’t persuade her otherwise and simply let her be.

With both on their feet, the Emperor looked between his Little Concubine and Nanny Qi, sensing an odd atmosphere and a strange quiet between them.

Lian Hua wanted to speak but dared not; she had suffered greatly that afternoon. She had so much she wanted to say to His Majesty, but with Nanny Qi present, she couldn’t, for fear of putting Xiao Jizi, Xiao Qing, and Xiao Linzi in danger.

Nanny Qi, expressionless, gave a slight cough.

Lian Hua startled and quickly said, "Your Majesty, this Consort has prepared the evening meal, is it time to serve it now?"

Nanny Qi had said that the Harem Consorts must be virtuous, kind, and considerate, always ready to serve His Majesty by pouring water when he’s thirsty, laying out his meal when he’s hungry, or giving a massage to relieve his weariness, always with the Emperor’s needs in mind.

At this hour, that should be the right question, shouldn’t it?

Lian Hua felt a bit uncertain, but upon finishing, she couldn’t help but glance at Nanny Qi and saw Nanny Qi practicing control, her face still without emotion.

Relieved, she understood that must have been the correct way to ask.

She was starting to get a sense of Nanny Qi: if Nanny Qi kept a blank expression, it meant she was doing the right thing; if Nanny Qi’s forehead wrinkled, there was still something not quite right.