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The two shared warm tenderness for a while, and the Emperor thought of what Lian Hua had just said. Fearing that she was being too hard on herself, he said to her, "Little sweetie, Nanny Qi’s needlework is very good. You should ask her for some advice."

"Eh~ Not only does Grandma Qi have a good memory, but her needlework is also impressive?" Lian Hua was somewhat surprised. In her view, having a good memory was already a considerable advantage.

The Emperor nodded. Nanny Qi’s needlework was famously good. She had a big reputation in the palace in the early years, but it had quieted down after she moved to the Yixiang Palace with the Former Empress Dowager, which is why many in the palace now don’t know about her excellent needlework.

Lian Hua’s eyes widened in amazement and she exclaimed, "Grandma Qi is really amazing, not only can she intimidate the Noble Consort, even Steward Zhang got so scared, and to top it off, she has a good memory, and now to think her needlework is also great, wow, she’s both imposing and awesome.

" She finished, her eyes sparkling with a hint of admiration.

As a child, Lian Hua had always admired those who were good at fighting, followed by those who were good at needlework.

If she had learned needlework well in her childhood, then her mother wouldn’t have had to worry all the time, nor would she have scolded her for driving away the teachers who were trying to instruct her.

So now, hearing His Majesty say this, she couldn’t help but marvel.

The Emperor was helpless. His Little Concubine really had no taboos, and no filter — scaring the Noble Consort was something she could actually talk about? If someone outside heard it, a serious charge of disrespect could be leveled against her.

But it was also precisely because she trusted him that she didn’t hide her true self in front of him — which was good. He liked that very much.

Just then, there came a knock on the door from outside the Side Hall.

The two looked towards the door and heard Nanny Qi’s voice, "I don’t know if His Majesty and Master Lian have retired to bed already; I apologize for disturbing at this hour. It’s just that I suddenly remembered something I need to discuss with His Majesty."

Lian Hua and the Emperor exchanged glances. Lian Hua stuck out her tongue and shrank her neck. Nanny Qi wouldn’t be coming to supervise her manners and conduct so late at night, would she? Ah~

The Emperor laughed, his person had just been praising Nanny Qi, saying how formidable she was, yet the moment she heard Nanny Qi’s voice, she became timid.

Shaking his head, the Emperor replied outwardly, "No matter, we haven’t slept yet," and proceeded to go open the door.

Lian Hua quickly tugged at the sleeve of the Emperor, motioning with her lips silently, "Your Majesty, remember to praise me for my good manners from dinner until now."

She didn’t want Nanny Qi to find out she had let her guard down that evening, or else Xiao Jizi and the other two would have to spend the night with water basins on their heads.

The corners of the Emperor’s mouth curled upward. He pinched her nose and silently mouthed back a "got it" just as she had done, then continued to open the door.

Lian Hua was pleased. While His Majesty was walking over, she quickly used the mirror to tidy her appearance, then sat with perfect posture at the dressing table, pretending to be busy.

After opening the door, the Emperor invited Nanny Qi inside. Nanny Qi only went as far as the antechamber and stood still, just glancing inside.

Once Nanny Qi had come in, the Emperor inquired, "Nanny, you’ve had a tiring journey today, and you’ve been busy instructing people ever since you arrived at Canglan Court; why aren’t you resting now? Can your body withstand this?" he couldn’t help but express his concern.

Nanny Qi was like family to him. She had come for him, and he felt very sorry for this elderly lady before him.

Inside, Lian Hua sat up straighter, feeling a bit neglectful. It was her fault, her shortcomings that meant Nanny Qi hadn’t been able to rest.

She had met Nanny Qi only after catching the fish. She didn’t know where she had come from, but she had been told she would be at Canglan Court from now on. Lian Hua had thought, now that she was a Beauty, it wouldn’t be a problem to take care of a few more people.

Moreover, having an elder in the family is like having a treasure.

Nanny Qi, with her imposing presence and spirit, is like a calming needle to the sea at Canglan Court.

Even the Noble Consort speaks to her with great respect and gentleness.

While thinking about all these scattered thoughts, she forgot to ask about the nanny’s background.

It was after the evening meal when His Majesty brought it up, and only then did she learn that Nanny might have come from outside the palace. However, later, when she saw His Majesty so agitated and busy with his grievances, she again forgot to inquire.

Hearing His Majesty say this now, she couldn’t help feeling somewhat guilty. She had complained about the strictness of the nanny before, thinking of her own hardships, but Nanny had not rested since her arrival despite her advanced age. Compared to that, her own troubles seemed insignificant.

Nanny Qi’s hair wasn’t as meticulously arranged as usual; she had already gone to bed. But just when she remembered something and was worried it might be too late, she hastily got up, threw on an overcoat, and came right over.

She waved her hand and said, "I’m fine, it’s just that something occurred to me, and I felt uneasy not mentioning it."

The Emperor asked, "What is it, Nanny Qi? Please speak."

Nanny Qi glanced inside again and thought the matter was also relevant for the young girl inside to know. She spoke directly, "Your Majesty, as Master Lian is still early in pregnancy, it would be best for you to sleep in separate rooms, otherwise..."

Before she could finish, the Emperor coughed loudly, causing Nanny Qi to stop. Not sure what he intended by this.

The Emperor, feeling a bit uneasy, said, "Nanny Qi, let’s talk outside." It felt strange to discuss such a matter with an elder who was like family to him, and especially with Little Concubine listening intently from inside.

It has to be said, the Emperor knew Lian Hua all too well. She was indeed inside, listening with bated breath and not daring to miss a single word. She found it peculiar, uncertain of what Nanny Qi meant, but heard only half of it before there was no more to follow.

Nanny Qi understood that the Emperor didn’t want the young girl inside to hear, though she didn’t know the reason.

Without asking right there, she followed the Emperor outside to hear what he would say.

Once outside, the Emperor clenched his fist, brought it to his mouth, and coughed, then said solemnly, "Do not take offense, Nanny, I am well aware of the matter you speak of. Although I have been sharing a room with her these past few days, I have not done anything."

Nanny Qi, looking at the Emperor with some surprise, asked, "How is that possible? How can you bear it?" The Emperor was of an age when his vigor was strongest. What if he harmed himself by suppression?

In the night, the Emperor’s ears turned slightly red, but it was concealed by the cover of darkness.

The Emperor said uneasily, "Rest assured, Nanny, I am the Son of Heaven. If I cannot control such trivial desires, how can I govern the entire realm?"

Nanny Qi felt somewhat moved. His Majesty was completely different from the Late Emperor, who had been extravagant and indulged in pleasures, leading to an early demise.

The current His Majesty, by contrast, was calm, self-disciplined, diligent and caring toward the people, practiced self-restraint, and even self-affliction.

Nanny Qi, unable to bear seeing the Emperor impose such hardship on himself, could not help but advise, "Your Majesty, I know you take the Late Emperor as a lesson, but now the realm is peaceful, the people live in comfort and security.

There is no need for such self-imposed hardship; there are plenty of people in the harem. .."

The Emperor raised his hand to interrupt, "Nanny Qi, I am not suffering at all. I take it as sweet, with a joy in my heart that I have never felt before."

Thinking of Little Concubine inside, his lips curled into a smile, and his gaze turned tender.

Nanny Qi was somewhat taken aback. She had watched the Emperor grow up; when had he ever shown such a gentle and tender smile?

His manner with the concubines of his harem was inherently cold, although it did not show on the surface; he simply treated them according to the rules.