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She picked up the soup spoon, eager to begin, yet as something occurred to her, she raised her head to look at His Majesty, her eyes brimming with longing.

The Emperor watched her puppy-like gaze and smiled, pulling her to sit down, "Go ahead."

Lian Hua cheered as if she had received a special pardon, "His Majesty is truly kind~"

She scooped up a spoonful and brought it to her mouth to taste, squinting her eyes and slowly savoring it bite by bite, her little expressions full of enjoyment.

The Emperor watched her contentedly eat for a while, his face amused, as cow’s milk was not such a remarkable thing. It was rumored that during the Late Emperor’s time, a Favored Concubine had bathed in cow’s milk, the height of luxury.

Yet his Little Concubine was so easily satisfied, just a small cup of cow’s milk made her this content.

Indeed, his Little Concubine cherished food above all else, as long as there was something tasty to eat or drink, she would think of nothing else.

The Emperor watched her eat with great appetence, her whole being engrossed; he helped wipe a drop of milk from the corner of her mouth, and pinched her cheek saying, "Nannan, wait here obediently for me, I will be back shortly."

While her attention was on the food, he decided to take care of some matters.

His Little Concubine nodded without even glancing at him, not caring whether she had heard him or not, her mind still entirely on the cow’s milk.

The Emperor was somewhat helpless, thinking it was for the best, for if her attention were still on him, showing a pitiful, reluctant expression, he might not have the heart to leave her right now.

With that thought, the Emperor stood up and walked outside.

Once he was out, Zhang Qing was already waiting and, seeing His Majesty emerge, started to kneel.

The Emperor didn’t even glance at him and walked towards a distant place; Zhang Qing then realized they were too close to the Side Hall, fearing to disturb Master Lian, he hurriedly followed.

Only when they had distanced themselves from the Side Hall did the Emperor stop, stand with his hands behind his back, and gaze into the distance, saying with dignity, "Zhang Qing, do you accept your punishment?" His voice was very cold.

Zhang Qing felt an invisible pressure from all around.

He knelt with a thud, bowing deeply, his voice desolate and resigned, "This servant deserves death, please, Your Majesty, issue your decree." He remained with his head bowed, not rising.

The Emperor turned and looked down at the old eunuch before him, his eyes inscrutable, and after a long pause, spoke, "You have followed me for over a decade, stood by me through hardships, loyal without fail, I do not wish for you to face a hard end in your old age, so I grant you a residence, and permit you to retire outside the palace. "

Zhang Qing had not expected such a resolution, and lifted his head in shock.

This was a significant slip, and on his way here, he had anticipated many possible sentences.

His Majesty might strip him of his position, relegate him to another palace, or even flog or execute him; he was willing to accept any of these outcomes.

He had never imagined His Majesty would actually allow him to retire outside the palace.

Unable to hold back, tears streamed down his face. His Majesty was a man who remembered old loyalties—spared his life and even wished to ensure his peaceful last days. Yet, having been a eunuch in the palace since his youth, he could not bear the thought of leaving the only home he knew.

No longer accustomed to life outside, and with no children of his own, what could he do besides dying alone and desolate?

Moreover, he knew too many secrets; life outside the palace would not be peaceful.

Whether or not His Majesty assigned someone to watch over him, he knew his life would remain confined within that residence, unable to leave the capital, spending the rest of his days there.

He crawled to the Emperor’s feet, his expression filled with panic and agitation, "I beg Your Majesty to reconsider your command.

This servant is accustomed to serving you and wishes to do so for life.

Please do not send this servant out of the palace.

If Your Majesty is displeased with this servant, send me far away within the palace grounds, to sweep the floors or empty the chamber pots—I am willing.

" He then began to knock his forehead on the ground repeatedly.

The Emperor looked down emotionlessly, unmoved, his thoughts inscrutable to all.

Zhang Qing saw that His Majesty had still not responded to him; tears streaming, he wept uncontrollably, woefully said, "This servant is willing to kneel to death here, only hoping that Your Majesty could offer some consolation.

Long live my Emperor, may Master Lian be forever joyful and worry-free. "

The Emperor looked at him coldly, his indifferent voice came through, "Then kneel." He turned and left.

Zhang Qing shouted his thanks, "Thank Your Majesty for your great grace."

After the Emperor had gone, he collapsed to the ground, and it took a good while before he came to his senses, wiped his nose and tears with his sleeve, straightened his hair, respectfully kowtowed in the direction the Emperor had left, and began to kneel straight-backed.

His Majesty had still shown mercy; he had not rejected his words on the spot, nor had he ordered someone to drag him away. Allowing him to kneel was a grace.

In life, he belonged to His Majesty; in death, he would be His Majesty’s ghost. Let him kneel like this, then, to ponder the grievous mistake he had nearly made.

Inside the Side Hall, Lian Hua had eaten more than half of the Cow’s Milk, her craving greatly satisfied. Thinking of sharing with His Majesty, she realized he was nowhere to be seen.

She couldn’t help but stand up intending to look for him when she vaguely remembered that His Majesty had told her to wait here for him, and that he would return soon; so she sat down again.

But she didn’t touch the Cow’s Milk again, wanting to wait for His Majesty to come back to eat it together.

When the Emperor returned, what he saw was his Little Concubine sitting obediently at the table, staring at the half bowl of Cow’s Milk without touching it.

His expression softened, warmth returning to his eyes as he walked inside. He saw her looking up in surprise, "Your Majesty, you’re back?"

She stood up as she spoke, walking over to pull him, leading him to sit down by the table, "Your Majesty, I’ve been waiting for you for such a long time."

"Waiting for what?" The Emperor pursed his lips, his expression still tense—he was not in a good mood at the moment.

Zhang Qing was, after all, someone who had followed him for many years, and their bond was far from what ordinary people could compare to. Dealing with this servant was bound to cause him some distress.

But with such a grave oversight, just thinking about how Nanny Qi and his Little Concubine had nearly come to harm because of this servant’s negligence filled him with rage.

Granting this old servant a leisurely retirement was already the best ending he could arrange out of consideration for their many years together—if he was unwilling, then...

"Your Majesty? Your Majesty?" Lian Hua shook His Majesty’s hand lightly, sensing that something was off with him at this moment.

She told His Majesty that she was waiting to have the Cow’s Milk with him, but he didn’t seem to react, his face somewhat sullen.

She called out in concern; why had His Majesty come back so changed after stepping out? What had happened?

The Emperor was startled by Lian Hua’s actions and, seeing the worry in her eyes, adjusted his expression, slightly curving up the corners of his mouth, "What’s wrong?"

Lian Hua worriedly lifted her hand to his forehead and touched it, then compared it with her own. The temperature seemed to be very normal, so he must not be ill.

If that was the case, then he must be tired.

Thinking this, she stood up and went behind His Majesty, "Your Majesty, are you tired? May I massage your shoulders for you?"

As she spoke, she began massaging his shoulders. His Majesty was thick-skinned, so she had to exert a lot of effort to provide some comfort to him.