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Before leaving, Lian Hua asked the Emperor if he would come, but the Emperor smiled and shook his head. He exchanged a meaningful glance with Nanny Qi and watched them go.

After Lian Hua and Nanny Qi left the Side Hall’s door, Pang Ya and Xiao Qing followed from behind.

Lian Hua supported Nanny Qi and chatted with her. One moment, she asked if Nanny Qi enjoyed tonight’s meat soup, the next, she promised to prepare more delicious food for her to eat, bringing a rare smile to the usually stern Nanny Qi’s face.

The two walked slowly like the granddaughter and grandmother of an ordinary family, one lively and animated, the other with a face full of kindness, creating a very warm and harmonious scene.

After walking some distance, Lian Hua looked around and said, "Eh, Nanny, isn’t this the way to your room? How about we go there? The beans there haven’t been picked yet; I can take you to have a look."

Nanny Qi patted the back of her hand and said, "Let’s walk this way a bit more; we can go there later."

Lian Hua suddenly realized and nodded her head. It seemed that Nanny wanted to take a roundabout path before going there, and that was fine.

At that moment, the half-set sun hid at the edge of the sky, ready to descend, and the golden afterglow sprinkled across the entire Canglan Court. Young Eunuchs from the Star Palace began to light the palace lamps everywhere.

Lian Hua assisted Nanny Qi for a little while longer and was engaging in a pleasant conversation when she suddenly saw a group of figures on the bluestone road not far ahead, appearing as if someone was kneeling. The setting sun cast a long shadow over them.

Lian Hua paused mid-speech to look more closely; upon recognizing the figures, she was taken aback.

She wondered why she hadn’t seen Steward Zhang at dinner. It turned out he was kneeling here. It looked like his hair was tousled, and it was unclear how long he had been kneeling.

She motioned for Pang Ya to take care of Nanny Qi, and letting go of Nanny’s hand, she hurried over.

When she reached Zhang Qing, she spoke with a mix of confusion and incomprehension, "Steward Zhang, what are you kneeling here for? Get up, please~" She couldn’t help but reach out to help him.

He was fine in the afternoon, even serving her cow’s milk. How could it be that in just a shichen or two, he ended up kneeling here?

Zhang Qing hadn’t knelt like this for many years. Moreover, it was an autumn day, and the long exposure to the autumn breeze had left him feeling chilled to the bone, his lips chapped, his head bowed, and his expression somewhat vacant.

Upon hearing someone, he lifted his head and saw Master Lian standing in front of him, with Nanny Qi not far away.

Seeing that he didn’t respond as spiritedly as usual, Lian Hua grew even more worried. She tightly grasped his arm, attempting to help him up,

Zhang Qing felt warmth in his heart. He knew Master Lian was kind, but as much as he appreciated her goodwill, he couldn’t stand up.

Before he could feel moved, he was yanked forcefully, causing him to stumble. His old arm almost dislocated, and he inwardly groaned. Master Lian was far too strong, her pull painfully straining his arm.

Master Lian appeared gentle and naive, and he hadn’t expected her to be so strong. Yet thinking about it, her robust health was a good thing. A strong body meant a better chance of safely giving birth, and surely she would deliver the Imperial Heir without issue.

Unlike those frail Concubines, who could lose a child with a few too many movements.

Realizing this, he couldn’t help feeling reassured, his arm pain forgotten. Could there be anything more important than His Majesty having an Imperial Heir?

Lian Hua watched as Steward Zhang nearly fell to the ground from her tug. She quickly helped him to kneel properly again, looking somewhat at a loss. Ah, why were the arms of everyone in the palace so fragile? She felt like her good intentions had backfired.

Nanny Qi watched from the side, her arm tingling with vicarious pain. She had experienced the young girl’s strength firsthand, which was indeed Herculean. However, that had been due to a moment of urgency and was forgivable. Now, Zhang Qing had to fend for himself.

Lian Hua would think so at the moment because she had overlooked the fact that the two people she had dragged were no longer young. Why not try the strong and robust Emperor? He even thought her strength inadequate.

Zhang Qing, who was about a decade younger than Nanny Qi, wasn’t young either. His old arms and legs could not compare to those of the young. Even people a bit younger and slighter in build couldn’t withstand his pulling and tugging.

The few people in Canglan Court were considered among the most robust raised within the palace, with appetites that ranked top among the palace’s residents, and who performed a lot of physical labor. They had developed quite a bit of strength because of this.

Other Masters in the palace considered being thin as beautiful, hardly eating an extra bite and barely moving, their strength and physique couldn’t be compared to Lian Hua’s.

Although Lian Hua ate a lot, she was also very active. Her figure was slender, and she appeared thin, but she hadn’t lost an ounce of flesh that should be there. The Emperor’s favorite thing to do was pinch her soft flesh.

Lian Hua asked weakly, "Chief Steward Zhang, is your arm alright?"

Zhang Qing kneeled down again and, with a smile, waved his hand, saying, "It’s nothing serious, nothing serious. Master Lian, I understand your kindness, but this is what I deserve. I am willingly kneeling to reflect on my mistakes. Please do not concern yourself with me."

Lian Hua became anxious. Chief Steward Zhang’s eyesight was poor, as was his mind. Kneeling was so uncomfortable, she had experienced it herself. Kneeling for too long could ruin the knees. How could he be so stubborn?

She couldn’t help but call out to Xiao Qing, "Xiao Qing, help me lift him by one arm each."

With that, she was about to move.

Zhang Qing waved his hands again and again, saying, "Oh no, Master Lian, you mustn’t, you mustn’t. Even if you lift me up, I will just find another place to kneel. Please, you should go back."

Hearing this, Lian Hua was at a loss. She couldn’t help but look to Nanny Qi for help.

Nanny Qi had been watching as Lian Hua attempted to help Zhang Qing up without intervening. She had specifically brought Lian Hua here and certainly wouldn’t stop her.

And true to expectations, upon seeing Zhang Qing kneeling, Lian Hua had wanted to help him up, showing a compassionate heart. Seeking help now, she wanted to rescue Zhang Qing.

She would have it her way then. In the future, Zhang Qing would owe her a favor.

Nanny Qi waved at Lian Hua, who approached, worried and puzzled. Seeing Chief Steward Zhang kneeling like this, she felt a tightness in her heart for his pitiful state.

When she reached Nanny Qi, the nanny signaled for her to lean in and whispered that only His Majesty could command someone to rise.

She suddenly understood. Chief Steward Zhang was His Majesty’s man, and he would definitely listen to His Majesty’s orders.

After realizing this, she quickly walked toward the Side Hall, but then thought better of it and came back.

Nanny Qi, confused, was about to ask her why she wasn’t going when she saw Lian Hua glance at her palace maid, then at Zhang Qing, looking as if she were deep in thought.

Lian Hua weighed her options and, feeling it was feasible, asked Xiao Qing, "Xiao Qing, can you do it?"

Xiao Qing and Lian Hua had a long history of cooperative experiences from their secret trips to the Imperial Garden and understood each other very well.

Once Lian Hua asked, Xiao Qing knew what her master was inquiring about. She looked at Chief Steward Zhang and replied, "Master, your servant will try."

After speaking, she walked decisively behind Zhang Qing, and before he could react, slid her hands under his armpits and lifted slightly, confidently nodding at Lian Hua.

Lian Hua knew what to do. With a command, she said, "Go!"