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The two made a quick decision in a brief exchange of words, their speed impressive.

Zhang Qing and Nanny Qi were still in a daze, not understanding what the servant-duo was about to do, when Xiao Qing approached Zhang Qing, hoisted him upon his shoulder with ease, with some help from Lian Hua, and carried the man away.

Lian Hua’s idea was simple: carry Chief steward Zhang back to the Side Hall directly, so he wouldn’t have to keep kneeling, and His Majesty wouldn’t have to come over. That way, one trip back would suffice, killing two birds with one stone.

Before leaving, she dropped a line of instruction, "Pang Ya, I have urgent matters and can’t accompany Nanny for a walk. Take good care of her."

Pang Ya was still slow to react, and subconsciously responded, "Yes."

As she watched them leave, their voices carried back from afar:

"Xiao Qing, you’re not bad, haven’t eaten rice for nothing. From today on, I appoint you as the first brave warrior of Canglan Court." Master Lian’s voice.

"Thank you, Master!" Xiao Qing’s voice.

"Master Lian, please lay your servant down..." Zhang Qing’s voice as he finally reacted.

"No trouble, Xiao Qing is very strong, carrying a sack of corn is a breeze for him."

"Ah, that’s not it..." Being carried by a young girl, where could he put his old face!

"Chief steward Zhang, just relax, you’re secure there, you won’t fall!"

"..." No, ah, his old face as the Imperial Chief Steward, kneeling was still better than this...

The two, no, three people moved imposingly towards the Side Hall, and along the way, Zhang Qing continually tried to persuade them to put him down, but unfortunately, Lian Hua misunderstood his intentions, thinking he was worried that Xiao Qing couldn’t carry him, or that he still wanted to kneel, so she never let Xiao Qing put him down.

Pang Ya helped Nanny Qi, staring blankly in the direction of the departing figures: "Nanny, Master Lian has this... has this..."

How should she describe it?

Pang Ya had a flash of inspiration, slapped her forehead, and figured it out: "A ruffian air!"

Yes, that was the word—ruffian air. It was crude and simple, totally unlike Master Lian’s soft appearance.

Not walking? Just carry the person! Wasn’t that akin to what bandits would do? So fierce!

Nanny Qi also gazed blankly in the direction they had gone, and without thinking scolded, "Nonsense."

But she was not sure in her heart either; the young girl did seem to have a bit of a ruffian streak, reckless and direct in solving problems. She really didn’t know what to say about it.

Nanny Qi shook her head, and upon reflection found it somewhat amusing.

Zhang Qing, that cunning old fox, who was always so slippery, probably had never been so embarrassed in his life.

If people under him saw this, he would lose all his dignity.

The young girl had done well; he deserved to be dealt with like this!

Inside the Side Hall, the Emperor had ordered someone to bring in the memorials for review.

Without his Little Concubine, the room suddenly felt empty, causing him a bit of discomfort.

He sat down on the dressing stool that Lian Hua often used, attempting to feel as she did, imagining his Little Concubine sitting there doing her makeup, or resting her chin in her hands in a daze. Just the thought of it was extremely beautiful, and he involuntarily wore a warm smile on his face.

Just as he was about to stand up, something blue caught his eye from the dressing table.

He looked over and noticed it was two pieces of fabric stitched together. It must be something made by his Little Concubine.

The Emperor picked it up to examine and was quite puzzled; it seemed to be a small fabric pouch sewn together, but it didn’t quite look like one since both ends where it closed were narrow and the seams asymmetrical. It appeared rather odd.

This was probably a half-finished product, another one of his Little Concubine’s unique new ideas, just like the various comically shaped Weebles made from clay.

Hmm, his Little Concubine had indeed plenty of fresh ideas.

The Emperor smiled, placed the cloth bag back as it was, and stood up to return to reviewing the memorials.

He had only read two when he heard the sound of commotion coming from afar:

"We’re arriving soon, Chief Steward Zhang, don’t be anxious." The voice of his Little Concubine.

"Ah, Master Lian, your servant begs you, please put your servant down..." The wailing voice of Zhang Qing.

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, knowing it wouldn’t be as simple as Nanny Qi saying she was going out for a walk to aid digestion.

Perhaps Nanny Qi wanted to bestow a favor upon Zhang Qing from his Little Concubine, thinking that afterwards, with gratitude for his Little Concubine’s kindness, Zhang Qing would be more diligent in managing Canglan Court, which could only benefit, and not harm, his Little Concubine.

This was something he had tacitly approved of; the two of them already had an unspoken agreement.

However, he did not expect them to return so soon, and why was Zhang Qing coming back with them?

Shouldn’t it be that his Little Concubine came across someone, couldn’t stand it, and thus came back to ask for his help?

Full of curiosity, the Emperor stood and walked out of the Side Hall, only to see a scene that provoked mixed feelings in his heart:

His Little Concubine was walking in front, leading the way and comforting Zhang Qing behind her, telling him not to overthink things, that they were nearly there.

Zhang Qing, on the other hand, was hoisted on the back of the Little Concubine’s Palace Maid, fluttering like a little chick trying to get down, but the robust maid held him steady.

A few Young Eunuchs followed behind, scratching their heads and looking bewildered.

The Emperor stood at the entrance and listened to their conversation for a moment. Knowing they were clearly not on the same wavelength, he quickly understood what was happening and felt a urge to laugh.

Ah, his Little Concubine, always so impulsive and acting so swiftly and unexpectedly.

Just when he thought he’d grown accustomed to her way of doing the unexpected, she would break his assumptions yet again.

Zhang Qing was desperately upset all the way on Xiao Qing’s back; how had he ended up being carried back like this while he was in the middle of kneeling?

Master Lian was so enthusiastic, seeming to think he was kneeling too long, as if he had been crippled, and told him to not be courteous, allowing him to shout along the way, but no matter what he said, she refused to let him down.

Oh dear, his ancestors! If only he knew this would happen, he wouldn’t have made such a fuss when Master Lian was helping him up; he should have just stood up then and could have knelt again once everybody left!

His lifetime of renown, punished and kneeling to death outside, could have earned the reputation of being a loyal servant, but what was he to do now?

How could he forget that Master Lian was a straightforward person? He really was becoming senile!

Now, seeing the figure in bright yellow at the door of the Side Hall, Zhang Qing became desperate. How could he meet the Emperor in this state? Absolutely impossible, absolutely not!

Zhang Qing, tears streaming, struggled with all his might, changing his plea: "Master Lian, your servant is fine now, my knees are fine, I’m as vigorous as a dragon and tiger, please let this girl put your servant down..." He begged for mercy, wishing to retain some semblance of dignity.

"Is that so?" Lian Hua, seeing him struggling quite violently and fearing he might fall, and hearing that his knees were fine, thought that since they had arrived and she had already seen His Majesty, it was time to let him down: "Xiao Qing, put Chief Steward Zhang down, but gently."

Xiao Qing crisply responded, "Yes." Chief Steward Zhang always seemed so imposing, yet he wasn’t that heavy.

After being put down, Zhang Qing’s knees buckled and he nearly collapsed, indeed having kneeled for too long and not fully recovered yet.

Yet he could not fall, or else he would be hoisted up and carried again, so he trembled slightly but forced himself to stand up right.

Some understanding Young Eunuchs came up behind him, each supporting a hand, and he finally managed to stand steady and straight.

Zhang Qing breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed.