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Lian Hua was also relieved, it seemed that Steward Zhang was still competent. Since that was the case, she decided to leave him be for now.

She had seen His Majesty, and her feet twitched, unable to resist the urge to go to him.

The Emperor came out, his eyes twinkling with laughter before he even spoke as he saw his Little Concubine.

With a smile at the corner of his mouth, he watched her approach and touched her face, "Why have you returned?"

Grasping His Majesty’s hand, Lian Hua nuzzled it like a kitten; each time she saw His Majesty, her heart would involuntarily fill with sweetness.

After nuzzling enough, she put away her smile and looked at His Majesty seriously, "Your Majesty, Nanny and I were taking a walk and saw Steward Zhang kneeling outside. He refused to rise despite my calls, and Nanny said only you could make him get up, so I brought him back."

Behind her, Zhang Qing, supported by others, hadn’t reached them yet when he shrugged off the Young Eunuch’s hand and knelt to begin his confession: "This servant deserves death, troubling Master Lian unnecessarily, this servant deserves death."

Seeing him kneel again, Lian Hua couldn’t help but feel anxious; she had not brought him back just to see him kneel again: "Your Majesty, look, Steward Zhang is kneeling again, could you please order him to rise?" she said, tugging at the Emperor’s hand.

The Emperor held her hand, glanced at Zhang Qing and said, "Let him be." With that, he led her back toward the house.

Zhang Qing’s voice carried self-blame, and he bowed his head again, "Master Lian, this servant failed in his duties and almost caused harm to Nanny Qi and you. This is the fault I rightly deserve, you need not trouble yourself on my account, otherwise, I would feel uneasy."

"Ah, this is about today’s Serpent incident?" she thought to herself. So, that was it. Steward Zhang’s eyesight might be poor, but he wasn’t foolish. Why else would he kneel without a word? Now it made sense.

While being led by the hand by His Majesty, she used a bit of strength to hold him back, stopped in her tracks, and turned around to continue, "How can this be blamed on you? The thief was too cunning, it’s not your fault. Besides, the thief has been captured, and we are all safe."

Zhang Qing gave a bitter smile, "Master Lian, I appreciate your kindness, but a failure is a failure, and there’s no need to exonerate me."

Seeing that she could not persuade him, Lian Hua turned back, looking pitifully at His Majesty, "Your Majesty, please, might you forgive Steward Zhang this once?"

Indeed, the palace was not like anywhere else; everyone had their responsibilities, and if there was a mishap, accountability was inevitable and not something that could be shirked.

However, Steward Zhang had treated her quite well, and it was because of the incident at Canglan Court that she really felt compassion.

The Emperor turned around, looking at his Little Concubine, and said softly, "Punishments must be administered to the culpable, and rewards given to the meritorious. There are rules in the palace, and Zhang Qing is no exception. Come now, it is getting late, and it’s chilly outside. Let’s go inside."

How could he let him off so easily without showing the grace of the Little Concubine?

Lian Hua looked at the Emperor, then back at Zhang Qing, kneeling in the wind, a shadow of his usual vigorous self.

Her brows were tightly furrowed; His Majesty was right—the palace had its own rules, and without them, there would be chaos.

But rules and regulations are ultimately about humanity. If she, the master of Canglan Court, chose not to pursue the matter, should she be able to forgive?

However, the one who was almost harmed was Nanny Qi; the Nanny was the real victim, and she could not decide for the Nanny...

She was always one to repay kindness and seek revenge when wronged; Steward Zhang had helped her a lot in everyday matters. It was too painful for her to just watch and do nothing.

What to do? Was there no perfect solution?

Then she suddenly thought of a solution, looked up at His Majesty, and confirmed, "Your Majesty, you just said that those who err must be punished, correct?" Those words were convoluted, but she understood them.

"Indeed." The Emperor knew she couldn’t stand it and was only waiting for her to coo a few words before forgiving the person, but hearing this remark, he was somewhat puzzled and didn’t know what she intended to do.

Lian Hua’s eyes lit up, and she hurriedly said, "Chief steward Zhang Qing, kneeling like this, has knelt in vain, it’s utterly useless. How about I punish Chief steward Zhang Qing myself?"

Zhang Qing heard everything clearly from not far away, and he was initially very touched that Master Lian wanted to plead for him.

But as he listened, something seemed off, what did she mean by "kneeling in vain" and "utterly useless"? Punishment was just that, or did she expect it to produce silver?

The greatest use of punishment was to make one deeply reflect and repent for their faults and, through this, atone for their sins, serve as a warning to others not to repeat the offense, and also bring some comfort to the afflicted...

Was Master Lian actually trying to help him or not? He really couldn’t understand anymore; it would be better to give him a swift end, especially since His Majesty had not rescinded the order. If he was truly to be sent out of the palace, it might as well be death.

Zhang Qing thought somewhat resignedly, "Ah, Master Lian means well, even if she did something bad, I can’t blame her. No one knows better than I how unwavering His Majesty’s will is; it won’t be shaken. Either way, the outcome is the same."

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, he knew his people well, and this statement was probably just literal, without any deeper meaning, right?

So he gestured for her to continue.

Indeed, his Little Concubine nodded understandingly and began to reason, "My lord, making Chief steward Zhang Qing kneel here is less constructive than having him till those several ridges of land in our yard, which haven’t been tilled yet.

If this punishment is still insufficient, after planting the new fruits and vegetables, we can have him pick manure and water the plants.

This way, we both punish Chief steward Zhang Qing and get the land tilled. What do you think?"

The Emperor understood, it indeed was a literal meaning, kneeling was unproductive, and his Little Concubine was a pragmatist, preferring to have people till the land rather than kneel, it was her style.

This was a classic case of labor in place of punishment, was this pioneering penal labor within the palace?

In the future, for those in the harem who commit minor offenses, such a disposition would not be unacceptable.

However, Zhang Qing could not be let off easily this time; these things his Little Concubine did not need to know.

Lian Hua looked expectantly at His Majesty, hoping he would adopt her idea. Seeing him contemplating, she couldn’t help but shake his hand again.

The Emperor smiled, "Agreed."

Lian Hua cheered, "His Majesty is wise~" Her face broke into a delighted smile. She just knew His Majesty was good.

Zhang Qing looked up incredulously. Could this really work? Master Lian spoke as if it were child’s play, and yet, she had persuaded His Majesty just like that?

Did that mean he could stay in the palace...

The Emperor looked at Zhang Qing and said, "Then let Beauty Lian’s punishment be carried out. Let him till the soil in Canglan Court to redeem his faults, until she is satisfied. You may stand up now."

Zhang Qing was stunned. Had he just passed the test?

The Young Eunuch beside him, seeing Chief Steward Zhang Qing stunned, quickly whispered a reminder, "Chief steward Zhang, quickly express your gratitude."

Zhang Qing came to his senses and said loudly, "Thanks to His Majesty’s grace."

Unable to stop the tears from brimming in his eyes, he originally thought he would never be able to serve His Majesty again, but unexpectedly, fortune had turned, all thanks to Master Lian.

The Young Eunuch beside him discreetly helped him up.