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Lian Hua suddenly realized, "Oh, so you hit a rock. Steward Zhang, don’t force it. When you encounter a rock, just go around it. Ay, your digging is really not up to par."

Zhang Qing’s eyes were brimming with tears. Wasn’t it she who had asked him to exert himself? He had put all his strength into it, and when he dug too forcefully, he broke the shovel and nearly tumbled over. Oh, he felt so wronged.

Oh, his ancestors, why was digging the ground so difficult? He’d rather kneel instead; he was willing to kneel and accept punishment rather than dig any longer, and whatever happened, Master Lian must not watch!

This digging made him start questioning his life, feeling as if he was good for nothing, as though he had lived half his life in vain.

If the Imperial Chief Steward couldn’t dig properly, how embarrassed he would be if word got out. How was he to mix in the palace in the future?

With the shovel broken and the show over, while waiting to get a new one, Lian Hua, supporting Nanny Qi, said, "Nanny, you must be tired from standing. Come, let’s sit in the pavilion and watch."

While helping her, she started giving orders, "Xiao Jizi, go brew a pot of tea for Nanny. Xiao Qing, get some pastries."

Then she said to Nanny Qi, "Nanny, let’s eat and watch together. The sun is just right today, warm and cozy, and we’ve nothing else to do. It’s good to cheer for Steward Zhang."

Nanny Qi had come along for the laughter, and with a smile, she thought that Zhang Qing probably didn’t want the young miss cheering him on; the more she cheered, the worse he probably felt.

Indeed, Zhang Qing felt like crying. How did this become a spectacle for their enjoyment? Oh, the agony in his heart!

After Nanny Qi sat down, Lian Hua called out to Zhang Qing, "Steward Zhang, come take a break, have some snacks, have some tea."

Zhang Qing firmly waved his hands, refusing to join them. He was determined to finish digging, to get it over with quickly, and to regain his dignity as the Imperial Chief Steward without further suffering.

He drank a bowl of water Xiao Linzi brought over and sat down to rest before continuing with the digging.

Now he had let go a bit, no longer feeling that initial shame. He had resigned himself to his fate—his pride was already lost, and after all, pride couldn’t dig the ground.

Up in the pavilion, after Nanny Qi sat down, she felt that she had seen enough excitement for the day. The young miss seemed to have no intention of helping Zhang Qing, which was quite interesting, as if it hadn’t crossed her mind at all.

She still felt it necessary to drop a few hints to the young miss, to remind her.

As expected, after the hint, the young miss asked in surprise, "Huh, can other people also help Steward Zhang?"

Lian Hua had thought that only Steward Zhang himself had to finish the job, and given his dawdling pace, it would take at least ten days to half a month to complete.

She was a bit worried—she couldn’t always be there by his side, but she also pitied Steward Zhang being alone for so long; it was too lonely and pitiable to watch.

Now, hearing from Nanny Qi that others could indeed help Steward Zhang, she couldn’t help but exclaim in astonishment.

Nanny Qi felt helpless inside; the young miss was thinking too little of the situation, so different from the usual palace folks. Perhaps that’s why she found it relaxing to be with her—she could speak without pondering too deeply about the hidden meanings, without getting too tired.

She nodded, "His Majesty only said to dig until you’re satisfied; he didn’t specify it had to be finished, nor did he say that no one could help."

Lian Hua thought back and realized this was true; she had considered too little, "Then—" she didn’t want Steward Zhang to dig any longer, as it was distressing to watch.

Before the words could even leave her mouth, Nanny Qi, as if knowing what she was about to say, interrupted, "That old fellow needs to move around a bit; let him keep digging for now, but find a couple of people to help."

Having it too easy, one won’t learn to be grateful.

"Oh..." Lian Hua nodded, although she didn’t know why, but whatever Nanny said was the law.

So be it, let Xiao Linzi and Xiao Jizi go out to help Steward Zhang.

For some reason, Lian Hua found Xiao Linzi’s demeanor strange; every time he dug, he would grimace as if... as if he was digging into his own flesh, causing him such pain.

Xiao Linzi’s way of working was truly amusing, his expressions far more entertaining than the others. Ha-ha, it was fun to watch, maybe he just liked working that way.

Lian Hua didn’t think further on it. In the clear light of day, she enjoyed watching the few people outside the pavilion turning over the soil, while she sipped tea and tasted cakes inside the pavilion—the pleasure was indescribable.

However, it was Nanny Qi who drank tea; she wasn’t allowed. She was given honey water to drink, a little each day, as Nanny Qi had decreed.

This tranquil moment was truly rare for her. After watching with Nanny Qi for a while, she became restless. Her hands were itching to do something.

As she sat, her posture gradually became askew, her head propped up on her hand, looking outside, utterly bored.

She started to sigh without much thought: "Ah... Nanny, what do you usually do?"

"Master Lian, you are too young to be sighing," Nanny Qi replied as she sipped her tea, not finding the situation boring in the slightest.

The young girl sitting with her, not stiff at all, didn’t bother to rack her brains to find something to discuss. She was quite relaxed; when she wanted to speak, she did, and if not, she just sat quietly. It was good.

This feeling was very comfortable for her—no need to make an effort to entertain, the two interacting like an ordinary family of grandmother and grandchild, even more relaxed.

Nanny Qi didn’t speak, and she didn’t ask further, switching to another hand supporting her cheek: "What to do, what to do?" Ah, so boring~

Right, she had promised to make a sachet for His Majesty. With Nanny Qi present, this was the perfect opportunity to ask for guidance, wasn’t it?

Thinking this, Lian Hua perked up, straightened herself, and looked eagerly at Nanny Qi, saying, "Nanny, could you teach me how to embroider a sachet?

I want to make a refreshing and invigorating sachet for His Majesty so that when he attends court or reviews memorials, he can stay alert and alleviate fatigue. "

After saying this, she scratched her head shyly and added, "My needlework isn’t good, and I’ve never made a sachet before. His Majesty mentioned that your sewing skills are superb, so I was hoping you could teach me."

Nanny Qi looked at her and nodded slightly, inwardly impressed. The young girl knew how to show concern for others and wanted to make something for the Emperor. She was also humble and eager to learn—very good indeed.

Ordinary girls, no matter what, would have some needlework skills, and a sachet was certainly within reach. The young girl was being too modest—probably to flatter this old woman, worried she was too bored, hoping to make this old woman happy—a thoughtful gesture.

But her needlework had gained some recognition in the palace when she was young. Guiding the young girl and helping her improve was also acceptable. So she nodded in agreement.

In her heart, she thought that if the young girl had talent, she could pass on her needlework skills to her.

Lian Hua was delighted and said with a smile, "Nanny, you are so kind. Once I’ve learned well, I’ll make you a forehead wrap, okay? When it gets cold, it will protect against the wind."

Nanny Qi nodded, "That would be good." She felt happy inside—the young girl had not forgotten about her.

Accordingly, Lian Hua asked Xiao Qing to bring over her embroidery basket.

When it arrived, Nanny Qi picked up the two pieces of cloth Lian Hua had stitched together and was left speechless...