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Lian Hua exclaimed, "Ah? What do you mean by ’sharing the chambers’?"

She didn’t understand what Nanny Qi was talking about.

Nanny Qi felt something was off; this reaction wasn’t right. If they had truly shared the chambers, why would the little girl look like this?

Fearing she was unclear, she changed her term and asked, "Did you not perform the rites of Duke Zhou this afternoon?"

Lian Hua finally realized what was being implied and suddenly blushed furiously, becoming flustered. She murmured timidly, "No, not yet..." her voice barely audible.

"Then why mention pain?" Nanny Qi was confused. After all this talking, it wasn’t what she had thought. Then what was it?

Lian Hua bit her lip with a flushed face, unsure how to explain and, looking helplessly at the Emperor, her eyes filled with poignant pleading.

The Emperor also felt slightly uncomfortable, but compared to Lian Hua, he was much at ease. He stood aside, enjoying the spectacle, appreciating her enticingly flushed cheeks and her disconcerted demeanor; it was particularly amusing.

Seeing his Little Concubine asking for his help, the Emperor raised an eyebrow. This ungrateful wretch, only remembering him when she needed him, recalling how earlier she’d seemed so pleased with herself.

The Emperor, with a smile, shook his head; it seemed he would have to tie up loose ends after all, secretly delighted, thoroughly enjoying his Little Concubine depending on him.

The Emperor walked between Nanny Qi and Lian Hua, took Lian Hua’s hand, and pulled her behind him to shield her. He worried that under Nanny Qi’s gaze, his Little Concubine might be so embarrassed she’d want to sink into the ground.

With some discomfort, he cleared his throat and began explaining things to Nanny Qi in a few words.

After explaining, his ears turned slightly red; the joy of the chamber was a matter for two, and now he had to discuss it with an elderly lady, which was no easy task.

With the Emperor’s explanation, Nanny Qi suddenly came to an understanding, her face turning red. The young couple certainly knew how to have fun, making her worry for nothing.

She had no intention of prying into the Emperor and the young girl’s private matters and finally left with the words, "All fun aside, make sure to keep it appropriate."

She casually walked away.

That left the Emperor and Lian Hua staring. More precisely, the Emperor, with great interest, gazed at Lian Hua, admiring her charming demeanor.

Lian Hua’s face continued to glow red, her ear tips still burning. She clutched her sleeves, utterly embarrassed.

The Emperor chuckled quietly to himself, teasing her, "Little Darling, does it still hurt? Shall I take a look?"

His Majesty, so naughty, teasing her yet again! Lian Hua quickly glanced up at him, stomped her foot, and hurriedly returned to the inner chamber. She took off her shoes, climbed into bed, and buried her face in the quilt, all in one go.

How embarrassing for Nanny to know, so mortifying, oh my!

The Emperor watched her actions and couldn’t help but burst into hearty laughter. His Nannan was just too adorable, a sight that filled him with fondness and love.

Listening to this made Lian Hua even more upset, both embarrassed and annoyed.

So, that night, whatever the Emperor said to Lian Hua, she just pouted, looking indignantly back at him.

It was his fault for bullying her first and then mercilessly laughing at her afterward.

The Emperor was more than willing to coax her, indulging her, and enjoying the feeling of appeasing her.

Holding her tender body close, he whispered sweet nothings, admiring her various charming and lively expressions, occasionally kissing her—is there anything more beautiful than this?

The next day, Lian Hua and Nanny Qi had breakfast together as usual, but Lian Hua was still a bit uneasy and spoke less than usual.

Nanny Qi knew she was shy and did not mention yesterday’s events as if nothing had happened, calmly eating her breakfast.

Finally, after breakfast, the lively, chatty little girl returned.

Nanny Qi found it amusing, the little girl didn’t dwell on things and was easily distracted, adapting quickly; just give her a topic, and she could chat animatedly about it.

"Grandma, as I’ve thought about it, later I’ll divide some land, one part for peach trees, one for apricot trees, and one for pear trees. They bloom in spring and bear fruit in summer, what do you think?"

Just now, Nanny Qi had brought up the land at Canglan Court, asking her what to do, since it was improper to continue cultivating it as before.

Previously, cultivating was for sustenance, which was indeed unnecessary now, so she wanted to switch to fruit trees, whose flowers were beautiful, and fruits delicious. The remaining land could be planted with plum and osmanthus trees, whose flowers were pretty and edible.

"You can decide." Nanny Qi had given up on Lian Hua’s tastes and preferences; as long as she liked it, let her be happy.

Lian Hua was pleased and very satisfied with her own ideas.

Just then, the Young Eunuch at the gate came to report that the Senior Palace Maid Ming Jing from Huaying Hall had come to deliver a congratulatory gift.

Huaying Hall, wasn’t that Sister Zhaoyi’s residence?

Lian Hua exclaimed with joy, "Is it Sister Zhaoyi’s person?"

"Yes." The Young Eunuch nodded, presenting the congratulatory gift from Xu Zhaoyi with both hands. Xiao Qing took it and brought it closer to Lian Hua.

Lian Hua quickly stood up and asked anxiously, "Is the person still outside?"

Sister Zhaoyi had done her a great favor; she should not neglect her person.

The Young Eunuch said, "Still outside. Sister Ming Jing said she knew it would be inconvenient for you, so she would not rashly come in to visit; please understand.

She only sent the servant to bring in the congratulatory gift.

When the servant leaves, she will go. If Master Lian has any message, you can let the servant convey it.

She also asked the servant to tell Nanny Qi that Consort Zhaoyi knows Nanny is in Canglan Court and said she would come to visit another day when Nanny is free, to see Nanny. "

Lian Hua looked at Nanny Qi; she wanted to meet Sister Zhaoyi’s person.

Understanding the situation, Nanny Qi said, "Xu Zhaoyi is thoughtful. Call that girl in to answer." Xu Rong Ying was still trustworthy.

The Young Eunuch respectfully answered "Yes," and hurriedly left.

Xiao Qing held the congratulatory gift before Lian Hua: "Master, would you like to open it and see?"

Lian Hua looked at the ordinary wooden box before her, feeling both happy and troubled.

Ah, what should she do, she hadn’t yet thanked Sister Zhaoyi for the previous matter, and now she had sent a congratulatory gift; the owed favor was growing larger.

She hesitated for a moment, reaching out to touch the wooden box then drew her hand back, looking at Nanny Qi inquiringly, wondering if she could look inside.

Nanny Qi nodded slightly, revealing a hint of a smile; the little girl was too sensible, becoming increasingly endearing the more one looked.

Lian Hua solemnly nodded as well and lifted the entire lid. Inside were round marbles made of red, green, and blue gemstones, dazzling and brilliant, glittering and translucent.

An ordinary wooden box, containing a whole set of gemstone marbles!

Lian Hua was stunned; she hadn’t expected marbles, especially gemstone ones. Weren’t the items given in the palace typically more formal? Yet these were marbles, both extravagant and fun!

Without thinking, she picked up a red marble to examine. It felt smooth and cool to the touch, too beautiful for words, the more she looked, the more she couldn’t put it down.

But upon realizing such a precious gift it was, she quickly, carefully put it down and closed the lid, shaking her head, "Return it to Sister Zhaoyi, I can’t accept it. It’s too valuable."