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Zhang Qing’s smile suddenly froze on his face, and he slapped his forehead, "Ouch, I’ve remembered!"

Why did his brain always fail him whenever he met Master Lian, even forgetting his very purpose for coming?

He had no choice but to briskly run and catch up with the person.

Once he caught up, Zhang Qing explained the purpose of his visit, and Lian Hua exclaimed with surprise, "Jewelry? His Majesty has gifted me jewelry?"

She hadn’t heard His Majesty say anything about it, all was normal, so why gift her jewelry out of nowhere, especially since it had never happened before?

With a smile still on his face, Zhang Qing replied, "Yes, the Mid-Autumn Festival is soon, and His Majesty has bestowed jewelry so that each palace can celebrate the festival joyously—this has happened in previous years too. This year, Your portion was personally selected by His Majesty."

"Oh..." Lian Hua nodded in understanding, so everyone had received them, that’s all there was to it: "I understand. Please, Chief Steward Zhang, thank His Majesty for me."

After speaking, Lian Hua continued on her way.

Zhang Qing watched her and thought that something was not right. Why did Master Lian not ask to see the jewelry; why did she just walk away? Her reaction was rather indifferent.

Don’t all women love jewelry? Wasn’t Master Lian curious about what His Majesty had bestowed? Why didn’t she even peek at it!

Zhang Qing stood dumbfounded as she walked away, then slapped his thigh, "This is bad!"

Oh dear, his ancestors! Before coming, His Majesty had instructed him to return and carefully relay Master Lian’s reaction—what was he to do now!

Could it really be that he would simply report that Master Lian didn’t even glance at the jewelry and walked away with an indifferent reaction?

Oy, what to do now!

Meanwhile, on Lian Hua’s end, she was somewhat nervous about what to say and do once she arrived at Huaying Hall.

Having just heard Chief Steward Zhang mention that His Majesty had bestowed jewelry to every palace, she didn’t really take it to heart—since everyone had received it, it seemed like a standard affair, nothing worth examining.

In previous years she hadn’t ranked high enough to receive such a gift, but this year she had been promoted and was included in the standard gifts; standard gifts weren’t particularly noteworthy—whatever was given, she would take; discussing it upon her return seemed better.

She walked along carrying big and small loads of items, taking several breaks along the way.

As they passed through the Imperial Garden, the young eunuchs who used to dread her presence were, for some reason, now greeting her from afar, eagerly coming over to ask if she liked any flowers or plants, which they would personally pick for her.

Uh, it would have been nice if they had said this before—then she wouldn’t have needed to pick covertly, but now she wasn’t interested in these anymore.

Her main priority now was to meet Sister Zhaoyi.

Accompanied by her entourage, the nearer they approached the various palaces, the more palace maids and eunuchs they encountered, and even a couple of mistresses who ranked lower than her, who paid their respects and withdrew, heading seemingly towards Huaqing Palace.

It was her first time being saluted by the palace concubines, giving her a peculiar feeling.

However, as she neared Huaying Hall, she grew more and more nervous, an unexplained nervousness. She thought even facing a scholar, as often mentioned, wouldn’t make her this nervous.

Thankfully, Xiao Jizi and the others comforted her along the way, taking turns to boost her spirits.

One said, "Consort Zhaoyi seems easy to talk to, there won’t be any issues."

Another said, "It’s just a visit, you’ll be back quickly, relax,"

And yet another said, "Consort Zhaoyi will surely like the corn."

Their chatter helped distract her a great deal.

Finally, they reached the front of Huaying Hall, and Lian Hua, holding the box, stopped and looked at them.

The group, not knowing why, thought she was still nervous.

Xiao Jizi said, "Master, relax, it’s like coming here to play. Consort Zhaoyi has marbles to play with here. You can chat with Consort Zhaoyi, so there’s no need to worry about running out of topics."

Lian Hua shook her head and was about to cry, "Xiao Jizi, I really need to pee..."

She had been so busy before leaving that she forgot to relieve herself...

Since she had become pregnant, she needed to use the restroom more frequently than before. Coupled with her nervousness on the way, she felt an urgent need to pee as soon as Huaying Hall came into view.

"Uh..."

"Master..."

Everyone was a bit panicked and didn’t know what to say. Going back to Canglan Court was far, but using the restroom at Huaying Hall was... well, it was rather embarrassing to even mention.

In the midst of everyone’s confusion, a Young Eunuch from Huaying Hall had already heard the commotion and gone inside to report.

Ming Jing came out with a few others to greet them and was slightly taken aback when she saw Lian Hua and her servants carrying a lot of bags and items.

Ming Xin behind her couldn’t help but laugh out loud, causing others to cover their mouths and chuckle as well.

Ming Jing, observing the spectacle, also smiled broadly. What an array, Master Lian is quite interesting. The things held by the servants were quite intriguing. Were these for the Consort? She was somewhat unsure.

Lian Hua’s face turned red on the spot; she didn’t know why Ming Jing and the others were laughing, and the scene made her feel very embarrassed.

Ming Jing quickly composed herself, glanced back, and the few people behind her quieted down.

She turned back with an appropriate smile and bowed slightly, saying, "This servant pays respects. Has Master Lian come to visit the Consort?"

Clutching the box, Lian Hua replied softly, "Yes, I came to visit Consort Zhaoyi."

"Master Lian is thoughtful. What are these?" Ming Jing asked, looking toward the box in Lian Hua’s hands and the items held by Xiao Jizi and the others.

With a shy, red face, Lian Hua said, "These are gifts for Sister... Consort Zhaoyi."

Only then did Ming Jing step forward, taking the box from Lian Hua’s hands, and instructed her companions, "Ming Xin, you all take these."

"Yes." The people behind her fumbled to receive the items from Xiao Jizi and the others.

Ming Xin didn’t expect the items to be so heavy; she almost lost grip and dropped them when Xiao Jizi quickly caught them and said, "Sister, let me handle this."

While resuming carrying the items.

Xiao Linzi and Xiao Qing, dedicated to obeying the gifts sent by their master, didn’t even consider questioning them.

Xiao Jizi thought for a moment. Ultimately, he didn’t say anything. If Master is happy, that’s what matters. If Xu Zhaoyi doesn’t appreciate it, then it’s better not to get too involved in the future.

Under Lian Hua’s influence, the servants from Canglan Court had no concerns about carrying and holding the items, nor did they mind the odd looks they got.

Ming Xin was still planning to insist, but Xiao Jizi, holding the pumpkins, stepped back and said, "I’ll handle it."

As Xiao Qing was now free, she also advised, "No worries, Sister. Xiao Jizi is strong, you can just stand aside."

Ming Xin looked at Ming Jing, who nodded, so she had to give up.

Lian Hua saw that everyone was ready and looked at Ming Jing, her eyes somewhat ashamed.

Ming Jing, realizing her discomfort, slightly bowed and said warmly, "Master Lian, please," then began to lead the way.

Lian Hua nodded slowly and followed, her eyes beginning to dart around. What to do, she really needed to pee, and could hardly hold it any longer. How could it have been fine earlier and not now?