Page 22

The Emperor hadn't visited Canglan Court for many days, and in the beginning, Lian Hua was quite pleased, sleeping well and soundly. But as time went on, she felt something was missing and became listless.

One day, as Xiao Qing saw Lian Hua idly sprawled over the table in the pavilion, looking rather downcast, she scratched her head, unsure what to do. Just then, she saw Xiao Jizi carrying water for the flowers returning from afar and hurriedly ran to intercept him:

"Xiao Jizi, quickly, see what's wrong with Young Master."

Xiao Jizi glanced toward the pavilion, contemplated for a moment, and cautiously asked, "Could it be that Young Master is having her 'little days'?"

Xiao Qing's face reddened as she spat at him, "Young Master's 'little days' haven't come yet, you're a eunuch talking nonsense, how can you be so shameless?"

"Oh, then I'll be leaving."

"Don't go, you're the smartest, the most resourceful. It's so worrying to see Young Master like this," Xiao Qing said, clutching Xiao Jizi's sleeve.

"Let go, I still have two vegetable plots to water," he protested.

"I'll help you water them, just think of a solution, Young Master is your master too, you also need to think of something," Xiao Qing urged anxiously.

Upon hearing that Xiao Qing would help him with the watering, Xiao Jizi's face lit up with joy—the little girl had taken the bait, ha!

These days had been hard on him. Since he'd arrived, Xiao Qing had gradually left all the work in the vegetable garden to him, exhausting him. He was a eunuch who had entered the palace many years ago and had long forgotten how vegetables were grown.

"Really? Will you really help me water?" Xiao Jizi asked again.

"Really, why are you so nagging? Hurry up," Xiao Qing snapped.

Assured by her response, Xiao Jizi relaxed and peeked at Lian Hua, then whispered mysteriously to Xiao Qing, "I've long noticed that something was off with Young Master. From what I've observed, she's very likely longing for His Majesty."

"Ah? How come I didn't notice?" How could that be, wasn't Young Master still very pleased when His Majesty said he wouldn't come? Xiao Qing wondered.

Looking at her with disbelief, Xiao Jizi thought to himself how dense this girl was; if she wasn't with Young Master Lian Hua, who knew how other masters would've disliked her, "Haven't you noticed it started after His Majesty stopped coming? The longer His Majesty stays away, the more time she spends daydreaming."

"Ah! But Young Master seemed quite happy when His Majesty said he wouldn't come," Xiao Qing voiced her doubts,

This girl, how could she say anything that came to mind? Xiao Jizi quickly covered Xiao Qing's mouth and looked around: "Quiet down, do you want to get Young Master in trouble?"

"Mmmph..." Xiao Qing struggled.

"Don't talk, just listen to me first, then I'll let you go," he urged, worried about her recklessness.

Xiao Qing nodded quickly in agreement.

Xiao Jizi released Xiao Qing and said in a low voice, "It's fine to talk about this here but don't let it spread. If it does, it'll be the end for Young Master. Understand?"

Seeing the serious look on Xiao Jizi's face, Xiao Qing grew nervous and nodded, "I understand, I'll only talk to you about it. I won't mention it to anyone else when I'm outside."

She knew she was not eloquent and inexperienced with the world, and feared causing harm to Young Master, so she chose to remain silent outside whenever possible.

Xiao Jizi sighed with relief that she still had some sense. But then he began to worry again - while Xiao Qing was good at her tasks, dealing with the environment outside Canglan Court was beyond her. A bit too simple-minded; having her alone as Young Master's palace maid, he wondered how she would fare in the future.

"Xiao Jizi, just tell me," Xiao Qing shook Xiao Jizi.

"Tell you what?"

"What should we do about Young Master?"

"We just wait for His Majesty to come, and it'll be fine," Xiao Jizi said with a knowing smile.

"And if he doesn't come?"

"You just wait and see," Xiao Jizi said, picking up his bucket and leaving a worried Xiao Qing behind.

What Xiao Jizi said had a basis; a few days earlier, when he was out on an errand, he ran into a young eunuch from the Star Palace he used to work with. After chatting, he vaguely learnt something. Yesterday, Zhang Qing came to see him to inquire about Young Master's state. He would bet his life that if it wasn't His Majesty who had asked, he would twist off his own head and use it to fertilize her crops for Xiao Qing.

With His Majesty showing such concern for Young Master's state, how could he not visit? As soon as the commotion in the palace died down, he would surely come.

Lian Hua's guess was not wrong. That day, when the edict was passed, the Emperor indeed asked about Lian Hua's reaction, and the young eunuch transmitted her words verbatim.

Upon hearing them, the Emperor knew immediately that it was Lian Hua who had told him to say this. As he asked for confirmation, he felt both amused and exasperated; she was such a crafty little ungrateful creature, her ability to give perfunctory responses was improving. He truly felt like baring her bottom and spanking that little ingrate.

The Emperor was indeed paying close attention to Lian Hua's state. It had been more than ten days since his last visit to Canglan Court, and he wasn't used to it. The meals prepared by the Imperial Kitchen didn't taste right, there was no one chatting beside him during meals, and at night, he had to review petitions alone in the great hall, which made him feel uncomfortable. Lian Hua came to his mind from time to time.

As the corruption scandal in the Harem was drawing to a close, the Emperor sent Zhang Qing to inquire about Xiao Lian Hua's recent activities. Learning that Lian Hua was listless and not eating well, seemingly missing him, the Emperor felt gratified, immediately followed by worry. He needed to find time to visit her; heaven forbid she lose weight out of hunger.

Alas, political duties were overwhelming recently - there was a flood in Jiangnan and a famine in the Northwest, and the Emperor was occupied with discussing state affairs with the ministers until late at night.