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It seemed to start when Master saw the ceremony of Master Lian, and it became even more unusual when talking about stories with Master Lian, apparently with tears in her eyes, a mix of relief and sadness. Overall, the emotions in Ming Jing’s eyes were complex and beyond her understanding.

She wasn’t like Ming Jing, who had followed Consort Zhaoyi since childhood. She had been assigned to serve the Consort by the Bureau of Palace Attendants after the Consort entered the palace, so she found the stories merely interesting, without fully understanding them.

Ming Jing lowered her head and gently wiped the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief, whispering, "It’s nothing."

She was just happy, happy that Xiao Jie might have come to terms. This was the first time in many years she had talked about General Shen, surely better than keeping silent as before...

Ming Jing quickly composed herself and regained her usual calm. She looked outside at the sky, then approached Xu Zhaoyi and Lian Hua, reminding them, "Master, Master Lian, it’s almost time for the midday meal. Shall I give the order to prepare the table?"

Lian Hua quickly stood up, not realizing she had spent the entire morning at Huaying Hall. Time had passed so swiftly.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, she scratched her head, about to take her leave, when she heard Xu Zhaoyi invite her:

"Sister, how about staying here for the meal?"

"Sister, uh... would that be too much trouble..." Isn’t that improper? Staying for a meal on her first visit after having already imposed on Sister Zhaoyi for so long. Lian Hua felt a bit awkward.

Xu Zhaoyi, smiling, caressed her face and said, "Are you hungry? Why not stay and have lunch with sister?"

Lian Hua reflected honestly, "I am a bit hungry, but my grandma is expecting me to return for the meal..." If she didn’t return, Nanny would be worried.

Xu Zhaoyi understood her hesitations and directly instructed, "Ming Jing, send someone to Canglan Court and tell Nanny Qi that Beauty Lian is hungry and will have her midday meal here, she will return later."

"Yes." Ming Jing replied and left to give the orders.

Lian Hua still had some reservations, but before she could voice them, Xu Zhaoyi continued, "After the meal, how about I show you some sword dance?"

Lian Hua’s eyes sparkled brightly, admiringly looking at Xu Zhaoyi, exclaimed with surprise, "Sister, how do you know so much?"

She knew how to ride horses and shoot arrows, and even sword dance, it was incredible!

Xu Zhaoyi laughed heartily, finding the young girl’s expression delightful, as if witnessing something spectacular.

While stroking her head, she laughed and said, "When it’s more convenient for you in the future, sister will teach you, okay?"

Lian Hua’s eyes widened, "Really? Can you also teach me how to ride a horse?"

Xu Zhaoyi recognized her pregnancy though Lian Hua hadn’t noticed, but even if she had, it wouldn’t have mattered to her.

Xu Zhaoyi, with a smile in her eyes, couldn’t resist pinching her chubby cheeks, "Whatever you want to learn, sister will teach you!"

Lian Hua burst out cheerfully, "Sister is so wonderful!"

She then joyfully praised, "Sister is like a great hero who knows everything, so amazing. I really admire you!"

Xu Zhaoyi couldn’t help but laugh, embracing her joyfully.

Inside Huaying Hall, a scene of harmonious joy...

Inside Canglan Court, however, the scene wasn’t nearly as pleasant.

The Emperor and Nanny Qi were sharing a meal, each staring at the other with little expression, creating an extremely gloomy atmosphere.

The Emperor was brooding over the fact that Lian Hua hadn’t returned for the meal, his face expressionless and sulky, as if he were chewing wax.

Nanny Qi found the meal uninteresting with the Emperor moping, and felt too lazy to speak.

An old and a young, each eating their own food.

After returning from the Star Palace, the Emperor, upon entering the gates of Canglan Court, immediately began to inquire about Lian Hua’s whereabouts and upon hearing that she had not returned, he wanted to send someone to fetch her.

Before he could finish issuing his commands, he heard a eunuch at the gate saying that a servant from Huaying Hall had arrived.

Upon summoning the servant and inquiring, it was revealed that his Little Concubine was hungry and would have her noon meal at Huaying Hall, and would return later.

The Emperor had to be patient, for in a universe vast, the satiation of his Little Concubine’s hunger was paramount; God forbid she starve.

Seeing this, Zhang Qing slightly relaxed, knowing that His Majesty would not do anything to Master Lian, and breathed a sigh of relief.

With the person not returned, what could the Emperor do? Unable to reach or punish her, he had to share a meal with Nanny Qi.

Yet, during the meal, the Emperor felt uneasy, his thoughts constantly drifting back to his Little Concubine, becoming excessively fixated.

He wondered what she was doing at that very moment, whether she was eating well, and whether Xu Rongying had not neglected her.

Yet, he also feared that Xu Rongying treated her too well, making her so happy she forgot to leave. Look, she hadn’t come back yet, had she?

Xu Rongying indeed, that woman was not known for her warm hospitality, so why did she insist on keeping his Little Concubine for lunch?

It takes two to tango; his naive ingrate was also at fault. A short visit would have sufficed, yet she had been there all morning, even staying for lunch.

This made the Emperor grow increasingly angry and morose, and unconsciously, a shade of annoyance appeared on his face.

Fearing that he might anger himself to death, he reassured himself that his naive ingrate being fed was the most important thing; all else seemed trivial in comparison.

Those who were pregnant indeed couldn’t withstand hunger. In Canglan Court, aside from regular meals, she was regularly provided with snacks and light food to keep her nourished at all times.

Xu Rongying, that rough woman, could never care so meticulously; it was better for her to return, as he would not feel at ease otherwise.

Enough, enough, he reasoned that she would return after the meal; he wouldn’t rush her and would patiently wait.

Having consoled himself thus, the Emperor felt much better.

Only then did he remember Nanny Qi. Generally, when he and Nanny Qi dined together, although not talkative, he occasionally showed concern and offered her some dishes.

But today, having been preoccupied with his naive ingrate, he had neglected Nanny Qi.

Ha, he would place the blame on her for neglecting Nanny Qi as well; once she returned, he would settle the overall account with her.

Having resolved these thoughts, the Emperor’s mood gradually improved, and just as he was about to serve Nanny Qi some dishes, he saw that Nanny Qi had already put down her chopsticks and upon noticing his attentiveness, stood up and said with a bow, "Your Majesty, please enjoy your meal slowly; this old servant has finished eating. "

The servant spoke slowly and began to walk away.

The Emperor was about to express his concern when he saw Nanny Qi turn back and say, "If Your Majesty is too busy, you need not accompany this old woman for meals in the future."

After saying this, she left without turning back, leaving the Emperor with his mouth agape, at a loss for words.

The meal tasted bland to the Emperor, and Nanny Qi did not enjoy it either.

Knowing that the young lady had not returned for the meal, she felt somewhat disappointed, but it was still good to have the Emperor with her.

However, as she ate, something seemed increasingly amiss; she felt something lacking and had no appetite.

Previously, she had not thought much of it, considering that the Emperor, who had to worry about countless state affairs and had much on his mind, spoke less. His mere company during a meal was deemed very thoughtful.

Only today did she realize how dreary dining with the Emperor was; she couldn’t enjoy her meal, and, most crucially, the Emperor’s preoccupied demeanor truly dampened one’s appetite.