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Lian Hua sighed and said, "Ah, you servant, why didn’t you say so earlier? We’ve wasted half the day. How are we supposed to deal with the punishment from the Noble Consort now?"

She finished speaking and looked at Cai Xia with eyes that seemed to see a criminal who had committed unforgivable sins.

Cai Xia was so angry that she felt like spitting blood and, restraining herself, squeezed a few words through clenched teeth: "Master Lian, please."

She dared not say more, fearing that more words would lead to mistakes.

She had seen enough of Beauty Lian’s shamelessness.

If she said that the Noble Consort was a forgiving person who would not blame them, what if Beauty Lian took advantage and suggested that since there was no blame, they should not go at all?

Should she respond to that or not? If she did, what should she say? Saying the Consort wouldn’t blame them might lead to them not going, and she couldn’t say the Consort would blame them, as it would make the Consort seem petty. It was a dilemma no better than the situation at hand.

Xiao Jizi almost laughed out loud at what he heard on the side.

When it came to infuriating people, if his master claimed to be the second, no one dared claim to be the first. He was far from matching his master, who always managed to infuriate others while looking utterly sincere, as if she truly meant every word, truly enough to infuriate someone to death!

With just that statement, she had kicked back the trap hidden in the palace maid’s words. Admirable, indeed.

"Then lead the way," Lian Hua sighed regretfully, lamenting that the palace maid from Huaqing Palace was indeed extraordinary, far better than the maid from Beauty Li’s era. Since she didn’t take the bait, they might as well go.

She wasn’t someone easy to manipulate; she repaid kindness and took revenge when possible. Since she was invited, she would go take a look.

Cai Xia, observing Lian Hua’s regretful expression, felt greatly relieved inside. Thinking one step ahead indeed wasn’t wrong. That had been close.

However, this cunning Beauty Lian surprisingly hadn’t thought to send someone back to report, which was unexpected. She had thought the biggest obstacle would be leading everyone away smoothly, yet that turned out surprisingly easy.

Luckily, she had agreed to leave, and once she led everyone there, she could report her task completed.

Lian Hua wasn’t thinking like Cai Xia at all. Nanny Qi was old, and she never thought of sending someone back to report, unnecessarily worrying her.

If it came to a fight, she wasn’t afraid. Her few men were all strapping and strong, only Xiao Linzi was slightly inferior, but staying in Canglan Court should make him better.

With the few scrawny kids Cai Xia brought, Xiao Qing could knock them over with one finger. If she didn’t want to stay, the few of them dreaming of keeping her there was literally a fantasy.

She was just going to see what the fuss was about and join in the fray; if she couldn’t handle it, she could just use the amulet His Majesty had given her and summon His Majesty.

The group began making their way toward Huaqing Palace.

After some effort, Cai Xia finally led everyone back in front of Huaqing Palace.

Upon reaching the palace gates and seeing the golden characters "Huaqing Palace," Cai Xia breathed a huge sigh of relief.

She asked Lian Hua and the others to wait there, and went in to announce their arrival. The remaining eunuchs from Huaqing Palace also waited, saying they were accompanying Master Lian.

Lian Hua looked up at the towering and magnificent palace and couldn’t help but mutter to Xiao Qing, "It’s so high, the winter wind blowing in could loop around several times. I wonder if it keeps warm, as it’s going to get cold soon, brr, it looks really cold."

She hadn’t noticed its height during her first visit, now realizing how truly tall it was.

Xiao Qing also looked up, evaluated for a while, and finally concluded, "Hmm, it wastes charcoal."

Lian Hua nodded repeatedly, agreeing with Xiao Qing’s assessment, which was spot on—it indeed wasted charcoal.

The young eunuchs from Huaqing Palace, overhearing this, looked up as well and somewhat agreed.

During winter, only the main hall and inner chamber of Huaqing Palace were warm, while the peripheral rooms were cold.

These servants couldn’t enter the main hall and suffered in the cold, which now seemed related to the height of the palace.

Xiao Jizi found it amusing, his master acting so carefree, not at all worried about how to deal with the Noble Consort later. Alas, he didn’t know what to do except to play it by ear.

Xiao Linzi nodded continuously, agreeing vehemently with what his master and Xiao Qing had said. It was insightful and made a lot of sense, something he had never considered before.

Inside Huaqing Palace.

"She’s here? Let her in quickly!" Noble Consort straightened up impatiently, having waited for too long, her heart filled with anxiety.

There was no need for a show of authority; it was best to have her come in and pay respects promptly.

She was genuinely afraid the duck could be cooked yet fly away, that someone could turn around at the doorstep and leave, which would truly be frustrating.

The others perked up at the same time, "The Seductive Vixen has arrived," they glanced at each other, eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

Cai Xia hurriedly went to carry out the order.

Soon, a few people slowly entered from the doorway, Noble Consort squinted to see.

The leader had almond eyes and peachy cheeks, her skin like porcelain, her eyes roaming playfully, naturally graceful, with a touch of baby fat on her cheeks, adding a hint of innocent charm.

Her hair was styled in a Little Fairy Hairbun, making her appear light and elegant, adorned with Silk Flowers strategically placed to enhance the beauty of her hairstyle, adding an ethereal immortal-like quality to her entire appearance.

She was dressed in a light-colored painted skirt, the hem flowing and lively, with ribbons fluttering on both sides as she moved.

This attire made her seem exceptionally spirited as she entered, a breeze passing through as if she were an immortal descending upon them.

The court fell silent suddenly, not expecting that the once timid Little Daying had transformed so significantly, her whole demeanor was refreshingly new, radiant as the bright moon.

They all widened their eyes, trying to discern if this was the same Little Daying as before.

When Noble Consort recognized the clothes Lian Hua was wearing, her breath hitched, her brows furrowed tightly, her heart beginning to pound fiercely.

She had never expected to see this dress here, never imagined that the dress she had long coveted would be worn by the woman before her, and look so stunning on her.

"Consort, Consort?"

Noble Consort, brought back to reality by the Palace Maid’s call, had been so entranced that she hadn’t even noticed when the formalities had been completed.

She relaxed her furrowed brows and put on a warm smile, "Rise, Sister Lian’s presence truly graces our Huaqing Palace with glory."

While Lian Hua bowed to pay respects, she sensed many inquisitive gazes upon her, a somewhat novel feeling. Being the center of attention of so many Palace Concubines felt like something that only happened during the Noble Consort’s birthday banquet.

She was much more confident now, no longer as nervous and scared as before. Her confidence stemmed from the amulet given by His Majesty!

Her amulet was safely around her neck, and just by thinking about it, she felt emboldened.

Fearless, that was her now. Otherwise, with her nature, she would comply if possible, and only act tough when there was no other way.

She thanked the Noble Consort and looked around, observing the Main Hall, then with a beaming smile said, "Consort, the carvings and decor, the silken drapes and pearl curtains in your hall are truly dazzling and exude elegance."

She looked very expensive, these pearls far different from her simple stones; in this light, they definitely shone brightly.