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The Emperor sneered coldly and resolutely said there would not be a chance, he knew his Little Concubine well; having been gone for so many Shichen, she would certainly take the nearest route back, without any further delay, afraid that Nanny Qi would worry.

This was also why he had taken the shortcut.

Thus, the Emperor and Xu Zhaoyi sent out people to search for her, fearing they might miss her, and at the same time, they sent others to check Canglan Court.

When the Emperor sent his people out, the two Young Eunuchs who had been dispatched to Huaying Hall earlier both said that when they were heading to Huaying Hall, they seemed to see several people waiting at the necessary path back from Huaying Hall, but those few scattered when they saw them, and they didn’t give it much thought.

At this point, the Emperor and Xu Zhaoyi felt something was wrong; both had seen it, and it surely couldn’t be a coincidence. They hastily asked who those people were.

One of the Young Eunuchs hesitantly said, there seemed to be a Palace Maid who appeared to be from Huaqing Palace, but it wasn’t clear.

The Emperor’s face chilled over, and he exchanged a knowing glance with Xu Zhaoyi. Both understood that this must be connected to Noble Consort Xue, and the likelihood of the person being taken away by Noble Consort Xue was very high.

Without a second word, the Emperor rushed to Huaqing Palace in a hurry, followed closely by Xu Zhaoyi.

Within Huaqing Palace, Xiao Jizi wanted to warn Lian Hua but was met with sarcastic remarks from Talented Lady Jia. His heart was burning with urgency, yet he could only bow his head and dare not move further.

Lian Hua looked back and glanced over Xiao Jizi and the others, realizing this person was spouting nonsense. Xiao Jizi wanting to relieve himself wouldn’t look like this—it was clear he was worried about her.

She blinked soothingly and smiled at them, then turned her head to look at Talented Lady Jia. What was the reason behind this round-faced Talented Lady Jia repeatedly targeting her people?

She set her face sternly towards Talented Lady Jia and said seriously, "Sister Jia, you have bad breath!"

"What?" Talented Lady Jia was taken aback.

Lian Hua followed up with a disgusted and heartbroken look, as if she were stating a genuine concern, "Such bad breath, don’t you know?

Oh, it seems you are not aware; it must be a case of being so used to the stench that you don’t recognize it.

Go sniff for yourself, and take care of your own breath first, so as not to offend your sisters. "

Talented Lady Jia’s face flared with heat, turning both green and white. Feeling unsure, she hastily asked her servants behind her whether she had bad breath.

After receiving a negative response, her anger flared instantly. She realized that this woman from Canglan Court was giving her veiled insults, calling her breath foul!

Lian Hua saw how slow-witted Talented Lady Jia was and could not be bothered with her anymore. She turned and cheerfully said to everyone, "My sisters indeed understand me. I’m blessed with good looks and honorable conduct, even His Majesty often compliments me on these things."

Oh dear, any compliment directed at herself, she would gladly accept in full. However, she could never put His Majesty forward as her shield.

"..."

The crowd was speechless. Beauty Lian had such thick skin; give her an inch and she’d take a mile. Did she not understand that those were sarcasms? They were there to put her on the spot!

Talented Lady Jia scoffed repeatedly but didn’t dare to contradict, not knowing for certain whether His Majesty had ever praised her.

Lian Hua chuckled slyly and then said, "His Majesty is a sage emperor of all ages, industrious in governance, loving to the people, generous and respectful to the wise, and exceptionally kind to the harem. Being able to serve His Majesty is our great fortune."

As she spoke, she tantalizingly continued, "You sisters just now mentioned that we shouldn’t monopolize His Majesty, right? I wholeheartedly agree."

Upon hearing her say this, everyone swallowed nervously and stared intently at her, keen to hear what she would say next.

The Noble Consort sat up straight, feeling that this woman from Canglan Court wouldn’t simply play along with their wishes.

Indeed, they saw Lian Hua sigh, then look troubled, yet somewhat pleased as she said, "But His Majesty keeps wanting to come to me.

What can I do? The thought that His Majesty cherishes me fills my heart with both anxiety and uncontrollable joy.

All I can do is to strictly adhere to my duty and serve His Majesty well, yet I cannot decide for His Majesty. "

Upon hearing this, everyone exploded with anger. Beauty Lian was truly detestable, speaking so tightly that she left them hanging and then shifted the entire blame onto His Majesty, rendering them unable to retort.

At this moment, when they saw Lian Hua, it was as if they were looking at a demon incarnate, despicable yet untouchable, with each of them itching with hatred.

Lian Hua, however, could not care less about their views. If no one offended her, she would not offend anyone—these people claimed sisterhood, yet were filled with hostility. She was not foolish enough to go along with them, hmph.

His Majesty had taught her not to give others leverage against her. What use was it to outtalk others? She knew how to do that as well!

With a deliberately naive and confused expression on her face, Lian Hua wanted to infuriate them further, continuing, "Just now, a few sisters seemed to imply that they could decide for His Majesty, is that so?"

With that, she swept her gaze toward those who had spoken before.

The ones she looked at were both shocked and angry but managed an awkward laugh and said, "Not at all, not at all, Beauty Lian is overthinking."

Such a huge accusation—who would dare to claim it!

"Is that so? Then I think too much and won’t bring it up to His Majesty," Lian Hua said with feigned regret, shaking her head.

Then, those few remembered that the person before them was indeed detestable, but she was now the one deeply favored by His Majesty. If she were to whisper in His Majesty’s ear...

Anxiety washed over them as they broke out into a cold sweat, quickly lowering their flags and not daring to make another sound.

The Noble Consort watched coldly from the sidelines, seeing that none of those who had spoken earlier were useful. With a chilly demeanor, she signaled to Beauty Zhao.

Beauty Zhao got the message and immediately sat up straight with a proper demeanor.

On ordinary days, she liked to take advantage of small benefits and was somewhat more honest than others.

She did not have much of a grudge against Lian Hua, but given that everyone else was against her, she had no choice but to feign similar distaste.

Regarding the matter of His Majesty doting solely on Lian Hua, she was unhappy and jealous but had not reached the point of hatred. After all, she had not received much favor before, so her situation was not much different now.

She had modest ambitions and, while she desired what the Noble Consort had suggested, she knew her appearance was not as good as the others, and her background was ordinary.

She had reached her current position of Beauty mostly due to her seniority in the palace, and that was likely the limit.

Where His Majesty decided to go—not even he could be dictated to—would not make a difference, whether it be Beauty Lian’s residence or another’s.

Therefore, she had only listened as others spoke, never joining in the conversation earlier.

Now that the Consort was gesturing for her to speak, she needed to think of something to say.

After a brief moment of thought, she looked at Lian Hua and said, "Sister Lian, though we are of the same rank, I am a few years older than you, so how about I call you sister?"

Lian Hua looked at Beauty Zhao, recognizing her as the one who had spoken up for her at the flower viewing—one of the friendliest towards her in the group, who seemed not to have made any snide remarks earlier.

She smiled warmly at Beauty Zhao, "That would be fine."

Seeing Lian Hua smile at her, Beauty Zhao also wanted to smile, but then she caught sight of the Noble Consort watching her out of the corner of her eye.

She quickly restrained the smile, mentally apologizing, and then said, "Sister Lian, you’ve been here for quite some time, and said so much just now—how come you haven’t had any tea to soothe your throat?"

Talented Lady Jia, who had been the most exuberant earlier, leapt at the opportunity to speak sarcastically, "Oh, all the sisters here have had some, only Beauty Lian hasn’t. Could it be that she finds the tea from the Noble Consort’s place disagreeable? What a grand attitude indeed."