Page 256
Today, Da Zhuang received such a prestigious assignment and was as jubilant as if it were New Year’s.
Lian Hua gave him a "I’m counting on you" look and handed him an ugly purse, inside of which she placed a note she owed to His Majesty.
The first day she delivered the evening meal, His Majesty couldn’t come back, and the Young Eunuch brought her a note, and she couldn’t help but reply with a note to His Majesty afterward.
Today at lunch, the note from His Majesty read, "A day apart feels like three months! A day apart feels like three autumns! A day apart feels like three years!"
Indeed, she understood the meaning; it meant His Majesty really wanted to see her, and she felt the same.
Tonight, the note she placed in the purse for His Majesty was a poem she had newly learned; she believed His Majesty would like it.
Da Zhuang, beaming with joy, took it over. His Majesty was especially happy to receive Master Lian’s note; the reward tonight was secured.
Da Zhuang happily carried the food box, bouncing towards the gate of Canglan Court.
Nanny Qi couldn’t help but glance at that food box with a pained look, truly unbearable to watch.
Sometimes she deeply felt that the young girl was good in all aspects, just that her discernment for treasures needed some improvement.
Actually, to say that wasn’t accurate because the young girl always picked the best at first glance, yet regarded the best as the worst; it was really hard to comprehend.
Before she could ponder further, she heard the warm and affectionate voice of the young girl inviting her to have the evening meal.
Forget it, it’s just a square vase after all, nothing unaffordable. As long as the young girl is happy, that’s what matters.
Someone who shared the same sentiment was Steward Zhang.
He looked forward eagerly, waiting outside Star Palace early, waiting for Master Lian to bring the evening meal to His Majesty.
Finally, Da Zhuang’s figure appeared within sight.
Looking at that multi-layered, heavy food box, Zhang Qing still felt heartache, heartache for His Majesty.
A few days ago, Master Lian specifically mentioned to him that she was looking for a few square-bottomed vases, which she needed.
Upon hearing this, knowing it was something Master Lian wanted, he couldn’t delay. He mentioned it to His Majesty, who let him go to the store and pick whatever, all for Master Lian’s choosing.
So, he searched and picked out a Green Glazed Square Flower Pot, a pink-colored landscape square teapot, and a pink-colored flat square vase—each one a masterpiece, a gem among porcelain.
When he delivered them to Master Lian’s hands, she looked at them and immediately chose the Green Glazed Square Flower Pot.
At that moment, he couldn’t help but inwardly marvel, Master Lian had good taste; this vase was an ancient relic passed down through several dynasties. Such a square flower pot might be the only one in the world.
A square-shaped piece of porcelain is much more difficult to craft compared to round ones, likely because the success rate is extremely low, thus the saying "one square is worth ten rounds."
This pot was not only square-shaped but also regular in form, covered entirely with a pale green glaze, the glaze moist and lustrous, the surface showing crack lines, naturally forming ice-like fissures all over, with high-quality clay as the mold, extremely exquisite.
Master Lian truly had great taste indeed, choosing the best one right away.
Before he could express his admiration, Master Lian asked him if the flower pot was valuable? If it was too valuable, she wouldn’t use it.
Zhang Qing thought, Master Lian really knew how to joke!
Such a unique piece that existed in this world, which wasn’t something that could be measured by money.
But whatever Master Lian wanted to use, be it a unique piece or whatever, as long as she used it, he believed His Majesty wouldn’t begrudge it.
So he quickly said it wasn’t valuable, no big deal. Worried that Master Lian wouldn’t use it, he specifically mentioned that His Majesty had plenty of such vases in his private collection.
Only then did Master Lian agree to use it.
Only later did he find out that this Green Glazed Square Flower Pot was being used by Master Lian in the food box, as a water-heat insulating container!
"Ah, Master Lian, such a wasteful extravagance, such wasteful extravagance!"
Only then had he realized that Master Lian might have chosen that particular flower pot because its color was the plainest, devoid of mountains, water, or paintings, assuming it was of little value.
He regretted not having asked more questions, for had he known, he would not have chosen such a unique piece.
Seeing Master Lian selecting the appropriate container with such joy, Zhang Qing was inwardly distressed but had no choice but to report to His Majesty.
At that time, His Majesty, partaking in the meal sent by Master Lian, waved his hand and said, "Let it be, as long as she is happy."
His Majesty was not upset, but he was deeply pained. To use such precious porcelain as a lunch box felt akin to cooking a crane or burning a zither; it warranted divine retribution!
Of course, if punishment were to come, let it strike him, for it was he who had delivered the flower pot, and Master Lian was innocent, not knowing its value.
Seeing Da Zhuang approaching, Zhang Qing hurried forward a few steps, wincing as he instructed, "Be careful, handle it gently, don’t drop it."
Inside the palace, the Emperor stared at a confidential report, tapping on the table as he pondered.
Looking up to see Zhang Qing walking in with a young eunuch carrying the meal, the Emperor’s stern demeanor suddenly softened.
Bowing, Zhang Qing asked, "Your Majesty, the evening meal from Master Lian is here, would you like it now?"
The Emperor inquired, "Is there a message?"
Da Zhuang, holding the meal box, hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, yes, there is. Master Lian asks that you dine promptly and has sent a reply as well."
The Emperor smiled broadly, "Present it."
He had long anticipated this moment.
Despite his early departures and late returns these days, the exchange of notes with his Little Concubine held a special charm. Though the notes were brief they hardly conveyed the depth of his longing.
Da Zhuang, busy holding the meal box with one hand, reached into his bosom with the other.
Fearing he might drop the meal box, Zhang Qing quickly intervened, personally reaching out to retrieve the awkwardly embroidered purse from Da Zhuang’s chest.
This purse left a deep impression on Zhang Qing; it was personally made by Master Lian, with its crooked and irregular stitching, embroidered with what seemed to be...well, it hardly mattered what it was.
Regardless, the purse was unmistakable, a unique piece within the palace—to the point that even if he were blinded, he could recognize it by touch.
After extracting the purse, Zhang Qing hurriedly presented it to the Emperor with small, quick steps.
The Emperor took it, opened it, and pulling out the note, a tender smile playing around his lips, unfolded it. It read, "People come and go upon the river, but cherish the beauty of the bass."
Indeed, there was fish in tonight’s meal.
The Emperor couldn’t help but laugh; his Little Concubine was indeed amusing. Recently learning poetry, whatever poem related to food she studied, she would prepare that dish for him; he could often guess from the meal itself.
He knew her well; she did not write poetry after preparing the dish, but rather chose the poem first, then matched his meal to it, going to great lengths to correspond through notes.
He dared say that in the future, his meals would change according to the poems she learned; truly, there was no helping it.
With a helpless shake of his head, the Emperor nonetheless enjoyed the playfulness.
After thinking awhile, he penned a reply with the lines "Moonlight shines brilliantly." People are all beauties. Easygoing, bending into lithe twists. Weary hearts, quiet yet persistent."
Waiting for the ink on the note to dry, he folded it and tucked it back into the purse and handed it to Zhang Qing: "Deliver it later, and arrange the meal."
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