Page 272

Lian Hua thought so too, but then exclaimed, "Oh dear, it’s so late now and I still haven’t given Sister Zhaoyi the cakes!"

Xiao Jizi happened to come in at this moment and heard what she said. He cheerfully called from the doorway, "Master Lian, do not panic. Nanny had already arranged for the servants to deliver them. I have just returned from Huaying Hall. Look, Consort Zhaoyi has also sent a gift in return."

As he spoke, he and Xiao Linzi hefted a heavy basket into the room.

Lian Hua turned to look: "Oh? They’ve been sent back? I was actually hoping to personally meet Sister."

It was such an important festival, how could she not meet Sister?

Seeing that the basket seemed very heavy, she became curious and couldn’t help but lean in to take a closer look.

Xiao Qing quickly advised, "Master Lian, please don’t move yet, I’m at a critical point with arranging your hair."

Lian Hua hurriedly sat still again, not daring to move for fear that her effort might be wasted and she would have to sit even longer.

Xiao Jizi, with a smile in his eyes, said, "Master Lian, just stay at ease. Consort Zhaoyi mentioned that she will meet with you tonight, so there’s no need for you to go during the day."

Then he said to Xiao Linzi, "You fool, let’s lift this basket closer to the master so she can have a look."

Xiao Linzi responded, and together they moved the heavy basket closer.

Lian Hua, hearing this, thought it was reasonable since she would see her tonight, there was no rush this moment. Seeing that Xiao Jizi understood her, she couldn’t help but praise, "Oh, Xiao Jizi, you are getting more and more clever."

Xiao Jizi and Xiao Linzi huffed as they carried the basket into the inner chamber and placed it beside the dressing table where Lian Hua could see it.

Once they set the basket down, Xiao Jizi modestly said, "It’s all thanks to your meticulous teaching, Master. Without you, this servant could not have been enlightened."

Xiao Jizi sure knew how to speak. Lian Hua smiled, showing her neat row of little white teeth, and said, "Modesty is a virtue unique to Canglan Court, Xiao Jizi. You shouldn’t do this; you need to be even more modest. Even if you speak the truth, don’t be too straightforward.

Ha ha. Xiao Qing, reward Xiao Jizi first later! "

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jizi joyfully bowed and said, "Oh, this servant thanks Master Lian for the reward. You shine over us servants of Canglan Court like the moon above, and under your radiance, we servants become ever better."

The group laughed and chatted happily, and Lian Hua, spotting the contents of the basket from the corner of her eye, couldn’t help but exclaim, "Wow, so many fruits!"

At this, Xiao Qing, smiling, also took a glance and exclaimed, "Master, there are also grapes! Consort Zhaoyi is so generous."

The basket was filled with a variety of seasonal fruits such as watermelon, apples, pomegranates, plums, and more, with a bunch of grapes on top, which were particularly valuable in this dynasty.

Xiao Linzi stood beside them grinning foolishly, showing his small tiger teeth. Ever since he left Huaying Hall, he hadn’t stopped smiling. He liked the gift returned by Consort Zhaoyi very much and was very happy on behalf of his master.

Lian Hua was extremely excited, the basket of fruits looked so delightful and indeed, Sister Zhaoyi understood her well.

Tonight, at Canglan Court’s moon offering, they would display the fruits sent by Sister Zhaoyi and also share some with the little palace maids and young eunuchs, letting Nanny supervise them to properly celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival.

It was a pity that she had to attend the Mid-Autumn evening banquet, otherwise, in Canglan Court at night, calling everyone to gather in the courtyard, admiring the moon while enjoying the fruits, would have been incredibly beautiful.

This basket of fruits, Lian Hua divided into three parts: one part for the night’s moon offering, one part to save for eating with His Majesty when he arrived, and another part to share at noon.

Once Lian Hua had her hair done, she found Nanny Qi, who had everything arranged orderly outside. She had had bamboo sticks prepared to hang various lanterns shaped like fruits and animals, along with large cloth flowers and long, colorful silk ribbons, decorating the place richly.

The fabric flowers were commissioned from the Weaving Bureau, made from trimmed scraps, costing no Silver.

The colorful ribbons were chosen from the congratulatory gifts sent by other palaces. She didn’t wear them, but selected festive colors and used some, roughly amounting to one bolt of silk fabric. A few days after the festival, they could be taken down and reused.

Lian Hua looked on with joy. She felt that every placement directed by Nanny was just perfect, pleasing to the eye.

As she admired them, upon reaching Nanny Qi, she happily approached and said, "Nanny, you have done an amazing job, there is no one who could do it better than you, you have worked hard. Go rest and have some fruit, I’ll take care of the rest."

As she spoke, she attempted to escort Nanny Qi back.

Nanny Qi’s face beamed with a healthy flush, animatedly waving her hands, "It’s nothing, not tired, I am happy in my heart."

She had no family and had not celebrated such a lively Mid-Autumn Festival in a long time. Thanks to this young girl, she was also happy despite the busyness.

Nanny Qi instructed while speaking, "Tie it a bit higher, make sure it’s even on both sides."

Seeing this, Lian Hua stopped persuading and started giving directions as well.

A little while later, Nanny Qi suddenly asked her, "Did you just get up?"

Lian Hua, who had been looking up at the lanterns, froze with a smile on her face. She instinctively ducked her head, feeling uneasy. Nanny wouldn’t scold her, right? She hadn’t scolded her for getting up late before, had she?

Seeing her reaction, Nanny Qi clearly understood and asked another question, "Did you have breakfast?"

"Um..." Lian Hua’s eyes started darting around. Oh dear, she was excited, hearing from Xiao Qing and the others that the outside was decorated beautifully. After doing her hair, she rushed out to see everything and hadn’t eaten yet...

Nanny Qi’s eyes widened, and she frowned disapprovingly, "Nonsense, go back and have breakfast before returning. You are pregnant now, you need to eat for two. Go on, hurry back."

Lian Hua stuck out her tongue and obediently went back to have breakfast.

After breakfast, Lian Hua and Nanny Qi directed again, making Canglan Court’s main road and residential area look attractive and festive.

Looking at the wooden stakes set up for hanging ribbons and lanterns, she thought it was too much trouble. In the future, once the courtyard was filled with fruit trees, they could hang them on the trees, saving both effort and wood!

Lunch was prepared early, and everyone had a lively meal, ending with faces shining with grease.

Canglan Court was filled with joy, heartfelt happiness emanating from everyone, believing in their master’s kindness. After the mooncake making contest, even Dong Xue started to see this place in a new light, feeling for the first time that staying in Canglan Court wasn’t so bad.

Even Xia Liu, with a calm smile on her face, seemed to share in the festive joy.

The Young Eunuch who came from Star Palace to help was very happy. Master Lian was generous, providing good food and drink. It was great at Canglan Court; everything was good. When called to work at Canglan Court, everyone vied for the chance.

After the midday rest, in the courtyard outside the Side Hall of Canglan Court, there stood a table with two chairs; on the table was a basket of purses, each filled with festive money, and beside the table was a basket full of mooncakes.

Xiao Jizi sat counting, while Xiao Linzi was responsible for distributing the festive money and the mooncakes.