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Lian Hua quickly shook her head, "There’s nothing of the sort, please continue, Consort."

"Does Sister also think Sister is desolate?

" Consort Fang Pin said, looking into the distance with a trace of sorrow, "Who will sit alone by the bright window with me, just the shadow and I.

When the lamp dies out and I wish to sleep, even the shadow will abandon me. Alas, alas, what desolation I feel."

Having finished, her eyes began to well up with tears, she turned her head towards Lian Hua, expecting her to say something.

Behind Lian Hua, Xiao Jizi and the others felt this moment was exceedingly strange.

Xiao Qing and Xiao Linzi were puzzled by what Consort Fang Pin was talking about, resembling someone whose mother had just died, especially since it was actually the joyous occasion of Mid-Autumn Festival.

Xiao Jizi felt a shiver run down his spine, having heard that Consort Fang Pin was famous for her gratuitous lamentation, moaning to anyone she met, and today it seemed the rumors were indeed true.

Lian Hua started to speak, thought better of it, and then closed her mouth, thinking it better not to.

This Consort Fang Pin seemed to be in a poor mood, how could she possibly inquire about it? It would be better to ask His Majesty.

Consort Fang Pin, seeing this, thought Lian Hua wanted to console her, and said, "Sister Lian, you and Sister have a connection, feel free to say anything."

"Oh? Well..." Lian Hua dragged out her words, hesitating, as she didn’t feel they were truly connected.

People who are truly connected should at least understand each other’s words. In that case, it seemed Consort Fang Pin felt a unilateral connection, not a mutual one.

"Sister need not worry, just speak freely," Consort Fang Pin, her eyes filled with sadness, encouraged her with a nod, eager to hear what she might say.

Given this, she had nothing to be conflicted about; she was even worried she might forget it all, preventing her from asking His Majesty later.

Thinking this, Lian Hua spoke up, "Consort, the verses you were reciting just now, where are they from?"

Consort Fang Pin was startled, as no one had ever asked her such a question. She replied without thinking, "They are from a female poet named Li Qingzhao. Her poetry is delicate and graceful. Sister might want to look into it; I admire her very much."

Lian Hua nodded with sudden understanding; she had just started learning poetry and hadn’t gotten to the lyrics part yet.

Looking at Consort Fang Pin, she said appreciatively, "You know so much, Consort. I’ll look it up when I get back. The way you recite the lyrics, they sound quite beautiful, with such a lovely ambiance, involving burning incense and lamp shadows."

Consort Fang Pin, somewhat pleased to hear this, as no one had praised her like that before, covered her mouth with a handkerchief and giggled lightly, "You flatter me," feeling quite happy inwardly.

Lian Hua earnestly nodded at her, her gaze sincere, "Not at all, you have such a soft and gentle voice, just listening to it fills one with a protective desire. But it’s a shame that people in your palace are so disagreeable, seeing you in desolation and not keeping you company..."

Saying this, she glanced at the palace maid beside her, momentarily sharing her sadness, and then continued, "Consort, I’ll go have a look over there."

With that, she bowed and excused herself.

Consort Fang Pin nodded with a smile, watching Lian Hua leave, thinking this Beauty Lian was not bad at all, not as difficult to get along with as she had thought, and rather interesting indeed, given how pleasingly she spoke.

Her palace maid, unexpectedly criticized, reminded her softly seeing her own master deceived, "Mistress, this Beauty Lian is quite cunning; don’t be charmed by her."

Consort Fang Pin snapped out of it, her smile fading, how could she have forgotten? This Beauty Lian still monopolized His Majesty, preventing her and the other consorts from any companionship.

She stomped her foot in frustration, "Ah, this Beauty Lian is indeed formidable, lulling my vigilance in just a few words and making me forget the real intention behind our conversation!"

Consort Fang Pin remembered her purpose, clutching her chest, unable to suppress the grief, suffering from the pain she brought on herself.

Lian Hua had already noticed the west side earlier; it was a bit far from Qianqiu Hall and seemed like some kind of play area surrounded by a crowd.

While she was talking with Consort Fang Pin, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed it, and after exchanging a few polite words with Consort Fang Pin, she couldn’t wait to go and have a look.

Xiao Jizi followed behind and stifled his laughter until, when they were far enough away, he leaned in and gave a thumbs up, saying, "Master, you were really brilliant just now!"

He had picked up on what Consort Fang Pin was implying in her sorrow over her lonely chambers, indirectly suggesting that the Master was the sole favorite in the Harem.

"Ah?" Lian Hua was a bit puzzled by the sudden praise from Xiao Jizi, but it didn’t stop her from accepting it.

As she walked, she collected the compliment with a beaming smile: "Ah, when has your master not been brilliant?"

Xiao Jizi understood from her reaction; apparently, the master didn’t give it much thought, which was good, better to be confused; large heart, less worry.

He smiled and nodded his head, "Oh," he thought, "his master really is a treasure, no wonder His Majesty treasures her so much; how could such a master not be cherished?"

When they reached the west side, there seemed to be a vaudeville show going on, with a temporary small stage set up and encircled by railings that no one could get close to.

A crowd was gathered outside watching, including palace maids and eunuchs who periodically cheered excitedly. It seemed that Noble Consort Xue had authorized this, as today was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and aside from the servants on duty, the rest could also relax and enjoy.

This was a new addition to the programme this year, specifically ordered by the Emperor after he had once heard her mention the folk vaudeville and took it to heart.

In a certain corner, a person hurriedly approached another and said, "Just as Mr. Zhang predicted, people are coming."

"Get ready, let’s start," the other person said with a sinister smile before walking away from the place of potential trouble.

The newcomer responded with a "Yes," and walked back into the crowd, softly passing on some message.

As Lian Hua and her group approached from a distance, they heard bursts of applause from the vicinity of the vaudeville stage.

As they neared, Xiao Jizi, seeing so many people, felt somewhat uneasy.

The performances in the palace were always held for the nobility; in previous years, such allowances had not been granted. There was no precedent for so many servants crowding together, obstructing the master’s view, which was against protocol.

He thought for a moment, then tugged at Lian Hua’s sleeve and said, "Master, there are too many people, all from different parts of the palace, mixed like fish and dragons; perhaps we shouldn’t watch it after all."

After all, who knew what kind of malicious intent some people in the crowd might harbor.

Lian Hua caught the implication in Xiao Jizi’s words, glancing at the vaudeville act which seemed to be featuring a lion dance, and felt it was a shame.

When they were about twenty to thirty paces away from the crowd, she stopped walking and shook her head regretfully, "Let’s not watch, let’s go."

Xiao Jizi had a point, Nanny had told her a thousand times to be careful and take care of her health. If someone carelessly pushed her or stepped on her in such a large crowd, it would not be good.

Moreover, she wasn’t tall; even standing on tiptoes wouldn’t help her see clearly, unless they cleared the area.

Just as they had walked about a dozen steps away, a sudden accident occurred: one side of the railing broke, causing a group of eunuchs and palace maids who were pressed against it to lunge forward, instantly causing chaos as people panicked, jostling, and some even fell to the ground in alarm.