Page 298

Back then, when he gave her the Sun, Moon, and Mountains Rivers Map, he worried it was too complicated and she wouldn’t be able to carve it well, considering the paintings she produced at the time were truly an eyesore.

He shared the image with her without dissuading her and even gave her earnest advice—wanting merely to make her happy, letting her do whatever she wished. Privately, he didn’t think she would succeed.

However, the practice peach wood planks she brought later had a good shape, and with each time they looked better than before. The final product was stunning, incredibly fine, perhaps even comparable to top-tier masters.

Thus, how could his Little Concubine be foolish? She was so intelligent, yet unseen by the world.

Perhaps it’s because ordinarily, she can’t be bothered to think deeply about convoluted matters, preferring directness and clarity in her actions.

In front of those she trusts, she’s always honest and forthright, which unfortunately has given others the impression she’s naively foolish—a grave mistake.

His Little Concubine, after all, is a clever little sprite.

But that’s also good, as only he understands her, which gives him a sense of secret joy.

The Emperor glanced at his beloved with a smile in his eyes, feeling quite content with their current days.

Lian Hua noticed His Majesty’s gaze, stopped humming, and couldn’t help but tug on his sleeve coquettishly, "My Lord, could you carry me on your back again?"

"Hmm? Tired from walking?" the Emperor asked. They had walked quite a distance on this moonlit stroll—he worried she would sleep poorly if she ate too much, yet he was reluctant to waste such a beautiful moonlit night and wanted to enjoy it with her.

With a mischievous look in her eyes and a smile on her lips, Lian Hua shook her head. She wasn’t tired; she just wanted His Majesty to carry her. The feeling of being carried by His Majesty was so pleasant, she wanted to experience it once more.

The Emperor chuckled, understanding her. His dear was being affectionate. He indulged her, kissed her cheek, and then squatted down, "Climb on."

Lian Hua smiled, leaned forward, and lay on the Emperor’s back, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Once the Emperor made sure she was ready, he rose with her on his back and the family of three headed toward the Side Hall.

Lian Hua was as joyful as a skylark, cheering and whispering sweet nothings to the Emperor, not yet wanting to return. The Emperor obliged and walked a little longer before she was content.

Lian Hua lay on the Emperor’s back, feeling secure and relaxed, and sleepiness crept up on her. Before she knew it, she fell asleep there on his back.

Hearing the conversation on his back dwindle to a whisper, followed by soft breathing, the Emperor realized she must have drifted off. Worried she’d slip, he motioned to her Little Palace Maid for help, gently laying her down and carrying her with quiet steps back to their quarters.

After he had settled her, the Emperor kissed her forehead and stepped out of the Side Hall. He said to Zhang Qing, "Summon Hu Miaomiao."

"Yes," Zhang Qing bowed and went to give the orders.

While waiting for Hu Miaomiao, the Emperor carefully questioned Xiao Jizi about the incident where Lady Wei bumped into Lian Hua, establishing that his Little Concubine truly didn’t remember ever seeing Lady Wei.

He was filled with concern. The best course of action now was to find her Clan Uncle and inquire what had happened to her—to formulate a remedy specific to her condition.

In the Imperial Garden.

Liu Ying, holding a small box, quietly walked towards the secluded path that was generally less frequented, growing more isolated and sinister with each step she took.

Walking along the path in the moonlight, the heavy shadows of the trees on both sides gave her the creeps.

Finally, she arrived at the well in a remote spot she remembered, feeling scared. Unpleasant scenes filled her thoughts; during the Late Emperor’s time, it was said the palace was chaotic with palace maids and eunuchs often quietly murdered and thrown into wells.

The moonlit night and the secluded deep well seemed like the perfect spot for committing murder. If someone were to kill her now and throw her body into the well, probably no one would ever find out.

The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became. She lifted her hand, intending to throw the box she was carrying into the well.

She hesitated for a long time upon recalling Changzai Zhou’s words about shattering the object, not daring to disobey in her heart, she had no choice but to go searching for a stone nearby.

Once she found a stone, she placed the little box on the ground, ready to smash it.

But under the moonlight, the small box appeared especially exquisite and beautiful.

She couldn’t help but stop, picked up the box to look carefully, and was greatly surprised to recognize it—it was the scented cream that Master Lian had given to Talented Lady Sun that day.

When Master Lian presented it to Talented Lady Sun, she was also present. At that time, Talented Lady Sun was so fond of it that she continuously thanked Master Lian, saying that the cream was very rare, from some Baoxiang Pavilion outside the palace, and that not even silver could buy it.

Its effects on enhancing beauty were excellent; it made the face soft, smooth, and clear, even able to fade scars; the results were very good, truly precious and rare.

Back then, she had also sneaked a few glances and saw that it was indeed a superb item, knowing just from the box that its value was significant.

At that moment, she had also felt a pang in her heart, thinking Master Lian was so generous to give away such fine items, but Master Lian had always been that way, never stingy in giving away good things.

She grew suspicious as to why Master Lian would want her to destroy such a box of scented cream?

She hadn’t thought about why something once given away would return, but it occurred to her, could it be because Talented Lady Sun was ill, Master Lian dared not use it, wanting it to be destroyed?

She heard the palace maids and eunuchs whispering that Talented Lady Sun had caught the epidemic and thus had to be moved away.

With this thought, things made more sense to her; the epidemic was contagious, so it was understandable for Master Lian to want to destroy it.

At this point, she hesitated; who doesn’t love beauty, especially when such a valuable and rare box of scented cream was right in front of her, it was irresistibly tempting.

She had no other pleasures; she just loved looking in the mirror. These days, she noticed her face had grown rougher, with some minor pimples appearing, and upon touching them, there were slight bumps that refused to go away despite many attempts, which worried her deeply.

If she had this box of scented cream...

Her heart began beating rapidly. She looked around; at the secluded well under the moonlight, there was no one else but her.

She made up her mind, busying herself at the well for a while.

Only the sound of a muffled splash from the depths of the well echoed as she hurried away...

Inside Canglan Court.

Zhang Qing was shocked. His Majesty was actually planning to leave the palace to meet Master Lian’s relatives?

This was serious. To stoop to meeting commoners was beneath the supreme dignity of a sovereign. If the elders of the former court learned of this, they would surely impeach His Majesty.

Moreover, His Majesty’s safety was of great importance to the Altar of Soil and Grain. Even in times of danger, the Emperor should not risk his fortune; Zhang Qing was aware of the undercurrents from the former court, and leaving the palace at such a time seemed very improper.

In his anxiety, Zhang Qing began to advise, "Your Majesty, please reconsider. At this delicate time, allow your servant to summon the people into the palace instead..."

The Emperor raised his hand and said, "My mind is made up; there’s no need for further discussion."

He must make this trip; although not the wisest choice, he felt he had to go himself, and the sooner the better, for without it, he would not be at peace.

He was desperate to know what had happened to his Little Concubine, what the problem was, and whether it had affected her health. Moreover, he had promised his Little Concubine that he would find her parents for her.

If he didn’t make this trip, how could he understand the consequences, or unravel the whole story?