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Some skills indeed can be honed with practice, but others also require innate talent. Unfortunately, this young lady’s embroidery is thwarted by the latter...

Alas, the young girl’s work is mediocre, yet she is brimming with self-confidence.

Let it be, I won’t discourage her anymore.

She has the rare determination, and if His Majesty doesn’t appreciate it, she’ll be the first to object.

Thinking this way, Nanny Qi forced the heavy stone in her heart aside and nodded reluctantly in agreement.

Lian Hua couldn’t help but smile with narrowed eyes at the sight. Look, Nanny Qi also said it’s possible, so she definitely can do it.

Her eyes shone bright, and she spiritedly declared, "Nanny, I have embroidered a handkerchief for His Majesty, and it turned out marvelously.

He carries it with him. If a handkerchief can do, then clothes can too.

As the heavens are vast, I shall persevere without cease.

Even the heavens strive; I must do the same, continue to push on and make better garments to present to His Majesty. "

After uttering these words, she felt inspired, and her resolve was renewed. She then composed herself despite her turbulent emotions and began to embroider.

Nanny has said that one must embroider with a calm heart, and that is especially true for her.

Nanny Qi understood her determination but always felt something was off with what she said. Seeing her seriousness, she thought no more of it and watched over the girl, occasionally offering a reminder when a mistake was made.

The pair, old and young, were actually quite harmonious together.

Off to the side, Xiao Qing couldn’t help but whisper to Xiao Jizi, "Hey, Xiao Jizi, isn’t it ’The heavens are vast, a gentleman should strive ceaselessly’?"

She remembered that when her master had studied this part, it was recited as such...

Now she is learning characters with Xiao Jizi, and everyone in Canglan Court is literate. She cannot be left behind, so she pays extra attention to such phrases.

Xiao Jizi had just suppressed a laugh; he had noticed earlier that the master had missed words while reading, but it wasn’t proper to point it out when she was trying to motivate everyone.

Now, hearing Xiao Qing ask this, he almost burst out laughing. Accidentally choking on his saliva, he quickly covered his mouth and rushed outside to cough.

Leaving a puzzled Xiao Qing behind, she poked Pang Ya and began speaking to her in a low voice.

The Emperor secretly returned to the Star Palace from outside the palace.

Zhang Qing breathed a sigh of relief. Today, for some reason, there were so many officials seeking an audience with His Majesty, and it didn’t seem like it was to report on official matters.

Each one was as ardent as fire, and their expressions were very different from usual.

Even the stubborn old Minister of the Ministry of Rites, who loved to lecture people, was brimming with excitement.

He went back and forth seeking an audience three times, and though he was turned away by Zhang Qing, he didn’t blame him or fuss over any ancestral laws and regulations.

Zhang Qing speculated that this must be because His Majesty had announced the news of Master Lian’s pregnancy in the Harem last night, and it had spread to the former court.

After a bit of probing, everyone spoke evasively, as if they wanted to say or ask something but felt it was inappropriate.

In the end, they implied that for such a significant matter, it would be best to wait for His Majesty to speak of it himself, revealing a determination not to give up until seeing His Majesty.

Fortunately, His Majesty returned in time; otherwise, Zhang Qing would have been somewhat overwhelmed.

The Emperor changed into his robes and began to meet with officials with an inscrutable expression.

After learning some news about his Concubines from Lian Bingcheng, he felt a weight upon his heart, concealing a trace of unease.

Now, the one he wanted to see the most was his Little Concubine, but he had to dismiss the others first to prevent unwarranted speculation.

At twilight, Xiao Linzi squat dutifully guarding the grand entrance of Canglan Court.

Recently, he had discovered a new pastime, which was counting stones. Brother Xiao Ji had said that counting stones could make one smarter since it required using one’s brain, and the more one used their brain, the smarter they would become.

He had picked up all the stones around the gate and piled them up. Brother Xiao Ji also said that picking up stones from the paths His Majesty and the masters frequently walked and counting them would have a better effect, compared to ordinary stones.

At that time, he didn’t understand, but after Brother Xiao Ji told him one thing, he completely got it. Brother Xiao Ji said that any of these stones might have been stepped on by His Majesty and the masters. Could stones that had been stepped on by them be compared to any other?

He suddenly saw the light. Brother Xiao Ji had a point, just like that rattan stick, which was originally just an ordinary stick, but once the master used it to beat a thief, it became a valiant stick. The principle was exactly the same.

As he was counting, there seemed to be some commotion coming from the direction of the Imperial Garden. He looked up and saw, oh, it was His Majesty with Steward Zhang and others.

He lowered his head to see just how many uncounted stones were left, but, with determination, he stood up and bolted.

The master had said, report back as soon as His Majesty arrives!

After running about ten paces, he suddenly remembered what Brother Xiao Ji had said, and hesitated, thinking of running back.

Brother Xiao Ji had said that after counting the stones, they should be tidied up properly, not left on the path to be a nuisance.

In this moment of indecision, the visitors were already drawing near.

Sharp-eyed Zhang Qing had noticed this kid from afar, squatting beside the gate counting stones.

Lately, he didn’t know if the kid was addicted or what, but he spent all day counting stones, scrounging for them around the court whenever he was waiting for orders. He had practically stripped the court bare of stones.

He watched the kid finally notice His Majesty coming, and, heh, this damn kid actually bolted as if he no longer wished to live, with no sense of decorum at all!!!

His Majesty had just returned, his mood already sour from dealing with several stubborn old men. Wasn’t this kid asking for trouble by running into the line of fire?

Just as Xiao Linzi thought to run again, Zhang Qing shouted, "Lin Wangfu, stop for us!"

Xiao Linzi paused at the call, looked back, and saw Steward Zhang roaring at him with a menacing presence. He pondered briefly, deciding whether to listen to the master or to Steward Zhang.

Better listen to the master!

Having made his decision, Xiao Linzi started running again. He had it figured out: he would deal with that nest of stones after delivering the message, and he could even finish counting the few that were left.

What a cheeky boy, outright rebellious. Hearing him, yet daring to run, as if he didn’t see him at all. His Majesty was right there, was the kid tired of living!

Zhang Qing was both angry and anxious, afraid that the kid would rashly bump into His Majesty, and He would blame him. He quickly apologized to His Majesty in a low voice, saying he needed to go catch the kid and properly teach him some discipline. Then he hurried off in a trot to apprehend him.

As he ran, he shouted, "His Majesty is here, and you still dare to run, Lin Wangfu. Be careful not to have your dog legs broken, let’s see how you’ll run then!"

The Emperor, in a rather bad mood, watched this comedic scene unfold. His anger, initially on the rise, softened when he thought of his Little Concubine.

Since this servant had been assigned to his Little Concubine, he very much obeyed her orders. Could it be she had instructed him to do something?

Considering the recent event, it appeared Xiao Linzi had run away only after seeing him. Was the matter related to him?

Could it be that his Little Concubine had something to conceal, feared being discovered, and specifically sent this kid to keep watch, hence the kid running off as soon as he saw him?