Page 32

"How can that be? I promised to make tea for him; besides, I’m already halfway done. Even if he opposes, it’s not acceptable, I don’t like to leave things unfinished."

Lian Hua still shook her head, insisting on getting up.

The Emperor, unable to do otherwise, let her go, got up to help her put on her outer garment, donned his own, and prepared to go out.

Seeing this, Lian Hua hastened to stop him, asking him to continue sleeping.

"What’s the matter, can’t even I go take a look?" The Emperor raised an eyebrow, ready to spank her if she dared say he couldn’t, resolutely not allowing her to go.

After a moment’s thought, Lian Hua said, "That’s not it; it’s just that tomorrow you need to rise early for the imperial court, and I don’t wish for you to overwork yourself."

His Majesty shared her meals and bed, which by folks’ standards would make him her husband, part of her own people. It was alright for him to go; it’s just that she didn’t want him to overexert himself.

The Emperor was slightly miffed to see her hesitate before answering, but after hearing her response, he felt pleased, knowing she truly cared about him.

Although Little Concubine was often out of sorts, speaking in seemingly endless platitudes, he could still discern whether her words were true or false.

With her simple demeanor, just her expressions were enough to completely betray her; anyone could see what she was thinking, let alone someone as astute as the Emperor.

"Let’s go." The Emperor, in a good mood, said no more and led her out.

Seeing His Majesty so insistent, Lian Hua could only lead him to make tea under the moonlight.

The Emperor, holding a palace lantern, watched as Lian Hua carried several winnowing baskets to the courtyard and spread out the Bitterwood Tea leaves with bamboo tongs. He wasn’t allowed to help, only to light her work.

Servants followed from a distance, not allowed to come any closer.

The moonlight was beautiful, the weather slightly cool. Such a tranquil and serene night made one’s heart calm as well.

Under the moonlight, Lian Hua carefully spread the tea leaves, her delicate beauty ensnaring. The Emperor couldn’t help but be entranced.

His Imperial Consort Mother came from humble beginnings and passed away when he was still young. If not for the protection of the Former Empress Dowager, he couldn’t have grown up.

It seemed that over the years, the people by his side respected him because of his title, never having someone like Little Concubine who asked nothing of him and treated him with such genuine care, even the Imperial Grandmother only started to value him after seeing his talent.

He felt a warmth in his heart, but considering how she had made tea with the same diligence in the past, not for him to enjoy, an uncomfortable feeling stirred within him. He could not help but ask, "What was the reason you made tea before?"

Without looking up, Lian Hua casually replied, "To ingratiate myself with the Consorts."

The Emperor felt embarrassed by her direct response, not even disguising her intentions before him; even in front of him, she dared to speak of ingratiating herself. Originally, she must have wanted to engage in factionalism; it’s fortunate he stopped her.

With no other choice, he shook his head and continued to inquire, "How many times did you make it? What did you aim to achieve by ingratiating them?"

Lian Hua had yet to realize something, and while handling the tea leaves, she said, "I did it twice in the palace, with this the third time. But each time, it was you who ended up drinking it."

She paused in her work, reminiscing, "Back then, I couldn’t get enough to eat. I wanted to live a bit better, so I thought to ingratiate myself with the Consorts. That way, no one would dare to shortchange me."

Back then, she and Xiao Qing spent every day figuring out how to fill their stomachs, frequently taking advantage of the Imperial Garden, causing the eunuchs who maintained the flowers and plants to dread their visits.

It had only been a few months, yet it felt like a long time ago.

A sourness touched the Emperor’s heart; were her former days that difficult?

If he had known, he wouldn’t have let her suffer like that, "Why didn’t you seek to ingratiate yourself with me?"

"Because it would’ve been futile." Lian Hua glanced at the Emperor with surprise. His Majesty was acting strangely tonight with all these questions.

The Emperor fell silent, and what Lian Hua said was true, indeed useless. Initially, he had believed that this Little Concubine had ill intentions, currying favor with him only made him suspect that she had ulterior motives, so how could he listen to her any further?

"If I hadn’t spoken, would you be willing to make tea for me?" He had always wanted to ask this question, yet he didn’t want to know the answer.

She wouldn’t be willing, would she? After all, he hadn’t been particularly kind to her, and thinking of this, his heart felt somewhat sour.

"I am making tea for Your Majesty right now!" Lian Hua stood up and was about to check the Emperor’s forehead for fever with her hand, as this abnormal behavior was not like His Majesty—could he be exhausted or have a fever?

"But are you willing to?" the Emperor grabbed her hand, looking at her earnestly.

He felt that he had not been so emotional in a long time, his feelings hadn’t surged like this in ages. Despite knowing it was pointless, he still wanted to ask. Perhaps it was because the moon tonight was too beautiful, and the atmosphere just right, he wanted to know the answer.

Lian Hua felt that His Majesty tonight seemed like a child wanting candy, tilting her head and looking at him for a while. Thinking that children require cajoling, and big children are the same, she hugged him. After letting go, she looked up at him and said, "Mhm, I am willing."

"Why?" the Emperor pressed.

"Because Your Majesty is kind to me, I also want to be kind to Your Majesty," Lian Hua said with a smile in her eyes.

At first, she wasn’t willing, but then she became willing, because His Majesty was kind to her, she could feel it, so she wanted to repay him.

Aren’t these simple reasons?

The Emperor looked at Lian Hua’s smiling face, seemingly trying to imprint it into his heart. He did not think he had been particularly good to her, yet she was already content, repaying him with sincere loyalty.

A surge of warmth flooded his heart, and he wanted to say something to her, but he couldn’t, for he was the Emperor, so he could only hold her tightly in his arms.

Lian Hua, held by the Emperor, wore a puzzled expression, not understanding what was going on with His Majesty, not daring to move while being held so tightly.

With nothing else to do, her thoughts began to wander. She pondered what to do with her tea leaves, which she had almost finished processing, and she wished to finish quickly and go back to sleep.

She also wondered why His Majesty was holding her so tightly. Fortunately, his hands were on her back. If they had been on her waist, that would have been painful, as her waist was sore, aching with every touch.

She felt very sleepy, leaning like this seemed rather comfortable, the Emperor wasn’t talking either, perhaps a quick nap wouldn’t hurt...

When the Emperor had composed himself, he found that she had already fallen asleep, and he couldn’t help but chuckle.

This Little Concubine, always managing to disrupt the mood at the most atmospheric moments, and yet she was completely oblivious.

Shaking his head in resignation, he carried her sideways, indicating to Zhang Qing to take over the bamboo tongs in her hand, and continue flipping the remaining leaves.

The next day, Lian Hua sprung up suddenly, thinking oh no, what time was it now, what about her tea leaves?

Looking around, she noticed that it was already broad daylight, and the warmth of someone beside her was long gone, His Majesty must have left quite a while ago.

Hurriedly slipping on her shoes, she got off the bed and opened the door, calling for Xiao Qing and Xiao Jizi.

Xiao Jizi came trotting over, smiling at Lian Hua, asking what the Young Master required.

Xiao Qing also followed.

"Where is His Majesty?" Lian Hua asked as she walked out.

"He has gone to court," answered Xiao Jizi.

"What about my tea leaves?" Lian Hua asked anxiously, worried she had ruined everything because she had overslept.