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It was indeed not easy to investigate. Cao De had already deployed everyone to monitor Xue Ping and his confidants day and night, searching in the most probable places, yet to this day, no useful information had surfaced. They were well hidden.

If they couldn’t be located for some time, this delaying tactic would have to drag on. For the time being, it really wasn’t feasible to take action.

He had already made arrangements for other matters, only waiting to discover their whereabouts, and then he could secretly dispatch men to swiftly eradicate them. That would be the moment for Shen Ming to be rightfully acknowledged and for Xue Ping to be settled with.

As for Xue Wanjun...

"O ospreys of the river isles, fair and demurely the lady..."

A loud call interrupted the Emperor’s musings. He looked toward the source of the sound and saw Xiao Linzi lifting his head and puffing his chest, reciting the poem with a loud voice facing him, his back to the Side Hall, as if he had been waiting for him to come before reciting.

The Emperor frowned. Had this Young Eunuch rebelled, reciting a love poem to him? What was this about?

This poem recited by the mouth of this Young Eunuch had none of the charm of the Little Concubine’s readings, making him very uncomfortable.

These poems, "The Ospreys" and "The Reeds," were recited to him by the Little Concubine on the night of the full moon during Mid-Autumn Festival. How could he allow this Young Eunuch to meddle with them?

He glanced at Zhang Qing.

Zhang Qing immediately understood and hurried over with small rapid steps, intending to reprimand Xiao Linzi.

He was baffled by this audacious boy; why, upon seeing His Majesty, did he not hasten to pay his respects, instead turning to swiftly glance at the Side Hall before loudly reciting poetry on the spot?

He didn’t know what bad habits this boy had picked up in Canglan Court these days; he was increasingly confused by this boy’s way of thinking. He found the impudent boy displeasing in every way and felt an itching to punish him whenever he saw him.

Just as Zhang Qing reached Xiao Linzi’s side, poised to strike, someone bounced out from the entrance of the Side Hall, followed by Nanny Qi’s voice, "Take care, slow down, watch out for your health!"

"Okay, okay, Nanny, I walked out, I didn’t jump."

If not Master Lian, then who else could it be?

Zhang Qing paused, his hand stopping in midair.

Xiao Linzi’s eyes, however, were concentrated like a fighting cock’s, fixed on the raised hand poised to hit him, his heart very much on edge, but his mouth continued to recite loudly, "Told the teacher, told and returned. Thinly concealed my private..."

Lian Hua’s view was blocked by the two men; she did not see the Emperor. "Eh, Chief Steward Zhang, what are you raising your hand for?"

Upon hearing His Majesty would return for a meal, she couldn’t contain her excitement and decided on this plan.

When it was about time, she hurried Xiao Jizi to be the lookout and earnestly instructed Xiao Linzi to recite poetry loudly as soon as he saw His Majesty, without any mistakes.

She was so excited that she did not even bother with her needlework anymore, waiting early in the small hall, occasionally peeking outside the door with her head stretched out, eager to see His Majesty’s first reaction.

Later, Nanny advised her that both Xiao Jizi and Xiao Linzi would alert her when people arrived, and there was no need for her to watch herself, so she managed to calm down.

But just now, Xiao Jizi had come back to report, and she heard Xiao Linzi reciting poetry, she couldn’t contain herself anymore and came out on her own.

Unexpectedly, what she saw was not His Majesty, but Chief Steward Zhang with his hand raised above Xiao Linzi’s head.

She was perplexed.

Zhang Qing recovered quite quickly, awkwardly smiling as he said, "Master Lian, this boy’s attire was not in order, I was just intending to fix it for him..."

With these words, she adjusted her grip from lifting to grooming and straightened Xiao Linzi’s hair and collar.

"Oh, I see, you can continue then," Lian Hua said, a little disappointed it wasn’t His Majesty.

Xiao Linzi kept reciting, as everyone seemed to ignore his presence, and he turned his head looking towards Lian Hua for help.

Lian Hua noticed his gaze, waved her hand dismissively, and said with a tinge of loss, "No need to continue reciting, let’s wait for Master to come back."

This recitation was intended for His Majesty, and without him present, there seemed to be no point in continuing.

She turned to leave, lifting her heavy feet to step away.

At this moment, the Emperor had approached close by and upon hearing her voice, he called out, "Nannan!"

Lian Hua halted her step and looked back in surprise, "Your Majesty?"

Zhang Qing pulled Xiao Linzi aside to quickly make room.

The Emperor appeared just a few steps away, to her great delight.

She couldn’t help wanting to run into the Emperor’s arms, but remembering what Nanny Qi had said, she restrained herself, her face already bright with a toothy, sweet smile, "Brother Zhao, you’re back?"

The corners of the Emperor’s mouth lifted, and he strode quickly to her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her, "Yes, I am back."

Lian Hua squinted and beamed, "Brother Zhao, are you busy today, are you tired? Shall I massage your shoulders for you?"

For a moment, her heart was filled with joy at seeing the Emperor, and she cast aside all the plans she had been scheming earlier.

After some sweet and affectionate moments, just as the Emperor was about to lead her inside, she suddenly remembered, "Ah, Brother Zhao, I have a surprise for you!"

Turning towards Xiao Linzi, whom Zhang Qing had pulled into a corner, she beckoned to him, "Brother Zhao, this is the stalwart steed I’ve spotted. Come, Xiao Linzi, page one hundred and thirty-eight, recite!"

The Emperor raised an eyebrow in surprise, giving Xiao Linzi a quizzical glance. A stalwart steed? What was this about?

Xiao Linzi took the command, stepped forward, and began to recite, "By the marsh’s edge, among the reeds and lotuses, there was a fair maiden, causing such sorrow.

Awake or asleep, she finds no peace; her tears flow in torrents.

.. By the marsh’s edge, among the reed maces, there was a fair maiden, tall and majestic.

Awake or asleep, she finds no peace; tossing and turning upon her pillow. "

After reciting one poem, Lian Hua looked up at the Emperor, her eyes watery, and asked earnestly, "Brother Zhao, did you like it?"

The Emperor, not fully understanding her intention, nodded along, "It’s decent..."

"Then that’s great," said Lian Hua with a clap, and she turned to Xiao Linzi, instructing, "Page one hundred, ’Zi Jin’ - start reciting!"

Without hesitation, Xiao Linzi began, "The green of your collar, how it makes my heart wander... Not seeing you for a day, feels like three autumns!"

And so it went, as Lian Hua had Xiao Linzi recite several poems in a row, and after he finished, she dismissed him.

She looked at the Emperor with eyes shining brightly, bit her lip with a slightly bashful expression, and said, "Brother Zhao, I’m not good at reading, nor at reciting poetry.

Last time you asked me to express my feelings with poetry, I’ve been practicing since then.

But I keep forgetting when I try to memorize it, so today I thought to have Xiao Linzi help with the recitation, until the day I can do it well myself, and then I’ll recite for you. .."

The Emperor felt warmth rising in his heart; he had already picked up on the fact that all those poems had been annotated by him, meant to convey a woman’s affection for a man.

At first, hearing them from the mouth of a young eunuch seemed odd, but once he understood her intentions, it was exceedingly sweet and warmed him to the core.

He couldn’t resist pulling her into his embrace, touching his forehead to hers, and saying tenderly, "Nannan, I have felt your affection; you don’t have to force yourself to memorize.

To hold your hand, to grow old with you; wouldn’t it be nice to live this life and the next with Nannan, gray-haired and side by side? "