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The palace servant, experienced in observing and listening, sensed that the Noble Consort was in a particularly bad mood, and couldn’t help but tremble in apprehension.

"To report to the Consort, we have some leads.

This Daying Lian was a Palace Maid, chosen at the age of eleven, and has been in the palace for over six years.

Two years ago, she served in the Star Palace, and somehow, His Majesty favored her, bestowed upon her the title of Cainv, and assigned her to Canglan Court. .."

The Noble Consort raised her hand to interrupt her, "Tell me something I don’t know."

This old servant was only spouting nonsense. How did each and every concubine rise in ranks? As the one in charge of the six palaces, how could she not know?

"Yes, the servant followed the records, and found that she hails from Yanqing. Originally, when the palace was selecting palace maids, they went to Yanqing, and she was chosen then."

The Noble Consort glanced at her impatiently, not a single bit of useful information offered, and she couldn’t get to the point.

Nanny Chen, covered in cold sweat, hurriedly quickened her speech, "Her father is named Lian Bingcheng, a scholar by merit. He is now forty-seven years old. After giving up on his exams, he opened two general stores in Yanqing to sustain his livelihood. The family manages to live fairly well."

"Lian Bingcheng’s parents have passed away.

He has only one official wife and no concubines.

He is the eldest son of the Lian family.

He also has a younger brother who is indolent and idle.

After their mother died, they split the family assets.

His brother usually lives off Lian Bingcheng’s charity.

Besides Daying Lian, Lian Bingcheng has a daughter, who is now married off to Baoding Mansion. .."

Nanny Chen wiped her sweat, stealing a glance upwards, but before seeing the Consort’s expression, she quickly lowered her head. In front of the Consort, she dared not act out of line.

The Noble Consort waited but seeing the old servant did not continue, she asked, "Is that all you found out, nothing more?"

"That’s all. Daying Lian’s family is simple, and this is all we could find. There’s nothing more."

The Noble Consort flew into a rage, "Useless creatures, only this much after these days? What need do I have for such fools like you!" she shouted angrily and flung the tea cup from the table downward.

"Crack"—the tea cup smashed beside Nanny Chen, startling her and causing incessant trembling in her heart.

She quickly began to kowtow: "Please calm your anger, my lady. It’s a servant’s incompetence.

Since Yanqing Mansion is nearly a day’s travel from the Capital City, and the records are not clear, now that six years have passed, when my people checked the records for the address, they found that Lian Bingcheng had already moved.

It took us two days just to find out about Lian Bingcheng’s household, wasting quite some time and effort, and another day to come back.

The time was indeed too short, my lady."

"Alright, alright, get up." Five days were indeed not many, but she was still very unsatisfied with the little information found.

This old servant had followed her for many years, devotedly serving her, loyal and useful.

Considering her past service, the Noble Consort did not continue to rage, "Let it be this time. But this matter needs more urgent investigation. You must clearly unravel everything about this Little Daying’s family background, leaving no stone unturned."

If she indeed poses a threat, it’s best to grasp her weaknesses as soon as possible. That has always been her style; she does not fight unprepared battles.

"Yes, thank you for your grace, my lady. I will instruct my people to intensify the investigation and ensure to provide the Consort with a satisfactory report," Nanny Chen said as she kowtowed twice more before rising.

She knew she needed to take this matter more seriously now. Previously she had underestimated it, leading to minimal information gathered. If there were to be a next time, she was well aware of the Consort’s methods.

The Noble Consort, massaging her temple, waved her hand to dismiss the servant, her expression weary.

Encountering nothing but fools today was truly upsetting. She still had to deal with Beauty Li later, just thinking about it made her head ache, prompting her to rub her temple further.

Seeing this, a Palace Maid hurried over and began massaging her from behind.

...

Canglan Court.

When Lian Hua returned with Xiao Qing, her mood had already settled, and her smile was restored.

She was quite philosophical about it—whether happy or sad, life went on the same way. Why overthink it when one could just enjoy life?

After all, "a boat will straighten itself when it reaches the bridge"; as a Daying, it would take her another ten or twenty years to reach the status of Beauty. There was no sense in worrying about what shouldn’t be worried about.

Xiao Jizi greeted Young Master and Xiao Qing, sensing something amiss. Even though the Young Master was smiling, the smile seemed different from the one when he had left for the banquet. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he just felt it was different.

He sought confirmation from Xiao Qing with his eyes. Xiao Qing looked back at him and shook her head, her eyes complex.

Xiao Jizi internally understood; something must have happened at the flower-viewing banquet. He didn’t know exactly what, but it seemed to be somewhat related to the Young Master, or else Xiao Qing wouldn’t have that expression.

Since the Young Master was present, he couldn’t ask now, so he suppressed his curiosity and planned to ask Xiao Qing privately when he found the chance.

"Xiao Jizi, how is the clay stove?" Lian Hua asked as she walked along.

The final step in the Dew Tea preparation was to slowly dry the fermented tea over a low fire.

This time, making a large batch, the small stove in the kitchen was no longer suitable.

A few days earlier, Lian Hua had instructed to build a large stove with clay on an open ground, topped with a large stone slab.

The Dew Tea dried on the stone slab would undoubtedly taste better and be more aromatic than those dried in an iron pot, without the metallic taste.

Eventually, the hot clay stove would slowly heat up the stone slab so that the fermented Bitterwood Tea could be spread on it to dry.

It was crucial to bake it neither too dry, which could break the tender shoots, nor too wet, to avoid retaining the fermentation taste; the fire control was very precise.

These were skills she had learned as a child, squatting in the tea production garden under her father’s tutelage.

Seeing her interest, her father did not discourage her but rather encouraged her.

He explained everything she asked about in detail and with great patience, enabling her, even at a young age, to master the art of making Dew Tea.

Xiao Jizi quickly approached Lian Hua and replied, "Reporting to Young Master, I just fired up the dried clay stove again for a trial. After the fire, it has solidified more, and there is no issue with the smoke outlet. It’s all securely managed."

"Very good; truly, Xiao Jizi of Canglan Court is as clever as your Young Master!" Lian Hua was delighted to hear this. Everything was going according to plan.

She had no experience with how to build a clay stove and had failed several attempts until Xiao Jizi had found the right technique from someone else.

She had thought that if this clay stove still didn’t work, she would have reverted to the old method, continuing to use the small stove in the kitchen to make tea, albeit requiring several more rounds; she was confident the taste wouldn’t differ too much.

Now that the clay stove was finally a success, it was indeed a cause for celebration. They could start the baking process soon.

Xiao Jizi, upon hearing Lian Hua’s words, beamed with joy and modestly said, "Young Master, your brilliance is something I could never match, not by a ten-thousandth. You flatter me by saying so."

Lian Hua found Xiao Jizi’s response very satisfying. Canglan Court felt like home indeed. Look how well Xiao Jizi could hold a conversation!

Just as she was about to praise Xiao Jizi further, she suddenly remembered the pastries she had stashed in her sleeve. The handkerchief-wrapped pastries—oh no!

Ah, when His Majesty had helped her up earlier, it seemed they had gotten squished, oh dear!