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As she turned the roasted chicken in her hands, she kept swallowing saliva, thinking it was a pity that Sister Xia Liu couldn’t come, saying someone had to stay and do the work, taking on all her tasks.

She resolved to bring back a portion for Sister Xia Liu later, as Master Lian had said to take more.

The sun was out, and over at Xia Liu’s side, she was airing out the newly arrived winter quilts and bedding, as Nanny Qi had instructed. Before His Majesty and Master Lian used them, they needed to be aired out again.

The sun was warm, but her gaze was cold, expressionlessly spreading out the bedding, smoothing it out, getting one done before moving to the next.

A trace of mocking sneer played at the corners of her mouth, thinking that after more than two years apart, Master Lian had become quite adept at buying people’s hearts. Back when they had worked together, she had been a clueless little girl, doing whatever she was told, unimpressive. But now...

She had always held a grudge against Lian Hua, feeling as if she had been used, stepped on to climb higher. If it hadn’t been for that night when she handed off the Account Manager tasks to Lian Hua, how could Lian Hua have had the chance to rise to her position as a master?

That night, while others were being favored, she was asleep, clueless. Waking up the next day, she heard news that Lian Hua had been promoted to Cainv, becoming almost a master.

When she heard the assigned residence was the most desolate Canglan Court, she had foolishly scoffed in secret, saying Lian Hua didn’t know her place, really thinking she was a Consort once she climbed up, but she miscalculated.

Still half a servant, banished to a remote courtyard, where even if she died, no one would know.

But who could have imagined that the most desolate place that no one coveted would, after more than two years, become the very location His Majesty visited daily? It was now the most envied spot in the entire palace.

She always thought, if she hadn’t handed off the work to Lian Hua that night, perhaps she would have been in that position today. It was her opportunity that was stolen from her.

After that, the work of the Account Manager was no longer entrusted to palace maids, and the sisters in the Star Palace lost their chance.

And now Master Lian had His Majesty completely in her grasp, even the Consorts in the palace couldn’t approach him. Her capabilities were truly exceptional; she had misjudged her in the past.

The Consorts in the palace had long been gossiping about Beauty Lian’s cunning. She felt this profoundly.

Ever since she came here, Beauty Lian had been slowly winning them over with small favors. They were only called today because of a shortage of hands to handle the roasted chicken, and Dong Xue foolishly thought they were really being treated as their own. Hah...

If they were truly considered one of them, why wouldn’t they be allowed near the kitchen? She wasn’t unaware.

She would rather do all the work in this courtyard than go there.

Xia Liu’s heart was troubled, always dwelling on the matter. If some palace maid from another palace had risen to a high position, someone far from her, she would just feel envious. But Lian Hua had started from the same rank as her, even lower, which made her uncomfortable.

Arriving at Canglan Court and seeing Lian Hua’s flourishing life, her heart became even more unbalanced. Therefore, whenever there was an occasion involving Lian Hua, she made excuses not to go whenever possible. Even if she had to go, she would keep her head down as if she didn’t exist.

A fragrant scent wafted through Canglan Court, growing stronger the closer one got.

Eunuch Liu, the Deputy Chief Steward of the Bureau of Palace Attendants, followed by a young eunuch carrying a tray, entered Canglan Court after being announced.

The scent grew stronger as they walked further in. He sniffed carefully, "Why does it smell so good, like something...?"

The young eunuch with him discerned carefully, "It’s... it smells like roast chicken."

Eunuch Liu furrowed his brows, feeling that something was off, "It does resemble, yet it does not, roast chicken isn’t that fragrant. Has the Imperial Kitchen started making dishes that can smell this far?"

The Young Eunuch beside him reminded, "Eunuch Liu, the meals for Canglan Court have always been prepared separately and not supplied by the Imperial Kitchen."

A complete set of eunuch attire lay on the tray the Young Eunuch was carrying.

With this reminder, Eunuch Liu recalled, "I almost forgot about that. I’m afraid it’s Master Lian’s people who made it themselves.

Let’s not think too much about it. When we meet Master Lian and Nanny Qi later, Little Doggie, you need to be sharp for me, be noticeable, and pay them proper respect.

Even if they are servants in Canglan Court, they deserve some respect, especially Feng Ji, do you understand? "

The Young Eunuch responded, "Eunuch Liu, rest assured, I’ve got your words firmly in mind, I understand everything."

For this visit to Canglan Court, Eunuch Liu attached great significance and repeatedly admonished that there must be no mistakes prior to coming here.

He understood all too well; Nanny Qi’s status in the palace goes without saying, and Master Lian is currently the hottest figure in the palace, also having a deep friendship with Consort De. Even were he more foolish, he knew he had to cling to them and absolutely could not afford to offend them.

"Hmm," Eunuch Liu nodded and then added, "I brought you along also to give you a chance to be noticed. Later, follow my lead, handle your tasks well, and there will come a day when you advance."

Being noticed by Master Lian is akin to being noticed by His Majesty.

A word from Master Lian to His Majesty carries more weight than what all others in the harem say.

He had heard a bit of gossip that Chief Steward Zhang seemed to have gotten into trouble, and it was thanks to Master Lian’s plea that he was saved.

Gratefully, the Young Eunuch said, "Thank you, Eunuch Liu, for your support, I shall never forget this favor."

"Hmm," pleased, Eunuch Liu continued on his way.

It is exactly as the saying goes: when one man attains Tao, his poultry and dogs ascend to heaven. Henceforth, one must never offend anyone from Canglan Court.

Look, Noble Consort has remained unshaken in the palace for many years, but is presently showing signs of decline, whereas Consort De, who has aligned herself with Master Lian, is thriving like the midday sun.

He does not believe for a second that Master Lian hasn’t had a hand in this. Consort De did not rise to prominence earlier or later but did so after forming a good relationship with Master Lian, which is explanation enough.

His visit today was due to the royal decree he received from Consort De yesterday, ordering the promotion of Feng Ji from Canglan Court to become a Managing Eunuch, and he came for this matter.

After receiving Consort De’s order, he did not dare to delay for a moment and hastily had the attire of a Managing Eunuch prepared, officially arriving today to issue the appointment of the Managing Eunuch.

In this dynasty, the attire regulations for the harem aren’t as strict as in other dynasties, but there are still some restrictions. Low-ranked palace maids and eunuchs mainly wear plain colors; they are not allowed to wear bright colors like red or purple. Even their belts are ordinary.

However, high-grade palace maids and eunuchs will have specific attire allocated to them.

There is a significant distinction between their belts and the standard ones.

Their clothes represent their status and rank, and although it’s not strictly enforced that they wear these daily, the servants love to wear them.

They take pride in wearing high-grade attire and even if they do not wear the full set, they will wear the belt signifying their status, so that at a glance, everyone knows their rank.

He was here to deliver such high-grade attire.

Ordinarily, as the Deputy Steward of the Bureau of Palace Attendants, he wouldn’t need to come in person, but opportunities to see Master Lian were incredibly rare and he did not want to miss out.

Most importantly, he wanted to use this opportunity to connect with Master Lian early and clear any suspicions of being Noble Consort’s man.