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He was truly startled. Consort Fang Pin, such an odd flower who loved indulge in sorrow with the arrival of spring and the passing of autumn—he had no idea what she might do. If she really became despondent, it would be bad if the blame landed on their master.

His heart was truly tired!

This Consort Fang Pin had her own unique way of interpreting things. Regarding the lines in her master’s letter that thanked her, asked her to take care of herself, and mentioned the painting, Consort Fang Pin did not read a single sentence without adding her own understanding.

She even managed to convincingly explain away the extra character in her master’s letter, claiming it was intentional, a mistake laid plain that showed Sister Lian held her in her heart, hidden within the characters.

Had he not known his master, who did not harbor such deep thoughts, he might have been fooled.

He felt utterly powerless, trapped in a situation he couldn’t escape from, unable to tell the truth, yet knowing that if he did speak up, things would get even worse, making it impossible for him to extricate himself!

Finally, he read the last sentence of the letter, where their master told Consort Fang Pin to just muddle through with the painting, that there was no need for such trouble. Consort Fang Pin had no particular reaction after reading it.

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking it was all over and was about to take his leave, when the next moment left him stunned. Consort Fang Pin suddenly burst into loud tears, her wailing almost scared his soul out of him.

While crying, she said that Sister Lian had moved her too much, worried about her health, and used such an excuse to comfort her.

Immediately covering her face with her handkerchief and with tears streaming, she ran into the room, slammed the door shut and announced she would go into seclusion, determined to paint the picture well for Sister Lian, even if it meant fasting and working tirelessly day and night, not letting down Sister Lian’s kind intentions.

It took him a good while to come to his senses and he wondered how his master’s words could be interpreted in such a way?

Based on what he knew about his master, "muddle through" was likely, no, definitely meant literally—his master never made excuses!

Oh heavens, he was at his wits’ end. Indeed, Consort Fang Pin deserved her reputation as the most shunned person in the harem, the most extreme, no one could handle her!

He felt like crying himself, wishing he could tell Consort Fang Pin not to overthink so much, not to be so complicated. No one could withstand it.

Fearing that Consort Fang Pin might really stop eating and drinking, he tried to persuade her with tears in his eyes and an earnest appeal through the closed door, asking her not to take it to heart, to listen to their master’s words and not to ruin her health, to at least take care of her need for food and drink while painting!

He didn’t want her to actually die of hunger; he didn’t want to let their master bear such a heavy responsibility!!!

No matter how much he pleaded, it was futile; there was no response from inside. It seemed Consort Fang Pin was determined to make a fuss.

The people from Lanyue Palace were interesting indeed—they weren’t the least bit anxious with their master being this way, remaining totally calm. Jin Xi even advised him to take it easy...

He: "..."

Was it he who couldn’t let go, or their master who couldn’t let go?

Since the people of Lanyue Palace were of no help, he had to do it himself, patiently persuading Consort Fang Pin.

He thought to himself that in the future, if their master were to write a letter to Consort Fang Pin, he must stop it at all cost, and if he really couldn’t stop it, then it would be best to advise her to write only one sentence, no, just two characters would suffice to avoid any misunderstandings.

Finally, after much coaxing with his mouth gone dry, and mentioning that their master would be sending roasted chicken later, the door opened.

Consort Fang Pin, with a surprised look on her face, said that since Sister Lian was so concerned about her, holding her in her heart, then she should indulge a little.

She hadn’t received Sister Lian’s invitation to the roasted chicken banquet earlier because she was secluded in painting, missed it, and deeply regretted it.

She could only send back a letter to express her apologies and convey her care for Sister Lian.

With that, she handed him the letter.

He accepted it in a daze and did not snap out of it until he had left Lanyue Palace. Well, that Consort Fang Pin!

She had been silent the whole time inside. It turned out she was writing a letter!

She could have said so earlier, and he wouldn’t have had to waste so much breath!

It was really, too complicated to explain in a few words!

Shortly after leaving Lanyue Palace, he saw two palace maids from other palaces coming toward him. Perhaps because they found him unfamiliar, and his plain belt indicated no particular rank, they simply ignored him as they passed by.

They did not restrain themselves in his presence and started to complain.

They were upset because someone had eaten all the chickens in the Imperial Kitchen; not a single one was left.

Their masters wanted chicken soup, but there was none to be had.

They worried about how to explain it when they got back, feeling both anxious and angry, they cursed the Chief Steward of the Imperial Kitchen for his greed, suspecting he had consumed it all himself.

He understood what was happening; it seemed that the Chief Steward of the Imperial Kitchen was under a lot of pressure.

So, he thought for a moment, and since it was on his way, decided to make a trip to the Imperial Kitchen to express his gratitude.

It was just a matter of a few words and wouldn’t take long.

But that visit turned out to be a mistake.

The Chief Steward of the Imperial Kitchen, who had been normal in the morning, was acting strangely by noon.

He kept him talking about this and that, even asking what he liked to eat, and went on about how he felt a kinship with him the first time they met, asking for his support in the future with some nonsensical rambling.

The Chief Steward used to like to chat, but he usually inquired about what the masters wanted to eat. He never expected that one day such questions would be directed at him.

Asking him for support, what a joke. He was just a lowly young eunuch without any rank or grade, how could he support the Chief Steward of the Imperial Kitchen? Ridiculous!

What kind of people had he encountered today? Each one was more peculiar than the last. He was delayed until now, and his roasted chicken, he had only seen it raw; he hadn’t even caught a glimpse of a half-eaten chicken claw.

He really felt like crying. Why did he go out of his way to do this? By now, he should have been back in Canglan Court, enjoying his roasted chicken. Instead, he felt disgusted, and he didn’t even know if there would be any chicken left when he returned!

Everyone in Canglan Court ate like beasts with shocking appetites, and he knew this from his own experience, as he was one of those beasts. He wondered if his master had saved any for him?!

There must be some left, right? After all, his master was so good to him.

Xiao Jizi thought this as he rushed back to Canglan Court, recalling the delicious smell of the marinated chicken. Roasted, it must be exceptional. He had never tried such roasted chicken before, especially one cooked right in the court!

As he approached Canglan Court, Xiao Jizi stopped to catch his breath, wiping off the sweat from his brow due to the hurry, and then continued forward.

When he was nearly at the gate, he happened upon two eunuchs who seemed to be coming from Canglan Court. They had satisfied smiles on their faces and were rubbing their bellies, strolling slowly as if they had overeaten and were struggling to walk, with greasy smiles on their lips.

One was short and stout with a flat face and ruddy cheeks – he recognized him. It was Eunuch Liu, the Deputy Steward from the Bureau of Palace Attendants.

The other was slim and looked frail, a small figure brimming with joy and satisfaction. He had seen him before, a young eunuch from the Bureau of Palace Attendants, but he couldn’t quite remember his name.

Xiao Jizi felt a pang in his heart. Oh no, it looked like these two had just finished eating the roasted chicken. Were they leaving after having cleaned out everything?

It’s true what they say: the chicken inside the wall is fragrant outside. The timing of these folks from the Bureau of Palace Attendants couldn’t have been more perfect.

He beat his chest and stamped his feet in regret. If only he hadn’t gone to the Imperial Kitchen, then he would have been back much earlier!

Eunuch Liu, who had sharp eyes, spotted someone approaching and greeted him first, "Yo, Steward Feng is back?"