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Nanny Sun walked up behind Beauty Li, massaging her shoulders, "My lady, if anyone should be blamed, the first one is that Little Daying. You just spoke a few truths, and it happened to displease His Majesty. But if we’re being honest, you are the innocent one."

Beauty Li relaxed and the more she thought about it, the more she agreed, nodding, "You’re absolutely right. If it weren’t for that Daying’s poem, how would there have been so much trouble afterward? Everyone was laughing, so why was I the only one who suffered bad luck?"

Nanny Sun continued, "My lady, at the last lotus-viewing feast, didn’t you say that Little Daying came in with the Noble Consort? Could it be that she belongs to the Noble Consort?"

Just thinking about that Little Daying made Beauty Li sick to her stomach, and she said through gritted teeth, "Hmph, if I didn’t suspect she was one of the Noble Consort’s, I wouldn’t have let her off easily."

Nanny Sun soothed her further, saying, "My lady did well. Last time, it seemed like the Noble Consort stood up for her. If the Noble Consort targets you again, this Little Daying must definitely be one of hers. We must be careful around her in the future. There’s still a long way to go.

You are a Beauty, and she is but a Daying. Let’s wait and see what happens."

"That’s true, I feel much better now, Nanny Sun, thanks to you. Better than some useless beings good for nothing but eating." Beauty Li complimented Nanny Sun, then glared at Dong Mei, causing her to shudder in fear.

Upon hearing this, Nanny Sun’s face bloomed into a smile like a chrysanthemum, "It’s all because of your lady’s good understanding and ability to let things go. I dare not take credit. Besides, I am only well if you are well."

Latter, Nanny Sun flattered Beauty Li some more, bringing a smile to her face.

Both Nanny Sun and Dong Mei heaved a sigh of relief that their mistress’s mood had improved, saving them from bearing her wrath.

...

Within Canglan Court.

In the evening, after dinner and a bath, the Emperor began to review memorials.

Though she was tired from working all afternoon, Lian Hua was still eager to keep His Majesty company as he worked.

Watching His Majesty drink the freshly made Dew Tea while reviewing the memorials made her heart sing with joy.

The way she saw His Majesty drink tea now was entirely different from how she felt when he snatched her Dew Tea in the beginning.

Back then, every time she saw His Majesty pick up the teacup to drink the Dew Tea, she would silently add in her mind, "That was stolen!

That was stolen!" And when she saw Him Majesty put down the cup after drinking, she would think to herself, "Indeed, stolen tea tastes better," such were her thoughts.

Now, watching His Majesty sipping Dew Tea, she just felt happy, thinking that she especially made that tea for His Majesty, having put lots of effort into it, and the flavor must be excellent.

The Emperor put down his seal on a memorial, and when he looked up, he caught sight of her sitting askew at the vanity table, resting her cheek in her hand while watching him. He didn’t know how long she had been there and smiled, asking, "What are you looking at?"

Lian Hua replied with a smile, "Looking at how handsome His Majesty is!"

The Emperor glanced at her, commenting, "Slick talker," but the corners of his mouth curled up even higher.

Lian Hua put down the hand that held her cheek, turning towards him, and said earnestly, "His Majesty, I’m not just saying it, you really are good-looking, and the more I look, the more handsome you seem."

The smile in the Emperor’s eyes deepened.

He was the Emperor, and although he didn’t place much emphasis on his own looks, he was aware that he was indeed quite handsome.

To give an improper example, the first time the Harem Consorts and former court officials saw him, he always caught a hint of amazement in their eyes.

Yet in the past, this Little Concubine had been almost blind to it, as if she saw nothing.

He remembered the first few times he encountered her; each time her demeanor was always the same.

That’s not quite right; it was more that her gaze was either defensive or deceiving, and that’s all he could read from her expression.

But lately, things had become a bit better.

Today, she finally realized that he was handsome, and felt a sense of amazement in her heart, "One must really stand in front of her more often for her to recognize his good qualities."

Thinking this, he then mocked himself. Now he even had to rely on his looks to conquer others, he couldn’t help but laugh at himself and shook his head.

Which made Lian Hua think that he disagreed with her, so she hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty, you really are quite good-looking, don’t be so modest. Even though I used to think you weren’t much to look at, now for some reason, the more I look at you, the more handsome you seem.

Perhaps, you are the type whose attractiveness is more apparent upon closer inspection. "

The Emperor felt as if he were covered in cold sweat. He had actually misjudged before; from her indirect words, it seemed that in her eyes, he was probably less than ordinary, maybe even repulsive...

Thinking of the words "repulsive," he felt somewhat uncomfortable.

But, as the Emperor, it wouldn’t be appropriate to continue discussing his looks with a Little Concubine, so he just glared at her and ignored her, continuing to review the memorials.

Lian Hua scratched her head, not understanding where she went wrong. She had been comforting His Majesty with the truth, but somehow His Majesty seemed displeased.

Forget it, the mind of a man is as hard to fathom as the depths of the sea; she might as well continue with her embroidery.

Her needlework was not particularly exceptional; it was passable and only suited for simple patterns. If she had to embroider something complex, like magpies heralding spring or peonies in bloom, she wouldn’t be able to do it.

The handkerchief she was working on today featured the simplest of orchids, elegant and refined. It was nearly finished, and she wanted to complete it before going to sleep.

But as she was finishing up, her vision grew increasingly blurry, and sleepiness overtook her more and more.

It was no wonder Lian Hua was tired—she had gotten up early, endured an incident at the flower-viewing banquet, hadn’t rested at noon, then spent the whole afternoon preparing Dew Tea, and had been sleepy since her bath.

The fact that she had managed to stay awake until now was solely due to her willpower to keep His Majesty company.

When the Emperor finished reviewing the memorials, he saw her sitting at the dressing table nodding off, not knowing for how long she had been doing so.

The Emperor put away the memorials and walked over, lifting her in his arms and heading towards the bed.

Before reaching the bed, she awoke, her voice drowsy and soft, "Your Majesty, are you finished?"

"Hmm, finished," the Emperor replied.

Lian Hua struggled to get up; she wanted to assist His Majesty in changing his clothes.

The Emperor quickly carried her to the bed and said, "It’s fine, sleep." After saying this, he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

Lian Hua became more alert, sat up, and shook her head, "Your Majesty, I want to help you change and sleep with you."

The words "sleep with you" pleased the Emperor, who, thinking of something, looked at Lian Hua with deep meaning.

Yet seeing Lian Hua’s unknowing and innocent look, he inwardly sighed, expecting a Little Concubine to speak of romance was probably impossible; she likely didn’t even realize what she had said, adding fuel to the fire without quenching it.

Lian Hua struggled to rise, and the Emperor didn’t stop her.

Once she was up, the Emperor extended his arms and looked down as she helped him untie the sash and buttons of his outer robe. The buttons were difficult to undo, and she leaned in closer to see, her expression hidden from his view.

For some reason, the Emperor was reminded of an incident at the flower-viewing banquet that day. Then, too, he could not see her face, unsure whether she was happy or sorrowful. It was only when he lifted her chin that he discovered she had already been in tears, a sight that pained his heart.

Feeling a tightness in his chest, he wondered, did she truly hold no grudges about the events of the day?