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You’re overdoing it again, how can you speak so exaggeratedly, Nanny Qi still wanted to say something.

Lian Hua continued to press her advantage, tugging on Nanny Qi’s sleeve and cooing, "Nanny, don’t you always say you don’t want me to worry too much? But if you don’t stay, I will definitely feel uneasy. Once I feel uneasy, the baby won’t be well-nourished, and if it’s not well-nourished..."

Nanny Qi hurriedly interrupted, "What nonsense are you talking about? Nanny can stay, alright?"

She gave her a look, disapprovingly.

Instantly, Lian Hua’s face beamed with joy, "Nanny, you’re so good."

She knew Nanny Qi couldn’t resist her.

Nanny Qi scolded affectionately, her eyes full of tenderness, as she tapped Lian Hua’s forehead with her finger, "You, you clever little imp, you always use your smarts in the wrong places."

Alas, she really was at a loss with her.

Lian Hua stuck out her tongue, "How can this be the wrong place? With Nanny, it’s always the right place."

The two chattered on in the Side Hall, a picture of warmth.

To the north of the Capital City.

Cao De and his group had been following the Grain Transport Team for four days, heading in the direction of Northern Liaoning, the further north they went, the colder it became.

The leaders of these Grain Transport Teams were very vigilant. They could not get too close, for fear of being discovered, nor could they stray too far and lose track of them— it was quite taxing, and they hardly rested along the way.

Cao De became increasingly certain there was treachery afoot. An ordinary grain-trading convoy wouldn’t be this alert.

However, strangely, this heightened alertness only lasted until yesterday. Yesterday, someone replaced the leader of the Grain Transport Team, and today, the convoy had relaxed a lot compared to the previous two days.

Cao De hadn’t sent anyone to follow the replaced leader, allowing the man to leave unhindered. The man was an experienced criminal, and he feared that tracking him might startle the quarry, which would have been disastrous.

After all, he had memorized the man’s appearance. If the worst came to pass and they didn’t find anything this time, they could always send someone to follow that man later.

The pressing matter now was to follow the Grain Team to ascertain where these provisions and clothing were going, and along that trail, to locate the private soldiers.

He had a premonition that this journey would yield results

With the leader changed, it made it easier for the Internal Guard Bureau men to track. Once, they even encountered the Grain Team’s people face to face, yet they went undetected.

"Ancestral Master, have a sip of wine to ward off the chill," Chen Wei offered a wineskin.

Cao De glanced at it but did not reach for it.

Chen Wei immediately said, "It’s clean, untouched by anyone. I bought it especially from the tavern owner when drawing the wine."

Only then did Cao De accept it, unscrewed the cap, and took a sip. It was a fiery liquor unique to Eastern Liaoning, so spicy it felt like it was burning in his throat, truly living up to its name.

Cao De didn’t often drink, especially not such strong liquor. After just one sip, he did not drink any more, but he felt warmed up.

Chen Wei was relieved. Their Ancestral Master was fastidious about cleanliness. They had been inadequately prepared when they set out, not knowing their destination.

It was only after following for a while that they knew to head north, worrying it would get colder the further north they went. They went to a passing village yesterday and purchased warm clothing at a great price from the villagers. After much persuasion, the Ancestral Master agreed to wear it.

Once dressed, their disguised party looked even more convincing.

"Just how much further do they have to go north?" Chen Wei muttered.

Upon hearing this, Cao De glanced at him.

He immediately straightened his back and stammered in explanation, "Your subordinates, your subordinates are only afraid that if we head further north, the clothes we have on won’t be sufficient to ward off the cold..."

"Don’t worry, it won’t be many days now," Cao De replied and then fell silent.

These men had gradually become more relaxed, completely different from how they had been when setting off on their journey. Maybe it was because they had changed leaders, or perhaps because they were nearing their destination, the task nearly complete...

Inside Canglan Court, after lunch, Nanny Qi and Lian Hua rested in the Side Hall.

Speaking of the matters for the next morning, Nanny Qi instructed Xiao Jizi while pointing at the table in the small hall, "After Master Lian finishes breakfast tomorrow, these will all be moved away, and the place will be rearranged. Do you understand?"

Xiao Jizi respectfully answered, "This servant understands."

When arranging the Side Hall, all of this had been discussed; the area would be turned into a reception room.

At the innermost part of the hall, a seat, a tea table, and a footrest would be placed for the main seat, with a chair and a tea table for the guest to the left of the main seat, complete with cushions.

Tea and snacks should be prepared in advance.

Nanny Qi felt reassured and then spoke to Lian Hua, "This old servant won’t come over tomorrow morning; you should have a good talk with your Clan Aunt. If there’s anything you need this old servant for, just send someone to call for me."

Lian Hua sat up straight, her eyes sparkling, and nodded vigorously like pounding garlic, filled with anticipation.

Nanny Qi continued to instruct, "Have your breakfast properly, and make sure not to eat anything too drying. Yesterday’s roasted chicken was too dry; we can’t have that happen again, understand?"

Lian Hua immediately slumped down and nodded, "I understand, Nanny, I’ll listen to you."

Seeing her obedient demeanor, Nanny Qi said both annoyed and amused, "Oh you, if only you always listened to me like this."

About the roasted chicken feast yesterday, she had asked for forgiveness rather than permission, then sweet-talked Nanny Qi for quite a while, so insistent that she couldn’t bear it and had to agree. Fortunately, Lian Hua was obedient enough to just try a small amount and didn’t overindulge.

Even so, there was worry it could cause restlessness, preventing her from sleeping well. She didn’t have a restful night’s sleep, and the Imperial Physician had said that the young lady was experiencing some pregnancy heatiness; she had to be extremely careful with her diet from now on.

Lian Hua clearly also remembered yesterday’s events and said guiltily, "Alright, Nanny, I understand."

Her eyes flitted about, quickly changing the subject, "You’ve worked hard for me today, Nanny. Are you tired? Should I massage your shoulders for you?"

As she spoke, she rose to her feet, moved behind Nanny Qi and, without waiting for a response, began to massage her.

This elicited a chuckle from Nanny Qi, "You needn’t do this; just be careful not to tire yourself out."

Having someone who was pregnant do a shoulder massage was quite unthinkable; she simply couldn’t bear to allow it.

Lian Hua earnestly offered her kindness, "Nanny, I’m not tired at all, not in the least. I’m good at this; I often massage His Majesty’s shoulders and beat his back. I’m quite skilled, really."

Upon hearing this, Nanny Qi was immediately displeased. Pulling Lian Hua over, she was overcome with concern, insisting that she sit properly while her eyes were filled with tenderness, "This... how could I bear this, how could my heart stand it."

This Emperor, indeed! To ask someone carrying a child, with the weight of a baby inside, to give a massage when she could get tired just from walking—how could he allow such a thing?

He was a big and tall man; how could he have the gall to let a delicate young girl give him a massage, not knowing how to cherish her?

In the coming months, as she grows larger, even sleeping will differ from the norm, having to lie on her side to find some comfort.

The Emperor, I really don’t know what to make of him.

The more Nanny Qi thought about it, the angrier she became. She decided to have a serious talk when the time came, to avoid letting the young lady be taken advantage of and still count His Majesty’s money for him.

Lian Hua’s offhanded remark had inadvertently harmed the Emperor’s image, not knowing that she only gave the Emperor a massage when she had made a mistake or wanted to please him; most other times, it was the Emperor who massaged her shoulders.