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Xiao Jizi’s voice, though lowered by a tad, was still audible to Lian Hua sitting on the other side.

Lian Hua, deeply agreeing, nodded her head. Indeed, these words resonated with her.

Xiao Linzi seemed not quite to grasp the concept and asked honestly, "Brother Xiao Ji, why must we be so cautious just about calling for the Imperial Physician, yet not for something like yesterday’s roasted chicken feast?"

Didn’t Nanny Qi say that the master didn’t even want to roast a chicken when she heard about it after all?

Lian Hua had just put down the kettle and was about to pick up her cup when her hand paused, and her brow furrowed in irritation. Xiao Linzi, why so many questions?

"Silly! Can you even compare the two? Do you want to eat roasted chicken or not?" Xiao Jizi knocked on his head.

Xiao Linzi nodded; he did want to eat it.

"Well, that settles it then. If it’s something the master loves to do, and it’s something good, there’s no need to be cautious. We should just rush ahead and follow the master’s orders," said Xiao Jizi.

Lian Hua nodded in approval. Xiao Jizi was right on target, such a sycophant!

As she lifted her cup and took a sip, she felt truly refreshed and thought that although Xiao Jizi could be a bit of a rascal at times, he was meticulous in his thoughts. His words to Xiao Linzi really struck a chord with her. Not bad at all.

Xiao Linzi scratched his head, "Oh... but what if it’s something bad?"

"How can you be so dense, like a blockhead? If it’s something bad and the master still wants to do it, that’s when we need to be flexible and adaptable. Let me teach you a trick..."

Xiao Jizi then leaned close to Xiao Linzi’s ear, whispering this way and that.

Lian Hua pricked up her ears, couldn’t hear, leaned forward, and still couldn’t catch it!

Oh dear, the eunuch was being mischievous again. At crucial moments, why did his voice drop, arousing her curiosity? Yet, as the master, she couldn’t quite ask directly; she had to maintain the dignity befitting her status.

Xiao Linzi, having listened, repeatedly nodded as if he had suddenly seen the light, recalling that he had seen Brother Xiao Ji do similar things many times before. So that was the way of it, he had learned something.

In conclusion, Xiao Jizi said, "So you see, it all depends on the circumstances. The master is wary of seeing the Imperial Physician, as you very well know. Like the words just now, they didn’t seem like they came from the master wanting to call for a physician for herself, so you need to clearly discern.

If we do need to invite one in the future, you can’t just bluntly say ’Let’s call the Imperial Physician to the master’—you have to be indirect.

How exactly to handle this must be decided on the fly, I can’t really teach you.

But first, learn the trick I just showed you. "

Lian Hua: "..."

She was still there, able to hear!

Xiao Jizi, now a managing eunuch, hmm, seems like his skin is itchier than ever!

She had been dying to know what Xiao Jizi said that made Xiao Linzi look like he had finally got it.

After hearing the summary, she no longer wanted to know. All she wanted now was to give someone a good stretching!

Xiao Jizi’s actions were deliberate, to distract Lian Hua and help her relax and not be so tense. He was truly pulling out all the stops with his skills.

He knew that his master had been on edge about tomorrow’s event, excited from the moment she awoke. Later, while tending to the newly decorated Side Hall, her attention drifted, and she seemed calmer, just like any other day.

But after the noon rest period, it became evident again. She had been daydreaming upon waking up, later recalled Xiao Qing and began worrying about her. Once she had a free moment, she returned to daydreaming, and only now was she somewhat better.

This was not normal for the master; usually at this Shichen, she would think of ideas to torment others, and if not, she would come up with some rotten idea just to implement it. Today she was just too quiet.

He couldn’t fathom why his master would react this way to meeting a relative soon, feeling it was abnormal, like a hidden tension buried in her heart.

Thus, he deliberately behaved in such a way, hoping to divert his master’s attention and help him relax.

The effect was indeed good, as the master did relax and his mind returned to him, but as he relaxed, the back of his neck felt chillingly cold.

He slowly turned his head and saw Lian Hua looking at him with a cool gaze, giving him an inscrutable smile...

Inside the Imperial Academy.

"I owe you my thanks, Brother Liang," Lian Musu said as he bowed to Liang Qi.

Liang Qi quickly waved his hand: "Brother Lian is too courteous, it was just a small effort, nothing worthy of such thanks."

Lian Musu said, "It may have seemed a small effort to Brother Liang, but for me, it was a tremendous help. Thanks to Brother Liang, I can focus on preparing for tomorrow’s exam, and I truly appreciate it in my heart."

This student from the Imperial Academy was three years his junior, a top scholar with a respectable character.

Like him, he had just passed the preliminary exam and earned the title of Juren.

If all went smoothly, both would take part in the same session of the Spring Imperial Examination next year, making them contemporaries.

Since Lian Musu’s arrival at the Imperial Academy, Liang Qi had taken great care of his daily needs, even going so far as to bring him his meals. He had never before been looked after to this extent by someone he had only met two days prior; it was indeed hard for him to accept.

"If I could be of help to Brother Lian, then I am glad," said Liang Qi, with a hint of red on his face. Although he knew Brother Lian was exaggerating, he felt genuinely pleased. Brother Lian was someone he admired, and being able to help him brought him more joy than anything else.

Ever since he was impressed by Brother Lian’s grace and insights, he was deeply moved.

In the past, he was oblivious to worldly affairs, but now his mind was restless; he couldn’t concentrate on his books, constantly pondering one question: what was his purpose in taking the civil service examination?

He was there when Brother Lian wrote for Minister Jia, and when discussing the Doctrine of the Mean with Minister Qin. These matters had greatly impacted him.

The two were close in age but worlds apart in knowledge and perspective. Brother Lian’s viewpoints even received praise from Minister Qin, whereas his own fell far short.

Before meeting Brother Lian, he was among the best in the Imperial Academy, with a top ranking in the preliminary exams and high expectations from his teachers to become a Jinshi on his first attempt.

After meeting Brother Lian, he became lost; Brother Lian had his own path, but what about his own?

Influenced by his grandfather for years, he never bothered to think about what he truly wanted, simply following his grandfather’s wishes step by step. His sole focus was studying hard, aiming to pass the Jinshi exam and start his official career to fulfill his grandfather’s unmet dreams.

But what then?

If it weren’t for his grandfather, would he himself wish to take the civil service exam, and what was he seeking from it?

With these concerns weighing on his mind, he could no longer focus on his books.

Remembering that Brother Lian had difficulty with his legs, he did what he could to help, as it was the only way he could find some peace and feel somewhat useful.

"Brother Liang?" Lian Musu didn’t understand what was bothering the person before him, who seemed to be caught in some distress, calling out twice with no response.

"Ah, I... " Liang Qi snapped back to reality and quickly made a bowing apology: "Forgive my rudeness."

"It’s all right," Lian Musu said with a gentle smile, asking, "Is there something troubling Brother Liang? If it’s convenient, you can talk to me about it. A person directly involved may be confused, but as an observer, I might be able to offer a thing or two of help to Brother Liang."

These past two days, having seen that Liang Qi seemed to be preoccupied, Lian Musu felt it wasn’t his place to pry. But now, seeing the growing bewilderment in his eyes, he finally asked.

Brother Liang had treated him with sincerity, and he would reciprocate with sincerity.

Upon hearing this, Liang Qi opened his mouth and then closed it again, struggling within. Brother Lian had his exam tomorrow, and here he was, burdening him with his troubles...