Page 491

In Canglan Court.

After her moment of reflection, Lin Yuejuan felt a bit at a loss, her heart burdened with a sense of guilt. When her family’s old man often blamed himself, what she thought about was the trouble that Lian Hua had brought to their entire family.

Now that Lian Hua was as affectionate towards her as ever, she only felt undeserving.

From what she had seen on her way into the palace, where the rules were so strict, she vaguely knew that the life of a Palace Maid was not easy. If it were Huihui, she would probably worry day and night. She did not know how Lian Hua had managed to persist, imagining it must not have been easy.

Her current mood was incredibly complex, filled with both guilt and sorrow, along with a surge of sympathy, and also a fear and unease toward the unfamiliar environment of the palace. In short, she was experiencing a whirlwind of emotions.

That Eunuch Hu’s position must have been no small matter, and he also had to listen to his own niece. This made her uncomfortable with her clan niece’s status as Consort, reminding her that her clan niece was no longer the person she used to be.

Lian Hua said, "I suppose Clan Aunt must have risen early and perhaps hasn’t had breakfast. I had people prepare Clan Aunt’s breakfast especially. As it happens, I haven’t eaten either, so let’s eat together."

Lin Yuejuan replied cautiously, "Yes, whatever Xiao Hua suggests."

Lian Hua was a bit troubled. From the moment she saw Clan Aunt, she had not been quite right. At first, she cried, and once consoled and her crying ceased, she became restrained.

Their meeting was surely meant to be a joyous occasion, yet it seemed that Clan Aunt was more saddened than happy.

She did not quite understand what was wrong with Clan Aunt, but feared she might be hungry, so they should start with breakfast first.

Ultimately, she stopped Xiao Jizi from arranging the room like a reception hall.

Firstly, it would seem too formal, and secondly, she figured out the Shichen Chinese Time, sensing that Clan Aunt must not have had enough time for breakfast after entering the palace from outside, so she too had waited, intending to eat together.

Xiao Jizi and the rest had been prepared early on, and now they brought in the breakfast items one by one, placing them on the table.

After the breakfast was set, Xiao Jizi asked the others to leave, keeping only himself and Xiao Linzi behind.

Lin Yuejuan lowered her head, lost in her thoughts.

Lian Hua called out, "Clan Aunt, knowing you prefer light food, I had them prepare a light meal. Please see if the breakfast suits your palate?"

Lin Yuejuan focused her gaze and saw several types of light breakfast in front of her: a bowl of simple clear noodles with a light-colored soup and sprinkled with vibrant green onion, a few steamed buns with vegetarian filling, small enough for one bite each, a bowl of tea-flavored custard with a drizzle of sauce on top, looking fresh and tender, along with several common breakfast items, all home-style.

She then looked at Lian Hua’s breakfast. Each portion was small, but there were many varieties, all common, yet they seemed more refined than those made by folks.

The legendary Consorts of the palace were said to dine on exotic delicacies, yet here they were with ordinary breakfast items.

Her gaze then lifted, and she saw Lian Hua smiling at her.

Lian Hua continued, "Clan Aunt, don’t be shy. Eat whatever you want. I still remember when I stayed at your house, you made such delicious noodles that I can’t forget them, truly my favorite, but alas, I’ve never been able to make them quite right."

Talking about her specialty, Lin Yuejuan relaxed a little and said, "Xiao Hua, is it still that you haven’t mastered how to leaven the dough? I don’t have any secret recipe; it’s just that my way of leavening is somewhat different. Leavening dough is an art..."

Lin Yuejuan, becoming less inhibited, went into detail about her dough leavening process, explained each step carefully for fear that Lian Hua might not understand.

She had once taught Lian Hua how to make noodles, but Lian Hua had not mastered it.

Lian Hua listened with a smile, effortlessly picking up a small steamed bun for Lin Yuejuan and gesturing to eat while talking.

Lin Yuejuan instinctively started to eat as well.

During the meal, the two exchanged questions and answers, and by the end of the breakfast, Lin Yuejuan had gradually relaxed.

After the breakfast was cleared away, the two had chatted about various family matters, and Lin Yuejuan was no longer as uneasy as she had been initially.

She stretched out her hand to hold Lian Hua’s, and asked with guilt, "Xiao Hua, have you been doing well in the palace all these years? It’s our fault for being powerless, initially we could only..."

As she spoke, tears began to well up in her eyes.

Xiao Jizi and the other, hiding in the corner, acted as if they were invisible, silent and soundless, speaking not a word, just waiting to be called upon.

Inside this courtyard, careful arrangements had been made long ago. Xia Liu and the others couldn’t come over now, so there was no need to worry about eavesdroppers with ulterior motives. The relationship between Lin Yuejuan and Lian Hua was known only to a select few.

Lian Hua grasped Lin Yuejuan’s hand in return and comforted her sincerely, "How can you say that, Clan Aunt? The great kindness you and Clan Uncle have shown me is always in my heart. Look, I’m living very well.

Everything here is beautiful, and I don’t have to worry about anything, just focus on eating well, drinking well, and sleeping well. "

Lin Yuejuan looked up, "Is it really so?"

Lian Hua nodded firmly. What she said was the absolute truth, of course referring to her current situation, not the past which no longer counted.

Only then did Lin Yuejuan take a proper look at Lian Hua. Previously, she had been too preoccupied with her thoughts and had kept her head down, not taking a clear look.

The once pitiful and frail girl had now grown into a graceful young woman, blossoming like a lotus in the morning dew, her beauty exquisite, her complexion rosy and glowing with health, emitting an indescribable aura, and she carried an elegance that seemed unique to those reared in the palace.

Lin Yuejuan felt somewhat reassured and turned to observe the surroundings, looking at the screens, furnishings, and carpets, each appeared extremely precious.

Lian Hua let her look around; she had made these arrangements precisely to set people at ease.

She said to Lin Yuejuan, "I haven’t yet shown Clan Aunt the place where I live."

As she spoke, she pulled Lin Yuejuan to her feet and led her to the inner chamber, saying, "Clan Aunt, this is where I usually reside. For now, it’s only temporary. Once the Main Hall is renovated, I’ll move there, and it will be much more spacious than this."

Passing through the Small Crescent Moon Gate, Lin Yuejuan couldn’t help but reach out to touch the curtain. She couldn’t identify the fabric—it was better than any material she had encountered, yet it was only used as a curtain.

Hearing what Lian Hua said, she exclaimed in surprise, "You’re moving?"

This room looked so lavish; was she to move to someplace even more luxurious?

Lian Hua nodded, "Yes, this is the Side Hall. His Majesty has granted me the Main Hall, but it needs refurbishing before I can move in. Once it’s ready, I’ll shift there, and at that time, I hope Clan Aunt will come and see, yes?"

"Of course, of course." Lin Yuejuan understood now—it seemed her niece was indeed living well.

She couldn’t help but look into the inner chamber. The carpet underfoot was soft, and when she looked down, the carpet in the chamber seemed even finer than the one in the hall, warm and made of materials one wouldn’t even use for clothing outside the palace.

This was the first time in her life she had walked on such a fine carpet and she trod gingerly.

Everything in the room looked extremely luxurious, making her dizzy with admiration. She raised her head towards the window and was immediately captivated by the bead curtain hanging there.

She walked over involuntarily, and upon closer inspection, she gasped in surprise. The bead curtain looked to be made of crystal, as rumored, and it was such a large curtain!