Page 507
Lian Hua became tense on the spot, her fingers beginning to rub against each other unconsciously.
Her eyes darted around, glancing at Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing looked panicked and at a loss, knowing very well that her master could not drink Bird’s Nest Soup, nor even see it, or she would vomit.
She had prepared herself, even drinking the Bird’s Nest Soup for her master today to ensure no one noticed; this was also why she insisted on staying to take care of her.
But now, with Nanny Qi present, she didn’t know what to do, nor did she dare to act rashly, fearing she might make things worse.
Lian Hua knew Xiao Qing was out of options, she looked outside at the sky, an idea suddenly coming to her, "Oh, it seems it’s almost time for a midday rest, Nanny, are you heading back? Let me walk you out."
As she spoke, she wiped her hands and let down her sleeves, preparing to get up and assist her.
Nanny Qi had felt something was off since yesterday but had held back from pointing it out until today.
Now, she certainly wouldn’t point it out, simply sitting steadily and saying without changing her expression, "No harm done, after you have finished the Bird’s Nest Soup and are ready to rest, then Nanny will leave."
The young lady’s acting skills were rather lacking, her face revealing something else going on when asked yesterday, and now her eyes drifting, voice extravagant, the shift in topic too blatant, her face short of having the words ’something’s up’ written on it, there definitely was something going on, impossible to ignore.
"Oh..." Seeing this tactic failed, Lian Hua disappointedly sat back down, her fingers picking at her sleeves as her mind raced.
What was she to do? Just seeing the Bird’s Nest Soup made her want to vomit, resembling a child’s runny nose, made from the saliva of birds, just thinking about it was nauseating, let alone drinking it.
Could she divert the tiger away from the mountain?
Oh no, that’s not it, was it diverting Nanny away from the mountain?
But how would she do that?
Perhaps she should divert herself away from the mountain!
That was indeed a great idea, and then she could casually have Xiao Qing secretly drink it, pretending that she had drunk it herself.
With this thought, she spoke again, "Nanny, how about I go check on the kitchen? I just finished what I was doing here, and I’m free anyway."
After finishing her statement, she stood up quickly, instructing Xiao Jizi to clear the strange rocks from the table and made to leave.
Nanny Qi leisurely blocked her way back, "No need to go, you are the master; going personally for a cup of Bird’s Nest Soup, what would that look like? Just sit and wait."
Before she could take another step out.
"Oh." Lian Hua had no choice but to sit down again, this tactic also failing.
Her expression hesitated, internally struggling between being honest and continuing to lie.
She was somewhat troubled, one lie requiring many more lies to cover up, as later yesterday, Nanny Qi had asked how she used the Bird’s Nest Soup, and she had stuttered out that it was very good.
Oh no, leading to today’s dilemma. Telling the truth was not an option, nor was not drinking; scared that Nanny Qi would worry, yet dreading a reprimand, and also afraid of consuming the Bird’s Nest Soup.
What if she just tried sticking to one course?
Making up her decision, her gaze grew a bit more resolute.
While waiting for the Bird’s Nest Soup, she began to think of other excuses, trying various strategies until at last, she desperately hinted that Nanny Qi was tired and should go rest first, promising she would obediently finish and then rest as well, but that didn’t work either.
She looked at Nanny Qi with hopeful eyes, but unfortunately, Nanny Qi didn’t take the bait, serenely deflecting everything, leaving Lian Hua nearly tearing her hair out in frustration.
Xiao Qing watched on the side, her anxiety mounting, her back stiff with worry; aside from her and her master, nobody else was privy to this matter.
But how could she save her master? She had no idea at all.
Xiao Jizi had felt something was amiss from the start. After he moved the strange rock and returned to his place, his mind was full of confusion, observing Xiao Qing’s odd behavior and his own master’s restlessness, seemingly holding a secret.
He racked his brain, but couldn’t figure out why, he couldn’t imagine his Master would dislike Bird’s Nest Soup, such a prestigious-sounding delicacy, which looked tempting and his Master loved eating. How could she possibly dislike it?
After several rounds, Lian Hua admitted defeat.
Feeling mentally exhausted, she propped her head on her hands and mumbled to herself that lying was truly exhausting. Before she knew it, she had let her true thoughts slip out.
The moment she spoke, Xiao Jizi immediately understood something, and couldn’t help but stifle a laugh. Oh, his carefree Master had betrayed herself again.
Xiao Qing quickly covered her mouth, afraid she might accidentally betray the Master just like her.
The wrinkles on Nanny Qi’s face smoothed out, and her eyes filled with a loving smile. Did the little girl confess on her own?
No wonder the Emperor enjoyed teasing the little girl so much, there was indeed much fun in it.
She pretended not to hear clearly, "What did you say?"
Just waiting to see when the little girl would confess.
"Ah?" Lian Hua was startled, then quickly realized and waved her hands repeatedly, "Nothing, nothing."
"Master Lian, the Bird’s Nest Soup is here."
Just then, Pang Ya came in carrying a bowl of Bird’s Nest Soup, followed by Xiao Linzi.
Lian Hua breathed a sigh of relief, narrowly avoiding detection, but her face fell when she saw the bowl of Bird’s Nest Soup presented in front of her.
Her gaze shifted to Nanny Qi, only to see Nanny Qi also looking at her, as if wondering what she would do.
Lian Hua gave a dry laugh, glanced at Nanny Qi, and pretended to reach out to touch the bowl, simulating a gesture of beginning to eat while she felt the warmth of the bowl.
Touching the still warm bowl, an idea struck her, and she blurted out with open eyes, "Nanny, it’s still hot. Let’s let it cool down a bit before drinking."
"Ah, Master, is it still hot?" Xiao Linzi felt something was off, scratched his head, went over and felt the bowl, then unsure, touched his own earlobe.
Comparing the two, he was certain, "It’s not hot, Master. Servant has cooled it to the temperature you usually drink at."
Xiao Linzi was responsible for cooling the Bird’s Nest Soup. He had personally watched the fire, stewed it, and then cooled it to a drinkable temperature; he had not left his seat throughout, diligently sitting on a stool, doing nothing but watch the Bird’s Nest Soup cool from hot to warm.
Brother Ji even complimented him, saying that when it comes to tasks like cooling tea or water, no one does it more reliably than he does.
Lian Hua puffed her cheeks in irritation; that fool, Xiao Linzi, she didn’t even know how to recover from this.
Xiao Jizi quickly went over and dragged Xiao Linzi away, apologizing with a smile, "Master, you’re busy, you’re busy. This fool doesn’t understand, servant will take him away for you."
Nanny Qi smiled without speaking, her eyes seemingly seeing through everything.
Lian Hua’s face began to feel hot, restless under Nanny Qi’s gaze.
She stammered, "Nanny, I wasn’t paying attention just now, thought it was still hot. Well, well, I ate too much during lunch, and now it seems I can’t eat any more..."
"Then rest a while before you eat—"
Joy spread across Lian Hua’s face.
"Nanny will keep you company."
"Huh? Okay, okay..." Lian Hua’s smile froze.
Nanny Qi rose from the rocking chair and took a few steps.
Lian Hua’s eyes brightened, and she also stood up, "Are you going to rest, Nanny? I’ll accompany you."
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