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Nanny Qi waved her hand dismissively and sat down next to Lian Hua, also touching the soup tureen with a smile that was not quite a smile on her face.
Lian Hua’s smile immediately stiffened at the corners of her mouth, and she could only sit down timidly.
Nanny Qi was calm and composed, waiting to see how Lian Hua would spin her tale further.
After all this fuss, how could she not see that the young girl did not wish to eat the bird’s nest soup? Not eating it wasn’t really a problem; it would be fine if she just explained, but some principles still needed to be taught properly.
The young girl was still small, with a clever mind and a high capacity for learning. There was still time to educate her properly, and it was imperative that she was taught well.
Today’s episode was about teaching the young girl to think before acting and that lying required the same foresight.
One must be able to cover up their lies for them to hold up; it was especially important to not let others see through them in the palace. If one couldn’t see it through by themselves, it was best not to force it, especially not to push oneself into a dead end or into such a passive predicament.
In the courtyard, it was still alright to treat it as entertainment, and it was quite interesting to watch, but it would not be good once it went beyond that.
Although this matter was small, it held an instructive principle, and thus she intended to use today’s event as a teaching moment.
After seeing the Emperor lift the Hundred Birds Adoring the Phoenix screen, Nanny Qi’s thoughts changed. If it was as she suspected, and Lian Hua would one day stand shoulder to shoulder with the Emperor, she could not act as she had in the past, which was why she was intent on nurturing her.
Lian Hua had already realized that no matter how she struggled, she could not escape Nanny Qi’s palm; the outcome would be the same.
She felt embittered, knowing that between eating and coming clean, she could only choose one, without any chance of having the best of both worlds.
Nanny Qi must have already discovered her intention. Anything she did now would be a futile struggle.
Since that was the case, she might as well drink it!
Looking at it was disgusting, but if she didn’t look, wouldn’t that solve the problem?
An old and a young facing off, both sides had seen through each other’s intentions, yet neither had fully disclosed them. It was a matter of who would outwit the other.
After coming to a realization, Lian Hua no longer acted pitifully, nor did she continue to blunder through; she exuded a sense of courage throughout.
With a radiant smile, she petulantly said, "Nanny is really mean."
Just as devious as His Majesty, testing her, wanting to see her embarrass herself. Well, she was willing to accept the outcome of the bet she lost.
"Oh..." Nanny Qi exclaimed in surprise.
The young girl’s demeanor had changed, carrying a bold and fearless aura. Nanny Qi had seen this aura before during the incident with the serpent in the courtyard—Lian Hua had then handled matters in a fearless manner, organizing everything perfectly.
The demure and naive appearance of the young girl had made her forget about that serpent incident.
Later, the Emperor mentioned that the young girl had handled the situation very well—having taken a few borrowed men and daringly surrounded the large group working on the Main Hall, she even intimidated them into complete submission.
With courage and strategy, she had exposed the wrongdoers without putting herself in danger. The situation couldn’t have been handled any better.
Her heart filled with continuous reflections, accustomed to protecting her, both she and the Emperor might have underestimated the young girl. They kept her too sheltered, letting her know nothing, and she wondered whether this was a good or bad thing.
If she were to ascend to that position, such sheltering could no longer continue; there were some things that the young girl needed to be made aware of.
She made a decision in her heart.
On her part, Lian Hua had already made mental preparations.
Although she detested things like snot, how could anyone know if they had not tried it?
She took a deep breath, lifted the lid of the soup tureen, averted her eyes, and with a deft and decisive motion, scooped up a spoonful.
Watching Nanny Qi, she smiled like a little fox, "Nanny, just watch closely."
Her small face tensed, she closed her eyes, and as if resigning to her fate, she was about to send the spoon to her mouth.
Admiration filled Nanny Qi’s eyes; the young girl, having made up her mind, did not play coy. She made a decisive choice, showing great resolve—they could surely nurture her, and she would not be difficult to teach in the future.
Nanny Qi nodded contentedly but felt something was amiss when her gaze fell on the soup bowl.
As Lian Hua was about to put the spoon in her mouth, Nanny Qi had a sudden realization and involuntarily shrank her pupils as her smile suddenly froze.
In the blink of an eye, with no time to spare, she rose abruptly and swatted the spoon away with a stern voice, "Don’t eat it!"
The spoon fell to the ground with a "clang" and broke in two.
At the same time, the Emperor, dining upstairs in the teahouse, felt a ripple of unease seeing the fallen spoon.
The eunuch serving the meal had caused a mishap and hastily knelt down, "This servant deserves death, this servant deserves death."
The Emperor waved the person off, "Never mind, stand up."
Zhang Qing, who had just come upstairs, hurried over to scold the young fellow, "You disturbed His Majesty’s meal, and he doesn’t blame you, so be grateful for His Majesty’s grace."
In just the short time he had been away, this youngster had caused trouble; he was impetuous. Zhang Qing decided punishment was in order upon their return.
The Young Eunuch quickly expressed his gratitude and stepped aside.
Another person immediately came forward to tidy up the accidentally broken spoon.
Zhang Qing respectfully said, "Your Majesty, several officials heard of your visit and wish to greet you, they are all downstairs. Would you like to see them?"
He took over the serving duty from the Young Eunuch and began to arrange the dishes anew for the Emperor.
The Emperor did not respond, took a few more bites, then suddenly lost his appetite, waved his hand, and, taking the handkerchief, wiped his mouth. No more was needed.
He had finished his lunch, and now he could report back to his Little Concubine. Was it almost time for her midday rest?
He leisurely wiped his hands, "Let them come up."
"Yes," replied Zhang Qing, and with quick, small steps, he went downstairs.
The Emperor stood up and walked to the window, standing with his hands behind his back, his gaze drifts distantly toward Shanxue Square, observing the examinee under the examination shed.
Whether this student truly had substantial knowledge would be discerned after today. The student had a calm demeanor and a good appearance, which was very appealing, no wonder he had received so much praise along the way.
Yet the Emperor couldn’t shake off a feeling of familiarity. From afar, the student at first glance seemed ordinary, but the more he looked, the more he felt the outline of his eyes and eyebrows resembled someone. But how could that be possible?
At that moment, the sound of hurried footsteps climbing the stairs, "Thump, thump, thump," interrupted the Emperor’s thoughts.
An elderly voice filled with sorrow and urgency called out, "Greetings to His Majesty, Your Excellency, of such noble status, how can you leave the palace without a retinue of officials, without Your Imperial Carriage, and without the Imperial Guards escorting you? This goes against the rituals established by our ancestors, and it’s truly my dereliction of duty. "
The Emperor turned back indifferently to see Minister Fan, who was rushing towards him, tears streaming down his face.
Minister Fan made his bows on the spot and continued to preach, "...Your Excellency’s safety affects all people under heaven, my heart aches terribly at such negligence, just a few people, how can they protect you thoroughly, today, even if it cost all my old bones, I must..."
The Emperor spoke up to interrupt, "Does Minister Fan shout so loudly for fear that those outside do not know of my incognito visit?"
Minister Fan paused, then hurriedly said, "This servant wouldn’t dare, it’s just that my heart aches..." and, wiping away another tear, he wanted to persuade further.
The Emperor walked over to help the old man up, interrupting concernedly, "Could it be due to the continuous hard work? I learned in the court meeting that Minister Fan was unwell, and I’m quite worried. Should I send someone to escort you home and have the Imperial Physician examine you?"
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