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By the time Xiao Jizi returned, Xiao Qing was still standing where she was, full of concern and restlessness.

Seeing Xiao Jizi back, Xiao Qing quickly walked a few steps forward to him, lowered her voice, and asked, "Xiao Jizi, at His Majesty’s place..." whether he would blame the Young Master.

Xiao Jizi shook his head; he couldn’t understand what His Majesty meant either.

When he caught up and presented the cloak, His Majesty’s expression was indistinct. He simply gestured to Steward Zhang to help him put it on and left without saying a word.

He didn’t reject the Young Master’s kindness, but he also didn’t turn back to stay.

Xiao Jizi truly couldn’t figure out what this meant.

Alas, his honest Young Master must have spoken some blunt truth again, angering His Majesty, he thought.

Xiao Qing lowered her head in thought; if His Majesty stopped coming in the future and no longer wished to provide the ingredients, then they would return to their old days.

Planting various vegetables each day was enough to live on; she had been somewhat negligent recently. Yes, she must work harder starting tomorrow, storing up the food for winter properly.

With their minds full of worries yet without a solution, they both dispersed.

Who knows who couldn’t sleep that night until dawn broke.

...

The next day, at Star Palace.

Today, it was Zhang Sancai’s turn to serve. Early in the morning, his foster father told him to be very careful during his duty, not to upset His Majesty.

He did not know what had happened, yet his heart was filled with unease.

Even now, he couldn’t tell anything was amiss, only feeling that His Majesty was attending court as usual, morning and evening.

Indeed, at this moment, His Majesty was just like always, discussing state affairs with his ministers. He had already had someone refill His Majesty’s teacup three times.

But his foster father certainly wouldn’t have warned him without cause; something must have happened, only he was unaware. It was still best to be cautious.

However, speaking of which, His Majesty hadn’t spent the night at Canglan Court yesterday, which was quite unusual. Recently, as long as state affairs weren’t too demanding, His Majesty would spend the night there.

Zhang Sancai shook his head to clear the thoughts from his mind and focused. It was better not to be distracted while on duty, lest he failed to hear His Majesty’s command, and that would be the end of it.

Just then, a Palace Maid carrying a tray approached from afar. Zhang Sancai recognized her; the maid was from Huaqing Palace, which meant she belonged to the Noble Consort.

As she approached the gate of Star Palace, Zhang Sancai advanced a few steps to meet her. In the Harem, the person closest to the Noble Consort deserved the utmost respect.

The Palace Maid inclined toward him slightly, her face wreathed in smiles as she said, "Is Eunuch Zhang on duty today?"

Zhang Sancai sidestepped her courtesy with respect and replied with a smile, "Yes, what orders does Sister Cai Xia have for coming here?"

Cai Xia glanced at the tray and said, "The autumn dryness concerns, thus the Consort personally made ginseng black chicken soup for His Majesty, worrying about his dragon’s health.

She sent this servant specially to present it to His Majesty.

May I know if His Majesty is currently available?

I request Eunuch Zhang to announce my presence, allowing this servant to present it. "

Zhang Sancai shook his head and said, "His Majesty is currently seeing the ministers to discuss state affairs; I’m afraid he cannot meet with Sister. Let me take the soup; I will present it when there’s a chance."

"As she spoke, she was about to take the tray from Cai Xia’s hands."

Cai Xia moved slightly to the side to dodge, smiling as she said, "Eunuch Zhang, please don’t be offended.

It’s just that the Noble Consort is afraid the soup will cool if left too long, and then it will not be suitable for drinking.

Otherwise, shall I wait here until His Majesty has a moment to be informed? "

On her way here, the Noble Consort had given her some other tasks, and she could not leave just yet.

"This..." Zhang Sancai felt embarrassed. Even after the business was finished, His Majesty disliked being disturbed by those from the harem.

It was only the servants of the Noble Consort that His Majesty would tolerate slightly. If other concubines came to deliver soup, His Majesty would neither see them nor drink it, to put an end to the harem’s competition for favor.

Seeing his troubled expression, Cai Xia spoke in a kind and negotiable manner, "I’ll just stand here, I won’t get in the way of Eunuch Zhang’s business, is that acceptable?"

Zhang Sancai, somewhat hesitant after Cai Xia’s words and remembering what his godfather had said, firmly refused, "Sister Cai Xia, it would be better to entrust the soup to me. I will have someone keep it warm, and I guarantee it will not cool. You standing here in the breeze will also let the soup cool, won’t it?

It’s better to leave it with me, you can be at ease. "

Cai Xia cursed inwardly, finding this eunuch extremely cunning and difficult to persuade. Out of all the eunuchs in the harem, those from Star Palace were the hardest to deal with, and yet they were the ones closest to His Majesty, and could not be offended.

Though she thought this, she did not show it on her face, only saying with slight embarrassment, "Then I’ll trouble Eunuch Zhang."

Zhang Sancai breathed a sigh of relief, smiling as he said, "The word ’trouble’ is too much, Sister, you are too courteous."

Once Zhang Sancai had taken the soup and found a young eunuch to keep it warm, Cai Xia still stood in her place, not leaving.

Zhang Sancai looked at her, puzzled, only to see a troubled expression on her face. It looked as if she was hesitating, so he asked, "Sister, is there anything else?"

With sadness in her eyes, Cai Xia spoke with concern, "When coming here, the Noble Consort bid me to inquire after His Majesty’s health, saying that recently, Your Majesty has been busy with state affairs, and the Noble Consort didn’t dare to disturb you at night.

However, the sisters of the harem all miss His Majesty dearly.

We wonder if in the coming days you would wish for the sisters of the harem to prepare to attend you at night. .."

Zhang Sancai understood. The Noble Consort was hinting that it had been some time since His Majesty had summoned any of the palace concubines to his chambers and wanted to know if His Majesty intended to do so anytime soon.

Of course, visits to Canglan Court were initiated by His Majesty himself and did not count as summoning.

Zhang Sancai had no idea what was on His Majesty’s mind, and even if he did, he could not reveal it. He could only respond, "I do not know about this."

Cai Xia continued, "Could Eunuch Zhang possibly relay the Noble Consort’s words to His Majesty? If you are willing to help, I would be endlessly grateful, and the Consort is sure to remember your favor," she added with a pleading look.

Zhang Sancai hesitated. He wanted to curry favor with the Noble Consort, after all, she controlled the harem and might even ascend to a higher position in the future, but he was also somewhat afraid; he knew His Majesty’s rules...

Seeing Zhang Sancai seemed to be softening, Cai Xia adopted a fallback position, "The Noble Consort also deeply misses His Majesty and believes His Majesty would understand. If it is inconvenient for Eunuch Zhang, then let it be," she said, getting ready to leave.

Zhang Sancai clenched his teeth, wrestling with the thought that ’without risking, one cannot catch a tiger cub,’ and he said to her, "Sister, please don’t be upset. If there is a chance, I will convey the message, but as for what happens afterward, I cannot be certain."

Success! Cai Xia’s eyes showed sheer surprise, looking at Zhang Sancai with gratitude. She thanked him profusely and promised to seek recognition for him from the Noble Consort, which made Zhang Sancai beam with joy, even more resolved to help her deliver the message.

Having dealt with Zhang Sancai, Cai Xia returned to report back. Although it was not as effective as if she had met with His Majesty in person, she had nonetheless completed the task given to her by the Noble Consort and could now return to give her report.

Meanwhile, the Emperor had been consulting on state affairs with his ministers for half the day. With the main strategy more or less finalized, the ministers began to flatter the Emperor.

The Emperor grew impatient, finding these ministers should have left instead of standing around talking nonsense, everything they said was displeasing to his eyes, causing him to feel irritable and troubled. He waved his hand to dismiss them.

Rubbing the center of his forehead, he looked somewhat exhausted.