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The possibility was simply too great. Otherwise, why would they need the Imperial Chief Steward himself to personally come and fetch something? A young eunuch could have been dispatched for the task!

Considering this possibility, Xiao Jizi felt a surge of excitement and tentatively suggested, "If not, shall your servants go and wake the Young Master?"

As he spoke, Xiao Jizi nudged Xiao Qing, signaling her to go wake Young Master Lian.

Zhang Qing remained composed, still smiling as he said, "No rush. I believe Young Master Lian will wake up soon. We’ll just wait here; there’s no need to disturb Young Master Lian’s good sleep."

His Majesty indeed holds Young Master Lian in high regard; showing Young Master Lian some respect definitely wouldn’t be wrong.

Xiao Jizi and Xiao Qing exchanged glances. They really didn’t have the heart to speak the truth—if they waited for the Young Master to wake up naturally, they feared the Shichen would be over...

"Steward Zhang, how about you go have some tea and rest for a bit while you wait?" Simply waiting wasn’t a solution; it would be best to let Steward Zhang have some tea first.

Zhang Qing thought it over and agreed, feeling somewhat thirsty. By the time he finished a cup of tea, Young Master Lian would likely be awake.

So Xiao Jizi led Zhang Qing to have some tea.

After three cups of tea, Zhang Qing’s expression grew increasingly sour; his throat was dry from the tea, and the person he wanted to see still hadn’t woken up.

His Majesty was still waiting; much more delay would be unforgivable.

But he had previously said not to disturb them, and now it was not good to go back on his word. He was truly in a difficult position.

Xiao Jizi stood by with a forced smile, noticing that Steward Zhang’s expression at first still held a smile, but became more and more solemn as the wait extended. Knowing that he was becoming anxious, Xiao Jizi quickly gave Xiao Qing a meaningful glance, urging her to check on the situation.

Xiao Qing, understanding the hint, hurried away.

Seeing this, Zhang Qing didn’t show any reaction, but inwardly he nodded in approval, thinking that Feng Ji was not bad at all—clever and reliable in handling matters. It was a pity that His Majesty had assigned him to Young Master Lian.

Meanwhile, back with the Emperor, he too was growing impatient. He looked over the memorial in his hand for a long time, endorsing only one after a tumultuous wait that left him restless.

An hour had passed, and still he had no idea what Zhang Qing was up to. Even if Canglan Court was far away, crawling there and back should have been done by now. What could be causing such a delay that not even a shadow had appeared?

The Emperor, agitated, set down the memorial, stood up from his throne and began pacing back and forth in the hall.

He wondered if something had happened, which was why there had been no return until now?

That wouldn’t do—he needed to go personally to feel at ease.

Just as he was about to move, he paused again, thinking what if there was no issue at all?

He decided not to go himself, and instead to send someone else to take a look.

With that thought, the Emperor called over a young eunuch, gave him a few instructions, and sent him rushing to Canglan Court.

At Canglan Court.

Zhang Qing sat expressionless, now on his fifth cup of tea, no longer bothering to hide his mood. This Young Master Lian really could sleep. Just listen to what her palace maid had to say:

"I went to wake the Young Master, and she heard me and even responded. But somehow, I waited a long time and the Young Master still didn’t come out.

So I went inside again to check and, well.

.. the Young Master turned over and fell back asleep.

.." Xiao Qing’s voice grew fainter and fainter, and by the end, it was barely a whisper.

She couldn’t help wanting to cover her face in embarrassment.

Everyone fell silent in unison, not knowing what to say. Even Xiao Jizi was out of ideas now.

Zhang Qing hadn’t expected this task to be so difficult; almost an hour had gone by without even seeing the person. Calling had not awoken them, waiting was not working, and they were all benumbed by the wait.

After waiting a bit longer, finally there came a sound from Lian Hua’s bedroom.

The few people present perked up and all turned to look at the bedroom door in unison.

Xiao Jizi quickly walked over and called out softly inside, "Young Master, are you awake?"

From inside, Lian Hua’s voice responded, "I’m awake. Where is Xiao Qing? I’m so hungry. What’s for breakfast today?"

Zhang Qing questioned his senses, looking up at the sky, no mistake there, noon was almost past, he hadn’t gotten it wrong, how could Young Master Lian think it was morning, still talking about breakfast?

Xiao Jizi coughed desperately, hoping to alert the person inside. In front of Steward Zhang, they still needed to maintain some dignity for the Young Master, just in case they went back and reported to His Majesty, where would the Young Master’s face be?

The door was opened from inside, and Lian Hua poked her head out to ask, "Eh, Xiao Jizi, what’s the matter with you?"

She had just finished dressing when she heard Xiao Jizi’s cough. Such loud and frequent coughing was abnormal, prompting her to quickly step out from the inner chamber to the small hall and open the hall door to inquire.

Upon opening it, she saw three or four people standing at the door, startling her, "What’s going on here?"

Zhang Qing, with tears streaming down internally, finally saw Young Master Lian. It really hadn’t been easy, and he hurriedly stepped forward, saying, "Young Master Lian, His Majesty has an urgent need for a sheet of Golden Zun Town Paper that is with you, so I’ve come to collect it."

"Ah! Steward Zhang, you’re here? How long have you been here? Why didn’t anyone wake me up?" Hearing Zhang Qing’s voice, Lian Hua jumped again, not having seen clearly before, she didn’t expect Steward Zhang to be there, too.

The four people standing outside the door looked at each other in silence; it’s not that no one had called her, it was that the calls hadn’t woken her. How to respond to that...

It was Zhang Qing who had the thick skin, lying through his teeth, "I’ve only been here for a little while, the timing of the Young Master’s awakening is just perfect."

That Young Master Lian seemed to be quite na?ve, probably truly disoriented from her sleep, not even realizing that the mark from sleeping was still on her face. It seemed that he wasn’t really being snubbed.

The rest of them internally gave Steward Zhang a thumbs-up. Worthy of being the Imperial Chief Steward, waiting for so long without a word of complaint, look how nicely he phrased his words.

Relieved by these words, Lian Hua mused to herself.

Lately, for some reason, she always had trouble waking up and would easily get hungry.

After eating, she would feel sleepy again, and after sleeping, she would want to eat.

Perhaps the emotional fluctuations were too great recently. She would need to adjust that.

Lian Hua nodded and smiled at Zhang Qing, asking, "Have you had your meal yet, Steward Zhang? I don’t have much to entertain you here, but I did receive some corn yesterday; it’s quite good. You could take some back to try."

At this, Xiao Linzi raised his head, swallowing involuntarily. Was it the fragrant corn he smelled yesterday?

Zhang Qing waved his hands hastily, "It’s not necessary, Young Master. I’m here on duty; once I’ve finished, I’ll be leaving."

Lian Hua uttered an "Oh" and nodded her head in understanding, asking, "You’re here to collect something for His Majesty, aren’t you?"

Zhang Qing nodded and was about to repeat what he came to collect when he saw Lian Hua open the hall door wide and wave him in, saying, "I’ve got everything ready; come on in."

Zhang Qing was stunned. How could this be? This task from His Majesty was a spur-of-the-moment thing, and the mention of Golden Zun Town Paper was off the cuff, yet Young Master Lian had it all prepared? Could she possibly foresee the future?

Or was she a hidden talent, guessing that His Majesty would send someone?

While Zhang Qing was still puzzled, Lian Hua again called out to him, "Come in, Xiao Jizi, you come in and help too."

"Alright." Xiao Jizi scratched his head, not sure what the Young Master intended.

Once they all entered, they saw that the Emperor’s usual work desk was neatly stacked full of items.

Zhang Qing was a bit dumbfounded; he just came up with an excuse to take something, to test Young Master Lian’s attitude towards His Majesty. What exactly was happening here???