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That day, Beauty Li fanned herself with a round fan, her lips curled into a cold sneer as she ordered Dong Mei, "Go to Canglan Court and summon Daying Lian. Tell her that I am in the mood and want her to accompany me for a stroll in the Imperial Garden."

She had not forgotten Daying Lian of Canglan Court. Feeling somewhat spirited today, she wanted someone to call that little Daying out to give her a harsh lesson and vent the malice in her heart.

Dong Mei meekly answered, "Yes," and withdrew, then headed toward Canglan Court.

Seeing her master’s demeanor, she knew someone was about to be unlucky, but it was fine as long as it wasn’t her.

When Dong Mei arrived at Canglan Court, Lian Hua was getting ready to go out with Xiao Qing and Xiao Jizi.

Dong Mei caught them just in time, stopped them, and lifted her chin, saying, "Is this Daying Lian? This servant greets you."

As she spoke, she bowed slightly as a gesture of respect.

Though she was like a dog in front of Beauty Li, once outside, she was the Senior Palace Maid of Driftfrost Hall and could not afford to lose the pride of Driftfrost Hall.

Xiao Jizi looked very angry. When had even a dog earned the right to mistreat the Young Master?

He stepped in front of Lian Hua, mimicking Dong Mei’s posture by lifting his chin and looking up at the sky, and said, "Young Master, why do I hear a buzzing in my ears? Could it be a fly?"

Then he lowered his eyelids as if he had just noticed her and said, "Oh my, isn’t this Sister Dong Mei from Driftfrost Hall? I’m sorry, it’s just that I’m too tall and didn’t see you, and also these legs are too long, they should be cut shorter, please don’t take offense."

This Palace Maid had come to Canglan Court clearly with no good intentions, all high and mighty. Her master, Beauty Li, had repeatedly made life difficult for the Young Master, and he had heard about it.

Dong Mei’s face flushed when she heard Xiao Jizi’s words. She was short and hated it when people mentioned her height. Even though she was the Senior Palace Maid of Driftfrost Hall, she always felt shorter than others because of her height, which was a sore point for her.

Now, being disparaged by some unknown Young Eunuch from Canglan Court, she was extremely angry and bluntly said, "A good dog doesn’t block the way; I have something to discuss with your master."

Saying this, she tried to push Xiao Jizi aside.

Lian Hua had met Dong Mei twice before and recognized her as Beauty Li’s servant. She was puzzled as to why Dong Mei would come to her Canglan Court; her master was too proud to care about her. She wondered what the matter could be.

Listening to Xiao Jizi disparaging her, Lian Hua and Xiao Qing struggled to contain their laughter at the back. Xiao Jizi was truly talented and knew how to insult someone too well.

Seeing that the Palace Maid seemed angry, Lian Hua stepped aside from Xiao Jizi and smiled amiably at her, saying, "I am here; what do you need from me?"

Seeing Lian Hua smiling at her, the smile on Dong Mei’s face was particularly piercing as if she were being mocked.

She cursed inwardly that both the servants and the master of Canglan Court were all the same, deserving to be disciplined by their masters.

Thinking of what would soon befall Daying Lian, Dong Mei felt slightly more at ease and said with a forced smile, "Daying Lian is indeed fortunate today; our Beauty Consort wishes to stroll in the Imperial Garden and seeks your company."

Hearing this, Xiao Jizi grew anxious on the side, wanting to stop his Young Master, realizing this was a trap and that they should not go!

Lian Hua noticed Xiao Jizi’s unease, gave him a sly wink to reassure him, and then said to Dong Mei, "Is that so? The autumn weather is clear and refreshing today, a stroll in the Imperial Garden does indeed sound splendid. I am deeply honored to be invited by Beauty Consort..."

Xiao Jizi calmed down, realizing the Young Master might have a plan of her own, so they would wait and see.

Dong Mei couldn’t help feeling a bit proud, aware that this Daying wouldn’t dare refuse. Thinking of the upcoming embarrassment for Daying Lian, she felt very delighted and continued, "In that case, this servant..."

Before she could finish speaking, Lian Hua interrupted her and, changing the topic, said, "It’s just that the wind is strong today, I don’t know why, but it’s making me a bit dizzy. Xiao Qing, Xiao Qing? I’m ill, help me back to my room."

As she spoke, she reached out to Xiao Qing behind her. Seeing her chance, Xiao Qing quickly stepped forward to support Lian Hua, saying, "Young Master, your health isn’t good. It’s best to return to your room to rest."

As they made their way back to the room, Xiao Qing left Xiao Jizi to tidy up.

Dong Mei watched, dumbfounded. Today’s wind was only slightly stronger than usual, not very strong. How could Daying Lian be dizzy? Didn’t she just seem lively and energetic?

And she’s unwell? With rosy lips and teeth, a glowing complexion—looking even healthier than Beauty Li. Claiming poor health, whom is she deceiving???

Dong Mei snapped back to reality almost breathless with anger, her chest heaving, her mouth opening and closing, unable to utter a word. With her master’s invitation, how could she dare refuse?

Xiao Jizi watched from the side and chuckled to himself, thinking that the Young Master, who usually appeared simple and naive, was actually quite cunning and mischievous.

When he looked at Dong Mei, his expression became worried, and he sighed, saying, "The Young Master has always been unwell, needing to lie in bed for numerous Shichen each day, and just when we thought she was getting better, she walked out today and the illness flared up again. Surely, the Consort can understand~"

Xiao Jizi deliberately emphasized the word "surely" heavily. After speaking, he looked at Dong Mei—not considering it a lie since his Young Master indeed spent a lot of time in bed.

Dong Mei was so choked up that she couldn’t speak clearly, "You, you, alright, you!"

What else could she say? Could she say that Beauty didn’t care and insist on dragging an "ill" person to stroll in the Imperial Garden?

If so, her master would soon be criticized for mistreating the lower-ranked concubines, and then scolded by the Noble Consort.

In such a case, her master would surely skin her alive!

In the end, Dong Mei harshly left them with a "Just you wait and see," before angrily storming out of Canglan Court.

By the time she left Canglan Court, Dong Mei’s anger had turned to panic. Unable to bring someone, she knew she would still be in trouble when she returned; her master was sure to punish her.

No, she had to find a way to shift her master’s anger, to pin the blame on Daying Lian!

After seeing off Dong Mei from Driftfrost Hall, Xiao Jizi approached the Side Hall and heard the Young Master cracking newly roasted, salty flavored seeds with Xiao Qing.

"Young Master, these salted seeds taste really delicious," Xiao Qing said as she cracked them.

Lian Hua took a sip of tea, set down the cup, and said, "That they do, the more you eat, the tastier they get. But they make me thirsty, I’ll stick with the plain ones."

Xiao Jizi, standing outside, couldn’t help but smile. The Young Master was indeed carefree; perhaps just as the palace maid was leaving, they had started on the seeds, seemingly unafraid of being discovered.

He stepped into the hall, and both of them looked at him.

Xiao Qing asked, "Did you send her away?"

Xiao Jizi nodded his head, walked over, poured himself a cup of tea, drank it in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and gave Lian Hua a thumbs up, "Young Master, you are truly wise. That palace maid looked rather sinister—inviting you over certainly spelled trouble."

Lian Hua giggled and said, "Oh, of course! Young Master, I just knew something didn’t feel right, so I decided against going."

Xiao Jizi curiously asked, "Young Master, how did you realize that?"

The Young Master appeared so carefree, not seeming like someone capable of much thought.