Page 77
Lian Hua grabbed another handful of melon seeds and spoke while cracking them open, "Xiao Jizi, are you foolish? Beauty Li never liked me, so why would she graciously invite me to stroll through the Imperial Garden? Once there, who knows what awaits me."
Besides, that Little Palace Maid could not even hide her own malice, it was obvious that there was nothing good in store.
She was not stupid, and moreover, she was not afraid of her master Beauty Li. Finding an excuse to dismiss her would suffice since there are rules within the palace—as long as she did not make a mistake, even if the Little Palace Maid went back and told Beauty Li, it wouldn’t count against her!
The last time, it was Beauty Li who found an excuse to punish her by making her kneel, but this time it was different. Surely, if she were ill, Beauty Li couldn’t force her to stroll through the Imperial Garden, right? Punishments in the palace had to be justified!
It wasn’t that Lian Hua was bragging, but she understood these little tricks clearly.
Although she wasn’t skilled at seeing through people’s inner thoughts or analyzing schemes and plots, distinguishing whether someone bore good or ill will toward her was still a piece of cake.
She felt Beauty Li’s malice the first time they met.
Having grown up surviving under her mother’s stick, Lian Hua was highly sensitive to people’s emotions.
It was also because she had been taught a lesson too often, that over time, she could sense the slightest change in someone’s aura.
It was just that she usually didn’t care, but if she put her mind to it, she could definitely figure out that person’s temperament.
Take His Majesty, for example; a single frown, and she knew whether His Majesty wanted to punish her. When his brows relaxed, she knew she had passed the test.
Err, why did she start thinking about His Majesty again...
Lian Hua curled her lips, thinking that His Majesty was really a big villain, an inescapable shadow in her thoughts, always making her feel stifled whenever she thought of him.
Xiao Jizi uttered an understanding "Oh". He had always thought the Young Master simple-minded and crude in her thoughts, never expecting her to consider such matters. Today was truly an eye-opener for him, and what mattered most was that the Young Master dared to think and act on it!
Would any other concubines have the courage to refuse as the Young Master did? Probably not!
Young Master Lian’s refusal was crude and her acting skills poor, but her reason for refusing was solid enough that no one could fault her—who would dare say Young Master Lian wasn’t sick?
Even if the Imperial Physician came and diagnosed her as fine, at that moment she was dizzy and uncomfortable, but later recovered—who could say anything then!
As long as one dared to think and act, there was always a reason to be found.
After all, whether or not she accompanied Beauty Li, Beauty Li would not like Young Master Lian and would still plot against her, so why bother seeking out trouble?
Once Xiao Jizi understood this, he relaxed and sat down to join Lian Hua and Xiao Qing in cracking open melon seeds.
By the time Dong Mei returned to Driftfrost Hall and exaggerated the story, Beauty Li was so angry that she could crush her teeth, and she smashed another set of teapots and tea cups.
Beauty Li raged, "That Daying Lian, just you watch how I deal with her!" and with that, she was about to charge off to Canglan Court.
Nanny Sun hastily grabbed her, urging her, "My lady, calm your anger, be patient!"
Beauty Li shook off her hand, pointing at her nose and scolding, "How do you expect me to calm down? That Little Daying dares to step over my head, it’s the utmost disgrace!"
Nanny Sun earnestly advised, "Consort, if she does not wish to come, we can’t do anything about it. There are no rules in the palace that say one must come when invited. We can’t really go bang on her door, and if the Noble Consort hears of it, we would be the ones punished."
Nanny Sun was also at her wit’s end. The mistress insisted on summoning someone to join her for a stroll through the Imperial Garden, looking for an opening to pick on them.
It was obvious to anyone with eyes that this meant no good, and it was no surprise that the invitation was declined.
Yet still, this managed to infuriate the mistress, alas.
Beauty Li felt extremely aggrieved and angry, "But her, but her, Dong Mei, what did she say again, repeat it to Nanny Sun!"
With some guilt, Dong Mei said, "This servant tried to persuade her kindly, but Daying Lian simply refused to come, speaking as if she looked down on her master. She said she was unwell and went back to her room." Although she had imagined some things, this wasn’t really lying, was it...
Beauty Li’s eyes reddened with rage as she said to Nanny Sun, "Listen to this, Nanny, listen to this, if we don’t teach her a lesson, how can I get by in the palace from now on!"
Just a Little Daying and she dared to treat her like this, she had never felt so humiliated before. If she didn’t let out this anger, others in the palace would follow suit, and then how could she maintain her position, who would fear her!
Nanny Sun soothed her by siding with her, "Consort, how Daying Lian has insulted you, we certainly can’t let her off, but you can’t demean yourself by going to look for her, and besides, even if we went now, we couldn’t punish her—"
Before she could finish, Beauty Li interrupted her sharply, "Then what should we do, just let it go?" Was she trying to suffocate her with frustration!
Nanny Sun hurriedly comforted her, patting her back, "Of course we can’t just let it go.
I will find an excuse tomorrow to bring her two servants to Driftfrost Hall, and if she doesn’t come then, I don’t believe it.
Once she’s on our turf, let’s see if she doesn’t make a mistake; then isn’t she at your disposal to shape as you please? "
Visualizing the scenario, Beauty Li’s anger started to dissipate, and she asked with some skepticism, "Will that really work?"
"Rest assured, this servant will handle everything perfectly," Nanny Sun said, patting her chest in assurance.
"In that case, let’s proceed with that plan." Beauty Li was determined to give that Little Daying a lesson tomorrow. Thinking of this, a vicious expression appeared on her face!
After this commotion, Beauty Li finally calmed down, and both Nanny Sun and Dong Mei breathed a sigh of relief, Dong Mei especially, let out a heavy sigh.
The next day at noon, after attending Beauty Li’s lunch, Nanny Sun hurried off to Canglan Court.
Upon arrival, she found Lian Hua and her two maids were just setting the table.
The Imperial Kitchen had an old duck today, none of the consorts in the harem wanted it, Xiao Jizi got it for a very small price. Consequently, the duck took longer to stew, which is why they hadn’t started eating yet.
Nanny Sun had just seen them and before she could even greet or explain her presence, Lian Hua smiled and said, "Is that Nanny Sun from Driftfrost Hall? I’m just about to eat. Would you care to join us?"
Nanny Sun did not expect such a warm and hospitable reception from Young Master Lian.
Based on Dong Mei’s descriptions, Young Master Lian would be someone who irritates people to death without accountability.
She had prepared herself for how to respond to this, but had not anticipated being asked to eat upon meeting her, and she was caught off guard for a moment.
But the moment of surprise passed quickly, as she soon gathered her thoughts and said, "No, this servant has already eaten, this servant..." was about to explain the purpose of her visit.
Lian Hua cut her off before she could finish, taking up the thread of conversation, "Oh, that’s too bad, this old duck today is stewed quite well." Then she said to Xiao Qing, "Xiao Qing, fetch a stool for Nanny."
"Yes," Xiao Qing responded, and went to get a stool.
Lian Hua turned back and said with a smile to Nanny Sun, "Why don’t you sit beside us and wait? We will be quick with our meal, and it will be finished soon."
Nanny Sun was at a loss for words; Young Master Lian had not inquired about her purpose nor shown curiosity as to why she was there, only inviting her to eat, and when she declined, suggested she wait by the side, treating her as if she were a guest...
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