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The group took a very large detour around this path, skulking about outside for several loops before confirming it was safe, and only then did they head towards Canglan Court.

After the Emperor shook off Beauty Li’s entanglement, he hurriedly followed, only to find that the person he pursued had already vanished.

The Emperor continued the chase in one direction for a while but still couldn’t find anyone.

He only felt a bitter taste in his mouth, somewhat dejectedly thinking it seemed she truly didn’t want to see him.

If it were usual, she would have joyfully run over upon hearing his voice, yet now she hadn’t even caught a glimpse of him and had run off at the mere sound of his movements—the contrast was stark.

The Emperor’s heart was filled with sorrow and immense disappointment.

Zhang Qing hurried over and, seeing this scene, could hardly bear it, suggesting in a low voice to the Emperor to visit Canglan Court, for Young Master Lian would have to return there eventually.

The Emperor, feeling somewhat powerless, shook his head. If she didn’t want to see him, it was best not to go; he consoled himself by thinking at least he had heard her voice today, knowing she was unharmed was enough for him to feel somewhat at peace.

Once he had calmed down, the Emperor called out to someone, "Zhang Qing."

"Your servant is here," Zhang Qing answered with his head bowed.

Seeing His Majesty in such a state truly pained him; he wished Young Master Lian knew how His Majesty worried for her, if only to reciprocate his care, but without the Emperor’s command, he could not do so.

The Emperor looked in the direction of Canglan Court, his voice filled with a lonely command, "Instruct the people from the Bureau of Palace Attendants that if her servants come to procure items, find a way to give them to her."

He had earlier overheard the Little Concubine mentioning a ’hawthorn cake’ with her servant, knowing that she wanted to eat it, and with her Monthly Silver being too little, she currently refused to use the provisions he provided; she couldn’t have whatever she fancied eating.

Thus, he wanted others to subtly subsidize her, hoping she could have a better life.

"Yes," answered Zhang Qing, his heart shattering. His Majesty cared so deeply for Young Master Lian, yet watching her, she seemed heartlessly oblivious, alas.

The Emperor, suddenly recalling something, added, "Tell them to keep their mouths shut."

"Yes," Zhang Qing acknowledged, understanding that His Majesty didn’t want Young Master Lian to know, nor the people of the Harem; he would silently arrange for the matter to be instructed.

The Emperor lingered a long while looking in the direction of Canglan Court, then left with his entourage and returned to Star Palace.

On Lian Hua’s end, by the time she, Xiao Qing, and Xiao Jizi—the trio—returned to Canglan Court, they were all utterly exhausted, physically and emotionally drained.

The gardens near Canglan Court were extremely extensive. In order not to be discovered, they had taken a very long detour and delayed outside for a considerable time before daring to return.

As for Beauty Li, after being intercepted by her own people and His Majesty’s, she was extremely frustrated, and yet powerless.

Only after the eunuchs from His Majesty’s entourage had dispersed could she leave, fuming on her way back, she berated Nanny Sun and Dong Mei the whole journey, accusing them of treachery, pointing elbows outwards rather than supporting her own cause to win favour, blocking her way instead.

If His Majesty happened to encounter that Little Daying, wouldn’t it be her who ended up benefiting!

She also cursed those servants for being useless, for it was tiring her out having to personally take the task of finding that Little Daying every day. Now everything had gone to waste, all her efforts were for naught, she hadn’t found that person, nor had His Majesty followed, and so on.

She walked back, cursing under her breath, paying no attention to whether anyone around her might be listening.

Nanny Sun, wary of eavesdropping walls, tried several times to urge restraint, but Beauty Li was too angry to listen, especially since Nanny Sun had been the one to block her way when she wanted to chase after His Majesty. So she ignored all pleas and continued her tirade all the way back.

...

"Is this true?" Nanny Chen demanded, gripping the young eunuch before her.

"Certainly, this servant heard it with his own ears," the young eunuch affirmed with a nod. Beauty Li had been talking all along the way, and he happened to overhear her. He followed quietly behind and only came back after he had heard everything.

Upon hearing this, Nanny Chen pondered for a moment, felt a stir of interest, and decided that the Noble Consort might find the information worthwhile. Even if she didn’t, Nanny Chen had a few matters she wanted to report, and this could be included.

With that thought, Nanny Chen composed her expression and said to the young eunuch, "Alright, you may leave now. If something arises, report it in time, and you’ll be rewarded."

As she spoke, she gave a silver ingot to the young eunuch.

The young eunuch weighed the silver ingot, which felt to be four or five taels, and couldn’t help but be overjoyed. He thanked Nanny Chen profusely for her reward and promised to report any further news. Then he left.

The Noble Consort was generous with her rewards, never stingy, and as she controlled the six palaces, she could provide real benefits to her servants. Over time, she had won over many informants from all the palaces. This young eunuch was one of them.

In other words, by managing the six palaces, the Noble Consort had secretly placed many informants throughout, keeping her informed of the slightest happenings.

Nanny Chen was the one in charge of these informants. She was utterly loyal to the Noble Consort, having been a dowry servant when the Noble Consort first entered the Eastern Palace, a trusted confidante, which explained why the Noble Consort tolerated any shortcomings in her work.

After the young eunuch had left, Nanny Chen went to Huaqing Palace to seek an audience with the Noble Consort. Once summoned, she began her report:

"These past few days, my people have been working hard, galloping to Yanqing Mansion to investigate, and they’ve discovered something astounding. Daying Lian is not actually Lian Bingcheng’s daughter." This was a significant revelation, and Nanny Chen had been excited to receive this news.

After so much effort and so many days, she had finally gotten something to leverage against Daying Lian. She hoped the Noble Consort would be pleased.

Indeed, the Noble Consort leaned forward eagerly when she heard this and quickly asked, "Are you certain of this?"

Seeing her reaction, Nanny Chen replied confidently, "Your Highness, it is absolutely true. My people not only questioned those living near Lian Bing’s current residence but also went to investigate his previous residence.

They discovered that the neighbors knew of only one daughter, the one married into Baoding Mansion, and had never heard of another daughter. No one knows when she appeared."

"Even the neighbors at his current residence mentioned they’d never heard of him having a daughter in the palace; only his daughter from Baoding Mansion would visit during the holidays.

With corroboration from both sources, my people can affirm that Daying Lian must have assumed a false identity to enter the palace.

All we need now is someone to obtain Lian Bing’s family register to prove it. "

The more the Noble Consort heard, the brighter her eyes shone, and by the end, she was smiling. "Excellent, very well done, Nanny," she said. She was pleased to have found something truly useful.

To forge an identity to enter the palace—that was quite a handle to hold. She had never expected the Little Daying from Canglan Court to have such a background.

With this in her grip, wouldn’t Daying Lian be completely under her control, doing whatever she commanded?

If Daying Lian disobeyed, the Noble Consort could even label her as someone with malicious intent – as if her entrance into the palace had been to commit some unlawful act, leaving her with no place to find peace even in death.