Page 87

At Star Palace, the Emperor had particularly inquired if anything was arranged for Canglan Court. Zhang Qing, paying special attention to this matter, reported to him the affairs of the Imperial Kitchen and also presented an extra copy of the inventory list to him.

The Emperor glanced over it, expressing satisfaction with a commendatory remark, "Well done."

He smiled again, thinking that the Little Concubine would surely be delighted to see so many things, which made his heart feel joyous.

Lian Hua was indeed very happy. At first, the three of them were full of doubts, but once Xiao Jizi tasted the food and confirmed there was no issue, they couldn’t help but feel elated. These were all exquisite items with fantastic tastes, and none were spoiled.

However, as she enjoyed these delicacies, Lian Hua still harbored a question in her heart.

She wondered whether receiving so many things a day after meeting His Majesty could be related to him.

The coincidence seemed too great. After giving it some thought, she shook her head and decided not to dwell on it anymore.

The weather was somewhat overcast that day. After the midday meal, Lian Hua felt stifled staying in Canglan Court, so she took Xiao Qing out for a stroll in the Imperial Garden, leaving Xiao Jizi to tidy up back at the court.

Autumn was in full bloom, and the air was a bit chilly. It was rare for them to purely enjoy a walk, taking the leisure to simply wander through the garden.

Even in autumn, the Imperial Garden’s scenery remained beautiful. Lian Hua had never really taken the time to appreciate it before, but now she found herself mesmerized.

Ever since that night, she had felt somewhat downcast, though she never showed it in her daily demeanor. Now, as she gazed at the beautiful sights before her, her spirits gradually began to lift.

While walking, they came across a garden with many ginkgo trees whose leaves had turned a striking yellow—a truly beautiful sight.

The view reminded Lian Hua of the massive phoenix tree in Jinwu Garden, leaving her to wonder if its leaves had turned yellow by now?

With that thought, she was taken with the desire to go and see for herself, so she led Xiao Qing toward Jinwu Garden.

As they neared their destination, they saw several unfamiliar figures in a long corridor ahead, the woman facing away from them, dressed like one of the Sisters of Consorts and Concubines, but Lian Hua had never seen her before.

Unconsciously, Lian Hua slowed her steps.

As the woman turned around, Lian Hua couldn’t help staring, dumbfounded.

The beauty of the Noble Consort in the palace was already impressive, but the woman before her was beautiful in a different way—serene and graceful, with gently knitted willow brows, and a face pale yet tender, her eyes as soft as babbling brooks.

If the Noble Consort’s beauty was sharp and dazzling, the woman before her was a gentle beauty, frail as a white camellia, evoking tenderness and care.

The woman noticed Lian Hua from afar and greeted her with a warm smile, as comforting as a spring breeze, making Lian Hua feel quite at ease.

An elderly Nanny was supporting the woman, slowly walking toward Lian Hua’s direction, occasionally covering her mouth with a handkerchief to cough softly. It was evident that her health was not good.

Lian Hua instinctively stepped forward to meet them. As she approached the woman closely, a Palace Maid suddenly stepped in front and stopped her.

"Be bold, but do not bump into Consort Liu. Which palace are you from? Have you not yet performed your courtesy to the Consort?"

Coming to her senses, Lian Hua halted, and with Xiao Qing, bowed in respect, "Greetings to Consort Liu."

So this was the legendary Consort Liu, whom she had never met. Seeing her now was such a unique experience; she had never seen any sister in the palace who could smile as comfortably as Consort Liu.

"Qing Ping, cough, no impertinence," coughed Consort Liu as she spoke, then continued with a fit of coughing so violent that she struggled to catch her breath.

The Palace Maid named Qing Ping, seeing her mistress in distress, quickly went to pat her back, "Your Highness, are you alright? We have been outside for quite some time; perhaps we should head back."

Consort Liu, while coughing, shook her head, and after another bout of coughing, she had somewhat recovered. Supported by others, she took a few slow steps forward and stopped in front of Lian Hua.

By that time, Lian Hua and Xiao Qing were still in a posture of respect and somewhat at a loss.

"Sister, please rise. My health is not good, and I have caused you embarrassment." As her words ended, a pair of soft, white, delicate hands appeared before Lian Hua, helping her to stand.

Lian Hua, following the hand, stood up and stared blankly at the person who had helped her up, wondering how it was that on their first meeting, this person had come to her aid?

Seeing Lian Hua’s reaction, Consort Liu gave her a gentle smile.

The palace maid Qing Ping, who was supporting Lian Hua by her side, saw that Lian Hua didn’t speak and furrowed her brows, saying, "Who are you? The Consort is speaking to you, and yet you dare not respond."

Consort Liu gently pressed down Qing Ping’s hand and said soothingly, "It’s alright, perhaps the younger sister was frightened."

Lian Hua came to her senses and quickly took a few steps back, saying, "Consort, this servant didn’t do it on purpose, it’s just that the Consort is so beautiful that I couldn’t help but stare."

Qing Ping couldn’t help but laugh out loud, as she had never seen anyone speak so bluntly.

Consort Liu also smiled, a smile as glorious as a blossoming field of flowers.

She covered her mouth and coughed twice, then said, "You jest, sister. May I ask from which palace you are?"

At that moment, Lian Hua, with her head lowered and standing off to the side, replied, "To reply to the Consort, this servant is Daying Lian from Canglan Court."

Consort Liu smiled and looked very gentle as she spoke softly, "I haven’t been well and haven’t walked about in a long time. To have such a beautiful and adorable younger sister in the palace indeed makes today’s walk worthwhile."

Just as Lian Hua was about to thank her for the compliment, she heard Consort Liu say, "You and I seem to have a good connection. If you don’t mind, just call me sister."

"I dare not; this servant is of low rank and unworthy—how could I address the Consort in such a way?" Lian Hua responded verbally, but she felt a bit strange about Consort Liu’s familiarity.

Hearing Lian Hua say this, Consort Liu’s gaze softened like moonlight and she said, "There’s no need to belittle yourself, cough cough, what matters most between people is fate. Since we are fated, what does status matter after all?"

Lian Hua still shook her head. She knew her place; the other was a Second Rank consort, while she was merely a Seventh Rank Daying. How could she dare claim to be on sisterly terms?

Seeing Daying Lian act like a simpleton, Qing Ping on the side became somewhat annoyed and said, "Why are you so unappreciative—" and was about to reprimand Lian Hua.

"Qing Ping!" Consort Liu raised her voice to interrupt her, her eyes growing somewhat cold.

Immediately the voice of Qing Ping became silent, with her head lowered she stepped back, not daring to speak further.

At that moment, the nanny who had been supporting Consort Liu spoke up, "Consort, it’s time to go back." Her voice was without a ripple, betraying no emotion.

Consort Liu raised her head to look at the sky and smiled again, saying to Lian Hua, "Little sister, the weather is not good today, you should be careful. Sister will leave first."

Saying so, she led her people away slowly.

"Thank Consort for the reminder, respectfully seeing the Consort off," said Lian Hua while gesturing a gesture of respect with Xiao Qing.

After they left, Xiao Qing scratched his head and said, "Young Master, Consort Liu is really nice, she didn’t put on any airs at all."

Looking in the direction Consort Liu had gone, Lian Hua said with some uncertainty, "Right..."

Consort Liu seemed very gentle and didn’t put on any airs with her; she was even a bit affectionate. But for some reason, Lian Hua just felt an indescribable discomfort.

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[Explanation of Update Times:]

I’ve noticed many Young Masters asking about update times. Here is a special note from Typing Chicken to reduce the wait for our beloved Young Masters. Typing Chicken always updates on a schedule

Regular updates: Usually at 8 AM and 8 PM for two updates

Extra updates: If I can manage, there will typically be an extra update at midnight. If an extra update is planned, it’ll be announced during the 8 PM update

Mini-theater updates: Irregular and unannounced, typically chosen for days without extra updates, and it’s usually at midnight or 12 PM

When Typing Chicken is reading books and looking forward to updates, I always love to check in now and then.

Every time there’s no update, it’s very disappointing, so Typing Chicken understands the hassle of following updates and has thus created a schedule—it’s rain or shine at these times, reducing uncertainty and allowing our Young Masters to follow along comfortably