Page 88

Just now, Consort Liu had helped her up, but the assistance felt completely different from what Xu Zhaoyi offered.

Xu Zhaoyi’s gestures seemed more spontaneous, as if doing it simply because she wanted to, offering a word of comfort while she was feeling awful, without dragging things out or expecting gratitude, and suggesting she take some time to play which didn’t sound like empty words, although she never went—feeling uneasy about going with empty hands.

The actions of Consort Liu, on the other hand, seemed more superficial, her words tender and friendly, but her demeanor was always aloof, except for that brief moment of assistance, her other actions were distant, and moreover, it was only after her servant had done everything that she stepped forward to stop anything further, which seemed more like a pretense.

Lian Hua was practical and simply acknowledged that she had not been neglected in terms of etiquette; she could not clearly say whether Consort Liu was genuinely kind or not, yet she preferred Xu Zhaoyi’s straightforward and efficient style.

Having dealt with the episode involving Consort Liu, Jinwu Garden was in sight, yet Lian Hua felt somewhat uninspired.

After walking a bit further, Lian Hua felt tired. She had walked quite a lot today and didn’t want to continue, so she turned with Xiao Qing intending to find a place to sit and rest before continuing on.

Just then, a person she didn’t see coming blocked her way.

Looking closely, it was Dong Mei, a palace maid from Driftfrost Hall, the one they had upset before.

"What a coincidence to run into Daying Lian here; this servant offers her respects," Dong Mei said with a forced smile, bowing slightly.

"Oh." Lian Hua nodded her head and, without further engagement, tried to walk past her.

Dong Mei paused, surprised. Wasn’t it polite to exchange a few words upon meeting here? How could she just walk away without a word?

So, stepping aside, she blocked Lian Hua’s path again and said, "Daying Lian, my master noticed you wandering alone here and invites you over for a chat."

Lian Hua thought, was Dong Mei blind? With big and tall Xiao Qing right by her side, how could she say Lian Hua was wandering alone?

Nevertheless, she still didn’t want to engage with her.

She tried to walk around her once more.

Dong Mei, becoming frantic, reached out to grab Lian Hua.

Xiao Qing, quick and agile, caught her hand and said, "My young master is tired and wishes to rest; please do not stop us anymore."

Dong Mei’s hand was gripped so tightly that tears sprang to her eyes; she wondered how the servant from Canglan Court could be so strong!

She was unaware that those from Canglan Court ate two bowls of rice at each meal, and were either farming or moving around daily; their strength was not something a petite person like her could match.

She tried to shake off Xiao Qing’s grip, but the more she struggled, the tighter the grip became.

In desperation, Dong Mei started to struggle, and with fear in her tone, she said, "How dare you, let go, let go quickly. My Beauty Consort has called for your presence, and yet you treat me thusly—are you scorning my master?"

Lian Hua, thoughtful, said to her, "Xiao Qing, let her go. Although she was disrespectful to me, let it pass; I am a magnanimous person and will not hold a grudge against her."

Hearing Lian Hua’s words, Dong Mei almost choked on her frustration—how exasperating Daying Lian was!!!

Lian Hua looked at her squarely, took a few steps closer, and asked, "Did your master mention why she invited me? If it’s just to stroll in the garden, forget it, I am not feeling well and need to leave."

Feeling pressured by Lian Hua’s approach, Dong Mei’s hair stood on end as she was forced to step back, rubbing her reddened wrist, about to say something.

Just then, Nanny Sun’s voice came from a few dozen steps away, "Young Master Lian, please wait a moment."

Lian Hua looked over and saw someone hurrying over.

"Goodness, all the nannies and palace maids from Driftfrost Hall have arrived—what are they planning to do!"

Seeing Nanny Sun arrive, Dong Mei felt suddenly reassured, a vaguely meaningful glint sparkled in her eyes.

Approaching closer, Nanny Sun greeted with a smile, bowed respectfully, and said, "I wish you well, Young Master Lian. Forgive this servant’s ignorance, please don’t take offense."

Having been blocked repeatedly from leaving, Lian Hua was already impatient and asked bluntly, "What brings Nanny Sun here? Is it still about that roof leaking issue?"

Hearing her query, Nanny Sun’s face almost twisted, "Again with the roof leaks, a ghostly roof leak, there’s no chance in this lifetime that she’ll ever get to fix her roof leaks!"

Thinking this, Nanny Sun forced control over her expression and chuckled dryly twice, saying, "Ha-ha, Young Master Lian is quite humorous. My mistress is just a few steps ahead, could you please go there?" Saying this, she pointed towards the pavilion ahead.

Gazing in the direction Nanny Sun was pointing, Lian Hua saw that Beauty Li was eagerly looking out from the pavilion, where tea and pastries seemed to be prepared.

Lian Hua withdrew her gaze, unmoved, and said, "If it has nothing to do with fixing roof leaks, then let it be. Thank my consort for the invitation. I shall take my leave now."

Nanny Sun felt extremely frustrated inside—why was Daying Lian so obsessed with fixing roof leaks?

Seeing her attempting to leave, she reluctantly followed her words, saying, "Beauty Li is asking you over because there is indeed a matter to discuss.

How will you know whether it is about roof leaks if you do not go? "

Lian Hua eyed her thoughtfully, her gaze skeptical, examining her over and over as if trying to see right through her, which nearly made Nanny Sun feel guilty.

"Let’s go then," Lian Hua withdrew her gaze, her expression somewhat cold. Without waiting for Nanny Sun to react, she briskly turned and walked directly toward the pavilion where Beauty Li was.

At that moment, Lian Hua was highly impatient, extremely irritated with the people from Driftfrost Hall—these repetitive, wheel-spun conversations kept inviting her, clearly just trying to trouble her. Did they really think she couldn’t see through them!

Driven by her rebellious spirit, she decided to see what the proud Beauty Consort was up to, to save herself from being constantly hassled and relentlessly pursued.

Nanny Sun followed behind Lian Hua, with Dong Mei closely trailing.

A glint of schadenfreude flashed in Dong Mei’s eyes, thinking it was always better when Nanny Sun took charge.

Upon arriving under the pavilion, Lian Hua paid her respects to Beauty Li, who spoke from above in a strangely mocking tone, "Oh, isn’t this Daying Lian? I didn’t think you would come. Since you have come, why don’t you step closer?"

Lian Hua’s expression was somewhat cold. She looked up at the tall steps and at Beauty Li standing atop them, then proceeded up the steps as told...

Just as Xiao Qing was about to follow, a young eunuch darted out and blocked her before she could approach the pavilion, informing her that the masters were having a conversation and servants shouldn’t disturb them.

Xiao Qing then asked, "Then why are Nanny Sun and Dong Mei at the pavilion?" The young eunuch replied that the consort had a high status and couldn’t be left unattended.

In their back and forth, the young eunuch steadfastly refused to let Xiao Qing pass.

The more she was prevented, the more uneasy Xiao Qing became. Being blocked by the young eunuch, she couldn’t see the Young Master, and it felt as though something was about to happen, creating an unusually tense atmosphere.

Xiao Qing, in her urgency, cared no longer for decorum, forcefully pushed the young eunuch aside, and rushed forward.

At that moment, the scene before her almost made her heart leap into her throat.

She saw the Young Master standing indifferently on the platform, looking downward.

Below was Beauty Li, who was about to fall off the steps, her expression one of disbelief and terror.

Frantically waving her hands forward, she tried to grasp the Young Master, who watched coldly, motionless, as she tumbled down the steps.

"Ah~" Beauty Li screamed as she fell, tumbling down the steps one by one.