Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 106: Rare Treasures

Chapter 106: Chapter 106: Rare Treasures

Removing his socks, the Emperor pinched her dainty and fair feet, small enough to fit in his palm, incredibly soft and adorable.

He set aside her removed shoes, socks, and outerwear, covered her again with the blanket, and laid her hands over it so she wouldn’t feel too hot.

After settling Lian Hua and drawing the bed curtains, the Emperor walked out of the inner chamber to the outside of the Side Hall, his face now showing a cold frost.

Everyone outside was waiting.

The Emperor spoke, "Zhang Qing, send someone to collect medicine with Doctor Huang."

"Yes," Zhang Qing obeyed, gesturing for a Young Eunuch to go.

Xiao Jizi hurriedly took out the prescription he was carrying and handed it to the Young Eunuch.

Huang Zude could hardly bear to leave Canglan Court; he still wanted to talk to His Majesty a bit more...

Once only the people from Star Palace and Canglan Court were left, the Emperor turned to Xiao Jizi and said, "Tell me about Beauty Li’s visit today."

By the time Lian Hua woke up, it was past the hour for lunch; hunger had roused her.

She had eaten only once yesterday, again once during the night, and had not had breakfast this morning—sleeping until hunger woke her up.

Sitting up, she stretched languidly, looked around at her familiar bed, and felt very reassured.

She slid out of bed, put on her shoes deftly, and tied up her hair with practiced movements as she walked towards the doorway, about to call out for Xiao Qing to ask if there was anything to eat.

A figure caught in the corner of her eye startled her into exclaiming, "Ah!" and she nearly plopped down onto the floor in fright.

Seeing this, the Emperor rushed over in a few strides and caught her.

Helpless, he had been waiting in Canglan Court for her to awake, even missing his own lunch.

Just now, hearing movements from the bed, he knew the Little Concubine had awakened and had stood up intending to check on her.

But she moved hastily, stepping off the bed and walking out without noticing him.

Before he could get closer, she had screamed and nearly fallen, but fortunately, he was close enough to catch her.

Sigh, she was still so careless; how could he be at ease? Before going to Yixiang Palace to summon someone, he had to keep a tight watch on her.

Lian Hua’s heart pounded wildly as she stared with wide eyes at the person who caught her, and seeing that it was His Majesty, her body went limp with relief.

Normally, when she woke up, there was almost no one around; Xiao Jizi would not easily enter her bedroom, and Xiao Qing seldom disturbed her; today, waking to see someone there unexpectedly, she was terrified.

The Emperor steadied her, touched her cheek, and asked tenderly, "Are you hungry?"

Lian Hua nodded blankly, somewhat confused by the situation.

The Emperor smiled, took her hand, and led her to the small hall where he called out, "Someone bring the meal."

From outside the door, Zhang Qing responded and began the preparations.

After giving the order, the Emperor then looked at her and asked, "Would you like to freshen up first?"

Lian Hua, still dazed, looked at the man before her with a face as fine as jade, and nodded again, having not freshened up since waking this morning.

Thus, the Emperor led her to the washing room, which had already been prepared with tooth powder, warm water, and scented cream.

Letting go of her hand, the Emperor moistened a handkerchief, wrung it out, and began to wipe her face earnestly and attentively, as though he were handling a rare treasure.

Lian Hua felt slightly dazed, wondering why His Majesty was here.

Why did he wipe her face with such a look in his eyes?

The impression from last night was blurry like a dream, with the last image in her mind being the scene where he, sitting on the Noble Consort’s throne, had her thrown into the Imperial Prison.

If he wanted to imprison her, why look at her with such eyes after just one day, as if she was someone extraordinary?

Lian Hua’s nose felt sour, and her eyes began to well up with heat, nearly shedding tears. She pushed His Majesty’s hand away, took a few steps back, lowered her head and curtsied, saying, "This servant greets Your Majesty. I can do it myself and dare not trouble you."

The Emperor’s hand, holding the handkerchief, paused, his heart filled with sorrow. She truly had become estranged from him, and it was only right for her to feel that way, considering how he had treated her.

Their thoughts and feelings were worlds apart, and he had never explained himself. After leaving that night, he hadn’t seen her again until yesterday at Huaqing Palace, when he had her taken away to the Imperial Prison, so how could she not feel estranged?

Suppressing the sourness in his heart, he smiled and said, "No harm, come here, and let me help you wipe it clean."

Lian Hua didn’t move, her eyes gazing at the ground as she shook her head.

The Emperor sighed inwardly, knowing that he could not rush things, and dipped the handkerchief back into the water to wring it dry before handing it to her, saying, "The meal outside should be ready by now. Wipe your face and then go out to eat."

Lian Hua looked at the handkerchief in front of her, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately took it and wiped her face haphazardly, considering it done.

The Emperor breathed a sigh of relief, happy that she accepted what he offered, and then asked, "Would you like to rinse your mouth again?"

Lian Hua nodded silently, worried that His Majesty would prepare it for her again, so she quickly came over and arranged the mouth-rinsing tools herself, dabbed some tooth powder, and was about to start when she realized His Majesty was watching. Embarrassed, she lowered her head, stopped what she was doing, and remained silent.

Seeing the Little Concubine so alienated from him, as if they were back to when they first met, or even more estranged than that, the Emperor’s heart ached. He gently touched her head and said, "I’ll wait for you outside. Come out for the meal when you’re ready."

With that, he turned and left.

Only then did Lian Hua breathe a sigh of relief. She didn’t know how to face His Majesty. As if everything was just like before? She couldn’t do it.

So many things had happened between the two of them, and neither was at fault. His Majesty had his position, and she had her own problems.

Now, to act as if nothing had happened, she really couldn’t do it.

All she could do was retreat to her original place and just do her duty.

After rinsing her mouth, Lian Hua looked towards the screen. Through the screen, she could vaguely see a tall figure.

Her chest felt tight, somewhat unwilling to face the situation. Beyond the screen was the small hall where His Majesty waited.

After standing for a while, she finally lifted her feet and walked over.

She was Daying Lian; she couldn’t let His Majesty wait too long.

When she reached the hall, His Majesty was standing, not yet seated, waiting for her.

The staff had already quietly set the meal on the table, and everyone had withdrawn, leaving only her and His Majesty in the room.

Lian Hua once again curtsied to His Majesty and spoke her second sentence, "Has Your Majesty eaten? This servant will serve you."

Saying so, she intended to go around to the other side to arrange the meal, just as it had been when His Majesty had first come to Canglan Court.

The Emperor could no longer bear the pain in his heart, took a few steps forward, and embraced her, wanting to hold her tight, but he was careful not to use too much strength, considering her condition.

Besides the Imperial Grandmother, there were not many in his life whom he cared about, and affection he received was scarce.

Though he was the Son of Heaven, he never had easy days. Guarded every day as the Crown Prince, and once he ascended the throne, he labored every night. The times in Canglan Court were the most content he had ever felt.

Even when the Imperial Grandmother was alive, he hadn’t enjoyed such delightful days, being able to relax, knowing someone was thinking of him day and night, no longer feeling lonely.