Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 118: Freeloading

Chapter 118: Chapter 118: Freeloading

The Emperor hurriedly held the person back and said, "Nanny, there’s no need to rush like this. It’s getting dark, and the road is inconvenient. It’s not too late to go the day after tomorrow. Her current rank is still that of a Daying. I am thinking of promoting her first, so that when you go, your authority will be justified."

Nanny Qi was at a loss for words. She had thought that anyone His Majesty was so eager about would at least be ranked above a Jieyu, but she had not expected it to be the lowest rank of Daying. What was His Majesty really anxious about?

It seemed that His Majesty was still sticking to the old rules, fearing to repeat the mistakes of the Late Emperor. It was truly a hardship for this child, living always in the shadow of the Late Emperor, becoming someone who lacked the desire for anything.

After all, there were so few in His Majesty’s Harem, and most of them were chosen by the Former Empress Dowager to enter the palace. If they could have caught His Majesty’s eye, they would have done so long ago; it was unlikely to have waited until today. This little Daying must be newly entered into the palace.

...

At dusk, within Canglan Court.

Xiao Linzi, holding a small bundle, was shivering with fear in front of three people, who were conducting a three-person tribunal.

That afternoon, Chief Steward Zhang had told him that he would be serving Young Master Lian in Canglan Court from now on. Upon hearing this, he couldn’t help crying on the spot, asking Chief Steward Zhang if it meant His Majesty was angry with him that morning and didn’t want him anymore? If Young Master Lian fainted again, would it be alright if he was the first to be notified?

Chief Steward Zhang had slapped him on the head, scolding him for his ludicrous talk, and silenced his crying, saying that His Majesty valued him, which was why he was being sent to serve in Canglan Court and required to report back to Star Palace every day on Young Master Lian’s condition.

Oh, it was just an assignment away from his usual place; he still belonged to Star Palace, he was still His Majesty’s man. Once he understood this, his mind was put at ease.

But what he forgot to consider was that this assignment would have him almost always staying in Canglan Court, merely returning to Star Palace once a day to report, otherwise he might have cried again.

Having digested Chief Steward Zhang’s words, Xiao Linzi became anxious again. Young Master Lian, who had been so adorable today, was terrifying in his fierceness, even hitting people, which scared him. Would he hit him too in the future...

With these worries secretly buried in his heart, he obediently packed a small bundle and headed towards Canglan Court.

Upon arriving at Canglan Court, he first found Brother Xiao Ji to explain his purpose. In his eyes, Brother Xiao Ji was reliable and made him feel safe. Brother Xiao Ji had helped him before while still in Star Palace, so he trusted him very much.

To his surprise, after hearing his intentions, Brother Xiao Ji looked him up and down for a long while, finally saying that he would report to Young Master Lian before making any decisions.

And so, the current scene unfolded. Young Master Lian sat in an office chair just moved back by His Majesty, with Brother Xiao Ji and Xiao Qing flanking him on both sides for the tribunal.

Actually, Lian Hua was feeling out of sorts, slumped over the dining table, contemplating life.

With His Majesty away, Xiao Qing had gone to cook, Xiao Jizi was helping out, and Chief Steward Zhang and the others were up to who knows what, but she didn’t want to deal with that blindly obedient Zhang and his lot.

So she was thinking about how she was merely pregnant, so why was everyone treating her as if she were made of clay, so fragile that she was not allowed to do this or that. Would they keep treating her like this from now on? She would suffocate from such treatment!

No, that wouldn’t do; she must come up with some strategy.

Musing halfway, Xiao Jizi led a Young Eunuch in. Who else could it be but Xiao Linzi?

Lian Hua lifted her eyelids for just a glance and became too lazy to look again, continuing to slump and think about life.

Xiao Jizi brought the person forward with proper respects, walked briskly up to her, leaned over, and whispered a few words to her, and she immediately perked up.

Well done, Xiao Linzi, you actually had this use. His Majesty sending him must carry a deeper implication!

Great, there was something to do now, how exciting!

While Xiao Linzi was still bewildered, she quickly ordered Xiao Jizi to check whether Xiao Qing’s cooking was almost done. If it was nearly ready, then he should hurry in; there was important business to attend to.

After making the arrangements, she dashed back to the inner room and sat down at the desk that belonged to His Majesty, imitating his manner to appear more imposing.

Lian Hua cleared her throat and said with feigned authority, "Xiao Linzi, what are you here for?"

Looking at the trio’s stance, Xiao Linzi felt frightened, and stammering, he replied, "Servant... Servant is here to serve Young Master Lian."

Lian Hua stroked her chin and continued to ask, "Oh, what can you do?"

Xiao Qing repeated Lian Hua’s words on the side: "What can you do?"

Xiao Linzi honestly replied, "Young Master, this servant can pour tea and water, and also sweep and dust."

Lian Hua hummed, "Is that all?" She couldn’t help but tap her fingers on the desk, a gesture she had seen His Majesty perform, which she struck with particular vigor.

Xiao Linzi’s mouth fell open. Was that not enough? What else should he do? That’s what he had always done at the Star Palace.

Xiao Jizi spoke up: "In Canglan Court, everyone must have a special skill. Look, Xiao Qing can plant vegetables and melons, I can water them and till the ground, what about you?"

Xiao Linzi shook his head; he didn’t know how to farm, and nowhere else in the palace required farming...

Xiao Qing nodded and following Xiao Jizi’s lead, asked, "It’s fine if you can’t do these, but can you fix a leaky roof?"

Xiao Linzi shook his head again; that also sounded very difficult.

"Can you cook?"

He shook his head.

"Can you make a swing?"

He shook his head again.

"Fishing, making a swing, digging a cooking pit, surely you can do one of these?" "Exactly!"

He went pale but still shook his head.

Lian Hua nodded non-stop as she listened to the way Xiao Jizi and Xiao Qing questioned Xiao Linzi with one question after another.

Seeing Xiao Linzi could only shake his head, unable to do anything, she frowned more and more.

Having heard enough, she slapped the table, stood up, and summarized, "Xiao Linzi, you can’t do anything, do you intend to freeload at Canglan Court?"

Canglan Court certainly doesn’t support idlers, especially since Xiao Linzi was sent by His Majesty to monitor her every move.

Just now, Xiao Jizi had whispered in her ear that Xiao Linzi had a special talent, being able to repeat verbatim the people, events, and words he’s observed, and also mentioned that Xiao Linzi said he was sent on an outside assignment, and would report back to Star Palace every day.

Putting it all together, she realized it wasn’t simple.

His Majesty wanted to control everything about her. Just look, she couldn’t even leave the compound this whole afternoon nor do anything. She wasn’t fooled; His Majesty’s hand was involved here!

This big baddie, he had agreed to everything she’d asked before, but in less than a day, she had lost her freedom, hmph!

Now he intended to send Xiao Linzi to consume her rice, who was not even her man, and couldn’t do anything, hmph, no way!

Xiao Linzi was on the verge of tears. Serving in Canglan Court demanded standards far too high, much higher than those in Star Palace. He didn’t want to stay here; he wanted to go back.

But since Steward Zhang had already made the arrangements, he couldn’t leave, wailing.

All he could do was rack his brains, muttering "this servant," "this servant," and finally, he slapped his forehead, remembering something. His voice was weak and unsure as he said:

"Young Master, this servant, before entering the palace, used to follow grandfather to tell stories, knows a little, not sure if that counts..."