Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 188: Share Some with Me

Chapter 188: Chapter 188: Share Some with Me

The Emperor let her pinch him, and his heart slowly warmed up.

Lian Hua, while pinching, said, "Your Majesty, you look rather glum today. How about some cow’s milk? I just had some, and it was delicious. I still have half left. Would you like some?"

As she said this, she became slightly embarrassed: "But I have already had some. I don’t know if you would mind. Otherwise, I can ask Chief Steward Zhang if there is any left? It just occurred to me that I forgot to thank Steward Zhang earlier."

She had been so busy eating before that she forgot to save some especially for His Majesty; she didn’t know if there was any left...

She stopped massaging His Majesty’s shoulders and took a step, intending to go outside and look for Steward Zhang.

The Emperor reached out to stop her, preventing her from calling someone. He asked in slight surprise, "Are you willing to part with it?"

His Little Concubine was protective of her food. Before she went out, she loved the milk so much that she was utterly focused on it. He had been away for a while; how come she still had half left? Could it be that she had saved it for him?

Thinking this, the Emperor’s mood began to improve.

Hearing his question, Lian Hua frowned and said, "Of course I’m willing. Your Majesty, you are far more important than cow’s milk. And you really underestimate me. Am I such a stingy person?"

The Emperor silently thought, well, she used to be. He remembered when he first met her; she always looked like she was guarding against a thief, very wary of him. But he couldn’t quite say that to her.

Although it wasn’t noble to compete with a bowl of cow’s milk, hearing her say that he was more important than the milk made him quite happy.

He softened his gaze, looking at her. His mood brightened a great deal as he held her delicate white hand in his palm and kneaded it.

Lian Hua saw that His Majesty wasn’t speaking and stepped forward to closely observe his expression, insisting, "Your Majesty, don’t you believe me?"

Her eyes lowered, she bit her lip. His Majesty was most important. She made up her mind and said, "Then tomorrow’s cow’s milk; please drink it all!" Steward Zhang said she had two bowls every morning and evening.

After boastfully saying this, Lian Hua looked at the unfinished cow’s milk, with a layer of cream formed on top that looked very appealing. The air was filled with its rich, mellow fragrance, and she couldn’t help but add, "Just, if Your Majesty can’t finish it, or doesn’t want to drink that much, just share a few sips with me, or even just one sip would be fine."

She wanted to appear generous, but her craving was intense, creating a clear conflict within her that showed in her expression and words.

It was this conflicting, agonized, yet generous expression that made the Emperor laugh with amusement. He wrapped his arms around her waist and couldn’t help but burst into hearty laughter.

His Little Concubine was still so amusing; in her eyes, cow’s milk seemed like some rare treasure.

She really wanted to drink it, but for his sake, she bore with the pain and offered it all to him, letting him drink it all. How could she be so innocently endearing?

Lian Hua didn’t understand why His Majesty was laughing, but since His Majesty finally seemed cheerful, her eyes also curved in a smile. As long as His Majesty was happy, it was worth it. What’s tomorrow’s milk to her; she had milk the day after and many more days to come, which she could still offer, no, share with His Majesty.

After enough laughter, the Emperor, feeling light-hearted, pulled her onto his lap, kissed her cheek, and said, "You can drink as much as you want; you don’t need to save any for me."

Lian Hua cheered in delight: "Ah, really? I can have as much as I want?"

When she was young, her mother saw her clumsily eating, with food often slipping out of her mouth, and chastised her to cherish her food. Seeing her spill cow’s milk everywhere, she told her that cow’s milk was very scarce and advised her to be frugal with it.

Indeed, the children she played with hadn’t drunk it either, and when she told them, they were quite envious.

But His Majesty said she could drink as much as she wanted, and she suddenly felt rich, like a little tycoon.

"Mm," the Emperor nodded with a smile.

Lian Hua’s eyes crinkled with joy, her happiness twinkling like stars, she exclaimed, "My lord, you are so kind, our home really does have a grand business!"

The words "our home" delighted the Emperor. He had never had a concept of an ordinary family, and hearing his Little Concubine include them in "our home" warmed his heart intensely.

Then hearing her mention how grand their affairs were, he couldn’t help but laugh. He, as the Son of Heaven, owned wealth beyond measure, so their home and business were indeed grand. It was the first time he heard someone describe it in such a way, which was quite refreshing.

Lian Hua, after happily expressing her thoughts and seeing His Majesty laughing both handsomely and beautifully, couldn’t help herself and threw her arms around His Majesty’s neck and gave him a peck, then remembering something, she switched cheeks and pecked him again.

The smile remained on the Emperor’s face, but he was taken aback by such a surprise. He was momentarily stunned, then looked at her with slight amazement. All this joy over a bit of cow’s milk had moved her to kiss him of her own accord?

Lian Hua’s face grew hot, and she sheepishly said, "I promised you back in the Main Hall..." She meant what she said.

She felt that her face was getting thicker the more time she spent with His Majesty; she used to be too shy to kiss, but now after doing so, she felt no embarrassment, only a sweet happiness inside, and kissing felt very right...

The Emperor reacted, recalled the jest he had made in the Main Hall about asking for a reward. She had murmured something softly, which he hadn’t caught, thinking she was unwilling, and then the moment passed and he had forgotten all about it.

Warmth filled his chest, and he chuckled softly. His Little Concubine always touched his heart in unexpected ways; it was as if she mend all the deficiencies of his life.

Having her in his life was enough, making his life complete!

Lian Hua felt that His Majesty at that moment seemed like a big child wanting something. His gaze was intense and focused only on her as if she were his candy.

At first she was somewhat afraid to meet his gaze, but as His Majesty continued watching her, she boldly looked back and felt like His Majesty’s eyes were a deep pool trying to draw her in—and she was willing.

The Emperor solemnly kissed her on the forehead, his lips lingering for a long time before parting.

When Lian Hua came back to her senses, she looked at the bowl of cow’s milk in front of her and picked up the spoon.

The Emperor reached out to touch it; it was still warm, so he silently agreed for her to continue using it, but he didn’t expect her to scoop a spoonful and instead of eating herself, offered it to him.

He hesitated, then saw her nod firmly: "My lord, try it, it’s really delicious."

The Emperor’s eyes slowly mirrored her smile, and he ate from her hand. After finishing, he saw her eyes eager for approval and complimented, "Good, you have some too."

Lian Hua’s eyes twinkled as she looked at His Majesty, refused to decline, and while sitting on His Majesty’s lap, scooped herself a spoonful and after eating sighed, "My lord, this cow’s milk is really delicious, later I must thank Chief steward Zhang thoroughly."

Cow’s milk was so valuable, protected by laws, and she didn’t know how Chief steward Zhang had managed to obtain it, but he surely went through a lot of trouble, and deserved a proper thank you.

The Emperor’s heart stirred slightly and he asked, "Nannan, what do you think of Zhang Qing?"