Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 316 Quickly Hide Away

Chapter 316: Chapter 316 Quickly Hide Away

It must be said that the Emperor now understood Lian Hua better than ever, his guesses were always spot on.

After coming to this realization, the Emperor couldn’t help but chuckle at the irony. His Little Concubine had sent someone to spy, yet the spy was so incompetent that he got caught before he even noticed the other person.

He was curious as to what his Little Concubine could be hiding from him to have someone keep watch. This was, after all, a first.

With this thought in mind, he saw Zhang Qing calling after the boy relentlessly. The Emperor, without halting his steps, called out to Xiao Linzi’s retreating figure, "Stop!"

Zhang Qing’s throat was hoarse from shouting, his legs almost broken from running, yet the boy had not stopped.

But as soon as His Majesty uttered a single word, the figure halted abruptly, turning around obediently with head bowed, like a child who had done something wrong.

The authority of his Imperial Chief Steward was dwindling, thought Zhang Qing. He decided to make someone beat the child later to vent his frustration.

Zhang Qing dashed to the front, smacked Xiao Linzi on the head, and demanded, "Why are you running?"

Xiao Linzi shook his head, he couldn’t speak.

Zhang Qing smacked him again, saying, "Don’t you know the rules of the palace anymore?"

Xiao Linzi nodded, squeezing out a word, "Know..."

Zhang Qing said angrily, "If you know, then why run? You’re knowingly making a mistake. Not saluting His Majesty upon seeing him, who taught you such manners?"

At this question, Xiao Linzi hesitated, stealing a glance at Zhang Qing.

Zhang Qing almost choked on his own rage. Was that brat suggesting that he was the one who taught him this behavior? He had instructed him before, but never did he teach him not to salute the Emperor!

In the span of a few words, the Emperor was already before them. Zhang Qing quickly pushed Xiao Linzi to greet him properly.

Xiao Linzi obediently knelt and apologized.

Anxiety grew within him; he still needed to report to his master, but the words of His Majesty couldn’t be disregarded either. In his heart, the words of His Majesty were absolute, so he had stopped.

Looking down at this simple Young Eunuch, the Emperor asked, "Why did you run?"

Xiao Linzi’s face flushed as he stammered, torn between the Emperor’s question and his master’s orders. Could he say it or not?

Seeing the boy bumbling again, Zhang Qing couldn’t resist slapping his head, "The Emperor is asking you a question, speak up quickly!"

Xiao Linzi said pitifully, "Master said not to speak, to be beaten with rattan if I did."

Touching his head, Steward Zhang was so fierce, he had hit him quite a few times today.

With this, the Emperor understood that his Little Concubine indeed had something to hide from him.

Observing the simple-witted Young Eunuch, the Emperor’s mood lightened considerably. He found it somewhat amusing—his Little Concubine certainly had a bandit streak, sometimes acting like the king of children, ordering strikes and threats.

It was said that his Little Concubine loved to frighten this very Young Eunuch before him. Look how scared the little one was.

His Little Concubine really liked to play, the Emperor thought, shaking his head in resignation, his stern face softening a bit.

The Emperor raised his hand, stopping the overeager Zhang Qing, who was trying to instruct Xiao Linzi. He turned his gaze back to the Young Eunuch, who was obedient and single-minded. Perhaps he needed a different approach.

Asking directly might not get the answers, so the Emperor went roundabout: "What did she do today?"

Knowing what she had done would help him deduce why she had someone on the lookout.

Xiao Linzi was stunned for a moment, His Majesty was asking about this...

Seeing him like that, Zhang Qing’s hand itched, and he slapped him again, saying, "Master Lian didn’t say this couldn’t be said, speak quickly."

Xiao Linzi thought about it, and since his master hadn’t forbidden it, it must be alright to speak of it. Besides, it had been customary for him to occasionally report to His Majesty what the master was doing.

He then spilled the beans and detailed everything Lian Hua had done that day.

Actually, Lian Hua had spent the day making clothes and hadn’t done anything else, so it didn’t take long for Xiao Linzi to speak, and the Emperor soon understood what was being kept from him.

The corners of his mouth inevitably curved into a tender smile, warm as spring blossoming, his heart beginning to thaw from ice and snow.

His Little Concubine was the best medicine for him. No matter how much worry he harbored, no matter the anger or unrest, seeing her smoothed everything out.

Despite the hardships she had endured, she remained as pure as ever, like a piece of exquisite jade, and he once again felt grateful to have met her in this life. He would not allow anyone to hurt her, past or future.

The past difficulties were over, and from now on, he would protect her, prevent any further suffering, and let her be happy like this forever.

No longer paying attention to Xiao Linzi’s ongoing explanation, the Emperor stepped toward the Side Hall; he wanted to see her now, to hold her, to kiss her only with such reassurance would he feel at peace.

As the Emperor left, the others followed, and soon only Xiao Linzi remained, still talking about Lian Hua’s daily activities. Seeing that everyone had left, he felt dumbfounded, unsure whether to continue speaking.

Before leaving, Zhang Qing threw him a glance, too lazy to say more to the boy, just letting him stay there—he couldn’t be bothered anymore.

It was almost time for a meal, and Xiao Jizi came out to help with the arrangements.

Stepping out of the Side Hall, he saw the slanting sun beginning to set, and sighed to himself. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the days had become shorter, dusk arriving early. A month ago, the sun would still be high in the sky at this time.

He walked towards the little kitchen, watching the path in the courtyard carefully, and thought to himself with silent praise, excellent, the fool had cleared all the pebbles; in the future, there would be no worry of the master tripping. Very good, very good, he would praise the fool later.

Out of the corner of his eye, he thought he saw someone approaching, and he looked up.

Wow, His Majesty had come back!

This was the earliest His Majesty had returned in recent days.

The master was truly remarkable. Despite His Majesty being so busy lately, with everyone thinking he’d return at night, the master had still sent someone to look out, showing real foresight.

Could it be that the master was in such attunement with His Majesty’s feelings that she knew he would return early?

Xiao Jizi admired her inwardly but suddenly realized, hey, where was that foolish lookout? Wasn’t he supposed to give the signal upon discovering His Majesty’s return?

All of His Majesty’s entourage had returned, and he had vanished!!!

What a unreliable fool!

Without time to ponder further, Xiao Jizi hurried back towards the vicinity of the Side Hall, and as he ran, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Greeting His Majesty, a long life and prosperity to His Majesty~"

Arriving in front of the Side Hall, he began to bow formally at breakneck speed, his voice thunderous to ensure that no one missed His Majesty’s arrival.

A scene of haste and confusion suddenly erupted in the Side Hall, and he could hear the master urgently urging, "Oh dear, oh dear, quickly now, put it away, don’t let His Majesty find out."

Xiao Jizi bowed his head, continuing his salutations, listening to the footsteps drawing nearer, feeling a bit helpless inside.

Alas, the master was indeed extraordinary, preparing a birthday gift for His Majesty as if she were a thief in the night.

Fortunately, His Majesty understood the master; there was no need to worry that he would misunderstand—otherwise, hearing the master’s urgent voice, one might think the master was involved in something scandalous.