Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 317: I’m Back...

Chapter 317: Chapter 317: I’m Back...

The Emperor approached Xiao Jizi and heard his Little Concubine’s voice coming from the Side Hall, a continuous noise emanating:

"Where is the cloth, where is it, why can’t I see it, need to find it to cover up!" came the urgent voice of his Little Concubine.

"Slow down, don’t rush, take care of yourself," Nanny Qi’s calming voice advised.

"Nanny, oh dear, His Majesty is here, if we don’t hurry, we’ll be discovered~"

The Emperor understood; they were hiding something. Considerately, he halted his footsteps and involuntarily glanced at Xiao Jizi, thinking this servant was certainly more astute than Xiao Linzi.

He cleared his throat and said to Xiao Jizi, "You may rise."

As Xiao Jizi stood up, the Emperor still hesitated to move forward, as the sounds of panic from inside had not yet ceased.

After thinking for a moment, he spoke again, "Are you called Feng Ji? I see your scar has faded a lot, is it fully healed?"

"Ah?" Xiao Jizi felt a jolt in his heart and looked up bewildered, wondering why His Majesty suddenly took interest in him, which startled him suddenly.

Most importantly, his wound had healed long ago, and the scab had fallen off a long time ago, the scar was barely visible, yet His Majesty only now asked about it, which confused him; could it be that His Majesty had an ulterior motive?

Could it be that he had been too loud just now and disturbed His Majesty?

The Emperor clenched his fist and coughed into it, glancing unhappily at Xiao Jizi who he had just praised for his cleverness, yet turned out to be foolish.

He only intended to let the people inside know that he was already outside, to hide whatever was to be hidden quickly.

Worried that there wasn’t enough time for those inside, and too much haste might ensue, he used conversing with this servant as a ruse to delay, giving his Little Concubine ample time to hide things.

Yet this servant failed to grasp his intent, which truly frustrated him.

Zhang Qing understood the Emperor; he desperately signaled to Xiao Jizi, pointing towards the Side Hall.

Xiao Jizi immediately caught on, sighed in relief, and quickly responded loudly, "Replying to Your Majesty, this servant is rugged, and with your divine grace and master’s care, the wound has healed completely, there’s not a problem at all. This servant thanks Your Majesty for your concern, filled with fear and immense gratitude, and only wishes Your Majesty and master health and peace."

In speaking so tediously and slowly, he bowed deeply while speaking slowly.

He suddenly realized that His Majesty was aware of the master preparing a gift, yet to prevent the master from knowing that he was aware, he cleverly staged this scene.

His Majesty truly pays meticulous attention to the master.

He feared he still had to keep this knowledge secret from His Majesty for the master, pretending to also keep it from the master on behalf of His Majesty, keeping both parties in the dark.

Right, His Majesty had returned, but that fool hadn’t, not thinking for him, surely His Majesty must have found out from that fool.

He had to warn that fool later not to slip up and let the master know that His Majesty was aware.

The Emperor nodded in satisfaction, this servant finally did not completely disappoint, his reply was loud yet slow, effectively dragging out the time.

Just as he was about to say something else to further delay, he felt the noise inside the Side Hall diminish, turning his head to look, he saw a little head peeking out, the body half-hidden inside, a pair of round almond eyes gleaming as they looked at him, eyes brimming with joy.

The Emperor’s heart involuntarily softened, his lips spontaneously curving into a gentle smile, no longer attending to Xiao Jizi, he stepped towards the person at the doorway.

Ever since he had known about the matter, his heart had been tormented and suppressed. Only now did it truly find solace; he dearly missed his Little Concubine.

Xiao Jizi heaved a sigh of relief, fearing the sudden care of His Majesty the most, as he was so hard to predict. It was no small feat that Steward Zhang held his position.

He found it more comfortable being around his master, whose intentions needed no guessing, to the point where his own ability to speculate had degenerated. He even failed to grasp His Majesty’s intent immediately earlier.

Hmm ... speaking with His Majesty was indeed too stressful. If His Majesty were to show concern a few more times, he might lose several years of his life.

Seeing His Majesty had walked past, he sneaked up to Steward Zhang and quietly asked about Xiao Linzi’s whereabouts.

Zhang Qing glanced at him. Mentioning that boy filled him with irritation. He impatiently gestured toward the end of the road, too impatient to speak another word; that boy deserved a good beating when he looked back.

Lian Hua bit her lip, her eyes brimming with tears as she watched the Emperor approach, counting the days. It had been many days since His Majesty had returned so early.

Seeing His Majesty now, her heart swelled with joy and sweetness, completely forgetting the panic of hiding things earlier, left only with anticipation.

She half-concealed herself behind the door, attempting to maintain her dignity, watching him, unwilling to move another step, only waiting for the Emperor to come closer.

The Emperor entered the door, his eyes and heart full of her. Thousands of words choked in his heart, all transforming into one phrase, "Nannan, I’ve come back..."

Although they had just met this morning, it felt as if they had been through a life-and-death separation, his tone especially cherished.

Lian Hua couldn’t help but reveal a radiant smile, finally unable to restrain herself and throwing herself into the Emperor’s embrace, her face rubbing against his chest as she murmured, "Your Majesty, you’re back. I’ve missed you so much."

The Emperor placed his large palm on her back, pulling her tightly into his embrace, yet careful of her belly, he dared not exert all his strength.

Emotion swelled in his eyes as he softly said, "Hmm, so have I..."

Lian Hua couldn’t help but sweetly laugh out loud, the Emperor missed her just as much as she missed him~

The couple hugged at the entrance of the Side Hall, whispering sweetly, Lian Hua cooing softly, the Emperor listening to her with restrained emotion, love flowing thickly between them.

Finally, they separated slightly, the Emperor affectionately stroking Lian Hua’s head, his gaze tender and soft, as if beholding a fragile treasure, making Lian Hua feel a bit bashful yet very sweet.

Just as they were indulging in their affection, Nanny Qi cleared her throat, walking out from an inner room with a composed manner, as if she hadn’t heard anything before and saw nothing now, behaving very naturally, her eyes half-lowered, seeking to withdraw.

She mentioned she was a bit tired today and would retire early, asking to be excused from the evening meal, proposing it be sent to her room for her to eat alone.

The Emperor and his dear girl had a rare chance to dine together, so she would refrain from being an eyesore at the side.

Lian Hua’s face felt a little hot, and she shyly hid behind the Emperor, having seen His Majesty, she had forgotten everything else; she forgot that Nanny was also inside ...

The Emperor did not persuade her otherwise and immediately consented; indeed, he wanted to spend the evening alone with his Little Concubine.

After Nanny Qi left, only the Emperor and Lian Hua remained in the Side Hall. He took Lian Hua’s hand and led her into the inner chamber.

Lian Hua felt an indescribable excitement and couldn’t help but chatter, "Your Majesty, aren’t you busy today? How come you’ve come back so early? It’s almost time for dinner, are you hungry?"

Then suddenly remembering something, she exclaimed, "Oh dear, I need to tell Da Zhuang that we don’t need dinner to be sent over today."