Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 367 What to Do?

Chapter 367: Chapter 367 What to Do?

She really, really missed them. She was longing to know what they were doing, wondering if they missed her too.

For some reason, at times her heart was seized with worry and fear, always fearing that she would never see them again...

Shaking her head, Lian Hua cast out these thoughts. Clan Uncle had said they would return once their debts were paid, and he never lied to her.

Now that His Majesty was helping search for them and had even repaid their debts on their behalf, there was even less cause for worry.

She didn’t know how the search by His Majesty was going, but if he had found them, he would definitely have informed her at once. Since he hadn’t mentioned it yet, there probably wasn’t any news.

So many years had gone by, and the world was so vast. Even Clan Uncle didn’t know where they had gone. It would probably take some time to find them, so she decided to wait patiently for news from His Majesty.

Having come to this realization, Lian Hua’s heart filled with hope. She patted her cheeks to fully awaken her senses and got ready to rise.

She still had to go see Nanny Qi. She always felt that Nanny Qi and Steward Zhang were planning something big behind her back, yet she couldn’t find any evidence.

"My lady, are you awake?" It was Xiao Qing’s voice.

"Yes, I’m awake," Lian Hua said as she drew back the curtains and got out of bed.

Xiao Qing hurried over to assist.

She had been vigilantly standing by her lady’s side, not daring to step away even for a moment. Even though she had heard some noises outside earlier and was curious to investigate, she hadn’t left.

Xiao Qing helped Lian Hua into her robe. Lian Hua carelessly arranged her hair bun and took a sip of warm water before walking out.

As she opened the door, she found someone blocking the entrance.

Upon seeing her, the person’s joy was immense. In a gentle, tender voice, they asked, "Is Sister Lian feeling any better? When elder sister heard that your health wasn’t great, I became very anxious, and my chest began to ache with worry."

Lian Hua stood with her mouth agape, somewhat stunned. Why was Consort Fang Pin here? And when had she felt unwell?

At that moment, Xiao Jizi squeezed into the doorway, gesturing with his eyebrows and eyes: "My lady, has your weariness lessened after resting?"

Oh... weariness, yes, she did have that.

So she nodded and replied, "After sleeping for a while, I am indeed feeling much better. Thank you, Consort Fang Pin, for your concern."

After speaking, she asked with great perplexity, "Consort, what brings you here?"

It seemed like, aside from Beauty Li and the Noble Consort who had visited Canglan Court once and were turned away by Nanny Qi, almost no other lady from the outside had entered the courtyard since.

But even if they wanted to come in, they should not have been able to; with Nanny Qi and His Majesty around, it wasn’t that easy for outsiders to enter, at least some of that she knew.

So how did Consort Fang Pin manage to come in?

A question surfaced in her heart.

Hearing this, Consort Fang Pin giggled softly, "I wanted to see how Sister Lian was doing, so I came. It seems Sister Lian is as delicate as elder sister. Now that you are with child, you must be careful and take good care of yourself. Perhaps there’s still a chance to recover well, whereas elder sister’s body is so weak it doesn’t respond to care..."

As she spoke, her eyes filled with sorrow and she lifted a handkerchief to cover her face, weeping piteously.

Xiao Jizi, standing by, wanted to sweep Consort Fang Pin out the door. What did she mean by "perhaps there’s still a chance to recover well"?

The lady was in fine health, strong as a little calf, her energy unfocused, just waiting to stir up some trouble until she was satisfied.

Can Consort Fang Pin ever say anything nice?

He was truly exhausted. Consort Fang Pin’s arrival was an utter mistake, a complete blunder.

At the time, Consort Fang Pin was so flustered that it would’ve been unreasonable to send her away; only after he went out to get the full story from the people covertly guarding the main gate did he realize just how much of a fluke her entrance was.

Alas, Xiao Linzi, that fool, was useless, failing to stop her. Instead, he was frightened by the ghostly wails from Consort Fang Pin’s mouth and ran into Canglan Court with her.

The origin of Consort Fang Pin’s so-called ghost made him bitterly smile. What can he say? The Shadow Guard had been too clever for his own good. The key point was that Consort Fang Pin believed it and turned tail to run into Canglan Court, sigh...

He was powerless, too. After going out and returning, he came up with an excuse to explain the ghost that Consort Fang Pin mentioned, thus completely dispelling the doubts of Consort Fang Pin and her servant girl, and then tried to ask them to leave.

Who would’ve known that after Consort Fang Pin learned it wasn’t a ghost, she transformed back into her sickly, delicate state, spewing pretentious words, insisting on staying to check on her master.

He reluctantly found a reason, telling her that the master had a condition requiring plenty of sleep, as prescribed by the Imperial Physician, and needed to sleep for many Shichen Chinese Time each day. Fearing he might neglect Consort Fang Pin, he advised her to return first, and they would revisit the situation once the master recovered.

When Consort Fang Pin heard this, she acted as though she found a confidant, suggesting that Sister Lian was as frail as she was, hence she couldn’t leave and neglect her.

She was not in the way and would be fine after a while.

Xiao Jizi was speechless at that moment. The master was pregnant and sleepy; who was as delicate as her? And was she truly frail? The one who ran so fast when she saw a ghost, nearly unstoppable, was who?

If only he had let them remain frightened, it would’ve spared so much trouble, and they likely wouldn’t dare come back anymore. Truly, regret is in hindsight!

Xiao Jizi was almost to the point of beating his chest and stamping his feet in frustration.

Consort Fang Pin was of no low rank, and he was not Nanny Qi; how could he openly chase someone away?

But no matter how much he hinted, Consort Fang Pin wouldn’t leave. She led the way to the Side Hall at a snail’s pace—a distance that could be covered in two steps, but Consort Fang Pin insisted on taking three, all the while commenting on every plant and stone in Canglan Court, which was grating to listen to.

All three lines of defense failed to stop the prissy Consort Fang Pin, who continued all the way to the Side Hall. Just as she arrived, His Majesty opened the door.

Xiao Jizi silently sighed, what a sin!

While Xiao Jizi’s mind was filled with chaotic thoughts, Lian Hua had already sighed several times for Consort Fang Pin.

Consort Fang Pin was too tragic; she had to endure heartache every day, her liver would pain her every three days, not to mention occasional headaches. Overall, she was never in good health and had to take medicine daily.

Lian Hua found this unbearable to hear. The medicine was just too bitter; the thought of having to take it was terrifying.

She led Consort Fang Pin into the hall and had Xiao Qing pour tea.

At that moment, Consort Fang Pin, with a handkerchief in hand, softly sobbed, "Sister, you are still young and must be careful not to catch cold. Sister did not understand when she was younger and caught a chill in her chest that now causes frequent heartaches. Just now when your sister ran a little, my chest felt stuffy, as if it’s going to hurt again."

Consort Fang Pin said this as she covered her chest, her expression full of sorrow and pain.

Lian Hua rested her chin on her hand as she watched her, "What should be done then?"

Ah, she could not well advise her to seek the Imperial Physician; she disliked visiting the physician herself, so how could she persuade Consort Fang Pin?

However, Consort Fang Pin was indeed too feeble—if she had to run a bit, it would be too much for her. It must’ve taken a toll to come from the Harem to Canglan Court; she might have to persuade her to refrain from coming in the future. How embarrassing it must be to show oneself in such a state.

With such a delicate constitution, it was fortunate she didn’t have to farm. Otherwise, she wouldn’t last two turns; before the ground could be plowed, she would have starved to death.