Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 565: Does Nannan Recognize Someone Called Lian Mu?

Chapter 565: Chapter 565: Does Nannan Recognize Someone Called Lian Mu?

"Ah, can it be done like that?" Zhang Qing was stunned. Was it such a coincidence that the piece of stone from the broken shovel could be made into an ornament?

Lian Hua nodded affirmatively, "When you have some free time, go and have a look then you’ll know. Nanny praised that stone, saying it was some kind of exotic stone that outshines jade or something, and the ornament made from it is spiritual, grand, with its patterns naturally flowing. If you gaze at it long enough, it’s like being in a fairyland, even better than deliberately searching for one. You’re the one to thank for ninety-nine percent of it."

Of course, Nanny Qi praised her for her craftsmanship too. She deserves some credit, a small percent of it will do.

Zhang Qing showed a hint of joy. He actually began to feel that there were some benefits to plowing the land.

His face broke into a smile as he modestly said, "Not at all, the credit is all yours. If it weren’t for you, pleading on this servant’s behalf to His Majesty, this servant wouldn’t have had the chance to plow the land, right?"

"Oh, stop deferring the credit. I’ve already taken my share."

She couldn’t take credit for this matter. She and Xiao Qing had lived here for so long without finding anything, but Steward Zhang discovered it as soon as he started turning the soil. It really depended on the person.

Thinking of this, she raised a thumb in admiration and said, "Steward Zhang, it’s truly extraordinary that you found treasure the first time you plowed the ground."

She was very affirming to Zhang Qing.

Zhang Qing kept waving his hands dismissively, a flush of pride on his face, "Master Lian flatters me. It is you who has the discerning eye to recognize the treasure."

The two of them bantered back and forth for a few sentences, both thoroughly pleased.

Finally, with a touch of emotion, Lian Hua concluded, "Steward Zhang, when you have time, come over to Canglan Court and plow some more land. It’s just a pity we have to wait until after the winter to plow again, we’ll have to wait until next year." She felt somewhat regretful thinking about it.

But the treasure was in the ground, and Steward Zhang was here. It’s not going anywhere no matter when it’s dug up.

Zhang Qing was about to cheerfully respond when his mind suddenly cooled down, and he became completely sober.

Plowing the land? Better to forget about that!

My goodness, his mother! Whenever he had a few more words with Master Lian, he’d inadvertently be led astray, almost forgetting the important matters at hand.

He slapped his forehead and hastily made an excuse, "Oh, Master Lian, this servant must see His Majesty. There are still tasks at hand that aren’t finished."

"Oh, off you go then." She didn’t have much else to say.

"Alright then, this servant is off," said Zhang Qing as he hurried toward the Side Hall.

After walking a few steps, he suddenly felt something wasn’t right and stopped, "Isn’t Master Lian going back to the hall?"

His Majesty might be inside.

Where was Master Lian going, heading in the direction of the gate? That wouldn’t be good!

With Xiao Qing by her side, Lian Hua looked back upon hearing the question, "No, I’m going over there to find some dried grass to decorate the vases."

She said, pointing to a piece of land not far from the Side Hall.

Zhang Qing relaxed, "All right then, Master Lian, you go ahead with your work."

He thought to himself, Master Lian might look simple-minded, but she was someone who knew what she was about.

Now completely reassured, he continued walking forward only after Lian Hua started moving again.

As he walked, murmuring voices could be heard from behind:

"Normally didn’t notice, but now that you look, Steward Zhang is really too skinny. A gust of wind could blow him over," Master Lian’s voice.

"Yes, too skinny," said the Little Palace Maid’s voice.

"He needs to eat more to build up strength."

"Then I’ll have Xiao Linzi prepare more big bones later."

Zhang Qing felt a warmth in his heart. Master Lian really was good to him.

"I think that’s a good idea. But Xiao Qing, if you had to carry Steward Zhang, how many could you carry?"

"Maybe two... Any more and I wouldn’t have enough hands."

"Right, almost forgot about that..."

Zhang Qing’s body stiffened for a moment before he let out a wry smile, realizing he really needed to eat more in the future.

Having entered the hall, his expression reverted to normal, and he respectfully performed a courtesy, drawing out a list from his chest to present, "Your Majesty, the servants in the palace have all been sifted through. Those with issues or suspected issues are all marked out. Here is the list."

The Emperor took it, glanced over it a few times, "Very good, have Liu Dayou from the Bureau of Palace Attendants prepare. Tell him, if he dares to leak a word, I will claim his head."

"Yes." Zhang Qing bowed deeply.

Liu Dayou was the Deputy Steward of the Bureau of Palace Attendants. He had some insight. It was he who had come to Canglan Court a short time ago to deliver the managing eunuch’s clothes to Xiao Jizi.

Zhang Qing knew that it was this action that had caught His Majesty’s attention, and subsequently decided to make use of him.

He had a faint hunch, guessing that His Majesty was preparing to build a team for Master Lian...

"Have the servants from Huaning Palace been summoned?"

Zhang Qing returned to his senses, answering respectfully, "They have all been summoned. Quite a few people from Huaning Palace have tampered with many things."

"Hmm." The Emperor pondered for a moment before saying, "You go to Huaning Palace tonight, give Consort Zhen two choices..."

Zhang Qing’s heart grew cold, and he listened attentively, bowing even lower.

After listening, he hesitated, "Your Highness, Consort Zhen... can she be relied upon?" Her courage being so small.

Seeming to catch his implication, the Emperor interrupted, "You just go, she is a smart person, she knows how to choose."

"Yes." Zhang Qing bowed and backed out.

Stepping out of the Side Hall, Zhang Qing looked up, feeling emotional for a long time.

The Harem... was really about to change...

Inside the Side Hall, the Emperor rubbed his brow, looked towards the dressing table, and after a moment’s thought, got up, ready to leave.

He had just reached the antechamber when he heard laughter and joyful voices from outside.

He couldn’t help but smile, waiting for the arrival.

Soon, a lively and charming figure stepped through the palace door.

"Your Majesty, have you finished dealing with state affairs?"

"Yes."

"I’ve put together a vase of flowers for you, placed on your desk. It looks good this way."

Lian Hua said this as she walked toward the inner chambers, adding, "It’s a pity we can’t go out. If we could, I would pick fresh flowers for you every day. But dried flowers have their benefits, too. They are forever blooming, never withering. I did this a long time ago, look, the petals still keep their delicate beauty."

The Emperor followed her, listening to her continuous chatter, smiling unwittingly.

Reaching the desk, Lian Hua looked around and mumbled to herself about where to place it, moved the brush stand aside, and set down the vase.

Not quite satisfied, she put the brush stand back and rearranged the other things on the desk.

She bumped into a box.

She moved the box a bit and then shifted the other items together before putting down the vase, stepping back a couple of steps to look, and feeling very pleased with herself.

"Your Highness, what do you think about this spot? It won’t be in your way, and you can see it just by lifting your eyes," she said.

The Emperor replied, "Good." Any place chosen by his Little Concubine was naturally good.

Looking at the box, an idea struck him, and he asked as if compelled by some unknown force, "Nannan, do you know someone named Lian Mu?"

Upon reflection, he felt it was impossible, judging from what he had heard from her, her three elder brothers were probably not very academic.

"Lian Mu?" Lian Hua blinked, her heart suddenly racing, eyes widening in shock as she grabbed his sleeve, "Your Highness, did you misspell it?"

The Emperor sighed internally, lifted her hand, and wrote two characters.

"Oh..." It wasn’t her eldest brother’s name; it just sounded similar.

Suddenly, she added, "Your Highness, do you think it could be my elder brother using a pseudonym?"