Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 577: Love Her, Give Her Rattan

Chapter 577: Chapter 577: Love Her, Give Her Rattan

This look...

The Emperor knew to cater to her interests, bending down to look into her eyes, and put extra effort into tempting her, "Those more than ten clay figures are a complete set of the twelve zodiac signs, novel and amusing indeed, each one charming with interest. However, if discussing cuteness, Nannan surely ranks first."

Upon hearing about the twelve zodiac signs, Lian Hua’s ears perked up completely, and her mood lightened upon hearing the final remark about her cuteness, her lips curling slightly before immediately smoothing out.

She must restrain herself and not give up her anger so easily; otherwise, she still has a father, a mother, and two brothers. What if His Majesty brings her family into account again next time? Who could explain that?

The Emperor raised his eyebrows. Such scenes had unfolded many times. Whenever he teased her to the point of laughter, for some reason, she immediately held it back.

He never knew his Little Concubine could exhibit such restraint.

Yet today held a slight difference—she was very interested in that set of clay figures!

This was a good start. The clothes and jewelry he sent the other day had not even received a glance from her, and although she looked quite happy at first when presented with the silver, she immediately seemed displeased after thinking of something, and the silver proved ineffective.

The Emperor now felt confident, with a hidden trump card still in hand, he was certain he could unlock her heart and make her joyful.

He continued, "This set of the twelve zodiac’s clay figurines is extraordinary. Each clay doll carries a zodiac sign—chickens perching on the little clay heads, pigs being ridden. Each is lifelike. The moment I laid eyes on them, I knew they were suitable for Nannan’s enjoyment."

Lian Hua leaned forward, her ears stood up, listening to everything; her appetite was completely whetted.

The Emperor, seeing this, felt his heart soften to a mess; his Little Concubine was just too adorable.

Yet he began to sigh, "Unfortunately, if Nannan isn’t interested, then have it put away."

He shook his head as he spoke, appearing to be extremely regretful, yet his eyes were fixed on her.

Lian Hua immediately looked up, responding, "I’m not uninterested," afraid it really might be put away.

Once the words were out, she saw the look in His Majesty’s eyes and knew she had slipped up; about to cover it up by pretending to continue her anger, she felt awkward and exhausted.

All she could do was purse her lips and sulk, not wanting to speak anymore.

The Emperor pinched her nose and offered affectionately, "How about going to take a look? It’s not too late to be angry after seeing them, what do you say?"

Lian Hua thought, that seemed logical, and nodded almost imperceptibly, sulking as she followed the Emperor into the Side Hall.

Once by the table, she raised her eyes and saw twelve round little clay figures arranged atop it, each lively and funny, and all facing her.

Her eyes blinked, her expression recovered a trace of spirit, and with a small exclamation of surprise, she couldn’t resist reaching out to touch each one and take a closer look.

The more she looked, the harder it became to part with them, and her mood improved significantly; she became spirited without realizing it.

As she looked on, she couldn’t help but lift one and give it a shake, her face full of smiles, "His Majesty, they are so cute." She smiled sweetly, showing a row of small white teeth.

These clay dolls were even cuter than the ones she made herself, not to mention a complete set; none were missing, and seeing them was so pleasing.

The Emperor replied with a smile, "Hmm," not as cute as you.

He didn’t say the second half out loud, but touched her cheek and could not resist kissing her, "Do you like them?"

Lian Hua still held a clay figure in her hand, her brows and eyes curved in a smile, and she readily admitted, "I like them."

As a child, she had a set of twelve zodiac clay figures too, but they didn’t look like this; the chicken was a chicken, the monkey a monkey, not nearly as cute or original, yet they were indeed her cherished possessions then.

Yet this set of the twelve zodiac signs was made much more interestingly; why hadn’t she thought of making them this way before?

She liked it a lot, His Majesty really did understand her well.

The Emperor’s mood also became joyful, the gloominess of the past days swept away.

The fact that she liked the gift he had personally chosen filled him with great delight.

Taking advantage of the moment, he coaxed, "Nannan, won’t you stop being angry with me?"

"Sure." Lian Hua replied with a smile, not even looking up as she picked up one clay doll after another, already thinking about where to place them. She muttered to herself, "Where should I put them? Here or there? On the windowsill, together with the roly-poly toy?"

She wanted to place these dolls somewhere prominent, to see them every day.

It was hard to believe that the issue which had troubled him for so many days was easily resolved with a set of clay dolls. The Emperor was somewhat incredulous, even hesitant, "Nannan, you’re really not angry anymore?"

What a silly question His Majesty was asking. Who likes being angry?

Lian Hua glanced at him briefly between her activities, her tone playful, "My Lord, being angry is not pleasant at all. Each time I want to smile, thinking about being upset, I have to forcibly hold it back. It’s both tiring and uncomfortable, constantly having to remember. I don’t want to be angry again."

This set of clay dolls was specially brought by His Majesty from outside the palace for her. It perfectly matched her taste, she was too happy to be upset about anything else.

Looking left and right, she made up her mind, thinking it best to place them on the windowsill. So, she excitedly carried two in one hand, four in both, briskly moving them to the inner chamber. Like a hardworking little bee, with her belly sticking out, she didn’t mind the effort nor did she need any help, making two trips back and forth.

The Emperor shook his head and chuckled. His Little Concubine was indeed serious even about being upset.

He went to a corner and took out the rattan he had specifically picked. It was his trump card, knowing for certain she would like it. If the clay dolls didn’t work, he would find a moment to bring it out to console her.

After a few tries, he reckoned her anger had almost subsided.

Now that she wasn’t angry anymore, it was the perfect time to give her a surprise.

He held the rattan behind his back, waiting for her to emerge from the inside, ready to make her third trip.

Raising the rattan, he shook it at her, "Nannan, what is this?"

Lian Hua stepped through the moon gate with a smile still on her face, feeling content, and turned to look when she heard him.

As soon as she saw what the Emperor was holding, she froze, her pupils dilated, staring in disbelief as if she had seen wrong.

She moved closer, rubbed her eyes, and looked back at the rattan.

This time, she definitely wasn’t seeing things wrong!

Her mouth hung open, unable to contain her excitement, she pointed at the rattan, "This is, this is..."

Repeating "this is" several times, she seemed to have lost the ability to form words, unable to articulate anything else.

She hesitantly touched the rattan with her hand, then quickly withdrew it as if afraid it would disappear after one touch.

Upon touching it again and seeing the familiar way it was wrapped, the unique knotting technique, she was completely sure.

Ah!

Ahhhh! This is the rattan Brother Third wove!!!

The Emperor looked on with a smile, knowing she held a special fondness for the rattan, not expecting her to like it so much.

Thinking she was overjoyed, he teased her, "What is this?"