28: Chapter 28 His Majesty’s Future 28: Chapter 28 His Majesty’s Future The next day, at noon.
Lian Hua slowly woke up, feeling a bit of a headache as if she had forgotten something.
She tried to recall but couldn’t, so she simply scratched her head and got up to wash and dress.
Neatly dressed, she pushed open the door and two pairs of eyes immediately stared at her.
Who could it be but Xiao Qing and Xiao Jizi?
“Why are you staring at me like that?
Is there something on my face I didn’t wash off?” Lian Hua touched her face, sensing their gazes were somewhat strange.
Xiao Qing took a step forward, hesitating, then looked at Xiao Jizi.
Xiao Jizi had told her something last night, and she had pondered it over and over all night without sleep.
Knowing she was inept at speaking and handling matters, she didn’t know how to react at this moment.
She was also aware of the interrogation by His Majesty last night, knowing that Xiao Jizi had taken the blame upon himself.
She was very touched; if it hadn’t been for her…
how could such a thing have happened?
This made her even more self-critical, causing her mood to still be downcast today.
Xiao Jizi saluted Lian Hua with a smile, “Young Master, blessings.
The morning meal is ready.
Shall I serve it to you in the parlor?”
Should it be called the morning meal or the noon meal?
The Young Master is thin-skinned; best still call it the morning meal.
Lian Hua stroked her chin, eyeing him with suspicion, “Xiao Jizi, you seem a bit different today.”
Xiao Jizi was taken aback.
Had the Young Master noticed something?
“Even more sycophantic, ha ha ha…” Lian Hua laughed heartily with her hands on her hips.
The feeling of teasing someone was indeed pleasurable; no wonder His Majesty always enjoyed teasing her.
Xiao Jizi was covered in metaphorical black lines.
Indeed, this was his Young Master.
It would be strange if she noticed anything.
He could bet that she probably didn’t even know that His Majesty had visited last night.
“Young Master, did you sleep well last night?
His Majesty instructed us not to disturb you before he went to the morning court session, to let you sleep as long as you wanted,” said Xiao Jizi as he laid out the breakfast, speaking to Lian Hua who sat at the table.
“Ah, His Majesty came by?
How didn’t I know this?” Lian Hua suddenly stood up.
Wait, there was a vague memory.
It seemed like someone had been by her side last night.
That explained it; she had felt like she was forgetting something, thinking it had been a dream that His Majesty really did come by.
Xiao Jizi thought to himself, as expected, the Young Master didn’t know…
“His Majesty had already retired when he came, so he ordered us to not wake you.
This morning you were still fast asleep, and before leaving, His Majesty instructed us not to disturb you, to allow you to wake naturally.”
Xiao Qing nodded along from the side.
“Oh my, you should have woken me up…” Lian Hua’s voice grew quieter and she blushed slightly.
As a concubine, it’s expected to be self-aware.
Though it’s nice to sleep in, one can’t be too brazen about it.
She had slept right through the noon, how embarrassing it would be if His Majesty found out.
It was so embarrassing.
With a smile, Xiao Jizi said, “Young Master, this is His Majesty’s kindness towards you.
You just sleep as you please.”
“But I shouldn’t have slept until noon.
Look how high the sun is, oh my.” Knowing such laziness of a concubine would be bad if others found out, Lian Hua felt even more sheepish and began pacing about.
No, family disgrace mustn’t be spread abroad.
She turned to Xiao Qing and asked, “Apart from us three, no one else knows, right?”
Xiao Qing hesitated to speak…
That didn’t bode well.
Lian Hua looked towards Xiao Jizi.
Xiao Jizi cleared his throat and said, “Young Master, no one else does, except for…” He knew the Young Master was embarrassed.
Relieved by the first half of his sentence, Lian Hua was about to relax when Xiao Jizi, that rascal, held back the rest of his words, “Except for what?
Xiao Jizi, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?
Don’t think your master won’t beat you, hmph!”
Xiao Jizi hastily begged for mercy, “Oh dear, as heaven is my witness, Young Master, how could I do such a thing?
I haven’t even had the chance to cover up for you sleeping in until noon…”
Before Xiao Jizi finished his plea, Lian Hua reached out to hit him, demanding, “Just spill it, don’t dawdle.”
He was indeed provoking her on purpose, making her anxious.
This young eunuch had become too bold.
He was trying to act clever?
She was the progenitor in that regard.
Hmph, daring to tease her, she’d later punish him to carry manure for fertilizer.
Xiao Qing watched as Xiao Jizi, unperturbed, frolicked and joked with the Young Master.
With her head bowed, her eyes began to warm slightly.
If she hadn’t heard the noise from last night, how could she have known he had just made a trip to Yama Hall?
Xiao Jizi, with his head in his hands, wailed for mercy, yet still did not finish his sentence, making Lian Hua strike at him repeatedly in frustration.
After a while of commotion, Lian Hua felt something off and turned to Xiao Qing, “What’s wrong with you, Xiao Qing?
Why are you so quiet?”
Usually, Xiao Qing would have joined in to help her hit him; why was she so gloomy today?
Xiao Qing used her sleeve to wipe the corner of her eye, then raised her head with a smile, speaking in her usual tone, “Young Master, I’m fine.
I just had an eyelash stuck in my eye.
I was picking it out.”
Let me have a look,” Lian Hua said, moving forward.
Xiao Qing took a step back, saying hastily, “No need, no need, it’s out now.”
But if it happens again, let me help you blow it out.” Seeing that she seemed to be genuinely fine, Lian Hua was relieved.
Xiao Qing nodded earnestly.
Seeing the Young Master’s caring expression, her heavy heart felt at ease, and she silently vowed to protect her to the best of her ability, even if it cost her life.
Xiao Jizi, watching Xiao Qing’s behavior, smiled contentedly.
It looked like the girl had come to terms with her feelings…
Absorbed in her thoughts, Lian Hua suddenly noticed the Young Master, with hands on her hips, staring at him menacingly, catching him off guard.
He quickly said, “Young Master, half an hour ago Steward Zhang came by, stating that His Majesty will come over for dinner tonight.”