Lian Hua had Nanny Qi prepare offerings for the moon, and once finished, they would divide the fruits and mooncakes among themselves to eat, symbolizing unity and togetherness.
Lian Hua couldn’t help but call the Emperor over to look, "Your Majesty, look, this is the big mooncake I told you about."
"Hmm," the Emperor glanced at it before shifting his gaze away—he didn’t want to see any more mooncakes this year.
Nanny Qi, following the sound of her voice, spoke out, "Has His Majesty also returned?"
Only then did she realize that the Emperor had returned; she hadn’t noticed earlier.
That said, with the main guest gone, the rest of the people would likely disperse soon, and this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival banquet would probably end earlier than in previous years.
It was just unknown if something had occurred at the banquet that caused both of them to return.
The Emperor nodded helplessly; with his Little Concubine around, Nanny Qi found it increasingly easy to overlook him.
Despite being such a conspicuously large living person, the servants had announced him with their greetings, but Nanny could still neglect him, focusing only on talking to his Little Concubine.
He was helpless, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to be jealous of his Little Concubine.
Recalling what had happened earlier, Lian Hua couldn’t help but say to Nanny Qi, "Nanny, wait a moment, please. Where is the key to the storeroom? I need to take some things out to give to His Majesty, then I will join you to eat mooncakes and celebrate the festival."
Nanny Qi was somewhat puzzled. Why would she need to open the storeroom this late, and the items she was taking out were for the Emperor? She glanced at the Emperor.
The Emperor was also at a loss; why would the gifts for him be stored in the storeroom, should they not be placed in the bedroom for convenience?
Although they were both clueless, they followed her wishes, and Nanny Qi had someone give her the key.
After receiving the key, Lian Hua, accompanied by Xiao Jizi and a few others, left. The Emperor wanted to follow, but she sent him back and told him to wait in the Side Hall.
Before leaving, she also instructed Xiao Qing to cut the big mooncake and to wash the fruits; she was hungry and wanted to eat when she returned.
Lastly, she also brought Da Zhuang along.
Inside the Side Hall, the Emperor privately speculated about what his Little Concubine was going to present to him, creating an air of mystery that made him increasingly anticipate it.
Nanny Qi was also curious and followed him into the Hall to sit by his side, both staring at each other in silence.
Nanny Qi inquired about the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, to which the Emperor relayed some details.
She commented, "It needed to be addressed. Xu Rongying’s willingness to assist in managing the Harem is a good thing."
She understood why the Emperor chose to announce it at this time: Firstly, as the months went by, Rong Ying’s body would be unable to hide the pregnancy. Since those who needed to know were already aware, it was better to announce it on the joyous occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival rather than trying to suppress the rumors and maintain order;
Secondly, it would shift attention in the Harem by combining the announcement of Xu Rongying’s promotion as a concubine and her role in managing the Harem, confusing everyone with several issues at once, making the young girl’s pregnancy less conspicuous.
After discussing these matters, they fell silent.
The Emperor was naturally reticent, and Nanny Qi had her thoughts to consider, so neither spoke, waiting quietly.
Lian Hua had Da Zhuang come in with a large tray loaded up high, covered with a red cloth that obscured the angular shape of the items beneath.
Noticing Nanny was also present, she hesitated.
She had only told His Majesty about the matter and was not ready to tell Nanny Qi. With one more person aware, there came additional worries—Nanny Qi was getting on in years, and Lian Hua didn’t want her to dwell on it too much.
She hesitated, "Nanny, you are here too..."
"This old servant came to sit for a while." Nanny Qi looked at her , and her curiosity grew even more, wondering what exactly she was going to give to the Emperor that she seemed unwilling to let her know.
But the young girl seemed to have forgotten that the storeroom’s ledger was still in her hands, and what was in it was clear to her. No matter what the young girl took out, she would know by tomorrow.
The items in the storeroom all belonged to the young girl, but there was nothing belonging to the Emperor. It wouldn’t be suitable to give any of these to the Emperor, so what exactly was she going to take?
Recalling the young girl’s previous murmurs about how the Emperor always liked to covet her things, she had a bold guess: Could it be that... the Emperor wanted to covet something of the young girl’s again?
Although it had always been playful banter between the two in the past, and the young girl’s complaints were just casual remarks without any grievance, they should not be taken seriously.
But now, asking the young girl to take out all her private silver... that joke of the Emperor’s seemed a bit too much, didn’t it?
That couldn’t be allowed; she couldn’t leave. She had to stay and watch!
The Emperor grew even more curious. What was his Little Concubine going to give him that she didn’t really want Nanny Qi to know about? Could it be something from her boudoir that was too personal to show?
Thinking of this, he was slightly moved and mulled over asking Nanny Qi to leave for a moment, as after all, it wouldn’t be very comfortable for an elder to witness such private pleasures of the bower.
Lian Hua thought about it; she could signal His Majesty, a private one between him, her, and only them. With just a word, he would understand.
So before the Emperor could speak, she directly said, "Da Zhuang, put the things down." While speaking, she stepped aside and let Da Zhuang place them on the table.
"Yes." Da Zhuang complied with a nod, his head down as he touched a whole tray of items. The tray seemed very heavy, with the veins on his hands standing out as he slowly set it down.
Fearing that things might spill out, Xiao Jizi hurried to lend a hand, finally managing to set everything steadily on the table.
Lian Hua rubbed her hands together and looked excitedly at the Emperor, saying eagerly, "Your Majesty, come on." Then, gesturing with her chin, she indicated for the Emperor to unveil the items.
The Emperor couldn’t see what was put down. He stood up, hesitating a bit. He looked at Lian Hua and then at Nanny Qi. This... wasn’t it inappropriate to do in front of the old nanny?
Seeing that Da Zhuang and Xiao Jizi were still waiting on the side, he couldn’t help but wave his hand and say, "All of you leave, and do not come near without my command."
"Yes." Xiao Jizi and the others, upon receiving the order to leave, were a bit puzzled; just now they had seen everything, so why was His Majesty acting as if he was afraid they would see something?
The Emperor then glanced at Nanny Qi, the implication clear without words.
Nanny Qi had been watching the tray the whole time. Such a heavy and shaped item from the storeroom could only be the young girl’s most treasured possession. It was just strange that she would be willing to give it to the Emperor now.
Seeing that the Emperor seemed to want her out as well, she lowered her eyes, pretending to be unaware, focusing inwardly.
But her mind became even more suspicious; why did the Emperor appear as if he was about to do something scandalous? Could her guess be correct?
Anyway, she wasn’t leaving; she was in charge of the storeroom and had to know the inventory had not been depleted.
Lian Hua saw the Emperor dawdling and couldn’t help but urge him, "Your Majesty, hurry up, do open it fast!"
The Emperor knew Nanny Qi would not leave and felt resigned to that fact; anyway, he was used to it. If his Little Concubine became embarrassed later, she shouldn’t blame him.
Thinking this, he became eager to try; he was quite eager to see his Little Concubine’s shy demeanor—the bashful look, her flushed cheeks, her eyes flickering, unwilling to meet anyone’s gaze, shy and timid, very beautiful.
The corners of the Emperor’s mouth curled upward, and he lifted the red cloth. As soon as he saw the contents of the tray, the smile on his face froze, and the corners of his eyes twitched.