53: Chapter 53 Demolish it for me!
53: Chapter 53 Demolish it for me!
The Emperor, with quick eyes and brisk hands, rushed over and caught the falling person in his arms, turning a few times to dissipate the force, nearly falling to the ground themselves, but eventually stabilizing.
Lian Hua, clinging to His Majesty’s neck, was so frightened that her complexion turned pale and her heart pounded like a drum, her chest heaving up and down.
The Emperor was also frightened; had he not caught her, he didn’t dare to imagine the consequences.
After putting her down, he raised his eyebrows sharply and asked, “When was this swing made?”
Lian Hua patted her chest to catch her breath and replied, “It was just finished at noon today.”
At this moment, Xiao Qing ran over, her face ashen, supporting Lian Hua and repeatedly asking, “Young Master, are you alright, is there any harm?”
Lian Hua shook her head, leaning on Xiao Qing, internally shouting with relief, grateful for His Majesty’s presence, her calves still felt soft.
Looking at this reckless pair of master and servant, the Emperor ordered Zhang Qing, “Zhang Qing, find someone to dismantle this swing for me.”
Your Majesty, please don’t!” Lian Hua instantly bristled at the words, her legs suddenly no longer weak, her heart no longer frantic, as she hurriedly jumped out to stop him.
The swing had not been easy to set up, and she hadn’t played on it for even a day; how could it be dismantled just like that, especially when she hadn’t had enough fun yet!
The Emperor let out a cold laugh, his hands behind him, silent, his intention clear without words.
Seeing His Majesty’s expression, Lian Hua became timid; she recognized the signs of His Majesty’s anger.
But, but the swing had really just been set up, and she hadn’t played on it for long…
She hung her head low and timidly walked over, tugging at His Majesty’s sleeve and gently pleaded in a somewhat coquettish tone, “My Lord, please, I will be careful in the future, don’t have it dismantled…”
The Emperor, hard-hearted, brushed off her hand and rebuked sternly, “Had I not been here today, what would have become of you if you had fallen from there?”
Why weren’t you careful earlier?
Now, when you hear it’s going to be dismantled, you promise to be careful, which is useless!
Lian Hua wanted to defend herself; it was not her fault, she was startled when she saw him arrive, everything had been fine before, no trouble at all.
She sneaked a glance at His Majesty’s face, noticed he still looked very angry, so she dared not speak up, fearing to add fuel to the fire, instead grumbling to herself in dissatisfaction.
With her eyes downcast, puffing her cheeks, she occasionally stole glances at the perturbed His Majesty beside her, no longer daring to speak.
The Emperor, still angry from the earlier shock, which had almost stopped his heart, insisted the swing must be dismantled; if she had another accident while he was not around, what would they do.
Without another glance at her, the Emperor had Zhang Qing and several servants dismantle the swing right there and then; he wanted to witness it with his own eyes.
In the meantime, Xiao Jizi, hearing the commotion, had come over; he had just gone to tend to the fire under the stove, the pot still simmering with food, and it hadn’t been long when he heard the uproar and ran over.
Arriving and sensing the tense atmosphere, he quickly bowed to His Majesty and excused himself, then went over to Xiao Qing’s side and asked with his eyes what had happened, why were they dismantling the swing when the Young Master had been enjoying it so much.
Xiao Qing shook her head, for that scare had truly terrified her, her heart still trembling; it was better that His Majesty had it dismantled, as she wouldn’t be able to dissuade the Young Master from playing again, and if, if the Young Master really got hurt, she would never forgive herself.
Lian Hua, with a mournful expression, watched as Zhang Qing and the others took down the swing she had toiled over; it was made of materials that Xiao Jizi and the others had taken days to gather and polish, finally completed only today.
Pitiful and reluctant to let go, Little Concubine tugged at His Majesty’s sleeve, her eyes filled with unwillingness, “Your Majesty, maybe we don’t have to dismantle it; how about I just promise not to use it anymore?
We could just leave it as a decoration in Canglan Court.
Look at how empty the courtyard is, a swing would fit perfectly.
Later, we could even set up a grape trellis, don’t you think that would be nice?”
Were those melons and fruits that she and her servant had planted nothing but illusions?
She certainly had the audacity, the gall to tell such a bare-faced lie, daring to do so right in front of him.
The Emperor looked at her with a smile that was not quite a smile, “What do you think?”
Lian Hua knew His Majesty’s mind was made up, so she didn’t try to stop it, and instead kicked at the pebbles at her feet with a sullen and dispirited air.
After the swing was dismantled, the Emperor ordered the remains to be burnt, to prevent Little Concubine from getting any more ideas, and he issued a decree on the spot that no more swings should be erected in Canglan Court.
Anyone who broke this decree would be punished through Canglan Court’s servants.
Lian Hua was on the verge of tears; she hadn’t offended or provoked anybody, so why was His Majesty cutting off her future possibilities of playing on the swing so thoroughly?
After handling these matters, the Emperor asked Lian Hua, “Have you had your evening meal yet?”
Lian Hua sulked and shook her head; she didn’t feel like speaking.
“Why haven’t you eaten yet?” The Emperor felt his anger rising as a vein popped on his forehead.
He guessed she probably forgot to eat because she was too busy playing on the swing.
Lian Hua was still immersed in the sorrow of losing her beloved swing, and when she heard the question, she only replied tersely, “Waiting for Your Majesty to eat.”
“What?” The Emperor doubted he had heard right.
Waiting for him to eat?
Lian Hua looked listlessly at His Majesty and said, “I was waiting for Your Majesty, that’s why I haven’t eaten.”
The Emperor’s mood slowly improved, the anger that had just flared up vanished, and he thought to himself that this ungrateful creature did have some conscience after all.
Seeing her lack of energy, the Emperor walked over and took her hand, asking, “You haven’t eaten so late, are you hungry?”
“Hungry,” Lian Hua nodded, still unable to muster any enthusiasm, and continued with a monosyllabic response.
Hearing her say this, the Emperor felt a twinge of pity.
He patted her head, figuring she must have been quite scared earlier and now she was waiting for him to have a meal while being hungry.
Well then, he would not punish her this time.
Taking her by the hand, he told a nearby servant, “Someone, serve the meal.”
Then he said to Lian Hua, “Next time, if it’s too late, you need not wait for me; you should eat first, understand?”
“Oh,” Lian Hua responded dismally.
Her swing had met such a terrible fate; it hadn’t even lasted a day, and her heart was bleeding!
By the time they sat down at the table, Lian Hua still looked dejected.
The Emperor could hardly bear it.
Usually, it was Little Concubine who chattered away, starting conversations, while he occasionally responded.
But now, her silence was something he wasn’t used to.
He had no choice but to persuade her, “The swing is too dangerous.
I had it dismantled because I was afraid you would get hurt again, and you can’t always expect people to be there to protect you.”
“You are right, Your Majesty.
I just won’t play with it anymore.” It had already been dismantled, and she wouldn’t be allowed to play with it in the future; there was no room for negotiation.
What else could she say but go along with what His Majesty said?
Seeing that she verbally agreed with him but her expression said otherwise, the Emperor knew she was still not convinced.
Pinching her cheek, he continued, “In the following days, it’ll get cooler, and playing on the swing will be even less suitable.
On ordinary days, if you feel like playing, you can play with your clay dolls, embroider a handkerchief, or practice your writing; isn’t that good, too?”
As he said this, and seeing her still disinterested, the Emperor had to up the ante, “If not, you could go fishing at Huaqing Pool as well; I permit it.”