59: Chapter 59: Anger 59: Chapter 59: Anger The Emperor’s anger slowly subsided, and in silence, he remembered that her monthly silver was only ten taels, and she still had to support herself and her two servants.
She did not have the silver to buy jewelry, so every day, she either wore silk flowers made by herself or flowers picked from who knows where.
If she hadn’t mentioned it, he would have forgotten about it altogether.
He had only arranged for someone to provide her daily with ingredients from his private fund, and had not given her anything else.
It was tough for her, staying silent about her struggles until now, when she had received a hairpin but rather than keeping it, she wanted to sell it to cover her daily expenses.
Which woman doesn’t cherish beauty?
It wasn’t that she was thoughtless, but perhaps she faced difficulties.
Seeing His Majesty silent, the atmosphere became somewhat oppressive, and Lian Hua’s eyes began to mist over as she quietly turned her head away and held back her feelings.
She thought it would be fine, wasn’t it said that the hairpin had been gifted to her?
What was given to her, couldn’t she dispose of it as she wished?
The Emperor walked over, took the Gold-threaded Eight-treasure Hairpin from her hand, and said sternly, “Items made in the palace cannot be sold.
Speaking of this in front of me is one thing, but never mention it again elsewhere, understood?” His tone was somewhat harsh.
This precedent could not be set; if it were, what would become of the royal family’s dignity if others followed suit?
Lian Hua cast her eyes downward to another spot and said in a muffled voice, “Yes, I understand.”
The Emperor touched her face, feeling its coolness.
Had he frightened her just now?
If he didn’t make things clear to her, and she mentioned it carelessly outside, she would be punished.
How could he protect her when he couldn’t see her?
He sighed, softening his tone, and continued to emphasize, “These are ancestral rules that must not be taken lightly.
Remember never to speak of this outside, understood?”
Lian Hua silently nodded.
She understood this principle; she had only spoken of it in front of him.
She wouldn’t dare mention it to others; perhaps those sisters who smiled at her might turn around and betray her, right?
Just like those sisters who long ago had praised her silk flowers.
They had seemed so friendly then, but after she had defied His Majesty at the Noble Consort’s birthday banquet, they had since pretended not to know her.
How could she easily trust such people?
The Emperor pinched her face, causing her to turn her head to avoid his hand, her eyes downcast and her lips pressed tightly.
He watched her with amusement, this pitiable Little Concubine.
What was he to do with her?
She truly tugged at the heartstrings.
Holding the hairpin and thinking for a moment, he spoke to her in a gentle voice, “Alright, I will take this hairpin for now.” Later, he would exchange it for something from his private treasury for her.
Lian Hua’s eyes widened, and she looked up at him incredulously.
If it couldn’t be sold, then so be it, and she wouldn’t bring it up again, but why would His Majesty take her hairpin away?
It was no wonder she thought this way about His Majesty, who teased her time and again.
By the time she realized it, it was much too late, and she had no way to reason it out.
His Majesty was so good to others, why did he only seem to bully her?
Feeling wronged, Lian Hua pouted, her eyes starting to redden as she stubbornly tried not to cry.
At a glance, the Emperor knew something was wrong; she must have misunderstood that he was taking the hairpin for good.
Both angry and anxious, as the Son of Heaven, would he covet a mere hairclip?
“I am the Son of Heaven; I won’t covet your belongings.
I will exchange it for something else from my private treasury, and my word is my bond,” he declared.
He wanted to exchange the hairpin to give her something more useful.
Although the hairpin was valuable, it was too old-fashioned and did not suit her.
It was not something she urgently needed anyway.
But why couldn’t she see the kindness in this gesture?
If it were anyone else, he wouldn’t bother going to such lengths.
She truly exasperated him.
With a tearful voice, Lian Hua stubbornly said, “Last night, His Majesty said he would reward me, but in the end, wasn’t there no reward?”
Huh, this ungrateful wretch still dwells on that!
Indeed, he found himself unable to refute her words.
The Emperor’s chest heaved with each breath, anger mixed with concern for her almost crying yet not crying appearance.
She truly looked pitiful.
Taking a deep breath, he realized that what’s said is said and splashed water cannot be taken back, blaming himself for teasing her and making her take it seriously.
Knowing she wouldn’t believe him without concrete evidence, he said, “Tomorrow, I will send the rewards I mentioned last night as well.
Would that be satisfactory?”
With red eyes, Lian Hua shook her head and choked out, “This servant is not seeking rewards.
I have done nothing to merit them and understand I do not deserve any.
If His Majesty likes the Gold-threaded Eight-treasure Hairpin, then please, just take it.
There’s no need to exchange it with His Majesty.”
This was the truth; she genuinely had done nothing deserving of rewards.
Later, she had realized that His Majesty had been jesting the previous night.
Poor as a church mouse, she knew His Majesty treated her quite well, allowing her to speak her mind without punishment.
Having nothing to offer, she had only embroidered a handkerchief, worthless though it was, to give to him.
If His Majesty liked something, he could just take it; it was not worth fussing over.
She was not a miser, after all.
Besides, those weren’t really her things.
As for her poetry, it was His Majesty who had awarded her the top honor, though she truly didn’t deserve the place.
Seeing her persist in this manner, the Emperor decided that she still did not trust him.
His eyes reddening with anger, he pointed at her and said sternly, “You, you don’t know what’s good for you!”
He threw down the hairpin and stormed out of the inner chamber, shouting as he went, “Zhang Qing, prepare the carriage to the Star Palace.”
With that, he pushed open the hall door and left without looking back.
Hurried footsteps sounded from outside, the footsteps of Zhang Qing and the eunuchs from the Star Palace chasing after His Majesty.
Lian Hua stared blankly at his retreating figure, tears falling without her noticing, streaking down her face.
She wiped her tears emotionlessly with her sleeve, then walked over to pick up the hairpin that had fallen on the floor, noting that it hadn’t been damaged in the slightest.
She thought to herself sarcastically that imperial items were indeed durable; not even a throw could damage them.
After putting the hairpin away, she went to the bedside and saw the outer garments and cloak.
Remembering His Majesty had left in his sleeping attire, she wondered whether he was cold.
The autumn air was chilly.
She stared for a long while in silence, then picked up the cloak and walked towards the outside.
Just a few steps out of the hall, she saw Xiao Jizi and Xiao Qing already standing to the side, looking at her anxiously.
She gave a weak smile, her voice a bit hoarse as she instructed, “Xiao Jizi, it’s getting cold.
His Majesty’s health is precious.
Take this cloak to him so he doesn’t catch a chill.”
Xiao Jizi looked at her with a worried expression, replied, “Yes,” took the cloak, and hurried off after His Majesty.
Xiao Qing stepped forward a few paces and cautiously called out, “Young Master?”
She didn’t know what had happened between the Young Master and His Majesty, only hearing the angry voice from the inner chamber before seeing him storm out of the Side Hall.
Lian Hua shook her head and said, “It’s nothing, I’m just tired.
I’ll rest early tonight.” Saying this, she went back inside her room.
Sometime later, the lights in the inner chamber were blown out.
Xiao Qing stood in place, unsure of what to do.
In ordinary households, if a couple quarreled, she could try to mediate.
But with His Majesty and the Young Master being no ordinary people, what could she possibly do?
She was deeply troubled.