Palace Fighting: Naive Concubines' Ascent to Power-Chapter 456: Roast Chicken Can Be Nutritious

He walked slowly past the roasted chicken, drooling and heartbroken, turning his head back every three steps, slower than a turtle. He simply couldn’t bear to leave; the roasted chicken smelled too good, getting a few extra whiffs wasn’t a wasted trip...

Da Zhuang’s eyes were filled with silent complaint. Master Lian had filled half the meal box and then ran off to look at clothes, assigning a namesake once he had finished. Da Zhuang had been left holding the meal box by himself, and no matter how strong he was, his hands were getting sore.

Lian Hua chuckled awkwardly, "Oh, Xiao Linzi, come give Da Zhuang a hand with that."

Oh dear, she had completely forgotten how heavy the meal box was.

Xiao Linzi came to his senses with a start, "Oh," as he had also forgotten, having been distracted by Brother Xiao Ji’s new clothes. He hurried over to lift one side for Da Zhuang.

Da Zhuang immediately felt much lighter.

Lian Hua was relieved, and as she resumed her earlier task of selecting dishes to include in the meal box, she comforted him, "Da Zhuang, are your arms sore? Wait a bit, I’ll leave you two roasted chickens to replenish your strength."

Da Zhuang brightened up and loudly said, "Thank you, Master Lian, with those words, my arms don’t feel sore at all."

Lian Hua smiled sweetly; indeed, roasted chicken was rejuvenating, Da Zhuang didn’t even tremble upon hearing about the two chickens.

Stopping in her tracks, she suddenly remembered Eunuch Liu. After all their hard work, it wouldn’t be proper not to leave him some roasted chicken, would it?

She looked back, thinking that if he hadn’t gone far, she would call him back, but if he had, then never mind.

Turning around, she saw that neither Eunuch Liu nor Chen Weiwu had left the area of the roasted chickens yet, their gazes seemingly glued to the chickens.

This was perfect. She immediately called out, "Eunuch Liu, Little Doggie... ahem... Chen Weiwu, if you don’t mind, stay and have some roasted chicken before you go."

Opportunities always come to those who are prepared. Eunuch Liu turned around abruptly as if he had heard the sound of heaven.

He dashed back with remarkable speed, many times faster than when he had left, excitedly saying, "Thank you, Master Lian, for your mercy, I’m truly fortunate."

Little Doggie was also thrilled; this was the first time anyone had addressed him by Chen Weiwu, his face flushed with excitement as he quickly followed, "Thank you, Master Lian, thank you, Master Lian..."

Besides thanking her, they hardly knew what else to say.

Lian Hua was very busy, having them wait aside, offering them a seat, then ignored them as she continued her work.

She busily packed the meal box, layer by layer, always planning the portions almost as much as His Majesty would eat, not too much of each item, but a wide variety nonetheless. Today, there was a bit more roasted chicken, the dish packed full.

Finally, it was all set. She snapped the lid shut and, smiling sweetly at Da Zhuang, said, "All done, nothing missing. Tell His Majesty to eat quickly."

Upon hearing this, the seated Eunuch Liu looked up in terror. What had he just heard? Beauty Lian actually dared to rush His Majesty?!

He suddenly felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles, having never seen a consort dare to rush the Emperor...

Da Zhuang, however, took it in stride, simply asking, "Master Lian, why is this?"

For everything concerning Master Lian, His Majesty would almost always inquire in detail; he needed to be clear on the matter.

Lian Hua saw he did not understand, "Just these two insulated food containers, later I still need to deliver them to Sister Consort De and Consort Fang Pin. If Master cannot spare the time, then I won’t be able to deliver them, do you understand?"

Da Zhuang suddenly realized and nodded. He now understood and immediately agreed, picking up the food containers and walking away; two Young Eunuchs from the Star Palace followed him, one on each side to protect him.

Nanny Qi had been silently observing all along, watching Lian Hua attending to Eunuch Liu and thinking that although the girl was scatterbrained, trying one thing, then forgetting and trying another, she finally managed to pull it back together.

People from the Bureau of Palace Attendants offered allegiance intentionally, and to rebuff them outright was to snub them, especially when dealing with a position like Deputy Steward. These kinds of people had to be given some face. She wasn’t sure if the girl did so intentionally or accidentally, but it seemed that even the Bureau of Palace Attendants was confused by her actions.

She had planned to coach the girl privately on how to handle such situations later. She could not protect her forever and would eventually have to leave; unexpectedly, the girl invited the people back, which made the Bureau’s members grateful instead.

It turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as long as they did not support Noble Consort Xue.

Until just now, when she heard the girl urging the Emperor to eat quicker, it was painful to listen to; she probably forgot the Emperor’s pettiness and was likely to upset him, but she couldn’t say that in front of so many people.

She looked towards Lian Hua and cleared her throat forcefully, shooting her a look when Lian Hua turned her way.

Lian Hua felt a bit puzzled but, catching Nanny Qi’s look, suddenly had an epiphany and immediately turned her head to shout, "Da Zhuang, stop."

Thinking of His Majesty’s method of dealing with her, she shivered. His Majesty always compared himself with Sister Consort De. If he heard her speaking like this, he would surely punish her, and she wasn’t sure how to placate him thereafter, which definitely wasn’t ideal.

Da Zhuang turned back, "Does Master Lian have any other instructions?"

Feeling uneasy, Lian Hua touched her face and added, "Um, ahem, tell His Majesty that this is the first roast chicken that was ready. I watched over it myself; it’s the best roasted among all the chickens, and I hope His Majesty likes it."

"Alright, the servant will surely convey the message." Da Zhuang understood and was about to leave but was called back again.

Lian Hua hesitated, tugging at her sleeve, and added, "Also, there’s no need for His Majesty to eat in haste. If Sister Consort De and the others receive their food later, I can personally deliver it and make amends myself, so there’s no need for His Majesty to rush his meal, it could choke him, which isn’t good for his health."

Although His Majesty ate quickly, she really couldn’t bear to see him rush. Meals should be enjoyed slowly to truly taste their flavor.

Eunuch Liu, who had been all ears below, sighed with relief. He knew it; Master Lian didn’t have the gall to rush His Majesty.

Seeing Da Zhuang’s retreating figure, Lian Hua felt relieved and couldn’t help but go over and hold Nanny Qi’s hand, "Nanny, let’s eat too. It smells so good, I’m starving."

Nanny Qi tapped her forehead lightly, "You, always such a handful."

Lian Hua stuck out her tongue and couldn’t help but giggle, "Isn’t that what you’re here for, Nanny? You care about His Majesty, and I do too. We all care about His Majesty, so let’s hurry and eat the roast chicken."

Nanny Qi nodded and patted her hand, "Alright, let’s eat. Don’t starve our Court’s treasure."

Lian Hua cheered, calling out to those outside, "Servants, let’s start!"

"By Master’s command!"

Canglan Court immediately burst into a lively mealtime.

Eunuch Liu, seeing Nanny Qi and Lian Hua on the pavilion acting harmoniously, as close as a grandmother and her granddaughter, was extremely surprised.