Palace Fighting: Naive Concubines' Ascent to Power-Chapter 610: Recalling the First Encounter

She only remembered that night His Majesty was both icy and passionate, and she was red-faced, her ears burning, in great pain, biting her lip and closing her eyes enduring bitterly, only able to mutter some rebellious words inside her heart, the strength of men was indeed too great, she dared not provoke him again.

Dizzy after that night, she somehow fell asleep, the bed was so soft, and she actually slept quite sweetly, aside from the soreness throughout her body, everything else was rather good.

She woke up in a daze at dawn, shoved awake by someone who said His Majesty had promoted her to Cainv, bestowed her residence in the Side Hall of Canglan Court, with a Monthly Salary of six taels.

The Monthly Salary was something she had specifically asked about, it wasn’t offered voluntarily by the Imperial Eunuch with Decree.

Afterward, she packed up her belongings, fetched Xiao Qing, and thus began her subsequent days in Canglan Court.

If she had to do it all over again, she didn’t know if she would dare to. At that time, for some reason, her heart was restless, always feeling an urgent sensation pressing her to change her circumstances, not allowing herself to continue in a dazed state, ready to take risks since she had nothing to lose.

Now, if she were to do it all over again, she didn’t know if she would act the same way.

Probably not, because after being abandoned in Canglan Court, left to fend for herself for those two years, she deeply realized that what she had done was wrong. Being assigned to a place that even ghosts would avoid, experiencing hardship, was indeed deserved.

During those two years, she really never thought about His Majesty once, she was busy every day figuring out how to eat a little better with Xiao Qing, to dress a little warmer, delighted to get a few extra bird eggs, without a moment to spare for anything else.

Reflecting on the past events, Lian Hua’s face showed a hint of regret.

Her eyes shifted towards the chessboard, and then a spark of inspiration struck her: "Ah, what a brilliant move, this should be able to break through the current predicament. Move like this, then like that, and finally this way, His Majesty’s Guard can be captured, and I can even check him, haha!"

To be able to check His Majesty was extremely rare, she would test it out when he returned!

With that thought, Lian Hua became excited, busily moving the pieces on the chessboard back and forth, as if she had already won.

Seeing this, Xiao Jizi beside her couldn’t help but hold his forehead, feeling helpless, and turned to look at Nanny Qi.

He had just thought his master was deep in contemplation about the news he had shared...

Nanny Qi was also feeling helpless, the wrinkles on her forehead creasing.

She initially wanted Lian Hua to be exposed to this news so she would give it deep thought. She also assumed that after hearing it, Lian Hua would have something to say, perhaps expressing her views on the matter, or raising questions, or simply to understand more about the circumstances, which is a reaction anyone would have.

Regardless of which reaction, she would guide Lian Hua to analyze the situation and eventually enlighten her to think deeper.

But to her surprise, Lian Hua was merely shocked for a moment and then asked about the Little Palace Maid and showed no other concerns beyond that, reacting entirely differently from what she had expected, as straightforward and rough as always, not giving it thought unless prompted, seeming as if she had no worries at all.

This truly vexed Nanny Qi. For a pregnant woman to have a broad heart and a plump body, having fewer worries was good, but when it came to matters concerning her own wellbeing, not thinking even slightly about it troubled Nanny Qi.

She stood there with a face full of helplessness, inwardly complaining that this young girl was her biggest challenge in life. If the young girl thought more, she would worry, and now that she thought less, she worried again, it truly was a life of concern...

Watching Lian Hua still engrossed in the game of chess, she sighed inwardly and interrupted, "Girl, what do you think about this matter?"

"Hm?" Lian Hua turned her head, pondered for a moment, and discussed, "Grandma, I think my approach is correct, it’s the best strategy." Even if she couldn’t win, she could still hold His Majesty at bay.

Nanny Qi frowned. What did that mean? Why was this reply so off-topic?

Upon closer inspection, she immediately understood: "Grandma is asking you, what do you think about the palace rumors that the Noble Consort is the person who harmed you?"

If the young girl applied the same effort to ponder this issue as she did to chess, there would’ve been no problem with the Noble Consort. She was smart, but prone to occasional confusion and rarely gave deep thought during times of trouble.

"Oh, it’s about this~" Lian Hua realized abruptly, scratching her head and saying, "Nanny, His Majesty said he would stand up for me..."

It meant that she didn’t need to stand up for herself; hence, she didn’t need to concern herself with the matter. She would just wait for His Majesty to take action.

Nanny Qi was at once amused and exasperated. The girl’s innocence and straightforwardness were really something—she believed whatever the Emperor said, not worrying in the least, so carefree.

No wonder that after the incident, aside from punishing Consort Xu De, there had been no other developments. The young girl wasn’t anxious because she had great faith in the Emperor’s words.

Seeing Nanny Qi’s expression was a bit off, Lian Hua sat up slightly and asked hesitantly, "Nanny, is there something wrong?"

She hadn’t said anything wrong...

"There’s nothing wrong," Nanny Qi shook her head in response.

For the Emperor, the girl’s wholehearted trust was a good thing, quite precious indeed.

"Oh..." Lian Hua nodded her head, not thinking further on it, her eyes returning to the chessboard.

Nanny Qi had no choice but to phrase it differently, "My girl, do you think it looks like the Noble Consort’s doing?"

Lian Hua’s eyes were still on the game, as she replied absentmindedly, "Yes, yes, it looks very much like someone who wants to harm me."

Nanny Qi asked in surprise, "Hmm? Why do you think that?"

The Noble Consort was very skilled at keeping up appearances, rarely showing her true face. She had heard that the Noble Consort’s few encounters with the young girl had been very affectionate, constantly referring to her as "Sister Lian," showing no signs of animosity. How could the young girl have seen through her?

Lian Hua casually said, "She doesn’t like me, always seems to be plotting against me, looking at me with eyes as cold as ice pellets."

As she spoke, she touched her chin in recollection. Hmm, she was indeed correct in saying so; every time she went out, the Noble Consort wouldn’t allow her to quietly enjoy some cake, always drawing people into conversation with her, and was always trying to intervene when others claimed she was out of date.

Nanny Qi’s brows smoothed out as she listened, relieved that the young girl could discern good from evil; this was indeed very good.

She continued, "So you think that the Noble Consort is the mastermind behind this incident?"

Lian Hua turned her head, her large almond eyes looking towards Nanny Qi, "I don’t know, Nanny. Just look, Consort Zhen said it was the Noble Consort, but that’s not important. What’s important is what His Majesty thinks. Whoever he says it is, that’s who it is."

She murmured under her breath, "Consort Zhen isn’t a Bodhisattva..."

She wouldn’t confess just to help her out. This was surely His Majesty’s doing. All she had to do was wait quietly; His Majesty wouldn’t let her suffer.

Xiao Jizi felt a chill in his heart, as if he had realized something, and he lowered his head to hide his expression.

Nanny Qi’s eyes gleamed as she looked at Lian Hua with a smile, "Then we’ll just wait."

She didn’t dwell on the topic any further.

In this world, there were many deceptions, but the young girl could see through them and tell loyalty from treachery—that was enough.

Tranquility returned to the Side Hall. Nanny Qi continued to knit little socks, Lian Hua continued to play with her chess pieces, both immersed in their joy.

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