noveldrama
Chapter 68 - 68 68 The Number One Sleep Lover in the Harem (Update at 8 AM)
Chapter 68 - 68 68 The Number One Sleep Lover in the Harem (Update at 8 AM)
?68: Chapter 68 The Number One Sleep Lover in the Harem (Update at 8 AM) 68: Chapter 68 The Number One Sleep Lover in the Harem (Update at 8 AM) “It was Young Master Lian who personally said it…” The young eunuch who had been sent recounted the original words verbatim.
Zhang Qing also felt surprised.
His Majesty had not taken it back, yet Canglan Court voluntarily refused it; Young Master Lian actually had integrity, but such integrity was of little use in the harem.”
The Emperor could not help but seethe with rage.
What did she mean by this?
How had she pleaded with him for gifts the previous night, and now she refused what was given?
What was she trying to pull?
Could it be that she wanted to catch his attention, to make him come over?
If that was the case, why hadn’t she chased after him that night?
The Emperor was still troubled by the fact that she had not chased after him; these past few days, he had often thought that if she had chased him, perhaps he would have pitied her and stayed?
But there were no ifs; she hadn’t chased after him to make him stay, and he hadn’t stayed either.
The Emperor, filled with anger, felt that Little Concubine was being utterly unreasonable.
It was this time, and she was still playing at both invitation and rejection?
Such behavior might be charming on a normal day, but was it foolish now?
Yet, thinking it over, he felt something was off.
She had never hid her desires; previously, she only feigned modesty in front of him, always seizing the gifts before he could retract his offer.
Now she told others she didn’t want it—is it really that she no longer desired it?
The Emperor felt uneasy, suddenly recalling something she had said: “She said ‘I will not need anything more in the future.’ What does that mean?
Does she no longer intend to prepare meals for me?”
Zhang Qing said with some trepidation, “Your Majesty, I am afraid that is what Young Master Lian means…”
“What?
She dares?” The Emperor, furious, questioned aloud.
She was his concubine, yet she spoke as if she wanted to rebel.
Zhang Qing, standing aside with his neck shrunk, dared not make a sound, thinking to himself that Young Master Lian’s courage was indeed astonishing.
The Emperor felt a constriction in his chest, as if his liver ached, and walked back and forth in the hall trying to quench his anger.
As he walked, he thought about how she was causing a scene just because he didn’t gift her with something, even daring to make such a statement!!!
He knew this Little Concubine was bold, but he hadn’t expected her boldness to grow each time.
Stepping back ten thousand steps, even if she wasn’t his concubine, under all heaven, everyone was his subject.
If he insisted she prepare meals, would she dare refuse?
The more he thought, the angrier he became, feeling like he would explode with rage.
He wanted to go there and punish her himself for her great disrespect.
No, that’s not it, she’s only bold about minor things.
At other times, she’s very timid and wouldn’t blur these lines.
Yet that was not entirely true, for she could be very stubborn at times, adhering strictly to what she believed.
Once she had made up her mind, fear would not change her decision…
The more he thought, the more frustrated he became, unable to understand how she dared to speak like this!
The Emperor stopped his pacing, suddenly considering a possibility: Could she think that he would no longer visit Canglan Court in the future?
The Emperor paused; he indeed had plans not to see her anytime soon, fearing she would disturb his spirit.
But what about after that?
Would he still visit Canglan Court?
He had never considered this scenario before, just focusing on not seeing her now.
If he also did not see her in the future…
At this thought, the Emperor felt as if someone was squeezing his heart, too distressed to think any further.
Zhang Qing, observing the shift from raging anger to troubled demeanor in His Majesty, could not help but speak up, “Your Majesty, perhaps Young Master Lian has another meaning.
Why not let this servant go to Canglan Court to inquire?
It just happens that the clothes and some items you changed out of the day before yesterday are still there; shall I retrieve them?”
Serving the Emperor’s peace of mind was his duty.
The Emperor felt a deep unease in his heart, and upon hearing these words, he looked towards Zhang Qing, for he wanted to know her thoughts.
Not being able to figure it out likely meant he would not rest easy, so he said, “I will go myself.”
As he spoke, he began to walk away but stopped after two steps, pondering before saying, “No, you go instead.
Just say there is an urgently needed item to retrieve.
See what her intentions are, but do not mention that I sent you.”
However, just two days had passed, and to address such trifling matters, he could not afford to lose face.
Sending Zhang Qing to test the waters seemed a good idea to see what she truly intended.
Zhang Qing chirped and hurried towards Canglan Court.
His Majesty clearly wanted to go himself, yet in the end, he had only sent him.
Alas, he couldn’t comprehend what His Majesty was thinking.
After Zhang Qing had left, the Emperor took a deep breath.
Since his ascension, he had made sweeping reforms, reorganized the court, and purged the harem.
He had never hesitated like this before, and it was all because of that Little Concubine—it was a testament to her capability.
At this shichen, she should have woken up by now…
When Zhang Qing arrived at Canglan Court with the Young Eunuch, they inquired and found out that Lian Hua had still not awakened.
These past few days, Lian Hua had been getting up later and later.
Furthermore, with no need to attend to His Majesty, she felt relaxed, always feeling sleep was never enough, leading to the scene that Zhang Qing witnessed today.
Zhang Qing was at a loss for words.
Young Master Lian was probably the one in the harem who rose the latest.
He hadn’t seen anyone so fond of sleep – her heart was truly at ease.
While His Majesty was in urgent need, she still managed to sleep soundly until now, truly baffling.
If it were any other Concubine, they likely would have spent every day reflecting on what they might have done to displease His Majesty and how they could mend the situation.
But her?
She acted as if nothing was the matter.
This sentiment, Young Eunuch Linzi, who had come to ask questions the day before, knew all too well.
Today, he also came with Chief Steward Zhang.
Yesterday afternoon, when Eunuch Linzi was sent over by Chief Steward Zhang, Young Master Lian was gathering corn with her two servants in her courtyard, seemingly without a care in the world.
Before leaving, Xiao Qing even offered him a cooked cob of corn, asking if he would like to eat it.
What a joke.
Are the eunuchs of Star Palace bribed so easily?
Although the corn looked quite sweet and delicious, he resisted.
He wasn’t someone who accepted bribes.
Today, accompanied by Chief Steward Zhang and seeing that Young Master Lian was still not awake, Linzi was not surprised.
He often visited Canglan Court to bring decrees and had grown accustomed to Young Master Lian’s habits.
“I don’t know what Eunuch Zhang needs that I should fetch for you,” Xiao Jizi said, his face beaming with a smile and a hint of respect as he addressed Zhang Qing.
He used to work under Zhang Qing, and overall, Chief Steward Zhang had treated him quite well.
Moreover, since Chief Steward Zhang was the foremost person by His Majesty’s side, he held deep respect for him in his heart.
“We should wait for the Young Master to wake up and ask after her,” Zhang Qing said with a smile, clearly insinuating he wouldn’t leave without seeing the person in question.
Zhang Qing thought to himself that His Majesty had sent him to Canglan Court not just to fetch something but primarily to understand the intent and attitude behind what Young Master Lian had said the day before.
How could he leave without meeting her?
How would he explain this to His Majesty?
Xiao Jizi found himself in a difficult position.
Having the Imperial Chief Steward wait seemed inappropriate, yet when the Young Master would awaken was still unknown, especially since she had been waking later each day…
Yet, seeing the determination of Chief Steward Zhang to wait until the Young Master woke up and met her, Xiao Jizi wondered…
A sudden thought struck him.
Could it be that His Majesty himself truly wanted to see Young Master Lian?