Chapter 23 Gradually Falling in Love

Lian Hua didn't know what was wrong with her, but she had lost interest in everything, even things that she used to enjoy now seemed tiresome, including eating, which she wasn't as keen on as before. She felt as though she was ill, but she didn't know what the illness was.

"Young Master, shall we go out for a walk? I know there's a nest of birds that have just hatched nearby. Let's go take a look," Xiao Qing suggested, her brows knitted with worry. This was unlike her Young Master; although she had been listless before, her enthusiasm for such activities had always been high.

Lian Hua shook her head without much reaction.

"It's just outside Canglan Court, not far, right next to the Cold Palace, in those bushes," Xiao Qing insisted, thinking that maybe the Young Master was afraid to go out because the atmosphere had been tense lately. She added, "No one goes there typically, besides us."

Lian Hua still shook her head.

This was bad. Usually, the Young Master would be the most enthusiastic about such things. If she had lost even this interest, didn't that mean the Young Master was seriously affected?

Xiao Qing stood by with a troubled expression, then suddenly she remembered something Xiao Jizi had said and tentatively asked, "Young Master, are you missing His Majesty?"

"Hmm?" Lian Hua sat up from the stone bench, looking at her with confusion.

There was a reaction. Xiao Qing felt a surge of joy inside; Xiao Jizi was right, she guessed correctly.

"Young Master, you seem a bit unhappy lately. Is it because His Majesty hasn't visited for a while?" After Xiao Qing spoke, she quickly added, "Xiao Jizi said so."

Is that why? Lian Hua was taken aback.

"Xiao Qing, you heartless thing, how could you snitch on me behind my back?" Xiao Jizi came running from a distance, having abandoned his bucket.

"I didn't snitch; those were your own words," Xiao Qing said with a hint of indignation in her voice, which grew softer as she spoke.

"That's because you asked. How could you say that to the Young Master?" Xiao Jizi complained as he ran. He was irked by Xiao Qing poking where it hurt most, accusing her of stirring up trouble.

Arriving near the pavilion, Xiao Jizi bowed to Lian Hua and said, "Young Master, please don't overthink. Your health is most important. His Majesty is currently entangled with government affairs and can't visit Canglan Court, but it will soon get better."

"He will come after a while?" Lian Hua asked, tilting her head and resting her chin in her hands.

"This..." He knew some things, but couldn't disclose them. Moreover, whether His Majesty would come was just his speculation, not a certainty.

"I see. You may both leave. I want to think by myself," Lian Hua said as she lay her head on her arms atop the table.

"Yes." The two replied in unison, exchanged a glance, and left.

Was she truly missing His Majesty? But that man was nothing but trouble, always tormenting her, coveting her possessions, petty and picky about everything. Shouldn't she be relieved he wasn't around? How exhausting it was to serve him—who would miss him? Lian Hua thought resentfully.

Yet, thinking back to the way he held her hand under the candlelight, patiently teaching her to write, stroke by stroke, she couldn't help but feel a stir of emotion. His profile was truly handsome, as was his handwriting; the way he protected her head from knocking against the wall with his hand was also endearing.

It was ever since His Majesty confiscated her writing the other day that he began to teach her the next evening, out of frustration with her work. He taught her many techniques and tricks, and she had been practicing daily according to his instructions, her writing indeed improving.

Sigh, it seemed she was truly missing His Majesty. This was not a good sign. She was just a lowly Daying, without any entitlement to seek him out. What was the point of missing him? There was nothing she could do, and if she tried anything, it would only harm her.

With that realization, Lian Hua became alert. There were so many sisters in the Harem, each more noble and beautiful than the last. She didn't think His Majesty would spare her a second glance; she was just a moment's diversion. If her heart got entangled, it might lead to her ruin.

Lian Hua became fully aware. No, she couldn't continue like this. Whether he was the exalted His Majesty who came or not, she had to live her life well.

Raising her voice, Lian Hua called out to the yard: "Xiao Qing, Xiao Qing!"

"I'm coming~" Xiao Qing hadn't heard the Young Master call out like that for a long time and ran over excitedly, looking at her expectantly.

"You mentioned a nest of birds earlier? Lead me there," Lian Hua stood up, walked out of the pavilion, and headed towards the gate.

"Yes, Young Master, let's go," Xiao Qing thought, relieved. This was the Young Master she knew—how could she not be interested in the birds? Xiao Qing happily led the way.

As they passed by the winnowing basket where the tea leaves were laid out to dry, Lian Hua gave it a kick, which seemed to cheer her up a bit.

Xiao Jizi chased after them, startled by Lian Hua's kick to the basket. Wasn't this for His Majesty? Didn't she cherish it before? What had gotten into her? He hurried over to straighten the basket and meticulously arranged the partially dried tea leaves with bamboo tongs, knowing that she usually didn't touch them with her hands.

By the time he had finished with the tea leaves, the Young Master and Xiao Qing were already out of sight.