Chapter 26 Lecture

After returning, Xiao Jizi paid close attention and noticed that the Young Master barely touched his dinner before declaring he was tired and wanted to sleep. He went to rest in the bedroom, not even practicing the calligraphy that he diligently worked on every day.

Xiao Jizi grew anxious. Once the Young Master had fallen asleep, he pulled Xiao Qing aside to a corner and began to inquire about the afternoon's events.

"That's exactly what happened, and you saw what followed..." Xiao Qing lowered her head, her hands nervously fiddling with the hem of her clothing.

She knew she had caused trouble. If it hadn't been for her insisting on taking the Young Master out to see the birds, and then failing to stop him afterward, he wouldn't have witnessed the Deposed Consort's affair and been frightened. Fortunately, the Young Master was unharmed, or else she wouldn't know what to do.

After listening to Xiao Qing recount events in detail, Xiao Jizi knew she had taken the Young Master out to cheer him up and couldn't blame her. Besides, even if she had tried, she might not have been able to stop the Young Master later on.

The Young Master might always seem carefree and lighthearted, but Xiao Jizi knew that once the Young Master set his mind to something, not even ten bulls could pull him back.

Take preparing tea for His Majesty, for instance—he wouldn't let anyone else do it. Watching her exert herself to the point of exhaustion, Xiao Qing and Xiao Jizi tried repeatedly to persuade her to delegate some tasks to them, to no avail. She only agreed to let them handle minor, trivial matters.

But he couldn't say this to Xiao Qing, who was too naive. The Young Master had protected her too well, leaving her unaware of the true weight and consequences of her actions. If he didn't take this opportunity to teach her a lesson, she might cause even greater trouble in the future.

Thinking this, Xiao Jizi put on a stern face and began to chastise her seriously, "Do you realize the gravity of today's incident?"

Feeling guilty, Xiao Qing nodded, her voice choking up, "I, I know my mistake."

"Where did you go wrong?"

"I shouldn't have taken the Young Master outside, I should have stopped him?"

"What else?" Xiao Jizi pressed on.

"What else?" Xiao Qing looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. Weren't those her only mistakes?

Seeing that she still thought too simply of the situation, Xiao Jizi, exasperated, scolded her sharply, "How does the Young Master treat you? Is this how you repay her kindness? Your mistake isn't taking the Young Master outside or failing to stop him. Your mistake lies in not standing in front of the Young Master to protect her from harm when danger arose. Thank goodness the Deposed Consort was caught, otherwise, if something had really happened, even dying a thousand times wouldn't compensate for a single hair on the Young Master's head. This is the first point: failing to show loyalty to your master!"

Xiao Qing's eyes widened as tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, something she hadn't considered because she reacted out of fear... but she knew Xiao Jizi was right.

Watching her pitiful state, Xiao Jizi steeled his heart and continued, "After the Young Master was frightened, instead of thinking of ways to alleviate her worries, you panicked and became completely flustered, only knowing how to weep bitterly. If something happens in the future and the Young Master needs to rely on you, will you be dependable? This is the second point: failing to dispel her concerns!"

"When the Young Master regained her composure, you then babbled nonsensically, wanting to bring up the matter that startled her. Do you think the Young Master wasn't scared enough and you need to frighten her once more? This is the third point: careless speech that does not consider the implications! Without the Young Master's protection, should you be cast out from Canglan Court, how long do you think you would survive?"

Xiao Qing cried even harder, shaking her head then nodding, realizing her error. The Young Master had been so kind to her, yet she hadn't fulfilled her own duties.

Seeing her desolate appearance and knowing she had taken his words to heart, Xiao Jizi sighed internally. Xiao Qing had followed the Young Master since entering the palace, never having faced harsh conditions and unaware of the palace's brutality. He hoped this incident would help her grow.

Sooner or later, the entire Harem would know of His Majesty's favoritism towards the Young Master, and life might not be so peaceful then.

At night, a woman in front of the dressing table was hidden in shadows, listening to a person beside her:

"...She has now been sent to the Cold Palace, and rumors say she's become somewhat mad. Even if she wanted to recant her story now, no one would believe her. Consort can rest assured," said an elderly Nanny bowing by her side.

"Nanny Chen, you've worked hard. We still need to keep a close watch on this matter, just in case she becomes desperate and starts spouting nonsense, saying something she shouldn't," the woman said as she stroked her long hair.

"Yes, it's a matter of great importance. I have people closely monitoring everything, and any slight disturbance, they will report. Her entire family's future is in the hands of the Minister; had you not spoken for her, even her father would have likely been implicated. I believe she wouldn't dare accuse Consort," the old woman known as Nanny Chen replied.

"Hmm, you may leave," said the woman.

After Nanny Chen left, a determined glint flashed in the woman's eyes. She was determined to go further; the position of Consort in the Central Palace would inevitably be hers.

The night grew deeper, and the fog thickened.

In her dream, there was chaos and war, a group of people shackled in chains, and a hoarse voice of a woman telling her, "Nannan, run, run fast, don't let them find you, don't come back, go to your Clan Uncle in Yanqing, live happily!" while pushing her away.

A little girl cried out in a low voice, "Mother, I won't leave, I don't want to leave, I'll stay with you."

"Nannan, be good, listen to me, go to Yanqing to find your Clan Uncle, do you remember the way? The time you went there when you were nine..." the middle-aged man said with a desolate look in his eyes, gently coaxing the little girl, his prison garments stained with blood and some wounds festering with pus.

"Father, the corrupt officials are coming, quickly hide little sister," shouted a young man keeping lookout not far away, his voice filled with urgency.

"No, I won't go..." the little girl wailed, unable to stop her tears from falling.

The middle-aged man heartbreakingly knocked the little girl unconscious, and the group quickly hid her in a hole, covering it with grass and branches.

Lian Hua, like an indifferent spectator, coldly watched everything unfold before her in the dream...

Finally awakening, Lian Hua abruptly sat up, breathing heavily and drenched in sweat.

The person who had been holding her was also stirred awake and sat up, peering at her through the dim nightlight, and asked, "Did you have a nightmare?"

Lian Hua, startled, reached out to strike the person beside her.

The person beside her swiftly caught her hand and said in a deep voice, "It's me."