Chapter 13: Still Crying?
Sensing that His Majesty had awakened, Lian Hua was so frightened that she stopped crying and buried her head in the quilt, pretending to be sound asleep.
Thinking it was an illusion, the Emperor then faintly saw that Lian Hua's entire head was covered by the quilt, and tried to pull it off, only to find that he couldn't move it. That's when he realized that everything he had just felt was real, and he was startled once again, shouting to the outside, "Someone, light the lamps."
Lian Hua was stiff all over, unsure of what to do, and clutched the quilt even tighter, as if gripping a lifesaving straw, which the Emperor couldn't move despite several attempts.
When the lamps were finally lit inside the room, the Emperor forcefully pulled the quilt away, revealing a pair of wet, red eyes that looked up at the Emperor in dismay like a rabbit in panic, a pitiable sight indeed.
The Emperor's heart softened and the scolding that reached his lips was swallowed back. He softened his voice and asked, "What's wrong, is it your knee that hurts?"
Lian Hua shook her head and sat up with an air of unease.
"Then why are you hiding and secretly crying in the middle of the night?" Seeing the state Lian Hua was in, the Emperor felt a pang of heartache and reached out to wipe the tears from her face.
Lian Hua shook her head again and said, sobbing and choking, "Your Majesty, this servant dares not say."
Ho, was someone bullying her? Associating this with the bruises on her knees, a chill crossed the Emperor's face, which hardened as he asked sternly, "What's the matter?"
Frightened, Lian Hua's eyes widened, and she didn't dare to cry. Seeing this, the Emperor became somewhat helpless as he remembered that Xiao Lian Hua could be quite timid, so he had to soften his voice again and slowly cajole her. Unexpectedly, the more he coaxed, the more fiercely she cried, leaving the Emperor in a flurry.
This was the Emperor's first time comforting someone, and he mused that it indeed was a skillful task, feeling it was more exhausting than dealing with a day's worth of memorials. Finally, her crying subsided a little, and she was willing to speak.
Lian Hua stammered, "This servant, this servant is fine, it's just... just that I can't afford to support His Majesty anymore..."
The Emperor was astonished, unable to fathom such a response: not being able to afford his upkeep, what did that mean?
Once she started talking, the rest came easier. Lian Hua wiped her eyes with her hand and blurted out desperately, "This servant's monthly salary is ten taels, and what I receive in hand is only six or seven taels. It's enough to support myself and Xiao Qing, but to support Your Majesty is truly difficult. One meal requires several dishes, both meat and vegetables. These past days, all the silver I saved up has been spent. Your Majesty, please go elsewhere for your meals. This servant can no longer afford to keep you, and if you wish to punish your servant for this, then do so."
As she spoke, she burst into tears again, sobbing even more desperately, snot and tears mingling together.
How could the Emperor have imagined that the one bullying Lian Hua was himself, nor had he considered this would be a problem.
The mighty His Majesty, ruler of the realm, had never worried about food and clothing, with palace attendants arranging everything even when he was the Crown Prince. It was beneath his concerns. Even after his enthronement, the rare occasions he dined in the Harem were met with obsequious accommodations; a single command ensured everything was perfectly managed.
He never thought that in Canglan Court, everything she ate and drank was provided by the Little Concubine's private savings. The mighty Emperor had to be supported by a mere Daying? The Emperor's handsome face flushed.
In recent days, to curb Xiao Lian Hua's improper thoughts, he hadn't bestowed upon her a single reward, and thinking of this made his face turn redder. What had Zhang Qing been doing, not arranging these things?
"Lian Hua, be good, don't cry, don't cry. You have done very well, I would reward you rather than punish you. From now on, let Zhang Qing arrange for the servants to take care of all this for you. Whatever you want, just ask Zhang Qing," the Emperor said, holding Lian Hua and gently patting her back to comfort her.
Lian Hua looked up at the Emperor with tearful eyes, not quite believing, and asked, "Really?"
The Emperor looked at her seriously and said, "A monarch does not speak in jest."
No matter what the Little Concubine's past actions had been, she had been true-hearted towards him, swallowing her suffering silently. If it wasn't for tonight's uncontrollable secret tears discovered by him, he would have been none the wiser. He must not let down such devotion, the Emperor thought secretly.
He felt warmth in his heart. He was initially a bit uncomfortable, but upon reflection, found the feeling of being cared for by someone quite extraordinary. The Son of Heaven had always maintained a position of strength before the world, himself nurturing others. When had anyone else ever taken care of him?
Lian Hua bit her lip and, after a moment's thought, hesitantly said, "How about, Your Majesty give me a written promise?"
No wonder she asked for this—His Majesty had a history...recently, he hadn't wanted to give anything.
The Emperor was exasperated, giving her a stern look. This girl had an uncanny ability to shatter the mood effortlessly, while still looking innocent.
Ignoring her, the Emperor called out towards the door, "Zhang Qing."
Zhang Qing gently pushed the door open and walked in, stopping at the Small Crescent Moon Gate at the entrance of the hall. Ever since His Majesty discovered that Lian Hua did not like people attending to her in front of the bed, Zhang Qing and the eunuchs rarely entered the inner chamber.
In her presence, the Emperor gave the instructions that in the future, Lian Hua's meals should be arranged by someone designated by Zhang Qing and that within the rules, whatever she wanted should be provided.
To say that whatever she wanted would be provided within the rules was already an exception; there was no precedent to follow. Zhang Qing had no choice but to assign a Young Eunuch in front of His Majesty to take care of Lian Hua's needs.
Lian Hua's tears turned to smiles, her bright almond-shaped eyes gazing at His Majesty. What seemed like a huge problem to her, the Emperor solved with a blink of an eye. How wonderful.
The Emperor smiled too. The Little Concubine was easily contented. Pinching her nose, he asked, "Are you still going to cry?"
Lian Hua shook her head, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and shyness, leading the Emperor to laugh heartily.