CHAPTER 732: CHAPTER 732: SHE SEEMS TO LIKE KNEELING DOWN

Near Qianqiu Hall.

Lian Hua’s tears gradually ceased, and she heaved an inward sigh of relief, as the burning sensation of the chili water finally reached its conclusion.

With the cessation of her tears, her mind wandered briefly to the area where the arrow-throwing game was set up, her senses sharpening as her thoughts became more agile.

Thus, she held the arrows and directly summed up her statement, declaring, "That’s the way it happened," snapping the conclusion shut.

Then she looked around with satisfaction at everyone’s reaction, silently praising her own storytelling potential. Look at those Young Eunuchs over by the target game, rolling up their sleeves to wipe the corners of their eyes; look at Daying Jia’s round face, so moved by the tale; and look at Kong Yinyin nearly bursting into tears, even Xiao Jizi and Xiao Qing were profoundly touched.

Apart from her, everyone listened with deep sympathy, especially the Young Eunuchs responsible for the target game, who couldn’t believe that Beauty Lian had experienced such dangerous events. It was enough to make any listener feel heartbroken and shed tears of empathy.

Lian Hua was very pleased with herself and grandly declared, "Well, that’s it. Beauty Zhao, Attendant Zhou, ah, the pain in my heart is too deep. No more talk, let’s throw some arrows to change the mood."

Beauty Zhao had patiently listened to the whole account. When she heard about the dangers, a surge of hidden joy filled her heart. But when all was said, she realized she hadn’t heard what she’d been hoping to.

Seeing that she was about to be dismissed, Zhao could no longer conceal her emotions, her voice revealing a touch of urgency, "Sister Lian, such danger, what of the Prince in your belly?"

A trace of irony flicked through Attendant Zhou’s eyes. Beauty Zhao was Noble Consort’s person and, since the reorganization, the Noble Consort’s power had greatly waned. Now, she was deploying people like Beauty Zhao. It seemed she was at her wit’s end, and they could wait to see the Noble Consort’s dire fate.

Lian Hua innocently responded, "Ah? He’s fine!" What a strange question. If she weren’t fine, could she stand here speaking at length? She hadn’t even had a sip of water and talked so much, she was starting to feel thirsty.

Beauty Zhao blurted out, "But didn’t you just mention suffering unbearable stomach pains, bleeding profusely, with the child’s movements being restless, endangering both mother and child?" These were symptoms of a potential miscarriage, how could everything be fine!

Had she said that?

Lian Hua glanced at Xiao Jizi, noticing the corners of his mouth twitching ever so slightly as he barely nodded in confirmation.

She thought for a moment, and then remembered. In her excitement, she’d spoken of Xiao Qing’s severe menstrual cramps and the incessant bleeding. Finding this point to be a dramatic highlight, she borrowed the classic line from Huang Zude that had frightened her, "As they say, a mother and child share one heart; if the mother’s not at peace, how can the child be?" The effect was indeed outstanding, causing the listeners to gasp in shock, almost forgetting the truth.

She nodded, "Indeed, that happened."

"Is there any hidden worry then?" Beauty Zhao clutched her handkerchief tighter, her eyes unwavering from Lian Hua.

Lian Hua confidently said, "Hidden worry? Blessed with such deep good fortune, and a resilient body, such petty tricks couldn’t possibly harm me. Beauty Zhao, you really worry too much. Of course, the child in my womb is being well-nourished."

Beauty Zhao felt like she could vomit blood upon hearing this. The situation had seemed so dire just moments before, almost like a miscarriage was imminent, yet now it was as if all was well. Could all those dangers have been fabricated...?

She felt extremely disappointed, and her face involuntarily betrayed her feelings.

Lian Hua suspiciously mused, "Does Beauty Zhao wish ill upon me?"

Beauty Zhao was instantly startled awake, realizing she dare not admit to such words. She forced a smile and glossed over the subject briefly before finally saying, "Sister Lian has grown quite well in such a short time, glowing with a healthy complexion. What method are you using?" She was still trying to probe.

Changzai Zhou simply smiled and said, "Alright, Sister Zhao, Elder Sister Lian is doubly blessed with good fortune. Now that she is well, it is truly a cause for celebration. Let’s not bring up those matters anymore, lest we upset Elder Sister Lian."

Beauty Zhao smiled and shifted the topic instead of pressing on, glancing towards the person kneeling not far away with a sincere and honest expression, she hesitated before asking, "Earlier, I was concerned about Sister Lian and didn’t get a chance to ask, why is that person kneeling? Could it be that Talented Lady Cui has done something to anger Sister Lian?"

Changzai Zhou bowed her head and smoothed out the pleats on her dress, appearing oblivious to the sharpness in Beauty Zhao’s words.

Lian Hua found a moment to glance over and said directly, "You mean Lady Cui? I really don’t know, but she seems to enjoy kneeling."

In this exchange of questions and answers, neither Beauty Zhao nor Lian Hua concealed their voices. Hearing Beauty Zhao’s question, Cui Laner, who had always been paying attention, felt a surge of dark joy, knowing her plan had worked, and she awaited her turn to explain.

She intended to use her own pitiful state to contrast Lian Hua’s imperiousness and arrogance, to show the entire palace that, upon her arrival, Beauty Lian had someone kneeling as a punishment. Once Consort De arrived, it would not be easy to deal with her. If she did deal with her, it would then be seen as abetting tyranny and injustice on Consort De’s part, marking her as unfair.

But to her surprise, upon hearing Lian Hua straightforwardly say that she liked kneeling, without offering up any other explanations, she was left without the opportunity to argue her case, feeling a heavy pressure in her chest and anger swelling in her eyes. No wonder the Noble Consort said that Beauty Lian was incredibly cunning and scheming.

She began to panic secretly, looking around fearfully, worried she wouldn’t find another chance before Consort De’s servants came to handle the situation.

It wasn’t just Cui Laner whom Lian Hua had rendered speechless; Beauty Zhao was too. She had been ready to say that even if there was a serious fault, on this grand day of the Longevity Event, it wouldn’t be appropriate to have someone kneeling there, yet she found herself unable to speak such grand principles of putting the bigger picture first and not venting personal grievances.

Changzai Zhou struggled to contain her laughter, thinking that she hadn’t expected Beauty Lian to be such a clever person. If Cui Laner liked kneeling, what did that have to do with Beauty Lian? The reply had been quite good.

Reflecting on the past, she began to perceive a certain charm; it seemed as though Beauty Lian always had frank and straightforward ways. If it was not for being an enemy, Lian Hua could indeed be an interesting person—it might even be good to form a kindred bond.

The scene fell quiet for a moment.

Lian Hua found the situation increasingly boring. She itched to throw arrows into a pot, yet found herself entangled in this conversation.

Unable to suppress her feelings any longer, she earnestly advised, "Beauty Zhao, there’s no need for you to worry about Lady Cui’s discomfort from kneeling. I suspect she really favors it; why else wouldn’t she stand up even when Daying Jia did? Rest assured, I’ve already sent someone to report to Sister Consort De. Soon someone will be sent to deal with it. Let us better celebrate the Longevity Event; there’s both pot-throwing and lantern riddle solving ahead, all very delightful indeed."

As she spoke, she turned and aimed at the pot, raising the arrow in her hand, itching to throw it.

Upon hearing her words, Beauty Zhao felt a chill in her heart and fell silent. She had no reason to offend Consort De for Cui Laner’s sake.

Meanwhile, Cui Laner started trembling all over, becoming more and more afraid, her eyes darting around, hoping for the arrival of a consort of higher rank than Lian Hua.

Upon seeing Lian Hua’s demeanor, Changzai Zhou genuinely smiled for a rare moment and said, "Elder Sister Lian, there are plenty of fun activities today, not just pot-throwing and lanterns, but also enjoying poetry, composing, and playing chess—there are all sorts, along with various prizes. Have you seen them all?"

Turning back with the arrow in hand, Lian Hua shook her head, her curiosity piqued, "There are that many? I’ve only just arrived and haven’t seen everything yet. What kind of prizes are there? Are they golden melon seeds?"