Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power

56: Chapter 56: I seem to have seen the handkerchief before 56: Chapter 56: I seem to have seen the handkerchief before The handkerchief had been picked up by him, as he saw it under the dressing stool before going to the court this morning, likely dropped when he had held her last night.

Looking at the orchids on it, a thought struck him, and he took it with him to the court.

If it was important to her, he’d return it to her.

But he felt somewhat dissatisfied, for other than the Dew Tea, she hadn’t made anything for him, and the Dew Tea was at his own request.

Even her two servants had received clay figurines she’d pinched for them.

Yet, she had shown him no such affection.

Ordinary women would embroider handkerchiefs or socks, or make undergarments for their husbands, but she had nothing to offer, which was truly infuriating.

The Emperor felt an unpleasant taste in his heart and thought bitterly that he shouldn’t have been lenient just now, stopping when she begged for mercy.

He should have tormented her a few more times to teach her a lesson.

“It’s nothing, originally I wanted to give it to you, but it’s gone, alas.” What a pity, her embroidery skills were so inconsistent, she couldn’t guarantee another handkerchief would turn out as nicely.

“What?

For me?” The Emperor thought he had misheard and stopped his actions, asking again unavoidably.

He thought to himself, had this stingy wench finally seen the light?

Was she actually thinking of giving him something?

“Mhm, but now it’s gone, there’s no use talking about it anymore,” said Lian Hua ruefully, touching her hair which was nearly dry.

Hearing her confident response, joy that he couldn’t stop bubbled up in the Emperor’s heart, the previous displeasure had already dissipated, and the corners of his mouth curled up, more and more.

If he had known earlier, he wouldn’t have taken it, how delightful it would have been to wait for her gift?

Thinking this, the Emperor pressed his lips down, clenched a fist at his mouth and coughed, then said uprightly, “Speaking of which, I seem to remember, before court this morning, I did see a handkerchief, was it embroidered with orchids on it?”

Lian Hua was delighted, if His Majesty knew where it was, then maybe she wouldn’t have to embroider another one.

She nodded eagerly, “Yes, yes, exactly, with orchids.”

The Emperor said solemnly, “Let me ask the servant who serves me, perhaps he knows where the handkerchief is.”

With that, he called out towards the door, “Zhang Qing.”

A reply of “Your servant is here” came from outside, and soon Zhang Qing was at the inner chamber’s Moon Gate, greeting the Emperor, “Your Majesty, your servant is present, what are your orders?”

With his back to Lian Hua, the Emperor gave Zhang Qing a meaningful look, saying, “This morning, before the court, did you see a handkerchief embroidered with orchids?”

Zhang Qing was puzzled, as he had not been on duty last night, and his godson had helped His Majesty to dress this morning, how would he know?

Yet His Majesty had just given him a look, and Young Master Lian was watching him expectantly from behind, both waiting for his reply.

Even if he hadn’t seen such a handkerchief, he had to pretend he had, so he answered, “Reporting to Your Majesty, your servant has indeed seen such a handkerchief.”

“Where, where?” asked Lian Hua eagerly, feeling hopeful that it might be found.

Zhang Qing was on the verge of tears—where was he supposed to find such a handkerchief?

He felt miserable inside, though he dared not show it on his face.

The Emperor coughed, blocking Lian Hua’s view, and surreptitiously pointed Zhang Qing towards the washroom with the back of his hand.

Zhang Qing got the hint and hurriedly said, “Young Master need not worry, your servant will find it for you right away.” The Emperor was becoming more and more astute, even pointing the way for him.

After speaking, he passed through the hall towards the washroom.

The handkerchief had been kept in the Emperor’s embrace the entire day, and he nearly brought it out to wipe his hands during dinner when peeling the lotus leaves off the Peking duck, but he realized in time and put it back.

Just now, after bathing, the handkerchief had been left in the washroom with his clothes.

Zhang Qing had followed the Emperor for many years, so how could he not understand that His Majesty meant the handkerchief was left in the washroom?

Lian Hua’s view was obstructed, and she couldn’t see the situation outside the inner chamber.

She couldn’t help wanting to stick her head out to see what Zhang Qing was doing, and she praised him, “Steward Zhang is so nice, to actually have tidied away for this servant.”

The Emperor steadied her head to prevent her from looking and changed the subject, “How did you come to think of embroidering the orchid?”

The orchid, elegant and lofty, a gentleman among flowers, this Little Concubine had chosen well, much to his liking.

Indeed, Lian Hua’s attention turned back to the Emperor, and she said to him with conviction, “Orchids are nice to embroider, this servant is not skilled in embroidery, I can’t do the others.”

The Emperor: “…”

He shouldn’t have asked.

He knew well enough that the Little Concubine couldn’t say anything clever, so why did he bother to ask, only to find trouble for himself?

Never mind, he was used to it, wasn’t it precisely her genuine nature that he was fond of?

In the washroom, Zhang Qing felt through all of the garments the Emperor had changed out of and finally found the handkerchief, only to discover it was slightly damp from a splash of water.

What to do?

How should he explain this to Young Master Lian when asked, how to smooth things over?

Zhang Qing tasted bitterness in his mouth, his face long and sorrowful, yet also fearful of keeping the Emperor waiting too long, he bit down hard and decided to go through with it, handing over the slightly damp handkerchief.

At the Small Crescent Moon Gate, holding the handkerchief he said, “Your Majesty, Young Master Lian, the handkerchief has been found, but this servant noticed it had some dust on it and took the initiative to have it washed.

It’s still not dry, a bit damp still, please forgive me, Young Master.”

The Emperor took a close look and indeed saw it was a bit damp, realizing that it had gotten wet from the water splashing on his clothes during his bath.

He inwardly felt appreciation for Zhang Qing, who truly proved worthy of many years of service by smoothly handling the situation.

Lian Hua didn’t suspect anything and walked over happily to take the handkerchief, saying, “Steward Zhang, you are very thoughtful, I can’t thank you enough, how could I possibly blame you?”

Zhang Qing wiped the sweat from his brow while saying, “I don’t deserve such praise, it is what this servant ought to do.” Watching Young Master Lian completely believe him, he breathed a sigh of relief; he had passed the test given by His Majesty.

Sometimes, he found it very hard to understand the way His Majesty and Young Master Lian interacted.

Whatever His Majesty wanted, he could just ask, and the other Palace Concubines would rush to offer it.

Why then did he have to make up these dramas to please Young Master Lian?

It was utterly baffling.

Perhaps it was a matter of taste; something a eunuch like him couldn’t and daren’t understand.

After Zhang Qing had left, Lian Hua inspected the handkerchief and felt there were no issues.

She planned to keep it safe and wait for it to dry before giving it to His Majesty; giving it while still damp just didn’t seem proper.

The Emperor, seeing that she had no intention of giving it to him right away, felt somewhat speechless.

After all this play-acting and going in circles, how could this ungrateful wretch just take it and think of stashing it away?

Hadn’t she said it was for him?

So he coughed a few times to remind her, don’t forget to give it to him.

Hearing the cough, Lian Hua looked toward the Emperor in confusion.

Why had His Majesty started coughing?

Wasn’t he just fine a moment ago?

The Emperor held back but eventually couldn’t resist asking, “Weren’t you going to give it to me?

Why aren’t you giving it?”

Lian Hua said somewhat shyly, “Your Majesty, the handkerchief isn’t dry yet, I’ll give it to you once it’s dry.”

“It’s alright, I’m in need of a handkerchief.

After tonight, it will surely be dry.

I’d like to keep it now,” said the Emperor, taking the handkerchief and putting it away himself.