Chapter 876: Chapter 876: Awakened by Laughter
The younger brother’s return brings a different vibe; the transformation has been remarkably effective. Lian Bingcheng is the happiest, feeling genuinely gratified.
Taking advantage of the setup of the incense table and the slaughter of the chicken, he incidentally offered incense to honor the deceased parents, informing them that his brother has made progress, allowing them to rest peacefully if their souls knew.
With this, apart from Lian Bingcai’s wife and children still in Yanqing Mansion, the rest of the Lian family is complete. Under everyone’s arrangement, they enjoyed a lively feast, resembling the New Year celebration.
Lian Bingcai hadn’t been home for long when Hu Miaomiao appeared, tricked into calling Fat Master affectionately, which made Lian Bingcheng shake his head. This foolish brother is utterly taken in by the fat man, sigh.
After Hu Miaomiao’s trickery and his calls of "Little Cai Brother, Little Cai Brother," Lian Bingcai got enthusiastic again and declared loudly his ambition to return and continue training.
Fat Master explained to him, recalling the earlier determination to master dice-rolling, he promised that they must teach him, knowing his high aspirations, which is why they made him suffer a bit for good teaching.
Fat Master said that in this short time, he has made some progress and shows talent. If he continues training, Little Cai Brother’s name might be known all over the world.
Fat Master also mentioned how he was busy earlier and forgot to check on him, now realizing that he doesn’t like those bone-strengthening exercises. Upon his return, he won’t make him train them again but will let him train in other impressive skills.
He asked if it’s the skill he most wants to learn, and Fat Master nodded mysteriously.
Initially, he hesitated, but Fat Master finally said, after enduring so many days, on the verge of mastering the skill, would he give up now?
Upon hearing this, how could he? He’s just one step away. If he gives up now, he’d regret enduring all these hardships.
So, without thinking straight, Lian Bingcai rashly shouted to return and continue training.
When the Shadow Guard took him back, the cold wind sobered him up, but it was already too late.
Later, the training was indeed different, but how could he know how perilous it was? Much tougher and dangerous than before, daily pushed to climb cliffs, practice rooftop leaps—those were considered light!
Why did he impulsively believe Fat Master’s words? The valley echoes Lian Bingcai’s cries of regret.
But the realization came too late.
Hu Miaomiao knew all this; despite Lian Bingcai’s apparent mediocrity, while locked up and trained, he intuitively learned many escape skills—an unusual and talented person worth honing who might shine brightly someday.
These are matters for the future.
Hu Miaomiao sent people south to find the girl’s corpse, and they sent word back by carrier pigeon—the body had been found, and they were heading to the girl’s hometown, calculating the pigeon’s return time; it might have been delivered.
Upon hearing of this, Lian Hua dreamt that night of Xiao Hua Mei smiling at her and thanking her.
Waking up, she sat dumbfounded, startling the Emperor, who held her and asked what was wrong.
She returned to her senses, giving a radiant smile after a while, burying her face in the Emperor’s chest. She had finally let go of past events completely.
Thus, life continued joyously at Canglan Court.
One day, Lian Hua woke up earlier than the rooster, hair disheveled and looking joyful, sitting at her dressing table. She occasionally giggled but was wary of waking the person in bed, hastily covering her mouth to stifle the sound.
She couldn’t sleep anymore; her dreams made her laugh awake, and she couldn’t fall back asleep. So she got up as the dark sky loomed outside; Canglan Court was quiet, leaving her without activity but a seat at the dressing table, giggling.
Last night, His Majesty told her she’d see her parents and brothers today, as well as clan uncles, aunts, and her teacher, ha-ha-ha...
In bed, the Emperor opened his eyes helplessly. Lian Hua couldn’t hide what she was up to; he’d been pretending to sleep to see what she wanted to do.
His little concubine was amusing yet exasperating. Throughout the night, he’d occasionally hear her laughter in sleep; closing his eyes, he’d see her smiling sweetly with closed eyes—dreaming so happily, like a cat who stole fish.
Near dawn, his little concubine in his arms laughed out loud, waking herself up with laughter—the world probably has few capable of such feats...
When she awoke, realizing it was still dark, she quietly extricated herself from his embrace and sat up. He heard silence for a while, opened his eyes under the night lamp, and saw her staring blankly and giggling...
The Emperor was immensely relieved; he’d only told her the night before about her family coming to the palace—if he’d said earlier, who knows how she’d exhaust herself with excitement daily.
So, last night, after hearing the news, Lian Hua got excited immediately, hastily dropping her chopsticks at dinner, calling Feng Ji and several young eunuchs and palace maids urgently planning.
She ordered the items carried to the Main Hall, personally checking the gifts she prepared for everyone were complete, ensuring Canglan Court’s specialties were packed, whether the tonics Nanny Qi prepared were together, and so forth. Each inspected herself to be assured, paying considerable attention.
After all that, nearing bedtime, she felt still unsatisfied, sensing something was missing as she wandered around the hall. Suddenly stopping, a vague idea flashed, instantly fetching the stationery, spreading a large paper, and, with fiery enthusiasm, wanted to write but paused before the pen touched paper.
The Emperor asked after seeing her not writing for a while, what she intended to write.
She suddenly frowned, realizing this crucial question, indeed, what did she want to write?
She just felt like writing something; heart longed to write but hadn’t thought of what yet.
She pouted, gazing innocently at the Emperor, morosely saying, "You asked such a good question, I don’t know either."
The Emperor was speechless; she was genuinely muddled with joy. Previously, she’d act on "good ideas" leaping to mind, but now, clouded by happiness, she began acting before pondering, only to realize she hadn’t planned...
Seeing her pitiable yet charming look, the Emperor affectionately pinched her cheek, offering suggestions, asking if she wanted to write heartfelt words to her family.
Lian Hua’s eyes brightened, praising His Majesty as being like the worm in her belly—she intended this, but her hands moved faster than her brain, momentarily stuck not recalling.
Diving right in, she now began writing a paper for each person, filled with praises, care, every line expressed in simple and genuine language.
Afterward, she was immensely satisfied; her handwriting had improved significantly.