In the main hall of Yihedian, the conversation between Zhuang Guifan and Yu Yao was gradually coming to an end.
Zhuang Guifan sat gracefully on a carved pearwood chair, her dignified and beautiful face carrying a faint smile, yet within the smile there was still a trace of bitterness and helplessness.
"Niece Chun, you are new here, and there are many days to come for you in this palace. This is a gift from me, please do not consider it inferior."
Zhuang Guifan spoke softly and then winked at Jin Xin.
Jin Xin understood, stepping forward a few steps, holding a delicate silk box in her hands.
The lid of the box opened, revealing a pair of exquisite jade bracelets. The jade was soft and warm, and under the candlelight in the hall, it emitted a gentle glow.
Yu Yao hurriedly stood up, respectfully performing a curtsy and saying: "Thank you for the gift from Princess Zhuang. The maid is deeply grateful."
Zhuang Guifan waved her hand and said, "Go ahead. In the inner palace, be careful with everything."
She thanked him again before turning to leave the main hall.
Liu Li was waiting outside. Upon seeing her emerge, he went up to meet her.
"Miss..."
"Let's go back."
She looked at Liu Li and stuffed the gift from Zhuang Guifan into her hands, then turned to leave.
Liu Li took the box and followed behind.
The master and servant duo walked along the gallery, returning to the eastern hall.
Yu Yao sat on the bed and rested. Soon after, it was heard that the black jade came in to report, "Young miss, several young mistresses from Yihedian have heard that you have returned to the palace and have come to visit."
Jade is of round face and almond-shaped eyes, with a beautiful appearance, also a first-class palace maid in the eastern hall, just like Liu Li, responsible for attending to Yu Yao personally.
She was slightly stunned, and then she tidied up her clothes, and walked out.
She had just walked to the door when she saw several very unfamiliar faces.
Their attire was extremely simple, with no excessive decorations, which immediately suggested that they were favored concubines in the palace.
Yu Yao did not recognize who they were.
Liu Li, who had good eyesight, moved forward and whispered into her ear, "Young mistress, the one in front is Shu Concubine, the one following is Liu Baoling, the one in the middle is Qian Changzai, and the one at the back is Zhou Dingluan."
She nodded slightly, her gaze shifting to the women who had entered, examining them subtly.
Shu Concubine had a graceful figure, wearing a pale blue palace dress. Although the style was simple, the fit was appropriate, highlighting her gentle demeanor.
Liu Baoling wore a simple-colored shirt and skirt with several small flowers embroidered on it. It was simple but elegant, with a clear and beautiful face and eyes full of shyness.
Qian Changzai was dressed in a cream-colored garment, giving an impression of maturity and gravity.
Zhou Dingluan was dressed in a pale green garment, which looked the least prominent. She kept her head down, almost unable to look directly at her eyes.
"How are you, Miss Chun? We came to visit rudely, and we hope that you will not be offended."
Shu Concubine spoke first, her tone carrying a hint of etiquette and distance.
However, she was deeply shocked in her heart. The appearance of Miss Chun was too beautiful, almost suffocating.
Even the two concubines who are the most beautiful in the palace - Zhenfei and Lifei - were overshadowed by her.
With such a beauty, it's no wonder she could transform from a palace maid to a consort.
Liu Baoling, Qian Changzai, and Zhou Dingluan were all staring in shock.
The inner palace is never short of beauties, but to have a beauty like Miss Chun's is truly unprecedented.
Envy shone in their eyes, but upon reflecting on themselves, their expressions turned gloomy.
Yu Yao observed their expressions, but did not pay much attention, smiling faintly and saying, "Greetings from all of you are indeed my good fortune. Please, please come in and sit."
She gave a gesture of invitation and walked in first.
Although Shu Concubine, Liu Baoling, Qian Changzai, and Zhou Dingluan were all deeply shocked in their hearts, they came to their senses now and followed into the hall one after another, taking their seats in turn.
Liu Li, who was smart, quickly prepared tea and served a cup to each person.
After a round of greetings, the atmosphere in the room gradually eased.
Even though Shu Concubine, Liu Baoling, Qian Changzai, and others were not favored during their time in the Eastern Palace, with the new emperor just ascending the throne, they now seemed to have a new lease on life. Their spirits were high, and each of them wore a smile on their faces.
"Miss Chun has just come here and has been favored by the emperor. It's really enviable."
Liu Baoling spoke softly, her tone revealing a mix of envy and jealousy.
Yu Yao looked at Liu Baoling and shook her head slightly, smiling wryly, "There's no favor shown by the emperor; it's just a momentary impulse. In the inner palace, who can truly receive lasting favor?"
Qian Changzai heard that and sighed, "Indeed, us sisters can find a place to live in this deep palace. It's already not easy."
Shu Concubine sighed as well, saying, "You do not know, Miss. In our Yihedian, only the clever consort sometimes receives a bit of the emperor's favor. As for us, we're afraid we're nearly forgotten by the emperor."
Zhou Dingluan had not spoken throughout and had simply been listening quietly. Occasionally, she would look up at Yu Yao, her eyes flickering with a complex expression.
She was a well-born miss from an official family, who had been selected through a palace selection and entered the Eastern Palace. She hadn't expected to be outdone by a palace maid.
She couldn't help but touch her own face, and a trace of melancholy swept across her eyes.
She believed that her appearance wasn't bad, but compared to Miss Chun, it was like dirt on the ground.
Even if she didn't want to admit it, she understood it was the truth.
As they were chatting, Liu Li hurriedly came in to report that Jingxuan, the palace maid from the empress's side, had come.
Yu Yao furrowed her brow. As a newcomer, she didn't know what intention the queen's people had suddenly coming.
She looked at Shu Concubine and the others, smiling courteously and apologetically, "Please wait here for a while. I'll be right back."
"Miss Chun, go ahead, there's no need to worry about us," Shu Concubine smiled warmly, her eyes filled with curiosity and envy.
Liu Baoling, Qian Changzai, and the others also had curiosity and envy in their eyes, but none of them spoke.
Yu Yao smiled slightly, then walked gracefully to the door to greet Jingxuan from the queen's court.
Outside the door, the sunlight shone through the intricate palace eaves, casting dappled light, adding a warm touch to this less visited Yihedian.
Jingshun walked at a leisurely pace, her attire as a palace maid was impeccable, and her hair was combed to perfection.
As soon as she saw Yu Yao, a trace of shock crossed her eyes.
She had heard that Miss Chun's appearance was extremely beautiful, but she had never imagined it would be to this extent.
She didn't know how to describe it; she only felt that the moon palace maiden was no more beautiful than this.
Even the two concubines who are incredibly beautiful, Zhenfei and Lifei, looked somewhat common in front of Miss Chun.
The look of shock lasted only a moment before Jingxuan quickly recovered and slightly bowed her head, saying, "The maid bows to the guest."
Yu Yao watched Jingxuan's expression and actions, but did not take notice.
She smiled politely on her face, asking courteously, "What brings Miss Jingxuan here?"
Jingxuan's lips curled slightly, revealing a mysterious smile, and then she slowly said, "Madam Qing was informed that the Miss Chun had taken residence in Yihedian, so she specially sent the maid to convey her congratulations. This is a gift from madam."
Saying this, the young palace maid behind her took over a delicate tray, covered with yellow silk, which seemed particularly dignified.
She gently lifted the yellow silk, revealing a set of jade jewelry and several pieces of high-quality silk, which were all rare treasures in the palace.
Shu Concubine, Liu Baoling, Qian Changzai, and Zhou Dingluan, among others, happened to walk out just then and saw this scene. Envy and jealousy shone in their eyes.
Later, they couldn't help but mutter under their breaths, discussing incessantly.
"The Empress is indeed generous. It's clear that everything is of high quality."
Liu Baoling said softly, her tone containing both envy and a hint of bitterness.
Jingshun heard this, and a faint smile crept onto her lips. She looked at Yu Yao and said with a meaningful tone, "Miss Chun, being favored by the emperor and the Empress is indeed fortunate for the inner palace. However, life in this palace is not just about receiving rewards to live safely. Please be more careful in your future actions."
Yu Yao's heart stirred slightly, knowing that the other party was acting on behalf of the Empress, her face unchanged, "Thank you very much for your advice, Miss Jingxun. I will remember it in my heart and dare not have any laxness."
By calling herself "the small master," she was reminding the other party that she was a mistress, and a noble one at that, enfeoffed by the emperor. When did it become appropriate for a slave to rebuke her?
Even if it were to be scolded, it should be the Empress herself doing so, not Miss Jingshun, a palace maid. What qualifications does she have?
Jingxuan heard her call herself "the small master," and instantly understood her meaning. A trace of displeasure flashed across her eyes.
As a favored person by the Empress, Jingxuan was used to being flattered and courted by the other palace ladies.
Jingxuan couldn't help but feel a flicker of annoyance. It wasn't enough for her to be favored by the Empress, but she even dared to act like a small master in front of her, thinking that just because she was beautiful, she could rule the inner palace?
Although she was internally dissatisfied with Yu Yao, the smile on her face did not diminish at all. "If Miss Chun understands, please keep these rewards well. The Empress highly values you."
She nodded lightly, "Thank you, Miss Jingxun, for coming all this way. Please convey my gratitude to the Empress on my behalf when you return to the palace."
Jingxuan agreed and turned to leave, accompanied by the little palace maid behind her.
The sunlight fell on their backs, casting long shadows.
Yu Yao watched them leave, sighed lightly, and thought that the Empress's gifts, though appearing as favors, were actually laden with many complex thoughts.
