Because of this incident, Peirong didn't help Fu Xiyu with her makeup this morning. When Xiangyue came in with hot water, she heard her master ask, "Peirong should have been helping me with my makeup today, why are you here? Where is she?"

Xiang Yue was a little embarrassed. "Sister is feeling a little unwell, so I'll let her rest in the room. Your Majesty, what hairstyle would you like to have today? How about a Lingyun bun? It would go perfectly with the red gold and pearl seven-phoenix headpiece that the emperor sent a few days ago."

Fu Qianyu didn't say anything, but asked in a deep voice: "I'm asking you, where is Peirong?"

Xiang Yue couldn't hide it anymore, so she had no choice but to tell Fu Qianyu about the quarrel between Peirong and Lingyun that morning. Sure enough, there was a hint of anger on Fu Qianyu's face: "Call her over and tell her that I have something to ask her."

Fu Qianyu rarely calls herself "this queen" in front of them. Now Xiang Yue knew from her master's tone that she was really angry.

Although she guessed that the two might be acting, she was really confused about the current situation.

Peirong walked in quickly. Perhaps because Xiangyue had reminded her, she looked a little nervous. "Madam, is it true that Xiangyue can't comb her hair properly?"

Fu Qianyu turned around and looked at her, saying coldly: "Anyone can do a bun, but you are even more extraordinary."

"My Lady."

Peirong saw that her master's face was not right, and the fear in her eyes became more intense: "What are you talking about, Madam? This servant, this servant, doesn't quite understand."

"Don't understand?" Fu Qianyu raised an eyebrow: "Pei Rong, you know my temper. Do you really want me to explain it clearly?"

As she spoke, Peirong knelt down in front of Fu Qianyu and said aggrievedly, "My Lady, I know I am not as steady as Lingyun and I cannot please you, but I am also your dowry. I feel wronged that you are so partial to me."

"I'm partial to one and partial to the other?" Fu Qianyu smiled and said, "Tell me, how am I partial to one and partial to the other?"

"They are all your dowry. Why is Lingyun's monthly allowance a full ten taels of silver more than mine? These are trivial matters, and I don't care. But whenever someone from the Shang Palace Bureau comes, you always let Lingyun handle it. I don't even have a chance to speak. Isn't this favoritism?"

"You know that Lingyun is more stable than you, so what else is there to say?"

Peirong raised her head and said unconvincedly: "But..."

"I've always treated you all the same." Fu Qianyu coldly interrupted Peirong's next words: "I've said it before, we prosper together and suffer together. If you don't uphold the dignity of a senior palace maid, who can you blame? In other words, do you think these words would come out of Lingyun's mouth?"

Peirong was speechless. Although she lowered her head, the handkerchief in her hand was almost torn to pieces by her. The more Fu Qianyu saw her like this, the angrier she became: "Don't you think that I only value Lingyun and don't give you a chance? Then from now on, you will be the one to deal with anyone who comes to the Shanggong Bureau."

"real?"

"Of course it's true. If you handle it well, I won't say anything. Naturally, your future expenses will be the same as Lingyun's. But if you don't handle it well, you must apologize to Lingyun. If I hear these words again, don't blame me for not caring about the relationship between master and servant."

"Don't worry, Madam. I have the confidence to take care of these matters."

Peirong was filled with joy, but she had oversimplified the affairs of the palace. At first, she could indeed handle some small matters.

But gradually, she felt unable to cope with it, until a few days later, Concubine Shu rushed into Fengyi Palace with anger on her face.

Fu Qianyu looked at Concubine Shu calmly, "Sister, why are you so angry?"

Concubine Shu raised an eyebrow at Mo Xiang behind her. Mo Xiang understood and handed the box in her hand to Fu Qianyu, saying respectfully, "Your Majesty, today the Imperial Palace Bureau came to deliver this month's allowance to your Majesty. According to the rules, your Majesty is now a concubine and is entitled to five boxes of Luozidai, but today the Imperial Palace Bureau only sent three boxes, and even these three boxes are only for the stone ink used by those below the rank of concubine."

"Your Majesty, I know there are countless things to do in the harem. Speaking of which, even though it's just a small matter like rouge and powder, if you really can't handle it, I can share the burden with you."

Peirong, who was standing aside, turned green in the face. The Shanggong Bureau did come to report the share of each palace yesterday. At that time, she was busy with the Empress Dowager's birthday in July.

I didn't see it clearly at the moment, and sure enough, something went wrong.

Fu Qianyu glanced at Peirong and smiled slightly, saying, "I've been busy with the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration lately, and it's true that I was negligent. I will instruct the Shanggong Bureau to make up for the missing allowances in your palace before nightfall. I hope you can calm down."

How could Concubine Shu really not know why the things were mixed up? Since her goal had been achieved, there was no need to make a fuss anymore. She said magnanimously, "With your words, I feel relieved. I will take my leave now."

Fu Qianyu signaled Xiangyue to escort Concubine Shu out properly, then turned around and called Peirong and Lingyun into the bedroom.

"You could have made a mistake with just a trivial matter like rouge and powder? Peirong, do you still dare to say that I'm partial to you and Lingyun?"

Peirong still refused to admit defeat and said stubbornly, "I was busy at the time and was careless for a moment."

"You always have so many things to say."

Fu Qianyu said unhappily, "Let Lingyun handle these matters from now on. Just take care of the affairs of the palace and don't cause me any more trouble. Get out."

Peirong glared at Lingyun fiercely, then walked out reluctantly. When a little palace maid came up to talk to her at the door, she retorted with cold words.

After leaving Fengyi Palace, Peirong became increasingly angry. She walked to the lakeside and threw rocks into the Imperial Lake to vent her anger. "Why? We're all slaves, so who's more noble than the other?"

"Hey, isn't this Miss Peirong who is beside the Queen? What happened?"

Hearing the noise, Peirong's body tensed up. Seeing Concubine Shu being escorted over, she immediately knelt on the ground and saluted: "This servant greets Her Majesty Concubine Shu."

"The stone is making my knees hurt. Girl, please get up."

"Thank you, Madam."

"The Imperial Garden is in great shape this spring. I was thinking of going out for a walk and saw someone who looked like you from afar. What happened to you? Did the Empress scold you? The spring wind is so strong, and if you keep crying like this, your face will be ruined."

Peirong lowered her head, wiped away her tears, and muttered, "Thank you for your concern, Madam. I'm thick-skinned and it won't be a problem."

Concubine Shu laughed and said, "I do not get along with the Empress, but I cannot bear to see her cry."

As she spoke, she handed over the handkerchief in her hand and said coquettishly, "Wipe it off. If others see you like this, they might think I did something to you."

Peirong took the handkerchief and said aggrievedly, "Thank you, my lady."

"After all, you are the Empress's maid. What did you do wrong to make her so angry?"

Peirong bit her lip, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated, but finally told her what had just happened.

After hearing this, Concubine Shu suddenly realized, "So, it's my fault that you were punished by the Empress."

"No, no, it is indeed my fault. Your Majesty, it is only right that I should be punished."