"Let me help you set up the accounts. I used to manage them for a while when I was with her," said Cui Niang.

Lanqin then took Cui Niang's hand and led her to the main courtyard. During holidays, nobles like them would receive rewards. These rewards varied according to rank within the inner quarters.

The annual rewards first arrived at the main courtyard. Following the Fourth Prince's instructions, the head matron would separate a portion of the rewards intended for the women of the inner quarters from these imperial gifts and take it to the Princess Consort, who would then distribute it to the others in the inner quarters. Unless specifically instructed by the Fourth Prince, the distribution of the rewards was entirely up to the Princess Consort based on each person's rank and the emperor's favor. In fact, if the Fourth Prince wished to bestow a special favor, he would directly instruct the head matron to deliver it, generally bypassing the Princess Consort.

Just like this time, the Fourth Prince has specially rewarded Lanqin with ten bolts of cloud and water silk and two sets of headdresses. One set is made of agate and gold, and the other is a set of coral headdresses. The workmanship is exquisite and befits Lanqin's status as a concubine.

When Lanqin arrived, the Fujin was helping Hongshi practice calligraphy; the little boy was already able to hold a brush and draw strokes. Lanqin thought to herself: Was she trying to raise another Honghui?

After being informed, Lanqin helped Cui Niang walk towards the main room of the Fujin (the wife's wife). Lanqin noticed that Cui Niang's hand was trembling slightly, and knew that she was a little nervous. In fact, when the two of them entered, Qiu Chan and the other old servants who used to serve the Fujin recognized her.

"Cui Niang!!" Lanqin called out softly.

"This servant is truly useless; this servant is actually somewhat afraid to see her again," Cui Niang said in a low voice.

“Everyone has their weaknesses, you do, I do, and even she does. The reason you survived in the palace is because you knew how to control her,” Lanqin said.

The two stepped over the high threshold and slowly walked to the seat where Lanqin usually sat when she came to pay her respects. Cui Niang stood behind her, suppressing the discomfort on her face, standing there steadily like an emotionless wooden sculpture, with no trace of emotion on her face.

The two sat quietly for a quarter of an hour, during which time Lingxiu instructed a maid to serve tea to Lanqin.

Fifteen minutes later, the sound of footsteps on the flowerpot floor finally grew louder as Lingxiu walked in, supported by her wife's arm.

"This humble servant greets Your Highness," Lanqin said, rising to her feet and bowing. Cui Niang behind her followed suit.

The princess squinted at them and said with a faint smile, "We're all old acquaintances, why be so polite? Get up."

After the Fujin (principal wife) took the seat of honor and sat down, she began to carefully examine Cui Niang.

"It's been seven years since I last saw Xiaoyun, hasn't it? I didn't expect you to have changed so much. You haven't changed much compared to before," the princess said with a smile, as if she wanted to chat with Cui Niang about old times.

"This servant thinks that the Lady hasn't changed at all, she's still the same as before," Cui Niang said, thinking of what the Lady had made her do and how she had never let her go.

The Fujin (principal wife) took it as a compliment and said with a smile, "How could I, the Fujin, be the same as before? I'm old, unlike the Consort who is as young as the morning dew, so fresh to look at."

Lanqin was too lazy to waste words with her and asked directly, "Madam, have the Imperial Household Department's rewards for this year been delivered? I've come here to check the items so that they can be distributed before the Golden Gift Festival. Especially the cloth, so that all the sisters can make clothes after it's distributed."

Seeing that Lanqin was getting straight to the point, the Fujin also stopped chatting and said seriously, "They're all here with me. It's just that Lingxiu accidentally dropped the list that Da Momo gave her into the water yesterday, so I need you to check it yourself now."

Lanqin knew that she was deliberately making things difficult for her, but she still said with an understanding look, "This was also unexpected, so there is no need for you to feel guilty, Madam. Aunt Cui and I will take it back and count it again."

The princess said apologetically, "Why don't you just count them here, sister? It's too much trouble to move them around. Once you've counted the types and quantities, you just need to write down the distribution slips, and I'll arrange for them to go and distribute the rewards."

Lanqin had originally planned to distribute the rewards at the Fujin's place, but now that the favored concubines needed to be categorized and their quantities recorded, she wanted to move the task to her own courtyard. Otherwise, she always felt somewhat uneasy staying with the Fujin.

"The concubine is afraid of disturbing the principal wife, so moving there will be more convenient for her," Cui Niang explained quickly, knowing Lan Qin's thoughts.

"Sister, you're being too polite. The Golden Festival is almost here, and you should hurry up and finish distributing the gold. Don't waste time on such a small matter," the Fujin said dismissively.

"Then I'll have to bother you, Madam. Cui Niang, I'll have Nianxue and Xicha come over later. The three of you must make sure you take stock of all those things today," Lanqin said sternly, displaying the authority of a Madam.

"Yes, this servant will copy everything down as soon as possible," said Cui Niang.

"Why bother calling anyone else? Aren't there people here? Lingxiu, take your paper and pen and go with Cui Niang now. My sister and I will have tea here. If we don't have enough maids, we'll ask Qiu Chan and the others to help." The wife said, "You are here to assist me in managing the inner quarters. This kind of cooperation is the best way to truly demonstrate teamwork, don't you think?"

Although Lanqin was unwilling to work under the Fujin's nose, what she said made sense. In the end, she was only assisting the Fujin in managing the inner quarters. If she moved all the rewards to her own backyard, it would not be cooperation, but overstepping her bounds.

“Sister is absolutely right. Cui Niang, you and Lingxiu should go and check it together. Remember, you can’t miss a single thing, and you can’t write too much either,” Lanqin said.

Cui Niang curtsied in response and then went out with Lingxiu.

Xia He came in to serve them, and brought them fresh tea.

"I heard that Chen Shou, who is with my sister, has been out for some time. I wonder if my sister knows this, and what is he doing there?" Without my permission, he has gone out so casually and has not returned for so long. I have the right to punish him." The princess picked up the porcelain cup with the inscription "The Crow Returns to Court" and took a sip of fresh tea.

"My sister sent him to buy pearls for the south," Lanqin made up a reason.

"Pearls? What do you need so many pearls for, sister? If you want them, just tell the master, and he will surely find some for you. Why make a servant go out for so long?" The princess was clearly not convinced.

"It's my fault, little sister. But Master has been busy with official duties lately, how could I let such a small matter trouble him? Little sister, you only went looking for those pearls to use for beauty treatments," Lanqin said with an embarrassed smile.