"Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness."

"Sister, that's too formal. I've already said just call me 'elder sister'."

"Sister Xifei is right to reprimand me."

As we were talking, the tea was served. To be honest, the tea was alright, but the brewing technique was not very good, since it was brewed in a hurry.

Jia Yue took a small sip and immediately praised, "The tea here from you, sister, tastes the best."

Consort Xi smiled and said, "The Emperor bestowed many sparrow tongues upon you, but I don't have many left, so I can't give them to you, my sister."

"Your Majesty, I have come today to return the favor. Yesterday was Hongzhao's first birthday, and the gifts from all the elder sisters were too generous. Today, I received a reward from the Emperor, so I thought I would take this opportunity to give something back. I cannot accept gifts from Consort Xi."

“Sister, you are too kind. The Sixth Prince is Hongli’s younger brother. Those gifts were carefully selected by Hongli for his younger brother. They are just a token of his good wishes and are not considered extravagant.”

"The Emperor will be pleased to know that the Fourth Prince is a brotherly and respectful brother. However, you must accept the return gift, Consort Xi. I'm sure you will like it."

Consort Xi asked with curiosity, "I wonder what my sister sent?"

"I heard that Consort Xi is fond of worshipping Buddha and Bodhisattvas. She just received a jade Guanyin statue. I haven't set up a small Buddhist shrine yet, and the jade Guanyin statue hasn't been put into the storeroom. So I thought of you and sent it to you."

As she spoke, Jia Yue hurriedly called out to Bao Chun, "Quickly, bring that white jade Guanyin statue over so that Consort Xi can have a look at it."

Bao Chun quickly placed the jade Guanyin on the table and then opened the pear wood box outside.

"Sister Xifei, take a look, do you like this gift?"

Consort Xi was fond of Buddhism. This white jade Guanyin statue was milky white all over and about the height of an adult woman's outstretched arm. The base was made of small-leaf sandalwood.

Do you think Consort Xi likes it?

She naturally liked it. She liked to worship Buddha, initially for peace of mind, but later she found some tranquility in it and grew to like it more and more.

This jade Guanyin statue truly touched her heart.