"Let's leave the matter of the box here. The Empress Dowager is of utmost nobility and is not something we can discuss. As I just said, if the Empress Dowager likes the box, then the fortune within the box is only the box's fortune."

It has little to do with her, but it would be best if it did.

Cheng Ying and Sang Zhu understood her meaning. Since she did not intend to curry favor with the Empress Dowager, they could not force her, so they dropped the matter.

After the eunuch from the Imperial Household Department returned, he relayed Youqing's message to Peizhen. Peizhen thought it was normal, but she was quite surprised by Youqing's easygoing attitude.

After the matter was resolved, Peizhen exchanged a few more pleasantries before returning to Cining Palace.

When she returned, she asked the little palace maid who served Sumalagu. Sure enough, Sumalagu had already brought the box to the Empress Dowager, who was said to like it quite a bit.

That evening, after serving the Empress Dowager to her father, Su Ma La Gu came out of the room and saw Pei Zhen waiting at the door. She asked, "You don't have to be on duty tonight, why aren't you asleep yet?"

Sumalagu guessed that she must have something to say, so she gave her a chance to continue.

"It's like this, Aunt. I went to the Imperial Household Department and found out that the box was made by Consort Shu of Yongshou Palace. Because it wasn't finished yet, some of the craftsmanship required the craftsmen of the Imperial Household Department to rest before it could be completed, so it was left at the Imperial Household Department. As a result, it was mishandled by a new eunuch at the Imperial Household Department, and that's how it ended up in our Cining Palace by mistake."

Sumalagu was stunned, not expecting it to be like this.

It's no one's fault but a series of unforeseen events: "How was it resolved?"

Pei-chen didn't look particularly anxious; she seemed to have just come over to let them know that the problem should have been resolved.

"The eunuch from the Imperial Household Department went to Yongshou Palace. When Consort Shu heard that it had been sent to Cining Palace, she didn't make a fuss about it."

Sumalagu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I understand. It's getting late, you should go back and rest!"

"Yes, Auntie."

After explaining the situation, Pei-chen finally breathed a sigh of relief and went back to rest.

The next day, Sumalagu told the Empress Dowager about it. After hearing about it, the Empress Dowager became somewhat interested in Youqing.

"She made it herself?"

"That's what the people from the Imperial Household Department said. They wouldn't dare to lie to them, so it's probably true."

"She is indeed clever and resourceful. The box is well-made, and I quite like it. You should go to Yongshou Palace yourself and deliver some things there. I can't use her things for nothing. Next time Consort Tong and the others come to pay their respects, have all the concubines come as well."

The Empress Dowager was old and disliked too many people making noise in front of her, so when she paid her respects, she only allowed concubines of the rank of Consort or above to come. Youqing, a mere Consort, had never had the opportunity to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager before.

"Yes, Master."

That afternoon, Sumalagu finished her work and went to Yongshou Palace.

Youqing was planning to weave a new box in a different style, since there were many styles in the book.

I'm busy right now! Chengying came in: "Master, Aunt Su, who serves the Empress Dowager Cining Palace, has arrived, and she brought quite a few things with her."

Aunt Su?

Sumalagu?

Youqing was taken aback upon hearing this. This person was a favorite of the Empress Dowager. Although not as mysterious as described in modern novels and TV dramas, even Consort Tong had to show her some respect in the harem.

She actually came in person.

"Have you told me what it is about?"

"They said it was a reward from the Empress Dowager, and she sent it over."

Youqing stood up, put down what she was holding, and said, "Let's go."

She dared not leave Aunt Su hanging.

Once outside the house and in the courtyard, Su Mala Gu stepped forward and said, "Greetings, Consort Shu."

"Aunt, please don't stand on ceremony. Please come in and sit down to talk."

Sumalagu refused, saying, "The Empress Dowager still needs me to serve her. I'll just come to deliver some tonics and jewelry to Her Majesty and then leave. I won't go in."

Youqing said with a surprised look, "Then thank you very much for the Empress Dowager's reward."

Sumalagu added, "The box Your Majesty sent to the Imperial Household Department was very exquisite. The Empress Dowager liked it very much. It is said that Your Majesty made it by hand. The Empress Dowager said that Your Majesty is very skillful!"

Youqing: "As long as the Empress Dowager is happy."

After exchanging a few brief pleasantries, Sumalagu left.

Youqing understood why Sumalagu had come; the matter of the box was, in any case, over.

"Put everything away in the warehouse for safekeeping."

Cheng Ying and Sang Zhu happily replied, "Yes, Master."

Compared to Youqing's composure, Sangzhu and Chengying were clearly not so calm. The gifts sent by the Empress Dowager were much rarer than those sent by the Emperor.

Sangzhu smiled and said, "Your Highness's cooking is excellent, even the Empress Dowager likes it. I think the Empress Dowager is very easy to talk to. Would Your Highness like to pay her a visit as a way of expressing your gratitude?"

Upon hearing this, Youqing simply smiled and remained silent. Was the Empress Dowager easy to talk to? She didn't think so; it was just that she hadn't caught her eye.

As for paying a visit, that's even more unnecessary.

Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore.

The current situation doesn't allow for much thinking; we have to take it one step at a time.

"It's good that the Empress Dowager didn't blame us after this matter was over, so let's not push it too far."

"Yes, Master."

The new box was made faster than the first one, taking only about ten days to complete. It was sent to the Imperial Household Department and then returned, and half a month had passed.

Looking at the box, Youqing could hardly believe that it was made by her.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!