Chapter 29 Sending a Thank You Gift
"My lady, Zheng Baolin is asking for an audience outside the palace." When Qiuxiajiang reported this to Jiang Yingli, she was admiring the flowers outside the palace.
"Zheng Baolin?" Jiang Yingli remembered that she was the concubine who was bullied by Lu Cairen.
She didn't expect that she would take the initiative to come to her, after all, she seemed very quiet and introverted.
"Qiuxia, go and lead her in."
Qiuxia responded and did not forget to order the little palace maid to pour tea.
Jiang Yingli returned to the outer hall and waited for Zheng Baolin to arrive.
When Zheng Baolin walked in, a gentle and peaceful smile hung on his lips, and he bowed to Jiang Yingli.
"I pay my respects to Concubine Jia."
Jiang Yingli smiled and said, "Hurry up, sister, sit down and have some tea."
Zheng Baolin stood up and sat down, her tone slightly apologetic: "I wonder if my visit here disturbs you, sister?"
"How could that be? I'm free right now, so I might as well talk to you." Jiang Yingli felt that Zheng Baolin was quiet and it was comfortable to get along with her.
"That's good. I was waiting at the palace gate just now. I saw that the crabapple trees outside my sister's palace were in full bloom. There was also an empty nursery outside my sister's palace. I guess she was preparing to plant flowers." She had learned in advance that Concubine Jia loved flowers, and she used this as a metaphor when speaking.
Jiang Yingli was indeed much more enthusiastic. "Yes, I asked Xiao Xiazi and the others to turn the soil yesterday. If it is full of plants, it will definitely be a feast for the eyes when they bloom."
Zheng Baolin maintained a peaceful smile, thinking about Su Xiuyi's mission in his heart. After a few more pleasantries, Zheng Baolin finally explained his purpose.
"In fact, the reason I came to your palace today is to thank you for your help that day."
Jiang Yingli paused. "Are you talking about the swing? You've already thanked me. It's just a small favor, don't take it to heart."
"It's just a piece of cake for my sister, but it's a favor that I will remember for the rest of my life." Zheng Baolin drooped his eyelashes and took out the slender box from his sleeve.
"Your Majesty dotes on me, and I believe you have seen all the good things in me. So please don't despise me and accept my thank you gift. Only then will I feel at ease."
Zheng Baolin placed the box on the table, placed his delicate hand on the edge of the box, and slowly pushed it towards Jiang Yingli.
Although Jiang Yingli was a little surprised that Zheng Baolin would bring a thank-you gift for this matter, she always felt that she could understand her.
"Sister, you are so polite." Jiang Yingli did not refuse and opened the box directly.
The moment it was opened, Lian Qiao, who was standing nearby, exclaimed, "What a beautiful and exquisite hairpin!"
Zheng Baolin glanced at her, lowered his eyes slightly, and maintained a smile.
Jiang Yingli hadn't expected there to be such an exquisite ruby hairpin inside. She was surprised for a moment, but she tried not to show it, and only smiled and exclaimed:
"It's really beautiful."
Zheng Baolin also looked at the sparkling hairpin, and his eyes flickered with emotion.
Everyone would like such a good thing. If she were asked to use the handkerchief she made, Concubine Jia would definitely look down on it.
"Since you like it, you must accept it." Zheng Baolin said.
Jiang Yingli looked at Zheng Baolin's expectant eyes and somewhat tense expression, and suddenly thought of
Zheng Baolin is quiet and well-behaved. People like her are the most sensitive and thoughtful. If she doesn't accept it, there is no guarantee that she will think too much.
It was just a thank you gift, so just accept it. If she didn't want to owe him anything, she could find some excuse to return the favor someday.
"Thank you very much, sister. The hairpin is very beautiful." Jiang Yingli said.
Zheng Baolin felt like a huge rock fell from her heart, and the taut string finally loosened. She couldn't help but want to take a deep breath, but she held it back.
She didn't dare to think about it. If the hairpin was not given out today, she would be beaten and scolded by Su Xiuyi when she returned to the palace, and what would happen to Qian'er.
Jiang Yingli handed the hairpin to Qiuxia and instructed, "Qiuxia, put it on for me."
Zheng Baolin was stunned. She didn't expect Jiang Yingli to wear it on the spot.
Qiuxia carefully found a place to put the hairpin on Jiang Yingli, and praised her sincerely:
"It's really beautiful, it makes the young lady look radiant."
Jiang Yingli stroked her hairpin and looked at Zheng Baolin with a smile: "How about it, what do you think, sister?"
Zheng Baolin felt her heart tighten for no reason. Jiang Yingli's smile seemed as beautiful as the morning glow, but it also made her feel breathless.
She forced a smile and said, "Sister, you are a goddess with a beautiful figure. You look good in anything you wear."
"Since you have accepted it, I will not stay any longer. It is almost noon now, so I will not disturb you from eating." Zheng Baolin stood up suddenly.
Jiang Yingli frowned slightly, "Why are you so anxious? Now that you're here, let's eat together. I think my sister will be accustomed to the dishes in my palace."
Zheng Baolin declined repeatedly, "Sister, you really don't have to be so polite. I told Qian'er to bring lunch early today. It's time to hurry back now, otherwise the whole table of food will be wasted."
Jiang Yingli had no choice but to give up after hearing this. "Well, come and visit me again when you have time. Lianqiao, go see Baolin off."
"Yes, my lady, Baolin, please come this way."
Zheng Baolin bowed and said goodbye.
After leaving Zhaohua Palace, Zheng Baolin could no longer maintain the gentle smile on his face, and his face turned pale.
She walked on the palace path, secretly clenching the handkerchief in her hand.
Lian Qiao watched Zheng Baolin leave at the palace gate. When she returned to Daowai Palace, she saw Jiang Yingli had taken off the hairpin in her hair and was staring at it thoughtfully.
Lian Qiao asked perceptively, "What's wrong, my lady? Is there something wrong with this hairpin?"
Jiang Yingli stared at the ruby inlaid on the hairpin and said slowly:
"It's not that I look down on people. This gem is of excellent quality, and the hairpin is made with intricate craftsmanship. It doesn't seem like something Zheng Baolin would casually give away."
Qiuxia frowned, walked over, and looked at Lianqiao.
"My lady, you are absolutely right. Zheng Baolin's family background doesn't seem to be very good."
This can be seen from her reserved expression and the unfashionable material of her clothes.
Jiang Yingli nodded. "Her father was a recorder in the Ministry of Agriculture, a ninth-rank official. His annual salary might not even be enough to buy this hairpin. And she never slept with him, so it couldn't have been a gift from His Majesty."
Lian Qiao was surprised when she heard this and said, "My lady is really amazing. Not only does she remember the location of every lady's palace, she even remembers their family histories clearly."
Jiang Yingli said softly, "Since she's your Majesty's concubine, I'd like to learn more about her. However, it's probably useless."
"It's time to use it." Lian Qiao said, "Since this hairpin is not something Zheng Baolin can produce, I always feel that it is not simple."
Jiang Yingli frowned and twirled the hairpin in her hand.
This hairpin is gorgeous and exquisite, and looking at it reminds people of people like Song Zhaoyi.
She always felt that its gorgeous appearance was a perfect match for a queen with a high-profile background like hers.
so....
Jiang Yingli suddenly had an idea and sat up straight.
"What's wrong? Have you thought of anything?" Lian Qiao asked.
"Zheng Baolin can't afford this hairpin, but her mistress, Su Xiuyi, can easily give such a thing as a reward."
"So, this hairpin was given to Zheng Baolin by Su Xiuyi! She gave it as a thank you gift. If the young lady wore it out, it would cause some misunderstandings and conflicts." This was the first thing Qiuxia thought of.
Jiang Yingli shook her head with a slightly serious expression.
"No, it's not necessarily a reward. Su Xiuyi is so domineering and looks down on Zheng Baolin from the bottom of her heart. Even if she wanted to reward her, she wouldn't give her something like this, unless this thing was originally meant for me."
"Su Xiuyi wants to harm the Empress!" Qiuxia said in shock.
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