Wow~~
When the paper was fully unfolded, a Song typeface character for "longevity" was clearly visible in the center.
“That’s good, Uncle Li. I want you to cut out more ‘longevity’ characters, and also some auspicious phrases, such as ‘May your fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea and your longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountain,’ or ‘May you be rich and noble, and may your blessings last forever,’” Lanqin said.
Nianxue and the others knew that Lanqin had been worrying about what to give Consort De for her birthday these past few days. When she mentioned this, they guessed that the paper-cutting must be related to the birthday gift for Consort De.
"Princess, are you planning to cut out some paper-cut decorations to give to Consort De for her birthday?" Nianxue saw everyone's expressions and knew that this was the question they all wanted to ask. If the princess really intended to give these to Consort De, she would try to dissuade her. These paper-cuts were far too insignificant; that was the emperor's woman, a consort holding a high position in the palace!
"You're only half right," Lanqin said with a mysterious smile.
Seeing that Lanqin really wanted these paper-cuts for Consort De's birthday, Nianxue couldn't help but advise, "Princess, I think it's inappropriate for you to give paper-cuts to Consort De." Upon hearing this, several maids and even Uncle Li all showed their agreement.
"Tell me, what's wrong with it?" Lanqin wasn't displeased by Nianxue's words at all; she understood that whatever Nianxue said was for her own good.
“Princess, Consort De is the master’s own mother, so her status is naturally extraordinary for you. Moreover, Consort De is highly trusted by the current emperor and has a noble status. It would be a bit too much for you to only send some auspicious paper-cuts…” Nianxue couldn’t find the right words that would also make Lanqin feel uncomfortable.
"Is it too shabby?" Lanqin interjected.
"Please forgive me, Your Highness. I don't want Your Highness to be ridiculed by others," Nianxue said hastily, kneeling down and bowing her head.
Seeing her kneel, Lanqin immediately waved her hand and said, "Get up quickly. When did I tell you to kneel? Don't kneel down so easily, okay? Listen up, everyone. I don't like people kneeling to me all the time, do you all hear me? Xicha, pull Nianxue up for me."
Xi Cha quickly helped Nian Xue, who had already gotten up on her own, to her feet. Actually, she had also felt that the princess's gift was a bit too stingy. However, unlike Nian Xue, who was timid and afraid of trouble, she always let Nian Xue speak first and preferred to stay behind her.
"As you all know, Consort De is a high-ranking concubine and has received the Emperor's favor for many years. So, the things in her possession are probably things that even I, a mere princess, have never seen. Just look at my cabinet, what could possibly catch Consort De's eye?" Lanqin was in no hurry to explain.
This question actually caught several people off guard, as they were all aware of all the rewards Lanqin had bestowed upon them.
"Princess, why don't we present the white porcelain Guanyin statue that His Majesty bestowed upon you? The ladies in the palace all love to worship Buddha," Xicha hurriedly suggested.
“I’m afraid Consort De’s collection includes jade and gold Guanyin statues of that size, but white porcelain Guanyin statues aren’t considered very high-class among these kinds of Buddhist statues,” Zi Ran said quietly.
Lanqin smiled at her and said, "Indeed, giving away a white porcelain Guanyin would only make us a laughing stock."
Upon hearing Lanqin's words, Xicha's face immediately flushed red, and she dared not utter another word.
“Princess, why don’t you copy some Buddhist scriptures and give them to Consort De to bless her with good health and freedom from illness and disaster? Although they are not gold or silver jewelry, they will show Consort De your filial piety and are in line with your status.” This time it was Nianxue who spoke.
“I never worship Buddha, so I’m afraid my heart isn’t sincere enough to copy those things, and the Buddhist scriptures I copy won’t be that efficacious.” As soon as Lanqin heard that she was going to copy Buddhist scriptures, her mind exploded.
"To be frank, in terms of the value of the items, there really isn't anything in the Princess's room that would make Her Highness the Consort De feel impressed. Birthday wishes don't necessarily require priceless gifts; as long as they express sincerity, that's enough," Zi Ran said.
“That’s right, Zi Ran’s words make sense. My name is Li Shubao, and I’m only doing paper cutting. The birthday gift I want to give to Consort De is not these paper cuttings, but rather…” Lan Qin was about to explain her plan when she was interrupted by a loud laugh outside the door.
"But what is it, sister?" Madam Li, supported by her maid Xiangqiao, had already reached the door. Seeing that the door was ajar and no one was there, she walked straight in.
"It's Consort Li, please sit down!" Upon seeing that it was Consort Li, Lanqin quickly stood up from the couch. The servants on the floor also consciously separated and stood up, leaving a place for Lanqin to greet Consort Li.
“Sister, I just heard that you are going to give Consort De a birthday gift.” Li Shi took Lanqin’s hand, and the two walked to the main couch together and sat down on the left and right sides.
"Yes. We were just here discussing with them what to give to Consort De," Lanqin said with a smile.
"Sister, forgive my bluntness, but you won't be able to attend Consort De's birthday celebration, so you don't need to prepare anything at all." Li Shi covered her mouth with her handkerchief and murmured to herself. Ever since she saw the fabrics and jewelry the Fourth Prince had bestowed upon Lan Qin, she had been feeling uneasy for quite some time. Recently, she had recalled what she had done for Lan Qin to make the Fourth Prince believe in Lan Qin's innocence (Li Shi was too self-righteous), so she felt she couldn't let things fade away like this; she had to maintain the relationship to hopefully reap even greater rewards from Lan Qin. Therefore, she came today because the weather was nice, only to unexpectedly hear that Lan Qin was going to give Consort Di Fei a birthday gift, and it seemed Ting Huafeng was also going to the palace to offer birthday greetings.
"Sister Li, you may not know this, but the Fourth Prince has already told me that I will accompany Consort De to the palace to celebrate her birthday." Lanqin said, seeing that everyone around her would find out soon.
"What? The master asked you to go with him?" A hint of jealousy flashed across Li's face, but she quickly smoothed it out, replaced by a look of utter astonishment.
"Yes, I will be going to the palace with you, sister. I wonder what gift you have prepared?" Lanqin asked casually, not noticing the expression on Li's face.
"I'm just an ordinary person, and all I know how to give are some mundane gifts. Never mind, but what do you, my sister, plan to give to Consort De?" Li suppressed the turmoil in her heart and forced a smile as she asked.
"Didn't you see it, sister?" Lanqin said with a smile.
Madam Li glanced at the stack of colored paper on the couch, then at the "longevity" character cut out by Li Shubao, and, suppressing a urge to mock, asked, "Sister, would you like to give these to Consort De?"
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