Despite feeling a pang of sadness, Empress Ulanara rallied her spirits. She put down her prayer beads and said to Wang Mama beside her, "Go to the storeroom and select some fine jewelry and fabrics, and prepare some bird's nest to send to Consort Yun."
Her voice was calm, but it carried a hint of weariness.
Wang Mama hesitated, then said, "Your Highness, why must you..."
The Empress raised her hand to interrupt her: "I am the Empress, and I should be mindful of matters concerning the inner palace. Consort Yun has just been favored by the Emperor, and it is proper to bestow gifts upon her. I cannot allow people to say that I have lost my decorum." She paused, then added, "Choose something simple and elegant, nothing too ostentatious."
Granny Wang sighed and nodded in agreement: "This old servant will go and do it right away."
Soon, a group of palace maids carrying brocade boxes walked in a grand procession towards Yanxi Palace. The boxes contained exquisite jade hairpins, cloud brocade, and top-quality bird's nest, each item showcasing the Empress's status and demeanor.
---
Inside Yikun Palace, Consort Nian, upon learning that the Empress had sent gifts, slammed her teacup heavily on the table in anger. "What are you pretending to be so magnanimous for!" she sneered, a sinister glint in her eyes. Emerald stood silently to the side.
A moment later, Consort Nian suppressed her anger and ordered, "Go, bring me my mutton-fat jade pendant." Jade was taken aback: "Your Majesty, isn't that your favorite..."
"Take it when I tell you to!" Consort Nian interrupted sharply. Jade dared not say a word and quickly retrieved the jade pendant. The pendant was smooth and lustrous, with exquisite carving; it was a rare treasure.
Consort Nian stroked the jade pendant, a cold smile playing on her lips: "Since the Empress has already given one, I naturally cannot be left behind." She placed the jade pendant into a brocade box, added a pair of gold-inlaid jade earrings, and said indifferently, "Send them to Yanxi Palace and say it is my token of appreciation."
Jade asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, this jade pendant..."
Consort Nian snorted coldly: "She's nothing but a trinket, I have plenty more." She thought to herself: Lin Yun, now that you're on my territory, I'll make you pay!
"Add another box of spices," Consort Nian said, staring at the jade.
“Your Majesty, these spices are…” Jade’s face turned pale instantly.
"Go quickly."
"yes"
Seeing that the Empress and Consort Nian had made their moves, other palaces also sent gifts to Yanxi Palace.
Inside Yanxi Palace, Lin Yun had just woken up, feeling weak and sore all over. Chunlan and Granny Li were already waiting by her side, and upon seeing her awake, they quickly stepped forward to serve her.
"Your Highness, you're finally awake." Chunlan said softly, her face flushed. "The ladies of all the palaces have sent gifts, and the courtyard is piled high with them."
Lin Yun was taken aback: "A gift?"
Li Mama explained with a smile, "This is the rule in the palace. When the Empress is first favored, all the palace mistresses will express their gratitude."
Lin Yun nodded, then struggled to her feet and, with the help of Granny Li, went to the outer room. There, she saw the hall filled with brocade boxes, and the palace maids were busy counting and registering them.
At this moment, Su Peisheng walked in with a smile: "Consort Yun, His Majesty specially instructed me to come and see you. His Majesty said that if you are not feeling well, you do not need to go and pay your respects to Her Majesty the Empress today."
Lin Yun blushed and whispered, "Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty."
Su Peisheng added, "His Majesty also sent me a message: 'Yun'er is doing well, and I am very pleased.'"
Lin Yun's ears burned, and she was too embarrassed to speak. Chunlan, Xiahe, and Granny Li covered their mouths and chuckled softly.
After Su Peisheng left, Lin Yun took a deep breath and asked Li Mama, "Mama, what should we do with these gifts?"
Li Mama replied respectfully, "Your Highness, please accept this first. I will prepare a list of return gifts for you later, just in accordance with the rules."
Lin Yun nodded, her gaze sweeping over the gifts filling the courtyard. She knew that behind these gifts lay countless pairs of envious eyes.
Lin Yun walked to the gifts given by Consort Nian. Chunlan stepped forward and opened them. Inside was a piece of brocade, though the color was a bit old-fashioned, a mutton-fat jade pendant, and a box of precious spices.
"Your Majesty, this was sent by Consort Nian to congratulate you on receiving the Emperor's favor," Chunlan said with a smile.
Lin Yun walked closer and took a look, her gaze falling on the box of spices.
She picked it up casually, lifted the lid, and took a light sniff. Her brows furrowed instantly. The nourishment from the spiritual spring water had made her sense of smell exceptionally sharp. Although the faint musky scent was masked by other fragrances, she still managed to detect it.
"Granny!" She immediately put down the box, took a step back, and said in a tight voice, "Take these spices out of the palace, don't leave them here."
Seeing this, Granny Li quickly stepped forward: "Your Highness, what's wrong?"
Lin Yun lowered her voice: "This spice contains musk, and it smells off."
Granny Li's expression changed, and she quickly instructed the maids to take away the spice box and ordered the windows to be opened for ventilation. She turned and grasped Lin Yun's hand, whispering, "Your Highness, rest assured, this old servant will go and find out the truth right away."
Lin Yun nodded, but a chill ran through her. She had long known the inner palace was treacherous, but she hadn't expected Consort Nian to be so blatant. If it weren't for the spiritual spring water protecting her, she would probably have fallen into their trap.
As evening fell, Yongzheng entered Yanxi Palace. Lin Yun was leaning against a soft couch, lost in thought. Upon seeing him, she quickly rose to greet him. Yongzheng helped her up, smiling, "No need for formalities. You don't look well; are you tired?"
Lin Yun hesitated for a moment, but decided to speak frankly: "Your Majesty, I received a gift from Consort Nian today, including a box of spices... It smells like it's mixed with musk."
Yongzheng's smile froze instantly, his eyes turning cold: "Musk?"
"Yes," Lin Yun nodded. "I have a keen sense of smell and sensed something was wrong, so I had the nanny put the things away."
Yongzheng was silent for a moment, then suddenly sneered, "The Nian family is quite bold." He turned to Su Peisheng and said, "Go and find out who handled that box of spices. Don't let a single one slip through the cracks."
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