Eastern Tombs Imperial Palace, Imperial Study
Jun Ji was reviewing memorials when Li De stepped forward to refill his tea. "I heard the Empress punished Consort Rong with house arrest today?" Jun Yi's tone was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger.
Li De was taken aback for a moment before replying, "Your Majesty, yes. I heard that Consort Rong offended the Empress Dowager, so Her Majesty the Empress punished Consort Rong with half a month of house arrest."
Jun Ji picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said nothing. Seeing this, Li De stood to the side, waiting.
Just then, a young eunuch's announcement came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress requests an urgent audience."
"Let her in," Jun Ji said, picking up a memorial from beside him.
The Empress entered the hall and bowed slightly. "Your humble consort pays respects to Your Majesty."
"What urgent matter brings the Empress here so late?" Jun Yi did not look up.
The Empress turned and took a pale yellow booklet from the palace maid behind her. "Your Majesty, I have mostly arranged the ranks and palaces for the newly entered Candidates. However… I request Your Majesty's decision regarding the rank of the young lady from the Mu Mansion."
Hearing this, Jun Ji paused for a moment before saying, "Enfeoff her as a Noble Lady and grant her Qingzhu Small Courtyard."
The Empress was momentarily stunned, then smiled. "Yes. Your humble consort takes her leave."
Li De stood to the side, somewhat unable to grasp his master's thoughts.
If he said His Majesty didn't care about the young lady from the Mu family, he had personally granted her Qingzhu Small Courtyard. If he said he cared, why place her so far from Longchen Gong? Ah! His master's thoughts were becoming increasingly unfathomable.
"Li De, more tea." Li De was lost in thought when a calm voice interrupted him.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Li De snapped back to attention and hurried to refill the tea.
The Next Day, Mu Mansion
In just one day, the imperial decree arrived, and everyone in the Mu Mansion learned that Mu Li had been enfeoffed as a Noble Lady. She would enter the palace in ten days.
Fufeng Courtyard
"Congratulations, young lady, on achieving your wish!" Chang Xiu excitedly said to Mu Li.
Shan Wu, eating osmanthus cakes from First Tower, had crumbs all over the corners of her mouth and mumbled indistinctly, "Congratulations, young lady."
Mu Li was reading a medical book on the couch and smiled. "This is only the beginning. By the way, Chang Xiu, keep a close eye on that new maid. Don't slack off."
Chang Xiu replied, "Yes, young lady. But, young lady, why not find an excuse to drive her out? That way, those in Liuchun Courtyard can't do anything."
"If Liu Qing could have her drug me, what else do you think she wouldn't do? Naturally, we must watch her closely to see her next move. That way, we can understand what else Liu Qing plans to do." Mu Li looked at the book in her hand without raising her head.
Shan Wu chimed in, "That Liuchun Courtyard is indeed up to no good, actually having someone drug young lady's rouge. Thankfully, our young lady is clever and didn't let her succeed, or it would have been disastrous!"
"By the way, Mama Liu said grandmother's daily calming incense has run out. With the day to enter the palace approaching, I need to make more for grandmother. Chang Xiu, come with me to the small medicine room quickly." Mu Li suddenly remembered, getting up from the couch and speaking to Chang Xiu.
"Yes, young lady." Chang Xiu replied with a smile.
Liuchun Courtyard
Liu Qing violently threw the teacup in her hand to the ground, shattering it instantly. "Hong Chun, it seems this mistress can't rely on you to do anything right."
Upon hearing this, Hong Chun immediately knelt down. "Please forgive me, Madam. I clearly handed that powder to Lan'er, and she returned to report that she had already put it in the Eldest Miss's rouge. I don't know why the Eldest Miss was still selected… Please calm your anger, Madam!"
"Then tell me, why is that wretch's face unharmed?" Liu Qing snorted coldly.
"I don't know… Please calm your anger, Madam…" Hong Chun shook her head repeatedly.
Mama Li, who had been standing beside Liu Qing, stepped forward to soothe her. "Madam, please calm down. Perhaps something went wrong elsewhere. The Eldest Miss has always been cautious—she must have discovered something."
"That Mu Li, relying on the Old Madam's favor and having an elder brother stationed at the border, has never taken me seriously."
"All the spies I planted in Fufeng Courtyard were actually rooted out by her. She truly has remarkable skills! It seems I underestimated her!" Liu Qing slowly clenched her hand resting on the table.
Mama Li looked at Liu Qing and whispered, "Then, according to Madam's intention, should we still make any moves?"
"No! Now that wretch has already been selected. Although she is only a Noble Lady, the Master still values this. Let her off for now. Even if she enters the palace, she won't be able to stir up any trouble. In the future, she will inevitably serve as a stepping stone for my Wan'er."
As Liu Qing spoke, a faint smile slowly curled at the corner of her mouth. It wasn't until two years later that Liu Qing realized how laughable her words today were!
"Madam speaks most wisely," Mama Li agreed.
Lanxiang Courtyard
"Grandmother, I'm here. I've also brought you a lot of calming incense I made." Mu Li entered from outside, followed by Chang Xiu and Shan Wu, both maids carrying many things in their hands.
Old Madam Mu sat in a reclining chair. Seeing Mu Li's figure, she said happily, "Li girl is here, come sit quickly. Mama Liu, bring the peach shortcakes. Li girl loves them the most."
"Yes, Old Madam." Mama Liu looked at the grandmother and granddaughter pair with a gratified smile, then turned and went to the small kitchen.
Mu Li sat down beside Old Madam Mu. Looking at the peach shortcakes served, her expression turned melancholy. "The peach shortcakes here at Grandmother's are the most delicious. Once I enter the palace, I won't be able to eat Grandmother's peach shortcakes anymore."
"Miss, Shan Wu will learn well from Mama Liu and make them for you in the palace," Shan Wu said. Though she loved to eat, she also had excellent culinary skills.
"Right, place the calming incense I made for Grandmother here." As Mu Li spoke, she had the two maids set down the things in their hands.
Old Madam Mu watched and sighed. "You! Still remembering to make these things for this old woman."
"A Li wants Grandmother to sleep well every day," Mu Li said sweetly, holding onto Old Madam Mu's arm.
Old Madam Mu patted her granddaughter's head. "How can I sleep well when you're entering the palace?"
Mu Li said softly, "Grandmother, don't worry. A Li is entering the palace to enjoy good fortune."
"You think that's a good place!" Old Madam Mu said reproachfully.
After speaking, she gave a meaningful glance to Mama Liu, who was standing to the side. Mama Liu understood and withdrew. Soon, she returned with a wooden box and placed it in Mu Li's hands.
Mu Li was puzzled and looked at Old Madam Mu with confusion. Old Madam Mu motioned for her to open it. When Mu Li saw the stacks of banknotes and shop deeds inside the wooden box, she was stunned. "Grandmother, what is this?"
Old Madam Mu smiled and said, "All these were your mother's dowry. Back then, Mu Mansion was not as prosperous as it is today, so quite a lot was used up. After your mother passed away, they were entrusted to me for safekeeping. Over the years, Madam Liu has been eyeing your mother's dowry, but fortunately, I managed to protect it."