Xue Dongyu’s eyes lit up. She thought this was a great opportunity. In the palace intrigue novels she had read in her past life, when the female lead gained favor and was rewarded with things she couldn’t finish using or eating, she would distribute them to other consorts. This served two purposes: first, to avoid waste, and second, to flaunt her favor.
For Xue Dongyu, there was a third benefit. She could use the opportunity of sending fruits to have her palace maid discreetly deliver a note to Guanjia. The logic was seamless: a beloved consort, overjoyed by a reward, composes a love poem but is too shy to openly send it to her beloved, so she quietly passes it along.
Xue Dongyu leaned back and spoke unhurriedly, “For those serving inside the hall and the two young eunuchs outside, let each choose a plate of fruits as a token of my goodwill. As for the rest, take the many small willow baskets and fill each type into a small basket to send to my sister.”
After a pause, Xue Dongyu realized she hardly knew any other consorts in the palace. After thinking for a moment, she added, “Also, send some to Lady Wang and Consort Zhou. Consort Miao has the eldest Princess, so send some there as well.”
Bai Xing smiled and said, “Thank you, Mother, for your consideration. However, even though you are sending out many, there will likely still be plenty left. Why not send more to the other ladies? It’s not the lack but the inequality that breeds resentment. I fear those who don’t receive any might harbor jealousy toward you, which would be unfortunate.”
Xue Dongyu was noncommittal. “Even if I send them, will they stop resenting me while eating my fruits? I might as well not give them any at all.”
Xue Dongyu wasn’t afraid. Her golden finger had already arrived, and she was feeling bold. Had she watched all those palace dramas for nothing? To put it bluntly, every woman in the palace was an enemy. To think that lowering your head could win an enemy’s favor was nothing but a dream.
Besides, she wanted them to grit their teeth in envy, biting their blankets sleeplessly at night. In the harem, the truth was that those who didn’t attract jealousy were mediocre.
“As for the remaining fruits, first go to the Ice Storage Office and get some ice to preserve them. Then, go to the imperial kitchen and instruct them to experiment with making desserts and fruit drinks from the fruits. For now, have them prepare a fruit yogurt for me: chop up various fruits, pour chilled yogurt over them, and serve it.”
It had been a long time since she had eaten fruit salad, and just thinking about it made Xue Dongyu’s mouth water. In her past life, the fruit salad stalls were expensive, and she was always worried the fruits were spoiled, so she rarely ate it. Buying fruits to make it herself was too much trouble. But now, it was perfect: the ingredients were ready-made tributes, and the imperial chefs were free to use.
Bai Xing looked as if she wanted to say something but held back, eventually agreeing and leaving to assign the tasks. Xue Dongyu knew this loyal little palace maid wanted to advise her because, originally, she wasn’t qualified to order the imperial kitchen around or demand ice so casually. Bai Xing was afraid her mistress would be rejected and lose face.
Seeing that Bai Xing didn’t contradict her outright, Xue Dongyu felt somewhat gratified. Bai Xing was growing up, learning not to question her master’s words. Although her emotions were still somewhat visible on her face, it was understandable.
After all, if Bai Xing had remained outspoken, Xue Dongyu wouldn’t have mistreated her, but she couldn’t have kept her by her side either.
As for the imperial kitchen and the Ice Storage Office not obeying, Xue Dongyu wasn’t worried at all. According to the laws of palace intrigue, even if a favored consort acted outrageously, no one would stop her. This little matter was nothing in comparison.
She called Bai Xing back again, returned to the study, and quickly copied a poem. Thanks to muscle memory, the handwriting looked decent—at least, she thought so, flattering herself. She repeatedly instructed Bai Xing to deliver the items directly into Guanjia’s hands.
Bai Xing emerged, swiftly gathering everyone with an authoritative air. The others were puzzled, but Yu Chai, being lively by nature and always close to Bai Xing, boldly spoke up, "Sister Bai Xing, is there something you need to instruct us on?"
Bai Xing gently pinched her ear. "You're quick-witted and talkative, aren't you? I have Lady's instructions to relay, and you're the first one I'm telling." Though it sounded like a reprimand, it was actually affectionate. As a senior palace maid, Bai Xing assigning tasks related to the mistress to junior maids was not a punishment but a sign of favor.
Yu Chai didn't feel any pain but pretended to wince, pleading for mercy to amuse her sister, her heart swelling with joy. Her efforts to get close to and flatter Bai Xing had clearly paid off. That little minx Yu Huan might seem quiet and reserved, but wasn't she secretly currying favor with Sister Bai Liu? What good did that do? Sister Bai Xing was the one truly in Lady's confidence.
Bai Xing straightened her expression and said seriously, "Lady is kind-hearted and has instructed me to share some fruits with us servants to enjoy." Before she could finish, several of them beamed with delight, showering Xue Dongyu with praise.
Bai Liu had just said, "Lady is generous and kind-hearted," when Yu Chai, unwilling to be outdone, chimed in, "Among all the mistresses in the palace, I think only our Lady has such a good temper. Where else would something like this happen? She’s as compassionate as a Bodhisattva." The others, though less effusive, didn’t stop their flattery either.
Bai Xing looked at them with satisfaction. In her view, there wasn’t a word of exaggeration in what they said—such a good mistress was truly hard to find. She raised her hand to signal for silence.
With a stern expression, Bai Xing declared loudly, "We know how good Lady is among ourselves, but don’t go around shouting about it. Lady has also given a few more instructions. Listen carefully with both ears. If anyone makes even the slightest mistake, you won’t need to answer to Lady—I won’t tolerate it."
"Right now, we haven’t moved yet, and the Palace Domestic Service hasn’t assigned additional personnel. According to regulations, a Cairen should have four senior palace maids, eight second-tier maids, sixteen junior maids for rough work, two head eunuchs, and ten junior eunuchs. At this critical juncture, you’d better stay on your toes."
Everyone fell silent, responding in unison, "Yes," including Bai Liu.
Bai Xing then relayed Xue Dongyu’s instructions: Bai Liu was to deliver fruits to Consort Meng; Consort Miao had requested her favorite, Yu Chai; Consort Zhou’s delivery was assigned to Liu Tong, as he was a senior eunuch and shouldn’t be slighted; and for Lady Wang, the steady Yu Huan was chosen.
After giving the orders, Bai Xing ignored the disappointed looks of the remaining servants. Her hand brushed against her sleeve pocket, feeling the hard, thin piece of paper inside, her heart pounding like a drum.
Before coming to serve Lady Xue, she had only been a lowly palace maid sweeping the Imperial Garden, inexperienced and never having set foot in Funing Hall. How could she not be nervous? But thinking of Lady’s kindness to her, Bai Xing took a deep breath and bravely made her way there.
Arriving at Funing Hall, she looked up and saw an auntie kneeling at the entrance, adorned with several gold hairpins, pearl earrings, and dressed in fine fabric. Yet, for some reason, she was kneeling there in such a pitiful state.
As Bai Xing approached, she overheard a voice, "Eunuch Li, I beg you, please show mercy and go inside to report. Lady Zhang is truly suffering. Let Guanjia see her once, for the sake of Lady Zhang’s imperial heir, please make an exception." As she spoke, this auntie was in tears, her hands desperately tugging at the eunuch in front of her.
Li Lu struggled to free himself while speaking sarcastically, "Oh, Aunt Jia, please don’t pull at me. Who Guanjia sees is not for me to decide. Didn’t I already report it earlier? Guanjia said no, and there’s nothing I can do about it."
What rotten luck. He took a few taels of silver from her to pass on a message, but not only did Guanjia refuse to see her, he also got a harsh scolding from Zhang Maoze. Li Lu was in a foul mood.
Aunt Jia muttered, "In the past, we always got to see him. Our lady, our lady…" Her despondent appearance was particularly pitiful.
Bai Xing tentatively stepped forward, awkwardly avoiding the gaze of this aunt. Li Lu caught sight of Bai Xing and immediately shook off Aunt Jia, striding over to her in one step. His expression instantly changed, becoming warm and enthusiastic as he said, "Why has Miss Bai Xing come? Is there something from Lady Xue?"
Bai Xing was flustered, even stealing a glance at Aunt Jia. Seeing Li Lu's sudden shift from arrogance to deference and hearing the mention of "Lady Xue," Aunt Jia understood immediately—this was someone from the newly favored consort, Cairen Xue.
She lowered her eyes with a bitter smile. Truly, fortunes change. Once, her lady had suppressed Cairen Xue, who was abandoned after just one night. Yet now, she herself had fallen to such a state.
Bai Xing relayed her message to Li Lu, saying only that Lady Xue wished to express her gratitude to Guanjia and had written it down on paper. Li Lu understood perfectly well—Cairen Xue had written love poems and sweet words to play a little game of romance with Guanjia. He had seen plenty of such tricks in the harem; previously, Consort Yu had loved to do this sort of thing.
Li Lu put on a righteous expression, patting his chest and promising to deliver it directly into Guanjia's hands. Relieved, Bai Xing left the place as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
While they were talking, Aunt Jia had quietly slipped away unnoticed. Li Lu paid no mind to it. He entered the hall, handed the note to Zhang Maoze, and explained the whole situation.
After all, nothing at the imperial court could bypass Zhang Maoze. Otherwise, he would suffer the consequences of being sidelined. But according to protocol, Zhang Maoze couldn't erase his contribution either.