Meanwhile, the people sent to deliver the rewards had also arrived at their destinations one after another.
The main hall of Pifang Hall was not far from the side hall. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Bai Liu was almost there.
Bai Liu carried only a single willow-woven basket filled with waxberries in both hands. Behind her followed several minor eunuchs who did miscellaneous tasks and sought favor, each holding baskets of various fruits—some with two or three baskets, others with just one.
In the afternoon, although Consort Meng preferred quiet, she never restricted the palace maids from chatting or playing. Several low-ranking, newly assigned maids who had finished their work were either standing or sitting under the corridor, talking and enjoying the cool air.
Suddenly, someone spotted Bai Xing and her group. A quick-witted maid hurriedly ran inside to notify the senior palace maid, while the rest stood up, silently bowed, and watched them with curious eyes.
So many fruits—they had never seen anything like it. A beautiful palace maid with sloping shoulders and a slender waist lifted the curtain and stepped out. She glanced at Bai Xing with a half-smile. "Miss Bai Liu, why aren’t you guarding your Cairen? What brings you to this quiet place of the Jieyu?"
Her gaze swept over the baskets, and she sneered. "With all the commotion and fanfare earlier today, I thought Guanjia had bestowed some precious treasures. How thoughtful of your Cairen to spare a little for us to broaden our horizons."
She pointed a slender finger adorned with a purple jade bracelet at the group of young maids, making a veiled criticism. "Still blaming me for not letting you go watch the excitement? Miss Bai Xing is right here. Tomorrow, you can all go curry favor while the iron is hot, leave this place, and everyone will be satisfied."
Hearing these sharp, sarcastic words, Bai Liu didn’t even furrow her brows. She spoke calmly, "Sister Fangyue, you jest. Cairen and Jieyu share a deep bond and reside in the same palace. It’s best not to say such things, lest you harm the relationship between our mistresses."
Fangyue was furious, her pretty face flushed red, her eyes nearly spitting fire. In her view, Cairen Xue was nothing but an ungrateful wretch. Under the Consort’s protection, she had soared to the skies, yet unlike other junior consorts, she neither paid morning and evening respects nor flattered and fawned over senior palace maids like them.
Was it just because she had favor? Wasn’t she just a lowly palace maid under her command before? What was there to be so arrogant about?
Before Fangyue could retort, another palace maid with delicate features emerged from inside. Fang Fei surveyed the scene, understood the situation, and turned to Fangyue. "Fangyue, why have you been gone so long? The Consort has already asked about you. Even if you wish to speak with Sister Bai Liu, you must first remember your position and attend to your duties."
She enunciated the words "position" and "duties" with particular clarity, clearly reminding Fangyue of her place. Fangyue snorted coldly, offered no reply, turned around, and returned to the hall.
Fang Fei said apologetically, "The Consort appreciates Fangyue’s lively and straightforward nature and has indulged her to the point where she doesn’t know her limits. She means no harm. If she has offended you, Sister, I hope you can forgive her."
Bai Liu gave a light smile but said nothing, only looking at Fang Fei with her eyes. To claim Fangyue meant no harm implied that if she, the offended party, did not forgive, she would be narrow-minded and petty. It was not wrong for Fang Fei to defend her own, but why should she be the one to yield?
If she yielded, it wouldn’t just be her own face that was lost—it would be Lady Xue’s dignity as well. It was true that Lady Xue and Consort Meng were close, but that didn’t mean just anyone could use Consort Meng’s name to trample on Lady Xue.
Seeing Bai Liu’s expression, Fang Fei smiled helplessly and said no more. She then led Bai Liu and her group inside to meet Consort Meng.
Consort Meng cordially inquired about Xue Dongyu's health, which Bai Liu answered one by one. When asked about the purpose of the visit, Bai Liu explained that Xue Dongyu had been thinking of her sister and, upon receiving some rare fruits, dared not enjoy them alone, so she sent some over.
Consort Meng examined the fruits and marveled at them. Having been in the palace for so many years, she was not unfamiliar with such delicacies. In previous years, when Guanjia paid little attention, the empress would distribute some to each consort according to custom, while reserving a portion to reward court officials and imperial relatives.
When it was her turn, she would receive at most a small basket with limited variety. From this, she knew that her younger sister Xue Dongyu was truly favored, and this time, even the court officials must have become aware of Cairen Xue.
Consort Meng felt deeply gratified. Although she had previously advised Xue Dongyu not to become overly immersed in the emperor's favor, she also understood the importance of imperial favor in the palace. In her heart, Xue Dongyu was a beloved younger sister who deserved such generous treatment.
After the gifts were delivered, Fang Fei eagerly escorted Bai Liu to the passageway and presented a small box. "This is a reward from the Consort. Take it," she said, firmly handing it to Bai Liu, who was about to speak.
She then took out several pouches and gave them to the eunuchs who had carried the gifts, smiling brightly as she said, "You’ve worked hard. Take these few taels of silver for some tea."
The eunuchs looked at each other, hesitant to accept. As low-ranking eunuchs, they had never received rewards from a senior palace maid like Fang Fei. Bai Liu helplessly gestured for them to take it, and they all accepted joyfully.
After Fang Fei left, Bai Liu opened the box to find a pair of twisted gold bracelets, each adorned with a red gem the size of a soybean. To Bai Liu, these were naturally extremely precious.
She casually slipped them onto her wrists, and indeed, they accentuated her slender wrists. Bai Liu knew in her heart that if not for Fang Yue’s careless words, Consort Meng would have at most given a generous red envelope. These bracelets also carried a hint of apology.
Watching Bai Xing’s figure disappear into the distance, Fang Fei hurried back to the hall as soon as she was out of sight. Leaning close to Consort Meng’s ear, she recounted Fang Yue’s actions in detail.
Consort Meng took several deep breaths and said through gritted teeth, "I have been too lenient with her in the past. She harbors dark thoughts and cannot bear to see others prosper, yet she dares to use me, her mistress, as an excuse. A-Yu is my own sister, sharing half the same blood. What does she think she is, acting as if she’s some kind of benefactor?"
Seeing Consort Meng’s great anger, Fang Fei, mindful of her past friendship with Fang Yue, tactfully advised, "Fang Yue may be a bit presumptuous, but considering her diligent service in the past, please spare her this time, Consort. Moreover, if Cairen Xue learns that you punished a senior palace maid for her sake, she might feel uneasy, which could harm the bond between you."
These words were reasonable and heartfelt, and Consort Meng took them to heart. She said solemnly, "In that case, go and tell Fang Yue that she will be fined three months’ wages and is forbidden from serving inside for the time being. If there is a next time, she will be sent back to the Department of Palace Affairs."
Fang Fei relayed the message to Fang Yue, who buried her head under the covers and wept softly. Fang Yue’s hostility toward Lady Xue stemmed from a hidden desire of her own.
She knew she was beautiful, and according to palace customs, consorts of high rank would groom attractive palace maids or their own relatives as "adopted daughters," in reality to present them as beauties to Guanjia.
Consort Meng’s palace had no adopted daughters. Fang Yue, confident in her beauty and seeing how well the Consort treated her, believed she would eventually be adopted as a daughter and become one of Guanjia’s concubines.
Who would have thought that Xue Dongyu's arrival completely shattered her dreams? Consort Meng's heart was entirely devoted to her, making plans for her, hoping to introduce her to Guanjia once she grew a bit older and more sensible.
Fangyue was consumed by jealousy. Taking advantage of Princess Anshou's passing and Guanjia's low spirits, she devised a scheme, tricking Xue Dongyu into delivering tea to Guanjia, who was seeking solitude alone in Consort Meng's hall.
Originally hoping Guanjia would fly into a rage and have her punished, she instead ended up helping Xue Dongyu succeed. Fortunately, after that, Xue Dongyu remained out of favor, was even struck on the head, and nearly died. Fangyue would still feel a flicker of joy whenever she thought about it at night.
But human plans are no match for heaven's will. Xue Dongyu suddenly rose again, not only conceiving a royal heir but also gaining increasing favor day by day. Watching this, Fangyue burned with envy and heartache, muttering about it daily until it gradually became a festering wound in her heart, making Xue Dongyu her most hated enemy.
Bai Liu returned to the hall and saw Zhang Maoze waiting outside the door with a group of palace maids from Funing Hall, knowing that Guanjia had come again. She quietly found Bai Xing to explain what had just happened and showed her the bracelet on her wrist.
Bai Xing's willow-leaf eyebrows shot up in anger. "What kind of scoundrel is that? Not only did she fail to appreciate Madam's kindness, but she also used words to provoke you."
She then comforted Bai Liu, "I will report the injustice you suffered to Madam."
Bai Liu shook the bracelet on her hand, the dazzling gold and red hues flashing. "What injustice? We palace maids have endured everything—this is nothing. I'm actually quite happy to have gotten such a fine bracelet."
Bai Xing couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, alright, as long as you know what you're doing."
Bai Liu returned the fastest, followed by Yu Chai, who had gone to Consort Miao. Everything was normal there, and Yu Chai received five taels of silver, equivalent to four months of her monthly allowance, making her overjoyed.
Liu Tong, who went to Consort Zhou, received a generous reward of six taels and six maces. Consort Zhou, the daughter of a military family, was bold and unrestrained, with plenty of money to spare, making her the most generous.
Madam Wang lived in a remote area, so Yu Huan was the last to return. It was said that Madam Wang was overwhelmed by the unexpected visit and even invited Yu Huan for tea and small talk, delaying her return until now.
Madam Wang, originally a palace maid who served in the bedchamber, held a low rank as only a Jun Furen and naturally had limited resources. Although she was warm and enthusiastic toward Yu Huan, in the end, Yu Huan only received a pair of plain silver bracelets—light in weight but finely crafted.