"Miss Shuman and others rushed forward, 'Nuque sister, the Queen Dowager treats you very well indeed!'"
Her gaze lingered on the set of jade ornaments and silk, her eyes full of envy.
Yu Yao smiled slightly and handed the tray to the jade figure behind her, "It's just a token of the Queen Dowager's affection."
It appears to be an act of reward, but in reality, the Queen is pushing her to the forefront, and behind the scenes, there must be countless people envying her.
Liu Baolin moved closer and carefully examined the jewelry, "This jade jewelry is really exquisite, which must be made with great care by the Palace of Household Affairs."
The envy in her eyes was nearly overflowing.
Qian Changhe and Zhou Ying were also saying flattering words, their expressions full of envy.
Yu Yao took in the expressions of everyone, knowing that they were out of favor and had never seen the emperor. She feared that their lives would be difficult.
She smiled slightly, "It's customary for a younger sister to share good things with her sisters, but these items are a gift from the Queen Dowager, and I'm not sure how I can give them to you."
As she said that, her gaze shifted to the side, "Hu Cang, go to the warehouse and choose a few good materials for the sisters."
Hu Cang glanced at Shuman and the others, walked over, and respectfully said, "Yes, my lady."
After that, she turned around and went to the storeroom to select the materials.
Liushu put the Queen's gift into the room.
Shuman took a step forward and smiled, "Miss Nuque, how can this be? The imperial gift from the Queen Dowager should be kept well by you. Sister is so concerned about us."
Liu Baolin's eyes were smiling, and she was very pleased, "Miss Nuque, we accept your kindness, but how can we feel worthy of it?"
Qian Changhe also smiled and said, "Miss Nuque, as you have just entered the palace, you should keep it for yourself and make some more clothes. There's no need to share it with us."
Zhou Ying also smiled and agreed with the others.
Yu Yao waved her hand, "As sisters, there's no need to be so formal."
These people see each other every day and night, so it's necessary to maintain good relations. As for a few pieces of material, she really doesn't care.
Soon, Hu Cang returned from the storeroom, holding several brightly colored and soft materials.
These are materials sent by the Palace of Household Affairs, and she was appointed as a concubine after she entered Yihedian. The items arrived before she got there and were stored in the storeroom.
Liu Baolin, Qian Changzai, and Zhou Ying, the three of them, looked at the brightly colored and soft materials with a gleam in their eyes.
Even Shuman couldn't help but show a smile.
They were all out of favor and couldn't see the emperor. Apart from the gifts they received on the day of the new emperor's accession to the throne, they depended entirely on the monthly distributions from the Palace of Household Affairs.
Due to their lack of favor and their low status, they never got a chance to receive the good, brightly colored materials.
When they received their share, it was all of mediocre quality, with dark and old-fashioned colors.
Now that they see Hu Cang carrying out brightly colored and good quality materials, they are all very happy.
"These materials were sent by the Palace of Household Affairs on the day Miss Nuque was appointed as a concubine. Although they cannot compare to the materials sent by the Queen Dowager, they are Miss Nuque's sincere gift. You can choose whatever colors you like."
"Miss Nuque is too modest. These materials are of excellent quality, and we're not satisfied at all. We're grateful to receive them."
Shuman smiled and stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the materials in Hu Cang's hands. She was the first to pick out a piece of pale pink material, which was bright and beautiful.
The other few also smiled and agreed, picking out a piece each after that.
Liu Baolin picked out a piece of water blue material, which glimmered softly under the sunlight. She couldn't stop touching it and happily said, "Thank you, Miss Nuque. I really like it."
Qian Changzai chose a goose yellow, which was very complementary to the skin tone at a glance.
Zhou Ying was the last to choose, and since she didn't have a choice, she had to take the pale purple material.
In fact, she wanted the pale pink material in Shuman's hand. It was suitable for her age and had a beautiful color.
However, being the lowest in rank among them, it was not her turn to pick first.
Fortunately, the pale purple was also very beautiful and elegant.
Everyone was delighted to receive good things, saying nice things as if they were not paid, and being close as if they were sisters.
Just then, a young palace maid came to report that the Concubine Miaocai was approaching.
Clearly, she had heard that Jinyuan, who was the Queen's attendant, had delivered the gifts and had hurried over to receive them.
The Concubine Miaocai entered the courtyard gracefully, like a peach blossom in full bloom in spring, exuding both delicate beauty and high pride.
She wore a palace robe in sky blue with intricate cloud patterns, her hair styled high with several delicate pearl flowers adorning her hairpin, which only highlighted her snow-white skin and her eyes that held a myriad of charms as they fluttered.
Unfortunately, there was a trace of jealousy and greed in those beautiful eyes, which made people feel uneasy.
"Oh, it's Miss Nuque! Congratulations, sister, you have indeed flown up the dragon throne and transformed into a phoenix on a branch!"
She stared at Yu Yao's beautiful face, which was breathtaking, and a deep jealousy flashed in her eyes.
Damn, how can this woman be so beautiful? Beautiful to the point that one truly wants to destroy her or replace her with their own face.
Concubine Miaocai's gaze shifted over the materials in everyone's hands, her mouth curled up into a meaningful smile, "It seems the Queen Dowager truly dotes on you, sister. Such materials are things we dare not even dream of in our daily lives."
Yu Yao's eyebrow wrinkled slightly. Being called "sister" one or twice, if Concubine Miaocai didn't mean it, she wouldn't believe it.
She didn't bother to be polite to Concubine Miaocai and said, "If I remember correctly, your position as a concubine is higher than that of a mere talent. If you see me, it's only appropriate for you to kneel and address me as Your Highness. Why do you address me as 'sister', which is not proper?"
She referred to herself as 'sister' out of politeness, but others referring to her as such was a sign of disrespect.
Concubine Miaocai's face stiffened, and a spark of mischief flickered in her eyes.
What kind of nerve does this maid have to act like a concubine?
But she quickly adjusted her mood, reluctantly nodded and giggled, "My memory is so poor. Please forgive me, miss sister. I forgot my manners."
She didn't wait for Yu Yao to call her, but got up herself and her gaze fell back on the materials, saying meaningfully, "Miss sister is so generous, even willing to share the rewards given by the Queen Dowager with everyone."
Hmph, this Nuque Concubine is really bold. She dares to distribute the materials given by the Queen Dowager as rewards. When she reports back to Fengyi Palace, see how the Queen Dowager will discipline her.
Hearing this, Shuman suddenly smiled lightly, "You're mistaken, Miaocai. The materials that Miss Nuque gave to her sisters were not from the Queen Dowager's rewards but were taken out of the storeroom."
"Yes, Miaocai. How could Miss Nuque be so careless? She gave us the Queen Dowager's rewards? This would definitely offend the Queen Dowager."
Liu Baolin also agreed from the side.
Qian Changzai and Zhou Ying also stated that these were taken from the storeroom, not as gifts from the Queen Dowager.
Concubine Miaocai's face stiffened. She had thought she had found a way to play on Miss Nuque's mistakes, but it turned out that she had misunderstood.
But she couldn't apologize, as Yu Yao's position was higher than hers, and she couldn't act up.
Concubine Miaocai turned to look at Shuman and the others, mocking, "Look at you all, so inexperienced. A few pieces of material make you so happy. You really have shallow eyes."
After she finished speaking, she let out a cold snort and turned to leave.
None of them greeted their host, Yu Yao.
Shuman and the others looked very unhappy. Concubine Miaocai had some favor in the palace, though not much, but she could at least see the emperor. They dared not offend her.
"Miss Nuque, my body is not quite well, so I'll take my leave first and come visit you again another day to chat."
After Concubine Miaocai left, Shuman turned to look at Yu Yao, with a somewhat unpleasant expression on her face, and said apologetically.
"Yes, there are still some trivial matters in my room. I'll take my leave today and come to play with you, Miss Nuque, another day."
Liu Baolin also spoke with a somewhat unhappy expression on his face.
Qian Changzai and Zhou Ying didn't say anything, but their expressions were also not pleasant, clearly indicating that they wanted to leave as well.
Yu Yao knew they were uncomfortable in their hearts, but she didn't insist on keeping them, "It's fine, I'll invite all of you over to play another day."
After she finished speaking, she addressed the person beside her, "Hu Cang, go and bid farewell to the young masters and misses."
"Yes, my lady."
Hu Cang stepped forward, "Please, the young ladies."
Shuman, Liu Baolin, Qian Changzai, and Zhou Ying bowed to Yu Yao and followed Hu Cang as they walked away.
As these people left, the east side pavilion suddenly became quiet.
She returned to her room, half-reclining on a soft sofa, looking tired.
Líliu timely served a cup of hot tea, bowing slightly and frowning, "My lady, that Miaocai Concubine was too much."
Yu Yao looked at Líliu with her eyes, taking the tea she handed over, casually saying, "Her behavior is nothing but jealousy."
Concubine Miaocai is arrogant, foolish, willful, and self-righteous. She's also jealous and full of bad intentions, but she's not very smart.
Someone like this, in the harem, is destined to be a cannon fodder.
There's no need for her to take action to deal with her; one day, she might just die in some mysterious way.
As for the so-called favor shown to her by the Concubine Miaocai, it meant nothing to her.
Seeing the Emperor every one or two months is called having favor? That's funny.
