Chapter 392 – You Reward, I’ll Reward Too

Chapter 392 - You Reward, I'll Reward Too

He Jinli was held by the back, and soon he fell asleep, clearly exhausted.

It wasn't until dinner time that Yun Li roused him.

That night passed without incident, and the next morning, they all went to the Fengyi Palace for their morning greetings. There were no significant matters to discuss.

Instead, Yun Li took the initiative to say, "Her Majesty and Miss Liao seemed to have hit it off immediately. I've heard she was given a trunk full of treasures, but I wonder what they could be. I'm incredibly envious."

The Empress chuckled. "You cunning one, do you lack fine things? What don't you have here in my palace?"

Yun Li shook her head with a smile. "Your Majesty's words make me feel guilty. You're the Empress, and what you possess, could I, as Princess Du He, ever have? I shouldn't even desire them."

"The Empress is just teasing you," the Empress replied with an 'aiyo.' "The Ninth Prince isn't of marriageable age yet. There's still the Sixth and Seventh Princes. If everyone asks for gifts like this, my modest fortune won't suffice. Look at how petty you are. What could I possibly bestow upon you? That large trunk only contained fabrics. If you want some, why not choose from my storeroom later? There are some items that aren't in use, but they're not of the finest quality, so I can't give them to you."

"I'll naturally accept anything Your Majesty gives," Yun Li said with a smile. "I'll take whatever amount you offer."

At this point, there was no denying that she wanted them.

Indeed, the Empress ordered the treasury to be opened, and a pile of fabrics were brought forth – her annual allowance alone was more than enough for her needs.

Yun Li, of course, did not consider them valuable; she simply picked one as a gesture.

However, there were many who were in need. Those consorts who had long been neglected now possessed very little.

They received the gifts joyfully.

Yun Li chuckled. "After seeing the Empress' generosity, I realize that I also have quite a collection. If my younger sisters don't mind, I'll also search through my belongings."

Naturally, there were those who would not refuse, and they showered Yun Li with compliments.

Yun Li laughed heartily. "Today is a blessed day, so I'll open my treasury for you all."

"The same for me," the Concubine said with a smile. "It's a day of expenditure anyway, so let's do it together today."

After the formal greetings were concluded, and they returned to Yuzhu Palace, Yun Li indeed instructed her servants to open the treasury.

Together with the Concubine, Yun Li truly gave away numerous unused fabrics, jewelry, and miscellaneous items.

Throughout the entire harem, a majority of the concubines had fallen ill with joy.

One by one, they were all delighted.

In the Fengyi Palace, the Empress shattered her tea cup in anger.

"The current Empress Xiaoxian truly has an audacious heart. She doesn't even consider this palace in her eyes anymore."

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. She's merely trying to win over people's hearts. Why should you let her bother you? You are the Empress. No matter how much she tries to gain favor, can she really surpass you? Once the Fifth Prince becomes the Crown Prince, no one will be able to shake your position," Ruyi said.

The Empress sneered. "Of course, but Empress Xiaoxian's actions now genuinely disgust me."

"Lady, please stay composed. It's not a good time to act against her now. Her imperial favor is still at its peak," Ruyi advised.

"The peak of imperial favor? She's been at the peak for twenty years!" The Empress's chest heaved with anger, leaving her with nothing else to say.

In the Ganlu Palace, Concubine Yang forced a smile. "Your Majesty, please don't get upset. It's just that she has money."

Shu Shu Fei chuckled. "What am I supposed to be angry about? And why are you being so polite? What's wrong with taking a look? Forget it, since you didn't go, this palace will make up for it. Whether it's good or bad, the new fabrics the Imperial Household Department brought the other day are excellent. Let's use them together."

Yang Xiao Yi replied with a smile, "This humble concubine humbly thanks Your Majesty. I shall accept your generosity."

Yang Xiao Yi eventually received Shu Shu Fei's gift and, after expressing her gratitude, returned to her quarters.

Upon her return, her maid whispered, "You didn't visit Jade Brook Palace. Won't they start wondering about you?"

"What would they gain from begrudging an insignificant Concubine like me?" Yang Xiao Yi responded.

"Still, you should have paid them a visit, even if it's just to take a single item. It's a sign of respect," the maid suggested.

Sometimes it's not about you; not following the crowd can be problematic.

Yang Xiao Yi sighed. "A village official is more powerful than a provincial governor. I reside in this Gan Lu Palace, where the main consort is the Shu Fei, yet she goes to the Xian Fei to receive rewards. It sounds better said than done."

"Ai, it's not easy for you either," the maid empathized. "But why would this Xian Fei suddenly decide to bestow gifts? To pull the Empress into it early in the morning, that seems rather imposing, don't you think?"

"I suspect they've become different from us. Nowadays, when we vie for favor, it's still about winning the Emperor's heart. But for them, it's all about the princes. The Empress rewarded Liao yesterday, indicating her support for the Fifth Prince. Now Xian Fei is doing the same, attempting to gain influence in the harem. While accepting her gifts doesn't necessarily mean pledging loyalty, it's still true that the Empress can gift a trunk of items to Liao, while Xian Fei can distribute rewards to a whole palace of concubines."

This was no small matter. The Empress had opened her treasury, followed by the Gui Fei, and then Xian Fei herself.

Who wouldn't receive some bolts of cloth or hairpins for their services? This is what makes one worthy of respect.

The maid didn't fully understand but simply nodded. "Anyway, in this harem, Concubine Xian is the most formidable. Even Her Majesty the Empress can't do much against her. I don't quite understand, but I feel that supporting Fifth Prince is hopeless for the Empress."

"You may see it as hopeless, but she sees it as her only hope. Well, it's also because I've been neglected for years, so my rank as a Minor Consort was earned through perseverance. Standing on the sidelines all these years has given me a clearer perspective. If I were to involve myself, I'd be just as clueless," Yang Xiaoyi said with a smile, waving her hand dismissively. "Forget it, those are matters for our superiors. We shouldn't meddle."

The maid smiled and agreed, then went to fetch some snacks for her.

Yang Xiaoyi conducted herself well, so Concubine Shu treated her generously, ensuring she had ample provisions.

In Yuyu Palace, after bidding farewell to the last batch of concubines who had come to express their gratitude, Yun Li said with a smile, "Feels lighter now, doesn't it? The storeroom is significantly emptier."

Zhi Fu chuckled. "The fabrics are fine; they won't last long anyway. But those jewels are valuable items."

"All of them were gifts from outsiders, delivered by the Internal Affairs Bureau. The genuine good stuff, I wouldn't even dare to let you girls touch," Yun Li replied.

The truly valuable items would never end up in the storeroom. What was there was what Zhi Fu and the others could never wear.

Not even the most favored maid around her could wear such finery.

Zhi Fu inquired, "This servant is puzzled. Why have you suddenly decided to...?"

Yun Li chuckled softly. "I merely feel that I've been modest enough, and it's time to be more prominent."

The Empress could bestow gifts upon Lady Liao yesterday, and today, Concubine Xian could distribute favors throughout the harem.

Zhi Fu seemed to understand. "Yes."

It didn't matter if they didn't genuinely express gratitude; as long as they perceived that approaching her would bring benefits, that was sufficient.

In fact, it wasn't just about that. On her birthday last year, the imperial concubines from the retired empresses' quarters had also sent presents.

Yun Li had promptly returned their gestures. The gifts from the retired imperial concubines varied in quality. Yet, she had put thought into what she sent back.

They were practical items or directly made of gold and silver, without the imperial workshop's seal.