As expected, Wang Shi soon sent over the clothes and jewelry prepared for Ye Li. Seeing the haughty expressions on the faces of the maidservant and the attendant who delivered the items, Ye Li remained unperturbed. She merely glanced casually at the items on the table, gave them a faintly mocking look, and casually instructed her own maid, "Qing Xia, put these away."
The maid holding the jewelry box was displeased by Ye Li’s indifferent attitude. Tipping her chin up, she shot Ye Li a disdainful glance. "Third Miss, these were specially prepared for you by our Madam."
Ye Li blinked her serene, tranquil eyes and smiled gently at the maid. "I see. Is there anything else?"
The maid was taken aback. As a favored senior maid under Wang Shi, she was accustomed to being treated with respect by everyone in the household. Yet, for some reason, though the Third Miss’s words sounded polite, they grated on her ears. Remembering Wang Shi’s instructions, she mustered her confidence and said, "Madam has instructed that on the day of the Hundred Flowers Festival, Third Miss must wear these new clothes and jewelry she prepared, lest people think the daughters of the Minister’s household don’t even have decent new attire."
"Must?" Ye Li leaned lazily against the back of her chair, propping her chin with her right hand as she regarded the haughty maid with a cool gaze. "Your name is Cuizhu?"
"Yes, Third Miss, this servant is Cuizhu." For some reason, Cuizhu suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. Watching the elegantly lounging young lady before her, she grew uneasy.
"Are you certain… Madam told you that I must wear this outfit?" Ye Li asked lightly.
Cuizhu hesitated but then replied firmly, "Yes. This was specially prepared for Third Miss by Madam. Does Third Miss intend to disregard Madam’s thoughtful efforts?"
Ye Li studied the pretty but arrogant maid before her and suddenly laughed. Extending a slender finger, she lifted a corner of the fabric from the brocade box on the table and remarked idly, "With this quality… would it really be better than wearing old clothes?"
The clothes in the brocade box were indeed new, made from the luxurious Cloud Brocade. However, the gaudy colors and stiff design would likely make others think she was not attending a gathering of noble young ladies in the capital but was instead desperate to get married. Did Wang Shi truly believe that just because she had never attended such events in recent years, she knew nothing about them? Such a bright red color and intricate floral patterns would only displease Princess Zhaoyang, the hostess of the banquet, and earn her the scorn of the capital’s noble ladies.
"Third Miss! How—how dare you…" Cuizhu’s eyes widened in shock, as if she couldn’t believe the usually silent and unassuming Third Miss would speak so boldly. The attendants who had come with her also wore expressions of astonishment and displeasure.
"If Madam prepared these specially, then take them back for Fourth Sister. Tell her that if she can attend, she should use them—no need to waste Madam’s kindness. As for me… I suppose Madam doesn’t know my preferences, so there’s no need for her to trouble herself." Tossing the clothes back into the brocade box, Ye Li spoke indifferently.
A flicker of anger crossed Cuizhu’s face, but she forced a smile. "Madam has already prepared a set for Fourth Miss. These are for Third Miss."Miss. Qing Shuang, standing behind Ye Li, chimed in cheerfully, "Miss, since Madam has prepared these, it wouldn’t be right to disregard her kindness. If you don’t fancy them, why not bestow them upon us servants?"
Ye Li turned to glance at Qing Shuang and nodded with a smile, "Have I ever treated you girls poorly? Very well, each of you may pick something you like."
Without hesitation, Qing Shuang stepped forward and selected a pair of gilt gemstone earrings. "This servant thanks Miss for the gift."
The other maids weren’t as bold as Qing Shuang. They eyed the earrings in Qing Shuang’s hands with a mix of envy and hesitation. Cuizhu hadn’t expected the Third Miss to dare give away Madam’s gifts to servants right in front of her. Her expression darkened, and she couldn’t help feeling envious of Qing Shuang for serving such a generous mistress. After all, even as Madam’s most favored senior maid, she had never received such lavish jewelry. Noticing the others’ expressions, Qing Shuang’s eyes sparkled mischievously as she said, "Sister Qing Xia, why don’t you pick something too? If you don’t, Yun’er and the others will feel too shy to choose."
Qing Xia quickly glanced at Ye Li and, seeing no anger—only a hint of indulgence in her gaze—stepped forward to select a gold hairpin, thanking Ye Li for the gift. Encouraged, the younger maids followed suit, each picking an item or two, their faces alight with joy. For low-ranking maids like them, who rarely received such rewards, these exquisite pieces—though deemed unworthy by their mistress—would make respectable dowry items when they married someday.
"Third Miss," Cuizhu said stiffly, "by giving away Madam’s gifts to servants, are you implying Madam should prepare another set for you? Each young lady is only entitled to one portion. Wouldn’t this put Madam in an awkward position?"
Ye Li rose to her feet. "Once Madam gave these to me, they became mine. Since every sister has only one set, I wouldn’t expect an exception. Unless…" She paused, her tone deliberately emphasizing the next words, "you insist that either I or Fourth Sister wear such lavish attire ?"
"This servant… wouldn’t dare."
"Good. Convey my gratitude to Madam when you return."
"Miss, Madam has arrived," Jingwen, the temporary seamstress, announced from the doorway.
Before Ye Li could respond, Wang Shi entered with her entourage. Her bright smile faltered at the sight of the items on the table and in the maids’ hands. "Li’er… do you dislike what I prepared for you?"
"Thank you for your concern, Madam," Ye Li replied airily, "but my aunt sent me a set just two days ago. Rather than waste your kindness, I thought to share it with Qing Shuang and the others. I’m sure they’re grateful." Her gaze, however, lingered on the unfamiliar matrons and maids accompanying Wang Shi—clearly not members of the Ye household.
Qing Shuang and the others promptly expressed their thanks. Forcing a smile, Wang Shi said, "How kind of you, Li’er. These are the stewardesses from Ding Royal Palace. You should greet them."Before Ye Li could step forward, the leading matron approached with a solemn expression and bowed to her, saying, "This old servant greets the Third Young Lady. I am the stewardess matron by the prince's side, married into the Sun family. By the prince's order, I've brought some gifts for the Third Young Lady. May you kindly accept them."
The matron gestured, and two elderly women and two maids stepped forward holding brocade boxes, paying their respects to Ye Li. "We greet the Third Young Lady."
Qing Shuang and Qing Xia hurried forward to assist Granny Sun up. Ye Li smiled faintly, seemingly oblivious to the matron's discreet assessing gaze, and said gently, "You've gone to much trouble, Granny Sun. Please convey my gratitude to the prince."
Granny Sun's shrewd old eyes swept over the items on the table, also noting Wang Shi's expression. A flicker of satisfaction passed through her gaze, and her stern face softened slightly. She curtsied again to Ye Li and said, "In that case, this old servant shall take her leave now."
Ye Li nodded to Qing Shuang and instructed, "Qing Shuang, please see Granny Sun out."
Qing Shuang acknowledged the order, while Yun'er and the other maids stepped forward to receive the gifts. Qing Shuang personally escorted Granny Sun and her attendants out.
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