Ning Shu took in Miao Qing’s discrete actions. As expected of a palace woman, none of them were ordinary at all. Anyone else would have continued to try and sow dissension but Miao Qing clearly knew when to stop.
Ning Shu felt that the original host couldn’t be described as simple either. In the battle for the throne, she had taken the initiative to do things for Li Wen and seen quite a lot of dark things. However, she also counted as dumb since she had pretty much offended all of the women in the Inner Palace.
In the end, she still had a very conceited personality and looked down on these women in the Inner Palace that relied on a man to live. It was to the point that not a single person stepped up to speak for her when she was bestowed in marriage. They all agreed for her to be sent off. It was also quite impressive in a way, since it’s truly hard for one’s relationships with others to be horrible to this degree.
Ning Shu thought for a bit, then said, “Record all of this and give return gifts according to the usual standard.”
Miao Qing and Yuan Dong who were sorting out the items froze at the same time because the Princess never gave return gifts. Her sudden command to give return gifts gave them quite a shock. However, in the end they were both experienced palace maids and reacted quickly.
Interaction between people has always been based on reciprocity. The way the original host only accepted presents without giving return gifts expressed the message that she didn’t want to associate with those women. How offensive was that?
And the princess was seriously willful. However, though the women in the Inner Palace gritted their teeth and cursed at her, they couldn’t do anything to the original host. A wall only fell if everyone pushed. A lot of factors had contributed to the fact that the original host ended up the way she had.
“Princess, you really want to give return gifts?” asked Miao Qing. “This is giving them face.”
Ning Shu simply glanced at her without speaking. This caused Miao Qing to feel uneasy. She and Yuan Dong had seen how much pain the princess was in before. However, now the princess was so calm that it was scary. It couldn’t be that she had gone crazy from the pain?
Of course, they could only wonder this silently. Although the two maids were not willing, they still handled tasks very quickly and soon sent return gifts to the people from each palace.
The consorts and concubines were surprised and touched to receive Princess Jiahui’s return gifts. They had all sorts of complex emotional responses, but for the time being it won’t be discussed in detail.
Ning Shu was wondering whether if she should go find Duan Xinghui. However, she rejected this idea right after it emerged. At this time, Duan Xinghui had probably already been rescued by Er Ya, what use was there in her going? Moreover, if a princess wanted to head out, it had to be done with adequate protection and ceremonial dignity. She’d have to drag a whole bunch of people along. By the the time she got to the border, all the dishes would have chilled.
If the two were truly in love, fate would bind them closely together.
Duan Xinghui and Er Ya had gotten together without any intermediaries. As Er Ya took care of Duan Xinghui who was injured, they inevitably had bodily contact. Familiarity breeds fondness, dry wood bursts into flames, the blaze of love ignites. In short, the two people fell in love, it was true love.
The true task would have to wait until Duan Xinghui brought Er Ya back to the capital. Until then, she should just focus on recovering and brush up on the Emperor’s favorable impression of her. Since she didn’t want to be bestowed in marriage, she had to build up her own value.
What could she help Li Wen with? There were too many people to do the things like carrying tea and pouring water. The effect of brushing up his favorable impression of her and deepening the sibling affection between them was small, but working on it occasionally wouldn’t be a loss.
Ning Shu earnestly focused on recuperating. However, during the entire time, there was not a hint of a smile on her face so it caused Miao Qing and Yuan Dong who were attending to her to be completely confused and on edge.
They would be very careful with everything they said. Miao Qing no longer dared to try to provoke Ning Shu. Ning Shu noticed that Yuan Dong’s eyes were a little bit red, but every time she asked, Yuan Dong would only say that she had squinted too much or that it was trachoma.
Ning Shu gazed meaningfully at the two. Her unreadable gaze caused the two maids to feel even more scared. They felt like the princess’s eyes seemed to penetrate everything and see the secrets hidden in the deepest depths of their hearts.
Hence, Miao Qing and Yuan Dong started attending to Ning Shu even more carefully and considerately. Their comprehensive attentiveness allowed Ning Shu’s days to pass by very comfortably. This was an effect that Ning Shu hadn’t predicted.