Chapter Fifty-Nine: Rose Dew

  Pang Luoxue stood there, feeling that these two goods would not easily let her go with the rhythm, so she also moved forward to take a look, what good things did the emperor reward these two cheap people.

  As expected, the eunuch beside the Emperor skillfully opened one of the boxes and said: "Princess Yigui, this is the eight-tailed phoenix hairpin that the Emperor has rewarded you with. Take a look, it's made from eight kinds of precious gems personally selected by the Emperor." As he spoke, he handed the hairpin to Princess Yigui's palace maid, Shi'er.

  As a noble consort, she can only wear the eight-tailed phoenix hairpin, while the empress wears nine tails and other consorts are limited to four tails. The rules in the palace are strict, and not everyone can afford to commit the crime of usurpation.

  Wang Guifei also leaned in to take a closer look: "It's really suitable for sister, just look at this hairpin, it's so beautiful, and the gemstone is of good quality."

  Yi Guifei took the hairpin from Shi'er's hand and examined it. The light reflected by the gemstones shone onto Pang Luoxue's face, and Yi Guifei smiled and said: "The Emperor always treats me like a child, most of the gemstones on this are colorful crystals, I'm already at an age, I think this hairpin is more suitable for the young lady to wear."

  She walked up to Pang Luoxue's side, holding a hairpin and gesturing left and right.

  Pang Luoxue sneered, "If it were given to me, I'm afraid you would be heartbroken." Pang Luoxue hastily said, "This is Your Majesty's heartfelt gift to the empress, how can Snow endure it? Please don't wrong your servant girl, Empress."

  Yi Guifei heard the two words "heart's desire" and was delighted, saying: "Then I won't force the princess to accept it. The emperor's heart's desire, how can it be easily given to someone?"

  The Queen Wang looked at Yi Gui Fei's appearance, and couldn't help but sneer in her heart: "She's just an old woman, if she wants to talk about favoritism in front of Wang Ruoyao, she should first see if she's qualified."

  The eunuch hastily said: "Noble Consort, the Emperor mentioned earlier that he will be resting in your palace tonight, and hopes that you will make preparations in advance."

  The Queen Wang saw the unwillingness in the eyes of Yi Gui Fei, and she couldn't help but laugh with joy. She hummed, "You want to compete with me? You're still too young, you've just eaten a few more years of white rice than I have." "Please tell His Majesty that this palace will be waiting for him tonight."

  "The princess is too polite, and by the way, this box contains a reward from His Majesty for you." She personally opened it for Queen Wang to inspect.

  It's really true that the people around the emperor know his preferences very well, and who the emperor favors is also obvious from the eunuchs' expressions.

  Open the box, inside lies a pair of jade bangles with a pure green color without any impurities. Such good quality jade bangles are rarely seen nowadays. Pang Luoxue looked at Yi Guifei and saw that her face was twitching, forcing a smile: "Sister is indeed the emperor's most beloved person. Such good bangles must be a national treasure accumulated over the years. I've only seen one on the empress dowager's hand before, didn't expect to see a pair today. It's really thanks to sister's good fortune."

  The queen picked it up, covered her hand with a handkerchief, and put on the jade bangle. The red sleeves matched the green bangle perfectly, and she nodded in satisfaction: "Sister's phoenix hairpin is also very beautiful. Not everyone can wear an eight-tailed phoenix hairpin. Sister, don't you think so?"

  "My sister is saying that it's Your Majesty's intention that moves us sisters the most." Concubine Yi Gui echoed.

  This emperor is really an old fool, such obvious favoritism, which concubine would not harbor resentment. Pang Luoxue watched the two of them going back and forth, although there was a desire to cooperate, but still lacked that bit of tact. These two women were not what you'd call kind-hearted, if they joined forces, even the empress might not be their match. Pang Luoxue smiled slyly, since you all are having such a good time, then I, Pang Luoxue, will lend a hand.

  "Your Ladyship, this phoenix hairpin is a token of good intentions. The phoenix flies and the sound of its wings is melodious! Your Ladyship has given birth to the brilliant and handsome Prince Jin with the yellow emperor, it must be the blessing of heaven that has brought you such a wonderful husband."

  It's no wonder that Yi Guifei was in a good mood, and no matter how much she spoiled her, without any children, the ultimate result would be to grow old in this deep palace. Once she realized this point, Yi Guifei's face also became rosier, and she pulled over Pang Luoxue's hand, laughing: "The princess is always good at talking, these flowers are blooming all year round, but only a few of them bear fruit. The princess should take a look while there's still time." She then turned to Shi Er and said: "I just got a new batch of pearls, 108 pink ones that have been made into a necklace, bring it over and give it to Princess Xue, her skin is white and beautiful, it suits her perfectly."

  Pang Luoxue raised an eyebrow, this woman was indeed a strange creature. However, since she didn't want anything in return, she considered it as repayment for her son's debt. She bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Ladyship."

  The queen's face had a momentary grimace, and then her expression returned to normal. She wiped the corner of her mouth: "Having said that, I'm also thirsty. Rainier sent some rose dew not long ago, why don't we try it together? Snow County Master doesn't have to rush out of the palace, let's drink first before leaving. This palace will also send someone to bring some things for Rainier."

  "Thank you so much for your generosity, Your Highness."

  "The princess can sit here" King Gui Fei's attendant, Jing Tai, took over a embroidered stool and placed it beside Pang Luo Xue, then helped her sit down. As she sat down, she glanced at him, and Jing Tai hastily lowered his head and returned to stand beside King Gui Fei.

  The maids placed the table between the three of them, and a palace maid personally brought over a Qinghua porcelain jug, took out several ceramic bowls, and divided them into three portions. After the two noble consorts picked up theirs, Pang Luoxue finally lifted hers, and saw that the bright red broth was served in white ceramic bowls, especially with a few rose petals sprinkled on top, which looked really nice. Just by looking at the color, you could tell that it was made with high-quality rose petals. Pang Luoxue took a sip, and indeed, it was fragrant and sweet, with a lingering aftertaste.

  "This rose dew is really good, I didn't expect that even the eldest miss of the Pang family has such skills." Yi Guifei said sincerely.

  The Queen Wang smiled and said: "My home's Yu'er, although she is a concubine-born daughter, after all, she is the daughter of the Marquis of Peng, and also the eldest daughter. I think her maternal family is also her natal family, and she can be so progressive, it's really not bad. It's not that I'm boasting about my niece, but she looks pretty and has excellent culinary skills. She just reached adulthood, and her mother was anxious, didn't know which young master to choose." Queen Wang said this while looking at Yi Gui Fei, seeing that she only took a sip, without revealing any expression.

  Pang Luoxue forced a smile, it was really hard for her to speak. She didn't want to say anything at all. As soon as she took the first sip of this rose dew, she knew it came from Cuiwei Building. This Wang Guifei was still here boasting and bragging, it was truly laughable.

  "Has Guo Gong's wife also come here with her sister?" asked Yi Gui Fei with a hint of curiosity.

  Queen Wang awkwardly said: "Of course it's the second madam."

  Yi Guifei smiled lightly, took out a handkerchief to wipe her mouth and said: "The second lady is also so enthusiastic, but sister, you know that the marriage of this child has always been presided over by the legitimate mother. The second madam is indeed somewhat bold, which makes me realize that if others were to find out, I'm afraid the reputation of this young lady would be ruined. If the country's wife knew what the second madam had done..."

  The queen frowned, then restored her smile and said: "My sister has always followed the rules and wouldn't overstep her bounds to manage these things. It's also because I'm a careful younger sister. You're being overly cautious, Imperial Concubine. There are only three of us here, so it's unlikely that it will reach the ears of the Duke of State. What do you think, Snow County Mistress?"

  Pang Luo Xue smiled and replied: "Xue Er naturally didn't hear anything, this rose dew is really delicious, sister's craftsmanship is not bad."

  The Queen Wang smiled with satisfaction and gave a hint to Jing Tai, who understood her intention.

  "Today is also tired, the palace sees Xue Junzhu's complexion is also haggard, presumably she is also tired, let Jing Tai send her out." Wang Guifei smiled.

  The Empress Yi looked at Pang Luo Xue and said, "Today it's all my fault for talking too much with you. You must be tired, so just follow Jing Tai out of the palace. Next time you come to the palace, don't forget to visit me."

  Pang Luo Xue nodded and respectfully bowed to bid farewell to the two of them.

  Jing Tai led Pang Luo Xue all the way out of the palace.

  "Thank you, Auntie, for showing me the way."

  Jing Tai smiled and said: "The front is the palace gate, the princess will not be without servants on her side, so I won't send you off, young master."

  "Auntie, walk slowly, there are many obstacles ahead, I hope you'll be careful." Pang Luoxue said with a different meaning.

  "Thank you, young master. Young master, slow down."

  Pang Luoxue had just turned around and walked to the gate of the palace when someone behind her panted and shouted: "Princess, slow down!"

  Pang Luo Xue smiled coldly, is that scene from our past life going to be reenacted? Only this time, I don't know who will die.