The rules were perfectly observed.
But when Ming Changzai was drinking tea, she deliberately shielded it with her sleeve.
Not a sip went in, it was all on the handkerchief within her sleeve.
Though she was young, she was no fool.
Drinking Bai Pin’s tea, who knows what might have been added to it.
If it were harmful to her health, wouldn’t her prospects forever be ruined?
So she was extremely cautious.
Consort Ye noticed this scene from the corner of her eye, and became increasingly certain that Ming Changzai was no simple character.
While putting down the cup, she smiled at Bai Pin and said.
"Your Grace, this tea is really not bad, with a sweet aftertaste and a rich aroma."
"Consort Ye sure knows her stuff, I’m sure you’ve seen good tea while serving as a palace maid in the Inner Court Department."
Bai Pin entered the palace a year after Consort Ye gained favor.
But she climbed quickly.
Even without a child, she climbed to the position of a concubine, one can imagine her former glory and favor.
Naturally, she had more pride than Ye, who was ennobled as a consort after having a stillborn child and the Emperor’s bit of guilt.
Hearing such words, Consort Ye wasn’t the least bit angry.
What others attempt to cover up, she didn’t care about.
As if being born a palace maid was not much of a disgrace.
She smiled and replied.
"You are absolutely right, Your Grace."
A punch hitting cotton, Bai Pin found it utterly uninteresting.
So she turned her attention to Ming Changzai and said, seemingly with deeper meaning.
"Ming Changzai must serve well, such favor is rarely seen, if there’s a chance you should climb faster, else when age catches up, it will be too difficult to become the master of one palace in the harem."
With one sentence, all three of them were reflected upon.
Consort Ye maintained a composed demeanor as if she hadn’t heard a thing.
Du Changzai’s face turned cold, lips brimming with anger but not daring to speak.
Ming Changzai knew this was directed at her, as well as at the other two beside her.
Now wasn’t the right time to confront, so she could only lower her head and said obediently.
"Your Grace is very right, this servant will remember."
Bai Pin glanced at her mockingly.
Another mute gourd, daring not even to speak even when bullied.
I wonder what the Emperor sees in her!
The anger in her heart didn’t dissipate, how could Bai Pin be happy.
She cast a sidelong glance at Bai Zhi nearby, revealing the thoughts of master and servant.
She touched the Haitang Hairpin on her temple, shifting the topic.
"Sisters, look, this was given by the Emperor back in those days, isn’t it exquisite?"
The craftsmanship of the Haitang Hairpin was remarkably exquisite, each petal woven with golden thread.
Moreover, the stamen was inlaid with Dongzhu, remarkably beautiful.
The three thought she was flaunting her past favor, thus all wearing slightly awkward smiles.
"Ming Changzai, what do you think?"
The question was directly thrown at her, not responding seemed inadequate.
Ming Changzai feigned examining it closely, then said, eyes filled with envy.
"Your Grace is very fortunate, the Emperor truly dotes on you."
In the harem, which woman doesn’t love to hear such words.
Even if standing before Lin Guifei, Princess Consort Yi and others, they wouldn’t refuse such praise.
Sure enough, Bai Pin feigned a smug look.
She rose intending to walk out of the pavilion.
As she walked, she said.
"Ming Changzai is quite eloquent, no wonder the Emperor likes you, I’m starting to like you too, come, accompany me for a walk, it would be a pity not to enjoy such flourishing blooms in this garden."
Specifically requesting Ming Changzai to accompany her, she was slightly taken aback.
The Consort Ye and Du Changzai behind her tactfully rose and said.
"Your Grace and Ming Changzai are taking a walk, we shan’t disturb, there’s work to be done in the courtyard, we’ll take our leave now."
Consort Ye’s words were to Bai Pin’s liking.
"Mm," she responded, then descended the steps.
Seeing Ming Changzai hadn’t followed, she turned with a slightly provoking tone.
"What? You don’t wish to?"
Ming Changzai dared not directly confront Bai Pin now, so she had to follow with gritted teeth.
The maids serving them all departed, leaving only Consort Ye and Du Changzai in Yiran Pavilion.
At this moment, Du Changzai finally spoke after holding back for long.
"Bai Pin’s words were truly unpleasant to hear, we are indeed of palace maid origin, but she isn’t that noble, just a concubine from Jiangnan, no family backing, only knowing to glorify herself!"
"Enough, you’ve been with her for years, you know her temperament, let’s go, let’s head back."
"Not going over to see?"
The Consort Ye looked calmly at Du Changzai, and she was quite pleased.
"Humph, you think Bai Pin would let Ming Changzai off easily? I don’t believe it, and go over to watch what, make a fool of myself?"
"If you are not afraid of being punished, go yourself. It’s obvious Bai Pin avoided suspicion by taking Ming Changzai away. If you stir it up now, won’t you become the witness? If it escalates to the Emperor, who will you offend, Bai Pin or Ming Changzai?"
Consort Ye hit the nail on the head.
Du Changzai realized she was right.
Murmuring a couple of words, she reluctantly followed Consort Ye away.
In the garden, Bai Pin, while admiring the flowers, gradually led Ming Changzai deeper into the woods.
Ming Changzai tightly gripped her hands, fearing to show any hint of fear.
Not only risking Bai Pin making fun of her but also making her an easy target.
Pei’er following behind her was also extremely anxious, fearing if Bai Pin made a move here, her mistress would find no help at all.
Just as she was contemplating ways to seek help, Bai Pin approached with the Haitang Hairpin in hand.
Ming Changzai thought she intended to use the hairpin to scratch her face, and immediately retreated a few steps in fear.
Inadvertently, she stepped on a few twigs, snapping them.
Her foot slipped, and she nearly fell backward.
As a reflex, Ming Changzai’s body lunged forward.
This lunge steadied her stance, yet she received a kick from Bai Pin on the kneecap, causing her to inhale sharply in pain.
She directly knelt to the ground.
Coincidentally, a sharp branch on the ground pierced her leg, adding to her wounds.
"Oh, Ming Changzai, you’re this polite? Having just paid respects now kneeling again? Are you begging for mercy from me or something else?"
She laughed heartily, while Ming Changzai, kneeling on the ground, was in too much pain to speak.
The maidservant Pei’er beside her also knelt quickly, tearfully crying to Bai Pin for mercy.
"Your Grace, have mercy, Your Grace, have mercy."
Bai Pin glanced at her with a sneer.
"What did I do? Why are you begging for mercy here? Don’t spread unfounded rumors, making others think I’m picking on Ming Changzai!"