eurekapd Chapter 643: Touched
Chapter 643: Touched
Speaking of gift-giving, Qiu Minjing's face immediately turned red. She and Yang Zhitao came in such a hurry that they didn't think about this at all. It was nothing originally, but in comparison, it seemed that they were too ignorant of etiquette.
Yang Zhitao hadn't realized this yet. He stared at the three people blankly without stopping talking.
Nian Susu glanced at the palace maid behind her, who was holding a box in her hand.
Shen Xinran winked, and Zhu Yuan understood. He held the box forward and said flatteringly, "Your Majesty, please take a look."
Because of that glance at the Hundred Flowers Banquet, Nian Susu didn't have a good impression of her, so he was always on guard against her.
Zhihua opened the box, and inside was a dazzling array of jewels and gold hairpins, even more than what Nian Susu had sent to the various palaces.
She had just entered the palace, and these things were brought from home. If she remembered correctly, Shen Xinran's father was a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy, a fourth-rank official. His daughter wore gold and silver, and had some extra to give away. Perhaps these were just the tip of the iceberg that she saw. How could her life be so extravagant?
Zhu Yuan signaled Zhihua to continue, but Zhihua didn't dare to ask for it without his order, so she didn't stretch out her hand. Zhu Yuan immediately frowned and cursed in his heart: Why are you pretending? Isn't it just because your master is the queen? Aren't you just a servant like me!
Nian Susu had a smile on his face, but there was no joy on her face. The atmosphere became awkward and heavy amid the stalemate.
Qiu Minjing observed Shen Xinran's reaction quietly.
Shen Xinran gave an awkward smile and glanced at Qiu Minjing, "Could it be that Sister Qiu gave a better gift first, and Your Majesty is not satisfied with my little gift?"
"That's right. After all, Sister Qiu's father is the Minister of Personnel and is highly valued by the Emperor. She was granted the title of Changzai as soon as she entered the palace. But she has the highest position among the sisters! The things in her home are naturally better than mine. It's normal for Your Majesty to look down on them." She said sarcastically.
Qiu Minjing saw that the atmosphere was not right. Shen Xinran mentioned herself again. She really didn't bring anything here. If Shen Xinran knew about it, wouldn't she ridicule her? It would be better for her to admit her mistake and appear more decent.
She smiled and said, "Sister Shen, you are joking. I came here in a hurry and didn't bring any gifts. How can you say that the queen got something better and doesn't like your things?"
"Although I hold a higher position than my sister, judging from what happened today, I am not as careful and thoughtful as she is. I still have a lot to learn from her."
Qiu Minjing looked away, seemingly unintentionally, but actually deliberately said: "Besides, the gift is small but the sentiment is great. With the Queen's heart, she will definitely not deny my sister's kindness just because the gift is expensive or not. Sister Shen is worrying too much."
Not only did he cleverly resolve the embarrassment of forgetting to give a gift, he also gave Shen Xinran enough face. Although the last sentence was secretly scolding her for judging others by her own mean heart, the words were not unpleasant to the ear and sounded more like a compliment to the queen.
Shen Xinran really didn't realize that she was hinting at him. She would keep yelling at him whenever she saw him make a mistake. She said, "Oh!" and said, "Sister, you are the daughter of a famous family. How come you don't even know this little bit of etiquette?"
"Qiu Changzai is nothing but so-so..." She laughed sarcastically, saying that Qiu Minjing was not worthy of the position of "Changzai".
Qiu Minjing clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, trying not to lose control of her expression.
She was in the wrong first, but even though she was so nice, Shen Xinran still refused to let her go?
Speaking of Chang Zai, Nian Su Su remembered something. She smiled, picked up the teacup beside her and took a sip, "So Shen Baolin still has class rules in his eyes?" She looked at Shen Xinran with innocent eyes. Under her calm eyes, there was a turbulent undercurrent. If you are not careful, you will be swept into it and there is no way back.
"I thought no one in my family had taught Shen Baolin the rules of the palace. You have to bow to someone of higher status than you. Don't you know such basic etiquette?"
Nian Susu sneered, "Before teaching others etiquette, Shen Baolin should learn it first."
Qiu Minjing didn't expect that Nian Susu would speak for her, and was so obviously biased.
If she fell out with Shen Xinran today, her future would be difficult. Didn't Nian Susu give gifts to the various palaces just to get along with everyone in peace? But now, Nian Susu actually made enemies for her.
Qiu Minjing didn't show it on her face, but she was deeply moved.
Zhihua was like a worm in Nian Susu's stomach. She understood immediately and reminded the confused Shen Xinran: "Except for the Empress, Concubine Qiu, and Lady Yang, everyone here has a higher position than you. Shen Xinran just came in. Why did she only pay respect to the Empress and ignore the other two ladies?"
Shen Xinran blushed and suddenly realized that the Queen was helping Qiu Minjing deal with her!
It's a pity that she brought so many good things, while Qiu Minjing didn't give anything, but she was able to make the queen stand on her side. It seems that this woman should not be underestimated.
The Queen was the most powerful person in the harem. Shen Xinran didn't want to offend her openly, so she swallowed her anger and fulfilled the etiquette.
Qiu Minjing didn't dare to accept this gift, but Yang Zhitao smiled and said to the senior student: "Shen Baolin, please stand up. We are all sisters. There is no need to be so polite."
Nian Susu couldn't help laughing, and Shen Xinran's face turned pale.
Nian Susu didn't want to embarrass her, so he said a few polite words to cover up the farce, but in the end he did not accept Shen Xinran's gift.
"You have just entered the palace, and there are many places where you will need money. Keep some money with you in case of emergency. I have all these, you can take them back." This is what Nian Susu said.
"You, Baolin, who just entered the palace, also want to send things to me? What good things can you have? They are not even as good as a finger in my palace. You can keep those melons and two dates for yourself." This is what Shen Xinran heard.
But that was what Nian Susu really said. There was no need to spend money to manage the palace, find connections, rely on relationships, and do things for the people. Even if you have a lot of money, there will always be a day when you spend it all.
Nian Susu has everything he needs, so it is impossible for him to take the concubines’ things.
The most important point is that if she accepted Shen Xinran's gift, wouldn't it prove that Qiu Minjing and Yang Zhitao were ignorant of etiquette?
Furthermore, if someone spreads the rumor that Shen Xinran is protected by her, and any trouble she gets into in the future is blamed on her, it would be a waste of time and effort.
She wants to live in peace with everyone, but that doesn't mean everyone is worthy of her attention.
Shen Xinran was met with a cold shoulder and returned to Zhaoyang Palace indignantly.
Zhu Yuan was carrying a heavy box and almost couldn't keep up.
"I'm so mad... I'm so mad..."
Shen Xinran paced back and forth in the room. Looking at the box on the table, she remembered the Queen and Qiu Minjing who had teamed up to humiliate her. She was so angry that she waved her hand and the jewels scattered all over the floor.
Zhu Yuan was terrified. "My dear, don't be angry. It must be that Concubine Qiu said something to the Queen, which is why the Queen is so dissatisfied with you..."
Shen Xinran got angry when she mentioned those two people, and slapped Zhu Yuan without hesitation, "Shut up!"