Although her tone was gentle, her words sounded awkward. Aunt Rong and Aunt Lu wisely remained silent, while Aunt Fang, already seething with resentment from the cold wind, seized the opportunity to vent: "Since it is Madam's kindness, this servant will remember it. If Madam instructs us to come and pay our respects again next time, this servant will not arrive early, so as not to disturb your rest!"
After finishing her sentence, Aunt Fang looked at Lan Xi without any fear, a hint of provocation subtly appearing in her alluring face. Not only did she dare to follow up on Lan Xi's sarcastic remark, but she even accused Lan Xi of being lazy and unruly?
The fourth wife only said one thing correctly and sincerely: You've been overshadowed by the three concubines.
Look at how arrogant she is! Aunt Fang is still the concubine she personally promoted, but she's nothing but an ingrate who turns on you faster than flipping through a book.
Lan Xi did not immediately get angry upon hearing this. Instead, she looked at Aunt Fang with a half-smile and said in a calm and unhurried voice, "It seems that Aunt Fang is still confused. Did the wind just now not wake you up? Even so, Banxia—" Lan Xi raised her voice and said, "Send Aunt Fang out to wake her up!"
"No, no need!" Hearing Lan Xi tell her to stand outside, Aunt Fang's arrogance immediately subsided. Her forced smile was stiff and strained, and even though she was unwilling, she repeatedly said, "This servant is awake! This servant is awake!"
She never wanted to experience the feeling of the cold wind seeping into her bones again!
"I'm just saying that if someone is confused or sleepy, letting them feel a breeze is an excellent remedy." Lan Xi raised her lips, a faint smile on her face, her gaze seemingly unintentionally sweeping over Aunt Rong and Aunt Lu.
Aunt Rong quickly chimed in, "Madam is right. This wind is just right, it invigorates you and isn't too cold!" Aunt Lu chimed in, even though they were freezing to the bone, they dared not say anything more.
Both of them are adept at putting on a show and are very flexible and adaptable.
"Madam, where should we set out breakfast?" Tang Li lifted the curtain and came in, curtsying as she said, "Should we put it in the west wing?"
Lan Xi nodded in agreement and gracefully rose. Aunt Rong and Aunt Lu quickly stepped forward, one on each side, to help Lan Xi walk towards the west wing. Lan Xi shook her sleeves and smiled faintly at the two of them: "I don't have any trouble walking, you can just go ahead."
A slight blush crept across the two women's faces, and they hurriedly retreated to the side. They had been watching coldly for a while now, yet they still couldn't figure out Lan Xi's tactics! Her attitude was gentle, yet it concealed a sharp edge. Neither Aunt Fang's provocation nor their obedience and flattery could sway Lan Xi!
When the group arrived at the west side room, a delicate and plentiful breakfast was laid out on the round table in the middle, which was made of huanghuali wood inlaid with marble.
Lanxi sat down gracefully at the table. Aunt Lu took the ebony chopsticks with silver inlay that were wrapped in a handkerchief from Yue Lin's hands, while Aunt Rong brought over a celadon bowl with lotus petals, waiting for Lanxi's instructions.
Seeing the two women's obsequious behavior, Aunt Fang inwardly curled her lip in disdain. Lan Xi was nothing but a lowly maid; did she deserve their fawning? So petty, yet they dared to dream of becoming the mistress of this Marquis's mansion one day?
Lan Xi ignored Aunt Fang, her face still bearing a faint smile. Before she could speak, Banxia's voice came from outside the curtain. A moment later, Banxia lifted the curtain and came in, followed by a beautiful and well-proportioned maid.
"Madam, the Marquis has sent Sister Lianxin to deliver something to you!" After Banxia finished speaking, she took a step back, making room for the person she called "Lianxin".
Lianxin stepped forward, knelt down, and presented a large red and gold-decorated begonia-shaped cosmetic box with both hands. She said respectfully, "Madam, the Marquis ordered me to give this to you."
Yue Lin took the box from Lian Xin and presented it to Lan Xi. Instantly, everyone in the room stared at the box.
Lan Xi placed the box on the round table, slowly opened it, and was surprised again.
Aunt Rong and Aunt Lu cautiously peeked inside, their faces showing surprise. Aunt Fang became even more curious. She took a few steps and went closer to look. When she saw the contents of the box, she was utterly astonished.
The dressing case was filled with jewelry!
Regardless of the jewelry's value, Qiao Zhan's gesture alone was enough to dampen the spirits of the three concubines vying for the emperor's favor. The Marquis actually still remembered Lan Xi and sent her jewelry?
Lan Xi slowly took out a phoenix hairpin inlaid with kingfisher feathers and pearls. The hairpin was exquisitely crafted. The phoenix's body was adorned with tourmaline and jadeite, and its eyes and beak were inlaid with red gemstones and snow-white seed pearls. The delicate phoenix beak held two strings of lustrous pearls, and the pendant was a teardrop-shaped jadeite.
Not only Aunt Fang was impressed, but Aunt Rong and Aunt Lu also showed amazement in their eyes.
Lan Xi just casually picked one out, and it was already so exquisite. Who knows how many such fine things were inside!
Aunt Fang's eyes darted around, and she remembered the jewelry she had "asked" from Lan Xi in the past. She began to covet this phoenix hairpin.
When Lan Xi saw all the jewelry in the box, she understood Qiao Zhan's meaning. She had subtly hinted at it yesterday, and Qiao Zhan was indeed perceptive.
Under the intense gazes of Aunt Fang and the others, Lan Xi simply pushed the box onto the table, exposing all the dazzling jewelry to the three aunts.
Lan Xi raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly.
Want some jewelry? Well, you'll have to see if you're alive to wear it!
Lan Xi's actions undoubtedly encouraged Aunt Fang, who had been itching to make a move.
Her eyes gleamed as she stared at the various precious jewels in the box, her gaze growing increasingly greedy. This was the Marquis's favor; what did it matter that Lan Xi was the mistress of the house? Perhaps the Marquis intended for Lan Xi to distribute them among themselves!
"Madam—" Aunt Fang's attitude suddenly softened, and she said obsequiously, "You can decide how to distribute these jewelry; we servants trust you completely. The Marquis often praises your virtue, and I believe Sister Rong and Sister Lu will agree with your decision."
Lan Xi had never seen such a shameless person before. How could they ask her for something? It was practically robbery! Lan Xi didn't say anything. Her smile remained unchanged as she glanced at Aunt Rong and Aunt Lu, waiting for their response.
Aunt Rong practically grew up by the old lady's side, accustomed to wealth and status, and was even more refined than the young ladies from ordinary families. When she saw the jewelry in the box, although she was filled with envy, she dared not harbor any other thoughts.
Even if Lan Xi sincerely rewarded her, she wouldn't dare accept it.
Although Aunt Lu came from a respectable background, she hadn't seen much of the world and was, in fact, less worldly-wise than Aunt Rong. However, she was clever, and in matters she didn't understand, she always followed Aunt Rong's lead and had never made a major mistake. Seeing that Aunt Rong didn't agree with Aunt Fang's opinion, she knew that the jewelry was unacceptable.
Only Aunt Fang, who grew up in the hands of human traffickers, was the most shrewd.
"This was given to the Madam by the Marquis, and this servant would naturally not dare to have any improper thoughts." Concubine Rong immediately stated her position, and she said respectfully to Lan Xi without looking at her sideways, "If the Marquis has any reward to give, he will certainly explain."
A hint of surprise flashed in Lan Xi's eyes.
She hadn't expected Aunt Rong to be so clear-headed; she truly lived up to her reputation as the old lady's head maid.
Aunt Lu quickly chimed in, "Sister Rong is right. Only after the Marquis has given the lady his gifts will he reward us. Though I am dull-witted, I still understand this rule!"
The two men's words infuriated Aunt Rong. Not only did they not support her, but they also sabotaged her! She glared at them fiercely, her beautiful face contorted with resentment. Her heart was filled with bitterness: "Once I get those jewels, you won't be able to resist!"
"Since you've asked, it would seem petty of me not to give you a reward." Lan Xi curled her lips and said slowly, "Which one do you prefer?"
Concubine Fang, feeling victory was in sight, was in high spirits. With a beaming smile, she said, "This servant is not greedy! As for that hairpin from earlier, I wonder if Madam would be willing to part with it—"
Lan Xi readily took out the kingfisher feather and pearl-inlaid phoenix hairpin from the box, and played with it in her hand. The gems on the phoenix shimmered with dazzling light, and Aunt Fang almost reached out to snatch it away.
“Giving you jewelry is a very common thing, what’s wrong with that?” Lan Xi smiled and offered the hairpin in her hand. Aunt Fang hurriedly reached out to take it. Lian Xin watched from the side, frowning and hesitating several times as if she wanted to say something.
"Wait." Lan Xi seemed to suddenly remember something, and she put the hairpin back in her hand. "I can't give you this hairpin."