Chapter 0006: The Reward

Li Ankang was well aware that this was an indication of Miss Ye currently being favored.

If she could be favored, then it didn't matter whether she was a concubine or even a palace maid; there was nothing wrong with getting a bit closer first.

He quickly agreed, thinking to himself that previously it was Xiao Guizi who was sent, but now it was his turn? It meant that Lady Ye had caught the eye of Su Peisheng as well, hadn't she?

Ye Zao returned without giving it much thought. After washing up, she went back to bed to catch up on sleep; she hadn't slept well in the front court.

By the time the reward arrived, it was already dawn.

After all, it wasn't like they would deliver it right after it was ordered.

They had to go to the storeroom to fetch it. Besides, even if Ye Zao seemed to be favored at the moment, it wasn't necessarily a big deal, so Li Ankang had his breakfast first, then came over unhurriedly.

Ye Zao got up to express her thanks, too rushed to dress up properly, and knelt to receive the reward just like that.

Li Ankang thought, no wonder she is said to be favored—such beauty, tsk tsk! She is a fox charmer indeed, destined to be favored!

"Miss, you should get up. It's very early and the ground is cold; if you catch a chill, Master will be worried, won't he?"

Ye Zao smiled, dismissing the concern, and stood up, saying, "Eunuch Li, don't be in a hurry to leave. Please wait a moment." Without directing Hong Tao, she went inside.

Lil Ankang patiently stood as he waited with a smile.

Ye Zao brought out ten silver ingots from inside, put them into a pouch, and then handed them over, "Eunuch Li has been troubled. I should have offered you a proper tea. But I really don't have anything better to offer. Please don't mind this modest gift."

Li Ankang hesitated to accept it. Although he was a minor official in the front court and didn't get many perks, accepting such gifts could lead to trouble later on.

But then he considered that she was of low birth, merely a concubine, and surely wouldn't dare to ask anything improper if he knew his place.

Moreover, even if she did ask, he could just refuse to answer, couldn't he?

"Thank you, Miss. We're all servants here. What's the need for good tea? Having any tea to drink is good enough, isn't it?" Without even touching it, he could tell it was a considerable amount of silver. She was quite generous indeed.

Having sent Li Ankang on his way, Ye Zao smiled to herself.

"Miss, did you really give away so much silver?" Hong Tao looked at Ye Zao bewildered.

"Yes, Eunuch Li brought the rewards, and I'm very grateful," replied Ye Zao, not intending to delve deeper into the matter. Hong Tao wasn't as sharp: not even Aunt Song could compare.

As expected, Hong Tao didn't understand and pouted, thinking to herself why waste so much after only serving Master a couple of times, does she not know how hard it is to get by these days?

Lady Ye served another round, and this time Master gave her a gift.

This was no small matter. Within half a Shi Chen, everyone in the back court knew about it.

In the main courtyard, Lady Ulaanala laughed, "This time, Lady Li must be feeling awkward, right?"

"She deliberately withheld a reward last time, and today it's embarrassing whether she gives or withholds. Give it, and people will say she's fickle as the wind; don't give it, and it looks petty, especially since Fourth Master has already given. Doesn't it make sense?"

Indeed, Lady Li was furious, incessantly cursing Ye Zao as a fox charmer.

"Master, don't be angry. She's just a concubine; how much of a stir can she cause? Right now, your best bet is to bear another prince for security. Next year is the selection of consorts. If new people come in, they will be your real competition," eunuch Zhao Fugui said, trying to appease with a smile.

Currently, looking across the back court, Fujin was not favored, neither were Lady Song nor Lady Yin. Lady Song was so pretty! Back before Fujin had entered the household, she was so favored!

But now, she has also retreated into her shell.

A mere concubine is nothing; she could be disposed of with a flick of the wrist. Not worth the fuss.

"Master should not take action against Lady Ye now. How wonderful that Master likes her! By favoring her, he has no time to dote on the Princesses. Who are you, Master? There are only these two children in the house right now, and both crawled out of your own belly. What are you afraid of? You are still Consort Fujin. Just wait until next year when new people enter the mansion, if Lady Ye blocks the way, she'll naturally be moved aside, won't she? Then you just focus on having children. As long as you have children, your position will be secure."

After Zhao Fugui said this, Lady Li felt much smoother inside, "You dog of a servant, you do know how to sweet-talk me."

"Oh no, how dare I! I am wholeheartedly devoted to you!" Zhao Fugui said with a sycophantic tone.

Lady Li snorted, "Alright, then reward him."

Zhao Fugui responded and, not going himself, sent a Little Palace Maid instead.

To Lady Li, Zhao Fugui was the most trusted, and the Palace Maids had become of lesser importance to her.

Therefore, it was nearly midday when Ye Zao received Lady Li's reward. She knelt to accept it, and took careful note of the event in her heart.

Only after Lady Li's rewards were delivered could Princess Song and Princess Yin give theirs. The two handed theirs over one after the other, without any intention of deliberately making things difficult.

After sorting through the rewards, Ye Zao found that many items could be exchanged for silver.

What a great opportunity!

That evening, when Hong Tao went to get the supper, she brought in Old Madam Song.

"How often can you leave the estate?"

"I can go out once a month. Does Miss need something?" Old Madam Song, smart as she was, asked with a smile.

"To tell you the truth, I want to exchange some things for silver. I have stuff now that can be traded in." Ye Zao showed the items she intended to exchange candidly.

"Ah, Miss, I understand your thoughts, but these... they might be difficult to deal with. If these rewards from Fujin are touched, I'm afraid it might not look good," said Old Madam Song.

"It's fine, who would come to check me? I'll just say I sent them back to my family." Ye Zao had already thought this through, "After all, my family is poor."

Otherwise, could just an uncle simply carry them and deliver them to the estate?

"Alright, I'll try. But... are you not going to send Hong Tao?" Old Madam Song was surprised; the Miss and Hong Tao used to be close.

"She's young, I'm afraid she might not be able to handle it. This matter should be entrusted to you, Elder. Just dispose of the pawn tickets after pawning the items. Exchange the silver for silver notes and ingots and bring them in under my family's name." It's also common for the family to provide silver.

"Okay, I can go out in eight days. I'll sort this out for you by then. But... should this be kept from Hong Tao?" Although Old Madam Song's status was low, she was no fool. Perhaps the relationship between the Miss and Hong Tao, besides not being close, was only so-so.

"It's best to keep it from her," Ye Zao said, seeing that she was so astute.

"Hong Tao is young, pretty, and ambitious," she added.

Old Madam Song nodded, indicating she understood.

After Old Madam Song left, Hong Tao came back, beaming, "The dishes for today's meal are nice!"

Upon opening the tray, there were two meat dishes and two vegetarian dishes. All were fine dishes.

Ye Zao raised an eyebrow, wondering if these benefits came from being favored? Was the Imperial Kitchen paying close attention just after serving for the second time? She decided to establish a good relationship with the Imperial Kitchen once Old Madam Song returned. Only then could she feel at ease in the future.

"That's good. Call Aunt Song in, let's eat together." There was no need for distinctions between master and servant now, it was better together.

Hong Tao replied and went out to call her.