How could Qu Fulan fall into someone else's well-crafted trap?
"Haitang, elder sister, what are you saying? I just think what my elder sisters said makes so much sense. I didn't even know how to cut in."
This time Qu Fulan didn't use the excuse of "talking behind the back about the master is a great disrespect," as these people could be considered colleagues. Keeping an appropriate distance from colleagues is sufficient; there's no need to reveal one's heart and soul.
Otherwise, not only will others not appreciate your kindness, but they'll also think, "Oh, only you are noble, only you understand the rules, while we are all ignorant of them."
After others heard Qu Fulan's words, indeed, there was no reaction, and they continued chatting about their own topics.
Inside, Hai Yue sneered coldly. This Haitang was truly cunning, wary of her.
And so it went on for a few days until Heir Pei returned with numerous fine items from outside.
This is the benefit of working for the Emperor. Once the task is well managed, the Emperor, in his pleasure, rewards amply.
Looking at the gift list, the elderly lady smiled, "He's still so thorough in his tasks; everyone in the family has received something. Go and call the rewarded maids."
Hai Yue was serving beside the elderly lady, naturally the first to see the gift list. When she saw her name, her heart warmed, and she became excited.
The Young Master has given her gifts!
Just about to say something to the elderly lady, she saw another name: Haitang.
The warmth in her heart felt doused by a bucket of icy water, instantly freezing all her blood into ice.
Hai Yue instinctively bit her lip corner, unable to control the sourness and envy in her heart. She couldn't understand; the elderly lady had long stopped taking medicine, and Haitang wasn't serving the elderly lady anymore. The one serving diligently was her.
Why, when arranging gifts for the family, would the Princely Heir include Haitang?
What makes her deserving?
All items were sealed in boxes, each to be taken back to their own rooms.
Hua Hao and Yueyuan brought Haitang back to their room, not avoiding her, directly counting the items in the box in front of her.
After tallying, they instinctively asked what gifts Haitang had received.
Today, Qu Fulan had to diagnose Hua Hao, and before she could send back her things, she was pulled over. Seeing their curiosity, she was not stingy and directly showed them the contents of the box.
The gifts were also different depending on personal status and contributions.
Like the elderly lady who received the most, including the Jade Ruyi, two superior jade and agate bracelets, red musk beads, high-grade fabric, all top-quality treasures.
The other elders and ladies of the households had a few fewer pieces of jewelry than the elderly lady.
Those brothers and sisters got only fabric and superior jade accessories.
Hua Hao and Yueyuan received the same items, two fragrance sachets, two pearl bracelets, two pairs of earrings, and two ingots of silver.
Logically, Haitang's rank was lower than Hua Hao and Yueyuan; what she received should be less impressive.
But now, the items in Haitang's box, in terms of quantity, are less than Hua Hao and Yueyuan's, missing the pearl bracelet but having the same fragrance sachets, earrings, and silver, especially those earrings, which, at a glance, are top-quality. Even the young ladies of the household might not have such quality.
"How could this be, could it have been placed wrongly?"
Yueyuan said this, not out of jealousy, but concern over mistakes that might lead to blame.
Hua Hao also took the box and scrutinized it for a while, then took out a sheet from the box bottom, which detailed the items stored in the box and clearly stated the name as Haitang—there was no mistake.
"Then it's not wrong. I was wondering when did the Young Master ever deliver items wrongly?"
"The list is correct, but what is the intention behind such arrangements?"
Hua Hao and Yueyuan, two maids who've been in the mansion for a long time, naturally knew that some fortunes might easily invite trouble.
"Dear sister, you must take good care of this box. Don't let others see it easily. This mansion has many people with improper intentions who might be blinded by wealth and harm you."
"Thank you, Yueyuan sister, for the reminder. I'll remember."
"We also cannot conveniently keep these for you. If word gets out, others might think we cheated you out of items, and it's not good if the masters find out."
"I understand, thank you too, Hua Hao sister, for your concern."
"Alright, let's not talk much about such matters, lest walls have ears. You can take my pulse now."
As Qu Fulan returned to her room, the other three were inside, marveling at the items rewarded by Heir Pei.
Seeing Haitang return, one of them said, "Haitang is back, oh, just now, the elderly lady sent pastries over, saying they're rewarded by the Young Master, everyone has a share. We've eaten ours; yours is left on the table."
Qu Fulan thanked them and was about to go lock the box away.
Hai Yue, however, invited her, "We are all appreciating the Young Master's gifts; come over and take a look."
Those accustomed to comparisons often couldn't resist flaunting a bit when they got something good.
Another maid added, "Yes, each of us has received the same number of items, but the colors are different. Especially Hai Yue, who massages the elderly lady daily, her rewarded items are better in quality than ours. You should come and see."
Qu Fulan calmly declined, "Hua Hao sister is waiting for me to prepare medicine, so I'll..."
Hai Yue interrupted before Haitang finished, "Just a quick look won't take much time. Could it be Haitang, you've received some precious items you aren't comfortable showing?"
Hai Yue spoke mockingly.
She was already unsatisfied with Haitang receiving rewards and insisted on seeing Haitang's rewarded items being inferior to hers to be content.
Qu Fulan replied jokingly, "Hai Yue sister is indeed a prophet, possessing supernatural foresight. How about telling my fortune later?"
The other two maids laughed and didn't take it seriously.
Yet, Hai Yue believed that Haitang seemed shady.
But she felt it was just her suspicion, Haitang's rewarded items should be similar to or worse than the other two's—she hasn't served closely to the elderly lady recently, and couldn't compare.
As Qu Fulan opened the cabinet door, Mrs. Zhou spoke from outside, "Girls, come out and help me, I've got several items to move to the west room."
The maids suddenly acted hastily, scrambling to put their things in their cabinets. Unintentionally, one knocked into Qu Fulan, the strength enough to knock her down, causing the box she was holding to drop, its contents spilling.
The earrings of top-quality immediately caught the light, shining brilliantly, their beauty beyond description.
The other two maids couldn't help but stare with wide mouths.
Only Hai Yue's face changed drastically at that moment, unable to hide it.
After the four helped Mrs. Zhou and returned to the room, the two maids couldn't help but yearn to see Haitang's earrings again.
"Dear sister, let us take another look. I've never seen such beautiful earrings in my life."
"Just let us take a look, just one look~"