Chapter 19: Gifts as Weapons

As expected, Wang Shi soon sent over the clothes and jewelry prepared for Ye Li. Seeing the haughty expressions on the faces of the maidservant and the attendant who delivered the items, Ye Li remained unperturbed. She merely glanced casually at the items on the table—assessing them with the precision of someone cataloging weapons—gave them a faintly mocking look, and casually instructed her own maid, "Qing Xia, put these away."

The maid holding the jewelry box was displeased by Ye Li's indifferent attitude, her pride stinging. Tipping her chin up, she shot Ye Li a disdainful glance. "Third Miss, these were specially prepared for you by our Madam."

Ye Li blinked her serene, tranquil eyes and smiled gently at the maid—warmth that didn't reach the assessment beneath. "I see. Is there anything else?"

The maid was taken aback. As a favored senior maid under Wang Shi, she was accustomed to being treated with respect by everyone in the household—deference paid to reflected power. Yet, for some reason, though the Third Miss's words sounded polite, they grated on her ears like sand in silk. Remembering Wang Shi's instructions, she mustered her confidence and said, "Madam has instructed that on the day of the Hundred Flowers Festival, Third Miss must wear these new clothes and jewelry she prepared, lest people think the daughters of the Minister's household don't even have decent new attire."

"Must?" Ye Li leaned lazily against the back of her chair, propping her chin with her right hand as she regarded the haughty maid with a cool gaze—predator assessing prey. "Your name is Cuizhu?"

"Yes, Third Miss, this servant is Cuizhu." For some reason, Cuizhu suddenly felt a chill run down her spine despite the warm room. Watching the elegantly lounging young lady before her, she grew uneasy—instinct recognizing danger intellect couldn't name.

"Are you certain… Madam told you that I must wear this outfit?" Ye Li asked lightly, each word deliberate.

Cuizhu hesitated but then replied firmly, backing herself into a corner, "Yes. This was specially prepared for Third Miss by Madam. Does Third Miss intend to disregard Madam's thoughtful efforts?"

Ye Li studied the pretty but arrogant maid before her and suddenly laughed—the sound like wind chimes before a storm. Extending a slender finger, she lifted a corner of the fabric from the brocade box on the table and remarked idly, "With this quality… would it really be better than wearing old clothes?"

The clothes in the brocade box were indeed new, made from the luxurious Cloud Brocade. However, the gaudy colors and stiff design would likely make others think she was not attending a gathering of noble young ladies in the capital but was instead desperate to get married—a merchant's daughter trying too hard. Did Wang Shi truly believe that just because she had never attended such events in recent years, she knew nothing about them? Such a bright red color and intricate floral patterns would only displease Princess Zhaoyang, the hostess of the banquet, and earn her the scorn of the capital's noble ladies—social suicide wrapped in expensive fabric.

"Third Miss! How—how dare you…" Cuizhu's eyes widened in shock, as if she couldn't believe the usually silent and unassuming Third Miss would speak so boldly—the mousy girl suddenly showing teeth. The attendants who had come with her also wore expressions of astonishment and displeasure.

"If Madam prepared these specially, then take them back for Fourth Sister. Tell her that if she can attend, she should use them—no need to waste Madam's kindness. As for me… I suppose Madam doesn't know my preferences, so there's no need for her to trouble herself." Tossing the clothes back into the brocade box with dismissive grace, Ye Li spoke indifferently.

A flicker of anger crossed Cuizhu's face, but she forced a smile—teeth behind courtesy. "Madam has already prepared a set for Fourth Miss. These are for Third Miss."

Qing Shuang, standing behind Ye Li, chimed in cheerfully with perfect timing, "Miss, since Madam has prepared these, it wouldn't be right to disregard her kindness. If you don't fancy them, why not bestow them upon us servants?"

Ye Li turned to glance at Qing Shuang and nodded with a smile, understanding flowing between them. "Have I ever treated you girls poorly? Very well, each of you may pick something you like."

Without hesitation, Qing Shuang stepped forward and selected a pair of gilt gemstone earrings with the confidence of someone executing a planned maneuver. "This servant thanks Miss for the gift."

The other maids weren't as bold as Qing Shuang. They eyed the earrings in Qing Shuang's hands with a mix of envy and hesitation—desire warring with propriety. Cuizhu hadn't expected the Third Miss to dare give away Madam's gifts to servants right in front of her—the insult made public and undeniable. Her expression darkened, and she couldn't help feeling envious of Qing Shuang for serving such a generous mistress. After all, even as Madam's most favored senior maid, she had never received such lavish jewelry.

Noticing the others' expressions, Qing Shuang's eyes sparkled mischievously as she said, "Sister Qing Xia, why don't you pick something too? If you don't, Yun'er and the others will feel too shy to choose."

Qing Xia quickly glanced at Ye Li and, seeing no anger—only a hint of indulgence in her gaze—stepped forward to select a gold hairpin, thanking Ye Li for the gift. Encouraged, the younger maids followed suit, each picking an item or two, their faces alight with joy. For low-ranking maids like them, who rarely received such rewards, these exquisite pieces—though deemed unworthy by their mistress—would make respectable dowry items when they married someday. What was trash to nobility was treasure to them.

"Third Miss," Cuizhu said stiffly, anger barely contained, "by giving away Madam's gifts to servants, are you implying Madam should prepare another set for you? Each young lady is only entitled to one portion. Wouldn't this put Madam in an awkward position?"

Ye Li rose to her feet with unhurried grace—every movement calculated. "Once Madam gave these to me, they became mine. Since every sister has only one set, I wouldn't expect an exception. Unless…" She paused, her tone deliberately emphasizing the next words, letting them hang like an accusation, "you insist that either I or Fourth Sister wear such lavish attire?"

"This servant… wouldn't dare."

"Good. Convey my gratitude to Madam when you return."

"Miss, Madam has arrived," Jingwen, the temporary seamstress, announced from the doorway—timing perfect, perhaps too perfect.

Before Ye Li could respond, Wang Shi entered with her entourage, her presence filling the room. Her bright smile faltered at the sight of the items on the table and in the maids' hands—calculation disrupted by reality. "Li'er… do you dislike what I prepared for you?"

"Thank you for your concern, Madam," Ye Li replied airily, "but my aunt sent me a set just two days ago. Rather than waste your kindness, I thought to share it with Qing Shuang and the others. I'm sure they're grateful." Her gaze, however, lingered on the unfamiliar matrons and maids accompanying Wang Shi—clearly not members of the Ye household. New players entering the game.

Qing Shuang and the others promptly expressed their thanks with practiced sincerity. Forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes, Wang Shi said, "How kind of you, Li'er. These are the stewardesses from Ding Royal Palace. You should greet them."

Before Ye Li could step forward, the leading matron approached with a solemn expression and bowed to her, respect genuine rather than performed. "This old servant greets the Third Young Lady. I am the stewardess matron by the prince's side, married into the Sun family. By the prince's order, I've brought some gifts for the Third Young Lady. May you kindly accept them."

The matron gestured, and two elderly women and two maids stepped forward holding brocade boxes, paying their respects to Ye Li. "We greet the Third Young Lady."

Qing Shuang and Qing Xia hurried forward to assist Granny Sun up. Ye Li smiled faintly, seemingly oblivious to the matron's discreet assessing gaze—though nothing escaped her notice—and said gently, "You've gone to much trouble, Granny Sun. Please convey my gratitude to the prince."

Granny Sun's shrewd old eyes swept over the items on the table, also noting Wang Shi's expression—reading the scene like a book whose ending she now understood. A flicker of satisfaction passed through her gaze, and her stern face softened slightly. She curtsied again to Ye Li and said, "In that case, this old servant shall take her leave now."

Ye Li nodded to Qing Shuang and instructed, "Qing Shuang, please see Granny Sun out."

Qing Shuang acknowledged the order, while Yun'er and the other maids stepped forward to receive the gifts—the prince's boxes replacing the stepmother's rejects on the same table. Qing Shuang personally escorted Granny Sun and her attendants out.

In the silence that followed, Wang Shi stood surrounded by witnesses to her humiliation, watching servants wear jewelry meant for her stepdaughter, while gifts from royalty sat in their place.

Sometimes the best revenge is simply better timing.