The Dreamer in the Spring Boudoir

Chapter 156: Dogs that bite don't bark

After the Lantern Festival, the empress would bestow various gifts to the imperial consorts as well as noble ladies each year. Last year, Ji Man had received several items. But this year, for an unknown reason, she only got two pieces of finely engraved silver bracelets.

As Dengxin put away the gift, she grumbled, "Has Her Majesty become hard pressed for money? Last year, there were four strings of coral beads, eight Eastern Sea pearls, and two golden bracelets. This year, why was the gift only this?"

With her chin propped up in her hand, Ji Man contemplated for a while and finally concluded, "The annual gifts are based on a person's social status and value."

If Marquis Moyu wasn't still in his three year mourning period, who knows how many people would be trying to push women into this harem? Right now, Nie Clan was being entirely supported by Nie Qingyun. One after another, his cousins and other relatives had gotten implicated with the corruption case over the shoddy armors and weapons. As for herself, she was Marquis Moyu's wife and didn't have any children yet. Who knows how many saw her as an eyesore?

Dengxin sighed. "How well a woman's maiden family is doing determines her current status in her husband's home, but unlike you, Master, Mistress Yu doesn't see this. She constantly thinks about trying to climb up in status and has been over-the-top with chasing after the marquis during the recent past period. She even pulled the marquis away when he was at Mistress Yun's courtyard."

Nie Chenyu only dared to bully someone like Liu Hanyun, who didn't have any strong supporter. Ji Man sighed. "I should send her a clear warning to be less restless. Without a strong supporter, she really should know when to stop. The one that stands out the most amongst a group is most likely to get shot."

Dengxin nodded. Right after she closed the wardrobe, Chunfeng, a servant girl from Xia-shi's courtyard ran into the room.

"Madam! Please hurry over and save Mistress Xia!"

Feeling as if her heart had just thumped loudly, Ji Man stood up and asked, "What's wrong?"

Chunfeng's eyes had already reddened. "For no reason at all, Mistress Yun came to Cailian Courtyard and said that my master harmed Young Master Xi. With the Heavens as my witness, my master hasn't even taken a step past her doors recently."

As soon as she heard this news, Dengxin knew there would be no peace. She took out Nie Sangyu's cloak. It was the beginning of spring, and there would still be a chill in the air.

Ji Man put on the cloak and as she walked, she asked, "What's wrong with Xi-er?"

Feeling wronged, Chunfeng said, "Young Master Xi was fed some thick congee by the wet nurse. That food was for my master. My master was planning on starting to wean Young Master Haohao off of milk, but a servant girl from Linghan Courtyard made a mistake and took that congee. She was the one that took the wrong thing. How can they blame my master for it? What kind of logic is that?"

Ji Man raised her eyebrows and sped up her pace towards Cailian Courtyard.

When they got there, Xi-er was wailing and being examined by the doctor. Looking somewhat helpless, Xia-shi was standing by the side and holding Haohao. Liu Hanyun was staring at her with an icy gaze.

"Madam has arrived."

A servant girl pushed back the curtain, and Ji Man entered the room. As she took off her cloak, she observed the people in the room.

Liu Hanyun withdrew her gaze and came over to salute. "Madam."

Xia-shi was still aggrievedly standing in the same place. Briefly looking over, she said, "Madam, you came."