The matter concerning Suo'er couldn't be resolved quickly, and Qi Daiyu wasn't in a hurry either.
Discovering this situation was already an unexpected boon. She didn't necessarily intend to use Suo'er for any specific purpose; she simply hoped to have the means to protect herself if she ever became involved. The recording function would need to be used frequently from now on, ideally activated every time she left her quarters, serving purely as surveillance. Even if it was only surveillance she herself could watch, it could still prove quite useful.
What felt most urgent to Qi Daiyu now was the "Lotus Blossom Countenance" business, yet this was also something that couldn't be rushed. The product positioning and sales model of "Lotus Blossom Countenance" dictated that in the early stages, it could only follow a "fine wine needs no bush" or "highbrow art finds few admirers" sales approach. With such high prices, ordinary folks likely wouldn't dare step foot in the shop.
Her Majesty the Empress had already helped "promote the goods" for her, but even if ladies were tempted and went to buy them after leaving the palace, it would take some time using the products to see the effects. So, this matter couldn't be hurried either.
On Qi Daiyu's end, she just needed to stabilize the monthly supply. As for how the goods were transported out of the palace and sold in the shop afterward, the Emperor and Empress had already made arrangements; she didn't need to worry about it.
And soon, an event that would require all the consorts to invest their energy and attention was approaching—the Empress Dowager's birthday.
The Empress Dowager was forty-nine this year, celebrating the birthday before her fiftieth milestone. The Emperor had already ordered a grand celebration and instructed Consort Ning to assist the Empress. It was said Concubine Shu had made a small scene upon hearing the decree but was later appeased with two fine items from the Emperor.
Since it was the Empress Dowager's birthday, they, as consorts, naturally had to show their filial piety. The problem was, showing filial piety was simple, but making that filial piety stand out was difficult.
Copying Buddhist sutras or embroidering a forehead band might suffice for an ordinary birthday, but for a major celebration like this, it seemed somewhat inadequate. Especially when the princes and nobles would be presenting rare treasures gathered from all corners of the land, who would still pay attention to a few scrolls of sutras?
For a time, the flow of messages between the inner palace and the outside world became much more frequent. Her Majesty the Empress was understanding, as long as things weren't excessive, inspections weren't too strict.
However, for the safety of the inner palace, items coming in and out still had to be checked. Therefore, rumors leaked about what each palace was preparing or planning to prepare, allowing other consorts to make some guesses.
While this meant things were no longer secret, it had one benefit: if someone's gift clashed with another's, there was still time to change it.
In Yanqing Residence, Qi Daiyu had the large ironwood table from the study moved under the magnolia tree. She alternated between bending over the desk and looking up, sketching based on the images on the "light screen."
Not far from her, Little Cheng was huffing and puffing as he carved wood, while Shiliu and the others carefully held several wooden carvings, applying tung oil.
They were working together to complete the congratulatory gift for the Empress Dowager.
When it came to giving a gift that showed heartfelt thought, Qi Daiyu had an advantage over others: she could use her "phone" to search and draw inspiration from netizens' posts. And she actually found one!
The Empress Dowager was Buddhist—at least ostensibly so. Her Majesty visited the Wanfu Pavilion every month to listen to masters chant sutras and treated the abbot of Huangjue Temple with great favor, bestowing upon him the title "Venerable Tongyuan." Venerable Tongyuan gave monthly lectures at Huangjue Temple, and the Empress Dowager specifically sent people to record them and deliver the notes to the palace for study.
After learning this, Qi Daiyu thought of what she could give the Empress Dowager for her birthday.
She was going to give Her Majesty an oversized collectible figurine display!
—A wooden hall of Arhats, complete with one hundred and eight carved wooden Arhat statues inside.
Sounded pretty good, right? Qi Daiyu thought she was a genius. But she soon ran into a problem: relying solely on herself and the few people in Yanqing Residence, completing this task was very difficult.
First, the only one in Yanqing Residence skilled in wood carving was Little Cheng, whom she had sent to study at the Internal Artisans Office for a few months. Little Cheng's craftsmanship was quite good now, but he wasn't Buddhist and had never had the chance to visit the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas. He didn't even know what Buddha statues looked like, so he couldn't possibly carve them.
Secondly, Qi Daiyu could sketch, but she could only draw in a chibi style, not realistically. What she drew was completely incomprehensible to Little Cheng, let alone something he could carve from. If he really carved based on her drawings, the heads of everyone in Yanqing Residence, plus the Qi family, might not be safe, on the grounds of "disrespecting the Buddha"...
At a loss, Qi Daiyu thought of Qi Caishang again.
The Construction Office under Qi Caishang seemed to be having a hard time. She didn't know if they had any work besides the hundred or so packaging boxes she ordered each month. Asking him for help could also count as boosting her nominal father's performance.
After receiving her letter, Qi Caishang quickly sent a reply.
The wording in the letter was awkward, contrived, and evasive.
It boiled down to one sentence: Daughter, your idea is excellent. For the sake of your father's career and your future backing, could you lend this idea to your father?
Qi Daiyu at the time: "..."
She remembered that the Construction Office, as a department under the Ministry of Works, could also present birthday gifts to the Empress Dowager.
That was exactly what Qi Caishang had in mind.
Because of the previous incident with Suo'er, Qi Daiyu's favorable impression of the Qi family had greatly increased, and she also felt somewhat guilty. Without much hesitation, she let Qi Caishang use the idea.
So, what was she doing now? She was drawing mahjong tiles.
After the large figurine display, Qi Daiyu thought of another pastime suitable for all ages—mahjong!
The game that was popular in the palace was leaf cards. Qin Saizhu had previously dragged Qi Daiyu and Consort Ye to play, but Qi Daiyu still felt it wasn't as interesting as mahjong.
Previously, she found it troublesome. If she wanted to play mahjong, she could just play on her "phone," so she never made a physical set. Now, with the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, it could serve as a tribute gift.
It was novel, and if she wanted to make it more lavish, it wouldn't be hard—just spend more silver on a jade set.
No one in this world knew the patterns on mahjong tiles, so it didn't matter if she drew them in a chibi style. What Little Cheng was carving now was the first prototype set of mahjong.
After seven days, the complete wooden mahjong set was finally finished. Qi Daiyu called Shiliu, Putao, and Xiao Li to try playing four rounds.
At first, Shiliu and the others refused to sit at the same table with her. She had to use her status as their mistress to order them, and even then, they each only brought a small stool, sitting on the edge, not daring to sit fully.
Qi Daiyu had no choice but to let them be, patiently teaching them the rules. She taught the "Fight to the Last Ditch" gameplay that she often played in her previous life. The rules weren't difficult; after one round, all three had gotten the hang of it.
When the four rounds ended, Shiliu looked at the sky, hardly believing it: "How does it feel like time just flew by?"
Qi Daiyu happily hugged the copper coins she had won. Actually, these coins were what she had distributed to everyone before they started playing, but she was still delighted.
"Fun, right? Do you think Her Majesty the Empress Dowager would like it?"
The several individuals looked at each other, then nodded in unison: "We will!"
How could they not like something so interesting?
Meanwhile, in the Kunning Palace, Consort Ning was reviewing the list of songs and dances for the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet with the Empress.
"The music bureau has practiced several fine pieces," Consort Ning said. "However, I was thinking that the Empress Dowager seems to prefer operas and acrobatics these days, and seldom mentions songs and dances. Perhaps we should select only one or two to be interspersed throughout. We could also invite some renowned opera troupes to let the Empress Dowager enjoy herself to the fullest."
The Empress had no objections and nodded in agreement. "I am fortunate to have your help." She had recently been suffering from severe headaches, often feeling drained of energy, and had thus entrusted Consort Ning with overseeing the banquet's food, drinks, and entertainment.
Consort Ning replied respectfully, "It is my duty to share your burdens, Your Majesty."
"You have always been virtuous and gentle. His Majesty holds you in high regard, as do I. I still remember back in the Eastern Palace, when I was pregnant with the eldest princess and feeling terribly unwell, you were the one who assisted me," the Empress reminisced about the old days.
Consort Ning also recalled that period, yet found it difficult to summon the same sentimental feelings. She only remembered that the then-Crown Prince, pitying the Crown Princess for her difficult pregnancy, had entrusted her with managing the affairs of the Eastern Palace.
To live up to the Crown Prince's trust, she had exhausted herself, striving to avoid any mistakes. She thought she had done well enough, until she accidentally overheard two palace maids gossiping: 'I really don't understand why Consort Yang works herself so hard. She acts as if she's the Crown Princess herself. She's just a consort, yet she carries on like the proper mistress of the Eastern Palace.'
Later, those two maids fell ill and passed away, but their words remained etched in Consort Ning's heart.
No matter how well she performed, she was not the Crown Princess.
Just like now. Even if the Empress is ill and she single-handedly manages the entire birthday banquet, outsiders will only say that the Empress, as the mother of the realm, skillfully governs the inner palace.
"I... remember those days as well," Consort Ning said slowly.
The Empress smiled. "By the way, for the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, all civil and military officials may bring their families to the palace. Several elder princesses, princess consorts, and titled ladies will certainly go to pay their respects at the Cining Palace. But the Cining Palace cannot accommodate so many people. I was thinking we could have the consorts and ladies of each palace be responsible for receiving one or two families. If any have elder family members attending, they could also take the opportunity to spend some time with them."
Consorts without particular favor rarely get to see their families; some go years without a meeting.
Once this decree is issued, the consorts' gratitude towards the Empress would deepen further, and the palace servants would also praise the Empress for her consideration.
And who would remember all the work she had done beforehand? The Empress truly has skillful methods, Consort Ning thought.
"Your Majesty is most benevolent. On behalf of the other sisters, I thank you in advance."
After discussing a few more matters regarding the banquet, Consort Ning said, "Since Your Majesty is unwell, I shall not disturb you further and will take my leave."
Only after she had left did a trace of weariness appear in the Empress's eyes.
For some reason, she always felt slightly uneasy when alone with Consort Ning, despite her gentle nature. Especially because the other woman maintained such impeccable dignity and propriety at all times, forcing the Empress to do the same. It was tolerable on ordinary days, but today, feeling unwell and having to keep her back perfectly straight the entire time, she was truly quite exhausted.
She thought about lying down, then suddenly remembered something and called for Mei Yi. "What has Consort Hui been doing lately?"
Mei Yi thought for a moment. "She should be preparing her birthday gift for the Empress Dowager, I suppose?" All the palaces were busy with that recently.
"Go and ask her if she would like to see her family. If she wishes, I can issue a special decree allowing her mother to enter the palace for an audience."
The Empress had suddenly remembered that given Qi Daiyu's father's official rank, he would not be qualified to attend the birthday banquet. Therefore, Qi Daiyu would not be able to see her family elders like the other consorts.
Mei Yi said, "I will go to the Changchun Palace after I help you lie down."
Ju Yi helped make the bed. "Your Majesty is so good to Consort Hui, always thinking of her."
The Empress merely smiled. "She respects me, so naturally I am good to her." Besides, it wasn't an excessive or difficult favor.
"I notice Consort Hui is quite good to you all as well. The other day, when she sent me that... facial mask? She also gave each of you two small jars of hand cream. You seem to be using yours quite readily."
Ju Yi's face flushed slightly.
For palace maids, even senior maids serving the Empress, their hands inevitably bore marks from work. The hand cream Qi Daiyu sent was said to be a newly concocted thing, with moisturizing, brightening, and anti-chapping properties, very suitable for maids like Mei Yi.
Having received these gifts, the Empress felt even more that Qi Daiyu had a kind heart, remembering even the maids by her side.
Thus, the Empress naturally became more willing to keep Qi Daiyu in mind.
