Yu Miaohua examined Shen Sushang's painting—it depicted only a hazy silhouette, as if the subject were on the verge of transcending into immortality. After all, Shen, the Imperial Examination’s third-ranked scholar, had been at some distance from her at the time, so it was understandable that her face wasn’t clearly captured.
Still, Shen Sushang had painted it remarkably well, perfectly capturing that ethereal, otherworldly aura.
Pei Lingyue declared, "We shall have this painting displayed in the ancestral temple."
Yu Miaohua’s eyelid twitched. Good heavens—she was about to become the first imperial consort whose portrait would grace the ancestral temple.
Now that was what you called the prestige of a divine maiden.
Since her birthday coincided with the ancestral worship ceremony, the Empress had specially arranged for a senior palace maid to instruct her on the rituals and protocols for the occasion.
According to the maid, this was already a simplified version, tailored by Her Majesty knowing Yu Miaohua’s aversion to excessive formalities.
Yu Miaohua skimmed through the procedures, her lips twitching slightly—this was the simplified version? She couldn’t even imagine how convoluted the original must have been.
Before the ceremony, Yu Miaohua was required to observe a ten-day fast—no meat, solitary confinement within the palace, and a ban on all recreational activities.
The mahjong table she’d had custom-made would have to be stashed away for now.
Ten days without outdoor activities might be unbearable for others, but for Yu Miaohua, who had her system, it just meant more time to stay cooped up indoors.
She could take the opportunity to rewatch those palace intrigue dramas and sharpen her scheming skills.
Not only was she fasting, but all civil and military officials participating in the ceremony were also required to do the same.
Just as the fast was about to begin, the Emperor suddenly issued an edict, claiming that the late Emperor had appeared in a dream, wishing to see the Crown Prince. Thus, the Crown Prince would represent him in paying homage to the ancestors.
Additionally, another figure was added to the procession—Pei Yuheng, the heir of the Prince of Feng’s estate.
Yu Miaohua couldn’t help but complain to her system.
[I bet the Emperor just couldn’t stomach ten days of vegetarian food and dumped the responsibility on the Crown Prince.]
[As for choosing Pei Yuheng, it’s probably to show the world how magnanimous he is toward the imperial clan.]
[Host, our luck is amazing! Both targets are on the list! Time to start the romance route! Alone time—we must get alone time!]
Yu Miaohua ignored the system’s chatter.
Alone time? As if! Anyone with half a brain knew that was impossible. Even if they were going to the ancestral temple together, protocol officers would be hovering around them—dreaming of privacy was pure fantasy.
When the news spread, everyone marveled at the Emperor’s magnanimity—even though the Prince of Feng’s estate had committed grave offenses, His Majesty was willing to give them a chance.
As for the Crown Prince, Pei Chiyan, being chosen to represent the Emperor in ancestral worship, the consensus was that this was a deliberate move to showcase the Emperor’s favor and solidify the Crown Prince’s position.
Pei Chiyao, on the other hand, was seething with envy. If not for fear of his spies reporting back to the Emperor, he would have smashed another set of teacups in frustration.
The Crown Prince! Always the Crown Prince!
In their father’s eyes, only the Crown Prince ever mattered. And this time was different—previously, the Crown Prince had accompanied the Emperor to the ceremony, but now he was replacing him entirely.
And then there was Pei Yuheng…
A scheming princeling—what right did he have?
Even Pei Yuheng got a spot, while he, a legitimate prince, was left out.
Pei Chiyao couldn’t help but indulge in a dark fantasy—what if something happened to all of them at the ancestral temple? That would wipe out everyone he despised in one fell swoop.
But remembering Yu Miaohua’s many miraculous feats, Pei Chiyao hesitated.
He considered discussing this with his mother, but recalling that she had been stripped of her palace authority, he abandoned the idea. Best not to visit her during this period—no need to risk the Emperor’s wrath.
Pei Chiyao grumbled inwardly: What exactly had his mother done to earn the Emperor’s displeasure? A palace consort of her rank shouldn’t have lost her authority so easily.
Perhaps the Emperor had excluded him from the ceremony because of his mother’s disgrace—he was suffering by association.
Come to think of it, it was also his mother’s suggestion that had led his maternal grandfather to marry off his adopted daughter to the salt merchant Zhang family.
The more he thought about it, the more agitated he became. He decided to head to the imperial hunting grounds outside the capital for a ride to vent his frustration.
Just as he stepped out of the princes’ quarters, he spotted his cousin, Pei Yuheng.
Pei Yuheng was dressed in an elegant purple robe, exuding nobility, a folding fan in hand—the very picture of refined grace.
What a show-off! Who even used a fan in this weather? He’d probably catch a cold.
The sight only fueled Pei Chiyao’s irritation. In a fit of rage, he grabbed a handful of mud from the ground and hurled it at Pei Yuheng.
Pei Yuheng had ventured out before the fast to visit an orchard, intending to transplant a pear tree into his courtyard.
He’d heard that when Consort Hui had been demoted to the Cold Palace, she often sought solace in the orchard, particularly fond of climbing a certain pear tree.
Once transplanted, by autumn, he could personally pick the fruit and make preserves to send to her.
But no sooner had he changed into fresh clothes than he was ambushed by flying mud.
Hearing the whistle of the projectile, Pei Yuheng dodged—but not fast enough. His newly tailored robe was now stained.
Watching the retreating figure, Pei Yuheng gritted his teeth. That Pei Chiyao!
Originally, he and his father had discussed secretly supporting Pei Chiyao, using him to stir conflict with the Crown Prince. But now…
Hah.
If they actually helped that brat seize the throne, the Prince of Feng’s estate would be the first to suffer.
The problem was, Pei Lingyue only had four sons—the third and fourth princes were still too young. By the time they came of age, it would be far too late.
What a headache.
……
After rewatching XX Chronicles for the umpteenth time, Yu Miaohua’s birthday finally arrived.
That morning, she rose early to bathe and change.
Clad in court robes, her face free of makeup, her hair was simply tied up and adorned with a plain jade hairpin.
She was carried to the ancestral temple in a palanquin. By the time she arrived, all the civil and military officials were already assembled.
Yu Miaohua had checked the forecast—today was blessed with exceptionally fine weather.
The morning sun cast its glow upon her, the spring breeze’s chill softened by the gentle warmth.
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
Having witnessed many grand occasions, the sea of black-clad officials no longer fazed her.
Her gaze swept over the prepared offerings—not only flawlessly pure pigs, sheep, and oxen but also jade, gold, and bolts of silk.
Yu Miaohua mused: I wonder how these treasures will be distributed after the ceremony.
To her surprise, standing at the forefront of the officials was none other than Shen Sushang.
Dressed in sapphire-blue court robes, his jade-like features stood out even more against the backdrop of elderly high-ranking ministers.
No denying it—the Imperial Examination’s third-ranked scholar was undeniably handsome.
Yu Miaohua tilted her head slightly. At the very front stood the Crown Prince, with Pei Yuheng to the left.
She had to admit—this arrangement was a feast for the eyes.
[System, take lots of pictures for me!]
Even if she had no intention of pursuing romance, appreciating beauty was only human. It wasn’t a crime to admire in private.
[Leave it to me! I’ll capture every angle of their gorgeousness! Hehe, the restrained scholarly type—my favorite!]
Yu Miaohua rolled her eyes. Was the system even more of a fangirl than she was?
As the auspicious hour arrived, musicians in blue robes began playing solemn ceremonial music.
Behind Pei Lingyue stood a crowd of imperial relatives, while beside him was the dignified and elegant Empress.
[Ahhh, all three romanceable targets are here! This is too blissful, Host! Today I shall be the happiest system ever!]
[Host, walk side by side with the Crown Prince later! Maybe we can trigger a CG! Collect those CGs!]
[Or you could walk with Pei Yuheng instead.]
[Are you daydreaming? Today’s ceremony doesn’t include that step.]
Though Pei Lingyue had the Crown Prince conduct the ancestral rites on his behalf, he still accompanied the Empress to keep track of mission-related clues firsthand.
Empress Yang Zhaopei immediately grasped the Emperor’s intentions upon hearing the dialogue—though she didn’t know what a "CG" was, context made the meaning clear.
When the ceremonial music ceased, Pei Lingyue declared, "Consort Hui, as the divine maiden presiding over today’s ancestral rites, holds a position of great honor. She shall walk alongside the Crown Prince."
This announcement stirred murmurs among the ministers. Prince Pei Lingyou remained indifferent—after all, his son wouldn’t be leading the procession regardless.
"But... this violates protocol," one minister muttered under his breath. How could Consort Hui walk beside the Crown Prince, who represented the Son of Heaven today? No matter how revered the Consort was, she couldn’t stand equal to the Emperor.
The Grand Academician Xue Bin interjected, "Indeed. Consort Hui is the divine emissary among mortals. She should enter first."
Grand Tutor Yuan Xinji agreed. "That is only proper."
In any case, who entered first wasn’t their concern. Why fuss over trivialities and appear petty?
With this, the others fell silent.
Compared to letting Consort Hui—a woman—precede everyone into the ancestral temple, walking side by side was far more acceptable.
Xue Bin cast them a sidelong glance, faint disdain in his eyes.
Fools! They crave Consort Hui’s blessings yet resent her surpassing men.
If he were the heavens, he’d find their hypocrisy nauseating enough to withhold favors. If the Emperor raised no objection, who were they to protest?
[Hahaha! I told you it’d work! Who knew I, the mighty system, possessed the power of manifestation? This must be a perk of leveling up!]
The system’s triumphant laughter echoed in Yu Miaohua’s mind.
Yu Miaohua was speechless. This wasn’t part of the rehearsal! The Emperor truly knew how to complicate things.
Just as she stepped forward, Crown Prince Pei Chiyan moved back to stand beside her.
The two proceeded toward the Ancestral Hall together.
[Congratulations, Host! You’ve triggered the "Walking with the Crown Prince" CG. Reward: One divine lightning strike.]
This "reward" only reinforced her divine maiden persona.
Yu Miaohua accepted it.
Pei Lingyue felt a twinge of regret that it couldn’t be used for public welfare, but then it occurred to him—next time some insufferable relative insulted Consort Hui, watching her smite them with heavenly lightning would be spectacular. The thought alone delighted him.
As he watched Pei Chiyan, Consort Hui, and Pei Yuheng enter the Ancestral Hall, he instructed the top scholar Shen Sushang, "Minister Shen, enter the hall and later paint portraits of Consort Hui and the Crown Prince."
After a bow, Shen Sushang stepped inside under the envious gazes of the court officials.
Compared to Consort Hui and the Crown Prince... Shen Sushang was the true object of their envy. Great Qi produced a top scholar every three years—nothing extraordinary. Without political achievements, one would soon fade into obscurity.
Yet Shen Sushang’s luck was unparalleled. Merely for his artistic skill, he gained the honor of entering the imperial temple, ensuring his name in historical records.
Was it too late for them to practice painting now?
......
The procession remained silent until they reached the Ancestral Hall. Pei Chiyan turned to Yu Miaohua. "Consort Hui, please offer the incense."
Yu Miaohua was stunned. "Shouldn’t Your Highness go first?"
Protocol dictated that the Son of Heaven performed rites in the hall, poured libations to inform the ancestors of their presence, and only after outer ceremonies concluded would they enter the inner sanctum to offer incense.
Pei Chiyan smiled, his expression as refreshing as a breeze under the moon. "Today’s ceremony is held in your honor. You are the protagonist."
Consort Hui had contributed so much to Great Qi. For him to presumptuously claim precedence would be beneath his dignity.
If ministers objected? Well—since the ancestors voiced no dissent, they clearly approved. What right did courtiers have to oppose?
Pei Yuheng shot Pei Chiyan a surprised glance and nodded. "Indeed, this is fitting."
Far better than letting Pei Chiyan preside. At least this Crown Prince had more self-awareness than the Second Prince—much more agreeable.
Shen Sushang remained silent, quietly preparing to capture the scene in his painting. Behind him, two attendants carried ink and paper while two ritual officers oversaw proceedings.
The ritual officers exchanged glances, their unspoken consensus rendering them mute. With the two highest-ranking figures in agreement, there was no room for their input.
After a moment’s thought, Yu Miaohua decided she was indeed worthy.
Though many of her "achievements" had been accidental, results mattered more than intent. She had contributed significantly to Great Qi. Its ancestors ought to be grateful—receiving her incense was their privilege.
The Crown Prince took a fire starter from the altar and lit a stick of incense.
Yu Miaohua accepted it and bowed before the ancestral portraits.
Three bows in, the white smoke suddenly turned violet, swirling upward through the roof tiles into the sky.
Yu Miaohua gaped. The others’ expressions shifted subtly.
After a brief pause, Pei Chiyan remarked serenely, "The ancestors are so delighted they’re emitting purple smoke."
Purple, like imperial yellow, symbolized supreme nobility.
His words framed the phenomenon as auspicious.
Pei Yuheng added, "Consort Hui’s selfless devotion to the people naturally brings the ancestors joy."
Shen Sushang began scribbling notes, temporarily assuming the historian’s role to record the event.
Yu Miaohua was numb.
[Host, Pei Yuheng has truly gone from hating you to adoring you. Look how he keeps speaking up for you—aren’t you touched? I’m moved.]
[He’s just stating facts. Besides, the Crown Prince defended me too. Was that purple smoke your doing?]
Otherwise, why would smoke suddenly turn violet?
[Hmph! I overheard those pesky old men gossiping earlier. How dare they criticize my chosen host? I, the mighty system, shall slap them with reality!]
So the system had added special effects, spending its own points.
It consoled itself: Given how well Yu Miaohua completed missions lately, even making it a legend in the Transmigration Bureau for leveling speed, this splurge was justified.
Admittedly, Yu Miaohua felt a flicker of warmth.
Her usually stingy system had actually opened its wallet. For once, it sounded downright heroic—radiating the aura of a towering figure.
Considering this, she decided to be a little more lenient with it these past couple of days and reduced the number of times she confined it to the "dark room."
The special effects funded by the system were undeniably impressive.
As the court officials looked up, they saw purple smoke rising above the grand hall, gradually taking the form of a dragon in the sky.
Unable to resist, they knelt down once more in reverence.
"The Great Ancestor has manifested his spirit!"
"It must be because he has seen the Crown Prince and the heir of the Feng Prince. This is a blessing for our Great Qi!"
Everyone knew of Consort Hui's capabilities, and many ministers held her in high esteem for her virtues. However, there were those who viewed her with resentment—particularly the families of certain imperial concubines.
With Consort Hui around, their own daughters in the palace would forever remain overshadowed. Though they dared not openly oppose her, they couldn’t help but mutter envious remarks under their breath.
On the other hand, Consort Hui's supporters held a different opinion.
"Previous ancestral rites never yielded such an occurrence. This auspicious sign must be for Consort Hui!"
As the two factions argued, a ritual officer emerged from within and reported to the Emperor, "Consort Hui offered incense to the ancestors, and they manifested their spirit in her honor."
His voice carried clearly on the wind, ensuring every minister heard him.
Ministers like Xue Bin glanced at those whose faces had been metaphorically slapped and shook their heads in exasperation.
Why couldn’t they learn their lesson?
When it came to divine manifestations, Consort Hui was unmatched—even the Emperor would step aside for her.
Grand Tutor Yuan Xinji chuckled lightly. "So it was Consort Hui’s incense after all."
Yuan Xinji mused that while his daughter wasn’t the brightest, she certainly had good fortune. First, she had caught the Empress’s favor and enjoyed her patronage for years. Now, she had even befriended Consort Hui and managed to bask in the glory of this auspicious sign.
Truly, fortune favored the simple-minded.
A few days ago, his daughter had written to him, asking him to gather more interesting folk tales and novels for her and Consort Hui to read together.
Hmm, he’d have to instruct his servants to put more effort into this task and avoid bringing back clichéd stories.
Pei Lingyue frowned slightly. The Crown Prince’s actions had taken him by surprise, but he could understand them.
Ah, it was his own fault for teaching the Crown Prince to be too virtuous and noble.
And Consort Hui certainly deserved such an honor.
Wait a minute…
Pei Lingyue suddenly stiffened as a thought struck him—would the Crown Prince also let Consort Hui offer incense when they reached the ancestral temple?
If so, could his own plans go awry?
A sense of foreboding washed over him.
His gaze darkened as he looked toward the depths of the ancestral temple.
Please don’t let the Crown Prince be the one to fall into it.
...
After the rites in the family shrine concluded and the ritual officer announced the completion of the sacrificial offerings, Yu Miaohua and the others proceeded further into the ancestral temple.
Yu Miaohua noticed that this time, the Crown Prince did not walk beside her but instead fell a step behind.
She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
[The Crown Prince is such a gentleman, completely different from that idiot I idolized in my past life.]
[This must be the Empress’s doing—she raised him well!]
Having mentally awarded him a "good person" card, Yu Miaohua quickly credited the Empress for his upbringing.
Upon reaching the ancestral temple, the ritual dictated that the Crown Prince should be the one to offer incense.
Yet once again, he yielded the honor to Yu Miaohua.
His demeanor was so natural that Yu Miaohua found herself accepting the lit incense from him and stepping forward to begin the rites.
The two ritual officers had long since given up—what did propriety matter now? If the heavens fell, the Crown Prince would bear the responsibility.
Since Yu Miaohua was the one offering incense, her original position was now occupied by Pei Yuheng. The Crown Prince was supposed to stand where Yu Miaohua had been, given that they had swapped roles.
But before he could move there, Pei Yuheng subtly positioned himself in that spot instead.
The Crown Prince couldn’t be bothered to argue over such a trivial matter.
The two ritual officials looked on the verge of despair—they truly despised people who refused to follow ceremonial protocols!
Their carefully laid plans had been completely overturned.
Before the three of them stood individual prayer mats. Yu Miaohua stepped forward first, placed the incense in the burner, and then knelt on the mat.
She began to kowtow.
[Host, we’re about to deploy the reward. How many kowtows before we trigger it? Should we go for forty-nine to show sincerity?]
Forty-nine? That would knock her unconscious!
Yu Miaohua wasn’t having it.
[No way. I’m a divine maiden blessed by you—are they worthy of that many kowtows? Three is more than enough!]
Having been raised in her past life, she couldn’t bring herself to sincerely revere emperors the way people of this era did.
[Fair point.]
The palace intrigue system agreed—these long-dead feudal rulers didn’t deserve such excessive reverence. Three kowtows were already generous.
One.
Two.
Three.
As she completed the third bow, the ritual officer, remembering the Emperor’s instructions, was about to insist on seven when a loud clatter echoed from the roof tiles.
His jaw dropped as he stared upward, all words forgotten.
Thud!
The next moment, a hole burst through the roof tiles, and something plummeted down, landing right in front of Yu Miaohua.
It was a silver, metallic box.
Yu Miaohua’s lips twitched—the system had literally dropped a safe on her.
[Hehe, host, the combination is your birthday—two-two-zero.]
Just as she prepared to feign surprise, the two ritual officers gasped in awe.
"The late Emperor has manifested again! This is a gift for Consort Hui!"
They had seen it clearly—the object had fallen from the heavens the moment Consort Hui finished her third kowtow.
Clearly, the ancestors were overjoyed by her presence.
Even the Emperor had never received such treatment. No wonder the Crown Prince had insisted she offer incense.
Thank goodness they hadn’t interfered—they would have been condemned as traitors to Great Qi!
The two ritual officers sighed in relief.
Shen Sushang, the palace scholar, continued taking notes.
Inspiration struck—he knew exactly what to paint next.
Pei Yuheng, witnessing another miracle, was stunned at first but quickly accepted it as natural.
Of course this would happen to Consort Hui. Everything about her defied expectations.
His resolve to bring her to their side grew even stronger.
He glanced at the ancestral tablets of past emperors.
Pei Yuheng pondered—should he kowtow a few more times?
As the late Emperor’s grandson, perhaps if he showed enough filial piety, he too might receive a divine gift.
His gaze shifted to the Crown Prince—he had only kowtowed three times, hardly sufficient. Pei Yuheng would go for seven!
And so he began, bowing again and again.
On the seventh kowtow, the floor beneath him trembled slightly.
His face lit up with excitement—was the late Emperor about to bless him too?
Would the Feng Prince’s household rise to greatness? Ha! The Emperor would regret ever allowing him into the palace as a show of "mercy."
But the next moment, the ground gave way beneath him, and he plummeted downward.
The floor had been hollow—Pei Yuheng fell straight into a pit.
Fortunately, it wasn’t deep, reaching only up to his neck. Even if someone fell in, they wouldn’t be injured.
As he fell, the lotus hairpin Pei Yuheng was carrying slipped out and shattered into pieces before he could even catch it. His expression darkened instantly—this hairpin had been specially commissioned, crafted from the rarest warm jade.
He had planned to present it to Consort Hui as a peace offering, but before he could even gift it, it lay broken at his feet, its fragments a silent mockery.
Though unharmed physically, Pei Yuheng felt his heart shatter into pieces.
Damn it! Which ancestor had dug this pit here?! If he ever found out, he’d curse that ancestor to be reborn as livestock in their next life, propriety be damned. What kind of ancestor would sabotage their own descendant like this?
Yu Miaohua sighed in relief.
How fortunate—she hadn’t been standing in that spot.
Wait… wasn’t that where she was supposed to stand?
So, had Pei Yuheng unwittingly taken the fall for her?
She instinctively tightened her grip on the box in her arms.
[System, who dug this pit? How malicious!]
[Exactly! They must have been targeting us!]
Yu Miaohua didn’t understand. If someone truly wanted to harm others, why dig such a shallow pit? Even if she had stood there, the worst she’d suffer was a twisted ankle—hardly a serious injury.
[Maybe it’s just a prank? How childish.]
She genuinely couldn’t fathom it. Whoever had the means to dig a pit in the Ancestral Temple could surely do something more consequential than this pointless mischief.
Out of gratitude for Pei Yuheng taking the fall for her, Yu Miaohua decided to be nice to him—for half a day, at least.
"Prince Yuheng, are you alright?"
Pei Yuheng’s ears tinged faintly pink at her gentle tone.
Consort Hui truly was kind and forgiving, holding no grudge for their past offense and even showing concern for him now.
He cleared his throat softly. "I’m fine."
Pei Chiyan frowned—Pei Yuheng’s expression was off. Was he actually blushing at Consort Hui?
Anyone unaware of the situation might assume something improper between them.
Was he trying to tarnish Consort Hui’s reputation?
Naturally, Pei Chiyan wouldn’t let such schemes succeed. He stepped forward, blocking Pei Yuheng’s line of sight, and smiled. "Since you’re unharmed, cousin, climb back up. Do be more careful next time."
[Wow, Host! They’re fighting over you!]
[I think you need to get your eyes checked.]
Yu Miaohua rolled her eyes at the system’s exaggerated interpretation. This wasn’t rivalry over her—they just despised each other.
Pei Yuheng: "…"
He retracted all previous praise for the Crown Prince. The man was just as insufferable as his father.
He picked up the shattered hairpin and pocketed it before effortlessly leaping out of the pit.
The court scribe continued writing furiously:
Prince Yuheng, suspected of insufficient piety, was punished by the late Emperor and fell into a pit.
...
The system, never one for subtlety, added a flashy purple glow before the mysterious box descended from above.
The vivid violet light was impossible to ignore, and the assembled officials couldn’t help but drop to their knees in awe.
"An auspicious sign! This is undoubtedly divine favor!"
They itched to rush into the Ancestral Temple to witness the spectacle firsthand.
After a tense wait, Yu Miaohua and the others finally emerged.
The Crown Prince carried a box in his arms.
Before anyone could ask, Pei Chiyan spoke first: "As Consort Hui paid respects to our ancestors, a gift descended from the heavens. However, this box contains intricate mechanisms—it cannot be opened yet."
Internally, Pei Chiyan suspected the code might be tied to Yu Miaohua’s birthdate. But opening it before the entire court would make a far greater impact than doing so privately.
Yu Miaohua’s eyes sparkled with anticipation—public recognition! She wasn’t the type to let her deeds go unnoticed.
Pei Chiyan added leisurely, "My cousin here fell into a pit while bowing to the ancestors, though fortunately, he’s unharmed."
His gaze flicked to Pei Yuheng. "That’s acceptable to mention, isn’t it?"
Pei Yuheng’s face darkened.
The Crown Prince had officially surpassed the Second Prince as the person he loathed most.
The Prince of Yu’s expression also soured. "How could a pit appear in the Ancestral Temple out of nowhere? Was someone targeting my son?"
Shen Sushang remarked, "That spot was originally meant for the Crown Prince. Prince Yuheng happened to stand there first."
The Prince of Yu: "…"
So his son had brought this upon himself?
Pei Yuheng’s scowl deepened. His blacklist had just grown longer.
An awkward silence settled over the scene.
The Empress, barely suppressing a laugh, broke the tension. "Shall we focus on opening the late Emperor’s gift first?"
