Wasn't there a saying about how those who wear tattoos feared the heat, those who use Apple products were poor, those who wear watches loved to tap on their legs, and those with gold teeth loved to grin?
Consort Li was stereotypical in that she was afraid of the heat and that no one would know she was favored with rewards.
The sleeves of her gown were lifted up high, and it seemed as though she was really feeling the heat.
She was actually afraid that people wouldn't see the new bracelet on her wrist, and that was why she took special care to touch the hairpin on her head.
Ruoyin forced a smile, and she intended to go along with what Consort Li wanted as she asked, "The color of your bracelet seems pretty nice. It matches your skin's color."
"Hehe, I don't know if it's good or not, anyways~ It's from Lord Fourth. As for me, as long as it's something that Lord Fourth gifted to me, I think it's fabulous!" Consort Li laughed delightedly.
"Of course it's fabulous if Lord Fourth's the one who gifted it." Ruoyin held up her cup, took a sip, glanced at Nanny Liu, and said, "From how clearly the whites and greens are separated, it should be a moss-on-snow jade. Indeed, it's considered above average among the different types of jades."
Hearing that, Consort Li was even more delighted, and she couldn't stop smiling. "The Fujin is insightful. I wouldn't have known if you hadn't told me about it," she said as she shook the bracelet in her hand and looked at it carefully.
Ruoyin smiled, and suddenly, she changed the topic and said carelessly, "It's only normal that given your background, you don't know about these things. If the color on this bracelet were a tad worse, I'm afraid even I won't have been able to tell. Fortunately, when I was married, my mother gave one to the nanny who came along with me so that she would take good care of me. That was when I learned that the bracelet in your hand was made of moss-on-snow jade."
As soon as she made that remark, Consort Li immediately turned to look at Nanny Liu.
Sure enough, Nanny Liu was wearing a jadeite bracelet on her right wrist, which was similar in color to hers.
It was just that there was some carving on Consort Li's bracelet and Nanny Liu's bracelet didn't have any.
Consort Li, who had been so delighted just a moment ago, seemed as though someone had poured a pot of cold water over her head, making her feel cold in June.
She thought that the Fujin was obviously humiliating her. The thing that she treated as a treasure was something that her subordinate had had since many years ago.
In that moment, her expression was unpleasant, but she forced herself to laugh. "It looks similar, but mine was gifted by Lord Fourth. It's definitely different. Sister, you're not making sarcastic remarks at me because you got confined recently, are you?"
Consort Li wasn't a pushover and she wasn't lenient with her words.
"Why would I? It's nice that you and Consort Song worry about me such that you came to visit." Ruoyin had a pleasant countenance, seemingly not at all annoyed. Then she turned to Nanny Liu, gestured, and said, "We still have some bracelets in the storage. Take some out. I think it would fit Consort Song."
Upon giving acknowledgment, Nanny Liu immediately went to the storage to pick it up.
Consort Song stood up and looked overwhelmed by the favor. "Fujin, you can't. You have given me lots of satin the previous time."
Consort Song thought that she shouldn't receive a reward if she wasn't deserving of it. Ruoyin suddenly switched to a different tune and stopped pushing it upon her, seeing as giving her these rewards seemed to have made her anxious instead.
Realizing Consort Song's concerns, she waved her hand and said, "It's okay. It's not that good of a bracelet. It's just a hibiscus jade, which is slightly better than moss-in-snow jade. It'll fit you. Besides, I have too much jewelry, and bracelets are meant to be worn. It'll be a waste having it sit in the storage."
It didn't need to be too good, it just needed to be better than Consort Li's bracelet. Otherwise, it would really freak out Consort Song.
"I'm grateful, Fujin." Since that was the case, Consort Song had no choice but to accept it politely.
She seemed to have no intention of forming a coalition with Consort Song and meant only to target Consort Li.
As Ruoyin and Consort Song chatted back and forth, Consort Li, who was sitting beside them, seemed as though she was taking a slap to the face.
When Ruoyin had said that her subordinate also had the moss-in-snow jade bracelet, she had already found it very humiliating.
Now Ruoyin was giving Consort Song a bracelet and even made it known that it was of better quality than hers.
What she treated as a treasure was insignificant to Ruoyin. She had already gifted her subordinate with it several years ago.
On top of that, she could still gift something better to Consort Song even though Consort Song was of even lower status than Consort Li was. She was only a gege!
Consort Li felt that Ruoyin had trampled on her ego and left it utterly bruised.
However, no matter what the Fujin said, she would have to wait until the moment when the Fujin had physically given it to Consort Song to see if the Fujin was really that generous!
Consort Li was so angry that her chest was rising and falling vigorously. She picked up the teacup and drank a lot from it to simmer her anger.
After a while, Nanny Liu came out with a jewelry box. She placed the jewelry box in front of Ruoyin to confirm it.
Ruoyin gave it a glance and nodded affirmatively.
Then, Nanny Liu handed the jewelry box to Consort Song. "Consort Song, this is a small token from the Fujin."
After Consort Song got up and received it, she bowed and thanked Ruoyin again.
"Stop bowing all the time. Try it on and see if you like it, alright?" Ruoyin laughed.
"Yes." After Consort Song sat down, she opened the box.
Upon seeing how green and clear and finer in quality the hibiscus jadeite bracelets were in the box, she was a little surprised.
She didn't come from a very good family. Her father was only a sixth-rank official. In any case, she just hadn't seen such a good-looking bracelet in her entire life.
And the bracelet had a mild pinkish color, just like a hibiscus. There were line carvings that looked like water waves, which were very beautiful.
Consort Song took a bracelet and put it on her right wrist. The corner of her lips rose slightly. She liked it from the bottom of her heart.
Then she brandished it at Ruoyin and said happily, "Fujin, I like it very much."
"Great. This means that I've not given it to the wrong person." Ruoyin smiled and cast a mild glance at Consort Li.
"The Fujin is really generous, and you have a great sisterly bond with Consort Song." When Consort Li's eyes met Ruoyin's, she stood up immediately and gave a sloppy bow. She was so mad that her face and mouth were contorted. "Unfortunately, I don't feel too well today. I'll be going back first."
"Since you're feeling unwell, go back and rest." Ruoyin liked seeing Consort Li's deflated ego. She was the one who delivered herself up to be humiliated, wasn't she?
Consort Li muttered a soft acknowledgment before holding Chun Mei's hand as she left.
She couldn't swallow this insult. She must find an opportunity to tell Lord Fourth about this!
Watching as Consort Li left, the corner of Ruoyin's lips rose slightly.
A few days ago, she had also received a lot of gifts from Lord Fourth. But unlike Consort Li, she didn't show off with them.
If Consort Li had been as well-behaved as Consort Song, she wouldn't have humiliated Consort Li like this.
However, Consort Li was one who was discontented with her lot. As the Fujin, she would naturally not tolerate other people clamoring for her place.
She wanted Consort Li to see that it wasn't because she didn't have goods to brag about. In fact, she had better ones, but she just didn't want to show off.
Given Ruoyin's status, she was being given the cold shoulder by Lord Fourth only temporarily. Even so, that wasn't something Consort Li as a second wife could compare with and look down on!
Now that Consort Li was gone and they'd had enough talk, Ruoyin asked Consort Song to take her leave.
Consort Song carefully regarded Ruoyin, stood up, and bowed before going back.
On the same day, after Lord Fourth returned to the household, he went to Consort Li to have dinner.