Princesses hold a higher rank than concubines, but now, that distinction doesn't seem too significant.
After the formalities of greeting, the concubines were able to sit down as well.
In the absence of Fujin and Consort Fujin, within the circle of princesses, Lady Song took the lead.
After all, she was the first princess to enter the residence, preceding Li Consort Fujin by a month. She too had once been favored by Fourth Master.
However, due to her inherently meek nature and failing to keep her child, Fourth Master gradually stopped visiting her.
Fourth Master, you see, dislikes women who are too formidable, but he likes even less those who are too docile.
Lady Song's fall from favor was only a matter of time.
Now Lady Song, although she might not get to serve Fourth Master even once a year, she was after all his first formal companion, and so, she retained some status.
Only when she took her seat did everyone else feel at liberty to sit as well.
"Today is Princess Wuh's special day, let's drink a few more to celebrate your good fortune," Princess Song proposed with a smile, lifting her cup.
Princess Wuh hastily picked up hers: "Thank you, Sister Song."
Lady Song smiled and drank with her.
Then it was Princess Yin's turn. Princess Yin was supposed to be talkative, but after a few years without favor in the residence and heavy suppression by Li Consort Fujin, she had become very reticent.
After the two princesses offered their toasts, it was the concubines' turn.
Lady Chang went first, followed by Lady Zhang, and finally Ye Zao.
Ye Zao, raising her cup without fanfare, said, "I wish for the princess to be favored soon."
"Thank you, Sister Ye, but you are more favored. I also wish for you to soon give birth to a prince," retorted Princess Wuh, whose inexperience showed in her pointed words.
Ye Zao was momentarily stunned, then gave a forced smile, looking as if she'd been affronted.
However, inside she was scornful, "You can't even take that? With your looks... good luck trying harder for favor."
Everyone paused, their thoughts varying privately.
After the gathering ended, they took advantage of the night to head back.
Princess Song and Miss Zhang walked together.
"Princess Wuh seems rather impetuous," Lady Zhang said with an ingratiating smile. "Actually, you didn't have to attend today's event at all."
"I'm just someone who entered the household early, what's there to be honored about? It's natural for Princess Wuh to feel some indignance as she has just arrived," Princess Song replied indifferently.
"It's resentment toward Lady Ye for serving the master yesterday, but it should not have been spoken out loud," Lady Zhang murmured, twisting her handkerchief.
"Lady Ye is merely a concubine, and she did not seek out the master—it was his choice. You know that as well," Princess Song said, wanting to protect Miss Zhang as they lived together.
"I understand, let's return, it's quite chilly," replied Lady Zhang, having nothing more to add.
She had resigned herself to being out of favor. Although Lady Chang was several years her senior, she could still see Fourth Master, yet she could not...
Ye Zao had yet to return when she was intercepted halfway...
Arriving at the front courtyard, after paying her respects to Fourth Master, she coquettishly said, "Master, may I have some snacks to eat...?"
Her tone was pitifully pleading.
Fourth Master was taken aback: "Didn't you just come from the banquet?"
Then he realized his own question was redundant – the banquet wouldn't have offered any delicacies.
"Fetch some snacks," Fourth Master commanded.
Yu Ning acknowledged and turned to leave.
When the servants brought back the snacks, she took them but instead of going inside, she directly went next door.
No one asked; Su Peisheng knew better – she wouldn't dare to do any harm, at most just to trouble Lady Ye a bit...
Shaking his head, Su Peisheng thought it was suicidal. Lady Ye might not be the favorite, but she was still legitimately Fourth Master's woman, wasn't she?
You, a mere servant... are you trying to provoke her? Well then, let him watch how this drama unfolds.
And in truth, Yu Ning had done nothing wrong.
She was originally going to sprinkle salt on that plate of salty pastries, figuring Lady Ye wouldn't dare to say much about it.
But... she wasn't sure, after all, Lady Ye was currently in favor.
If Lady Ye did dare, and Fourth Master blamed the Imperial Kitchen, they would surely not let it slide without an investigation, and that would look bad.
At the very least, Su Peisheng would definitely not help her cover it up.
So, gritting her teeth, she sent it as it was anyway.
There were four types of pastries, red bean pastry, pea cake, peppery little crispy cakes, and pumpkin cakes, accompanied by a pot of cow's milk.
Yu Ning huffed, the Imperial Kitchen could be quite crafty.
After the food was delivered inside, Ye Zao glanced at it and chuckled softly, "Thank you, Miss Yu Ning."
Yu Ning also smiled, "No need for thanks."
After Yu Ning left, Ye Zao poured herself a cup of cow's milk first, "We have this at home too."
Fourth Master grunted in acknowledgment, "Since you're hungry, go ahead and eat."
She nodded, and he went to write in his large, bold script.
Ye Zao ate without any burden on her conscience, for over these past days of interaction, she had come to realize some things.
Fourth Master, not so easy to handle.
One must not touch his sore spot, which, regrettably, she still didn't know where it was... a failure indeed...
Then, one must not openly disregard propriety, like challenging someone of higher status than oneself.
One can't be too domineering, yet also not too weak.
Women who are too timid easily lose favor... Example one: Princess Song. Example two: Princess Yin.
Thus, Ye Zao gradually began to relax her behavior, like casually asking Fourth Master for small favors.
Yes, today's pastries were quite delightful.
Even as a mere concubine, as long as Fourth Master was willing, Ye Zao could be at ease.
One could easily infer, who would appreciate a man who's always kneeling, begging pardon after every sentence... it would take a tremendously masochistic man to like that...
Ye Zao ate leisurely, whereas Fourth Master, when trying to write, often couldn't concentrate.
He would intermittently pause to listen.
But Ye Zao ate so properly that there was no sound, whatever she ate.
There was only the occasional noise of her foot moving.
The less sound there was, the more Fourth Master felt the urge to listen, and after a back and forth, finally he put down his brush, no longer writing.
"Master... have I disturbed You?" Ye Zao's eyes widened as she looked at Fourth Master, still holding half of a peppery crispy cake—this was really delicious.
Fourth Master couldn't help but chuckle, "Eat your fill."
This girl could eat—a whole four plates of pastries were almost gone.
He subconsciously glanced at her stomach, which didn't seem to have grown. She really had an appetite.
"Shall I help You wash Your hands, Master?" Ye Zao hastily swallowed that piece and got up to ask.
"You're full already? Although I'm not exactly wealthy, I wouldn't let you go hungry. Want a few more plates?" Fourth Master looked at her.
Ye Zao blushed slightly, "They're delicious..."
Fourth Master wanted to say something, then remembered—right, concubines normally don't get pastries...
If they wanted to eat, it was either a gift from their masters or they had to pay for it themselves.
The Ye Family was not bad off, but not to the point that they would allow Lady Ye to spend like that... besides, she was born from a concubine.
Fourth Master felt a pang of pity for the girl.
But this time, it was all his own imagination. Ye Zao did not intend any of it.
So, when she saw pastries again the next day, she herself was shocked... Fourth Master was being... exceedingly considerate.