After the tea, the Empress took her leave.
A complex expression flickered in the Empress Dowager's eyes. After a long while, she finally instructed Sister Qing.
"Go, take the mutton-fat jade Guanyin statue to Consort Xian Pin and say..."
"I've seen her attending to the Emperor these past few days and am touched by her devotion. This is her reward!"
Sister Qing hesitated for a moment.
Is she really going to side with the Empress?
The Empress Dowager waved her hand dismissively, clearly not wishing to explain further.
"Just go!"
Sister Qing dared not say more, acknowledged the order, and went out.
「Qingya Residence.」
Xia Ruqing had not long returned from paying her respects at Jiaofang Hall when she received a gift from Ningshou Palace: the Jade Guanyin, personally delivered by Sister Qing.
Xia Ruqing accepted it with all due respect, expressed some pleasing words of gratitude, and then properly sent Sister Qing off.
