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Bai Yu was still slightly gaunt. Everyone knew she had fallen ill, though they did not know whether it was because of the rumor or something else. Many wished her well and tried to advise her on what to eat, so the subsequent conversations after she sat down were all related to food and nutrition.

The consorts who had given birth to princes were engaging in a war of nerves. Their words were kind and their lips were smiling, yet their eyes only showed contempt to other consorts, before returning to smiles again when they turned to Bai Yu. It was as if everything they had said was all advice for her.

Throughout the conversations, Bai Yu only smiled while sipping on the tea. Sometimes she would reply. Because everyone knew that Miss Bai Yu was a reserved young lady, no one suspected a thing even though she kept silent. The former Bai Yu was careful of her manner, so she had always been quiet. Still, they could sense that she held a certain maturity, different from her soft and sweet usual self. Because of that, other young ladies did not dare to call out to her. Only Xu Peipei acted the same as before as if she did not notice the change in Miss Bai at all.

Ever since Bai Yu entered the party, the conversation all turned to revolve around her. Other women who were thrown off the spotlight were naturally jealous of her, but they could do nothing since this was a usual occurrence.

“Yu-er, what do you have with you there?” Empress Wang further fueled the fire in those young ladies’ hearts. Bai Yu stood up with a smile. Her phoenix eyes glanced at the package she brought with her before walking toward the Empress, her pace still as graceful as ever. The maid assigned to Bai Yu’s table knowingly carried the dress she had prepared.

“Your Majesty, this is the dress that I have designed and ordered to be made by the anonymous master shop, as I had promised to Your Majesty before.” Bai Yu spoke with her sweet voice, she held her gaze cast down in a calm manner.

“Come, come. Let bengong have a closer look at it.” The maid beside Bai Yu carefully handed the dress in her hand to the Empress who was noticeably excited.

The folded golden robe was spread out in front of the women at the party. Bai Yu still held her gaze cast down, her ears listened to the sound of exclamation around her when the dress appeared to their eyes.

.....

Bai Yu designed the shoulder area of the robe to be raised, to enhance the wearer’s elegance. The front was embroidered with a simple but delicate pattern in the darker gold to match with the Empress’s older age. However, the highlight of this dress was on the back.

The back trailed along the floor. On the golden fabric was an embroidery in bright gold of a soaring phoenix, both spectacular and magnificent. Under the light from the sun or the moon, the embroidered phoenix would dance under every gaze, glittering and catching all eyes, because every thread that was used on this dress was all made of...gold.

As much beauty and wealth Bai Yu possessed, her friend from the Xu family could match them all!

“Your Majesty is the mother of the nation. Your Majesty’s radiance shone upon my heart. For this robe, I chose a darker shade of gold to match Your Majesty’s magnificence. As for this phoenix in flight, it was embroidered with thread made from real gold that I and the anonymous master wished to present to Your Majesty.”

As soon as the word ‘real gold’ was uttered, chatters were heard around her just like the time she had said that her dress was decorated with diamonds. The high-pitched laughter of the highest rank woman sounded amidst the voices from the consorts and young ladies.

“Very well.” Fingers wearing nail guards caressed the phoenix’s spread-out wing. Her satisfaction was visible. “Reward her.”

Various accessories were brought in front of Bai Yu. She curtsied and said her thanks, then she glanced at the woman wearing light green. Their eyes met for a brief moment before Bai Yu spoke loudly.

“Your Majesty, during these past few months, I and the mysterious master worked together to sew exquisite dresses of various styles. Soon they will be revealed at an event for misses and Furens to auction. If any catches Your Majesty’s eyes, I will be glad to present it to Your Majesty.”

At her words, all eyes sparkled with excitement. The royal consorts smiled, glad that they would have the opportunity to wear similarly beautiful dresses like the one the Empress received today. Other young ladies eyed the dress, having the same thought.

This was what Bai Yu and Xu Peipei had intended. On one hand, it might seem that they were insulting the Empress by saying that there would be other dresses the same as hers. However, she had also implied that she was willing to give the Empress any dress she wanted. The mistress of the inner court would naturally be a step superior to others.

“When is that event held, Miss Bai? I want to prepare.” Xu Peipei acted curious to let her promote herself.

“Miss Xu can rest assured. An invitation will be sent to everyone at this party.”

“Good.” Xu Peipei lifted her teacup to her lips, hiding a smile behind it.

Then, the topic of the conversations was fixed on the dress designed by Bai Yu and sewn by the famous tailor shop. Obviously, she became the center of the misses and consorts’ attention once again, while Bai Hua who was supposed to be a star was forgotten.

Bai Yu was not sure if this was intended by anyone or not. She only sipped her tea and gave a reply when addressed. She felt slightly guilty for drawing the attention away from her half-sister, but her ethics as a villainess told her that this was something that should be done.

“How is big brother?” Bai Hua spoke when Empress Wang started to show off her new robe by allowing royal consorts ranked Fei to have a closer look. And so, they both were momentarily ignored.

“You knew?”

“I did first aid for brother. But because I don’t know what the poison is, I could only do so much before leaving with...with Qin Wag.”

Bai Yu nodded. She could not help but be sarcastic. “At least you still have your brother on your mind.”

“He’s my brother too...” She murmured, but Bai Yu could hear every word clearly. However, a grating voice interrupted before she could say anything else.

“The two misses seem close.”

The source of the sound was from a woman who sat beside the lowest rank consort. Bai Yu supposed that she was a part of the royal family but now the Emperor’s woman.

“And who...?” She arched an eyebrow. Though she could guess the identity of this rude woman who interrupted her conversation with Bai Yu, she chose to retaliate by pretending not to know her.

“That’s Wang Meili. The commander general’s concubine. She’s the Empress’s granddaughter.” It was Xu Peipei who introduced her to Bai Yu in a whisper. When faced with her questioning gaze, the woman seemed to start feeling embarrassed. Though on Miss Bai’s face was a usual smile, her eyes were so calm that they unsettled her.

“Oh.” Bai Yu nodded but said nothing else. Her reaction made Wang Meili even more awkward. In the end, Empress Wang had to interject to help her granddaughter who was from a minor branch of the Wang family.

“Li-er must be surprised since you don’t have sisters.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Wang Meili replied with a sweet smile. She was no less beautiful than other young ladies, though her appearance seemed to dull when compared to Bai Yu. It seemed that she had married into Rui Wang palace even before she turned twenty.

“Miss Bai Yu is not only clever and beautiful but also skilled in designing unique dresses...” Her voice dripped with honey. Her gaze was full of admiration. “...And the younger sister, Miss Bai Hua is an excellent doctor. Seeing them so close like this makes an only child like me envious.”

“Then you should hurry and have a child so you won’t be lonely.” Taizi Fei advised the neglected concubine.

“Taizi Fei please do not tease me so.” She smiled shyly.

“Lately, Rui Wang has been staying at the palace a lot more. You should take good care of Wangye.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” This girl Wang Meili dragged her into the conversation and then turned the topic to herself so expertly.

Bai Yu frowned. Everyone knew that Wang Meili was a member of a minor branch of the Wang family. She was able to marry into Rui Wang palace by the marriage bestowed by the Empress, on the occasion of Ouyang Feilong winning a battle.

Obviously, no woman in the palace was favored by the commander-general who preferred to station at the border and leave the seat of his first consort empty for years. Bai Yu was curious as to why the Empress would be willing to hand her granddaughter to Ouyang Feilong.

The only answers she could guess were either there was something the Empress could stand to gain from Rui Wang, or Wang Meili was in love with the black dragon. However, it was as hard for a concubine to enter the palace as a concubine’s child to do so, but somehow the Empress specifically invited this girl from the Wang family, who had already married off, to a party. This was too strange.

Bai Yu sipped her tea. Her eyes discreetly swept through the group of women in the seats of the royal family. She could not know all their names and ranks, but at least she could tell who was the Emperor’s consort and who was consorts of other princes. She discovered that there were only a few women who had the same rank as Wang Meili.

Empress Wang held this party to celebrate Bai Hua, a concubine’s child, so she also invited concubines here too?

Then why the young ladies from major families were only those born from first Furens?

Was she overthinking something?