Chapter 107: Chapter 106: Mocked for Giving Strawberries?

Chapter 107: Chapter 106: Mocked for Giving Strawberries?

Although she wasn’t the Crown Princess, she was still a Concubine, a rank two orders higher than Lady, so even if she didn’t like Lady Xu, she still had to remind the young mistress that a congratulatory gift was necessary.

Shen Chuwei almost didn’t think before she said, “Send a basket of strawberries to Concubine Xu.”

“Your Highness, you’re just sending strawberries?” Chun Xi felt it was somewhat lacking.

“A basket of strawberries is not a small amount, any more and there would be none left,” Shen Chuwei indicated that she still wanted to eat some.

“…All right!” Chun Xi took the scissors and went to the greenhouse to pick strawberries.

The backyard originally had a strawberry patch where they had set up a large greenhouse, which Chun Xi was seeing for the first time.

After Shen Chuwei’s explanation, she learned that strawberries didn’t grow during the winter because of the low temperatures.

Chun Xi picked a basketful and sent it to Yixiang Hall.

Yixiang Hall was bustling at that moment, with quite a few people delivering gifts, each holding an exquisite brocaded box that clearly contained valuable items.

Chun Xi was holding a basket of strawberries, which seemed quite modest in comparison, but fortunately when she had left, she covered the basket with red satin to highlight the festive occasion, so others couldn’t tell what she was bringing.

Lady Li walked in and immediately saw Chun Xi, scanning the item in her arms, which couldn’t be made out, covered with the red cloth.

“Isn’t this Chun Xi from Xiyun Pavilion?

Are you also here to deliver a congratulatory gift?”

As she spoke, she looked around and didn’t see Shen Chuwei, then asked with a curious face, “Why are you alone?

Why didn’t Lady Shen come?”

Chun Xi gave a respectful bow, “Replying to Lady Li, my young mistress isn’t feeling well and didn’t come.”

“That’s quite unfortunate, Concubine Xu has just been promoted, and Lady Shen is unwell,” Lady Li purposely raised her voice so everyone present could hear.

Upon hearing this, Chun Xi knew that Lady Li deliberately said it this way to make everyone misunderstand that her mistress was unwell because Lady Xu had become a Concubine.

“With Concubine Xu’s promotion, my young mistress is overjoyed; it’s just that His Highness came by yesterday.” Chun Xi didn’t finish her sentence, but everyone understood what she meant.

Lady Li, hearing that His Highness had spent another night at Xiyun Pavilion, lost all trace of a smile from her lips.

She was just flaunting favor from His Highness, and now she was putting on airs?

She stared at the item in Chun Xi’s arms for a while, then suddenly curved her lips upward, “Chun Xi, what are you holding there?

It looks quite big; must be something precious, right?”

Chun Xi felt somewhat guilty, “Of course, it cannot compare to the preciousness of Lady Li’s congratulatory gift.”

“Chun Xi is too modest.

Just unveil it and let everyone see for themselves,” Lady Li glanced at the people around, “Sisters, don’t you agree?”

“Chun Xi, take off the cover and let us widen our eyes.”

“I’m quite curious about what kind of congratulatory gift Lady Shen would send?”

“It must be something valuable, right?

Chun Xi is holding it as if it’s quite heavy.”

Chun Xi, facing the inquiries of so many people, felt overwhelmed.

If she had known, she would have arrived later, as these women were like cannibals.

She held tightly to the basket of strawberries in her arms, replying cautiously, “I’m sorry to amuse you all, the gift my young mistress sent is not a valuable object, but the sentiment is profound.”

The more Chun Xi refused to show it, the more Lady Li was curious about what was inside.

It must be something not presentable, hence her hesitation to show it.

“Why not unveil it and see?” Lady Li took advantage of Chun Xi’s distraction and yanked off the red cloth, revealing a basket of red fruit.

Everyone’s gaze lingered on the basket for a while, curious about what kind of fruit it was, but sending a basket of strawberries as a gift caused everyone to burst into mocking laughter.

Chun Xi tried to keep it covered but failed.

Listening to their scoffing laughter, she felt embarrassed.

Lady Li covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed, “Even though Lady Shen is a lady after all, why send just a basket of fruit?

This fruit looks so odd, is it even edible?”

“Of course it’s edible, my young mistress loves these, which is why we brought them as a gift for Concubine Xu,” Chun Xi deliberately emphasized.

Lady Li couldn’t help but laugh again, “Indeed, your young mistress, coming from a poor rural area, only knows to send such things.”

Concubine Xu, who was busy, heard the lively chatter from the courtyard and stepped out to take a look, only to see a group of people surrounding and talking, all laughing heartily.

With curiosity, she walked over, waving her handkerchief, “What’s everyone laughing about?”

People naturally made way for her, for the status of a concubine was not to be taken lightly.

When Lady Li saw Concubine Xu approaching, she covered her mouth and chuckled: “Concubine Xu, take a look at the gift that Lady Shen has sent you.

I’ve never seen anything so modest.”

Concubine Xu turned her head to look at Chun Xi standing in the crowd, instantly recognizing the basket of strawberries she was holding.

She had seen Shen Chuwei eat strawberries before, and although she had never tasted them herself, Shen Chuwei’s description had left her craving.

Now that a basket of strawberries appeared before her, she was somewhat excited.

Chun Xi, holding the strawberries with a nervous heart, stepped forward and bowed, “Concubine Xu, this is a congratulatory gift from my young mistress.

The gift may be light, but our sentiments are profound.

I hope Concubine Xu will not disdain it.”

Concubine Xu, waving her handkerchief, said with joy, “I won’t disdain it at all, these strawberries look so good, very fresh.”

With that, she instructed her maid to take the strawberries from her.

Lady Li thought Concubine Xu would be angry, after all, Concubine Xu so enjoyed mocking others, and sending such a modest gift to placate her, wouldn’t she lash out?

But not only was she not angry, she actually looked pleased?

It wasn’t just Lady Li who found it odd; others were also curious about Concubine Xu’s unexpectedly pleasant reaction.

Seeing that Concubine Xu liked the gift, Chun Xi finally breathed a sigh of relief: “These were freshly picked, indeed very fresh.”

Concubine Xu responded, “When you go back, tell Lady Shen that I really like her gift.”

“Then this servant shall return and report back,” Chun Xi bowed again and then turned to leave.

Lady Li glanced at the basket of fruit and asked, “Concubine Xu, what fruit is this?”

Concubine Xu turned her head to look at the strawberries, somewhat proudly said, “Strawberries, you won’t find them anywhere else.”

Lady Li disbelieved, “How could that be possible?

It’s just fruit after all.

If Xiyun Pavilion has them, other places must have them too.”

Concubine Xu raised an eyebrow and looked at Lady Li, “Then go find me a basket to bring here.”

Lady Li hesitated for a moment, then said indifferently, “If Concubine Xu likes them so much, I will bring a basket over tomorrow.”

Concubine Xu adjusted her hairpin and said, “I’ll be waiting; don’t disappoint me, Lady Li.”

Lady Li sneered inwardly, it was just fruit, wasn’t it?

If Shen Chuwei could have it, of course, she could too.

After returning, Chun Xi vividly recounted the events, her face full of excitement.

“You wouldn’t believe how upset Lady Li looked, and Concubine Xu really liked the strawberries.”

“Of course, strawberries are so delicious, who wouldn’t like them?” Shen Chuwei picked one up and held it out to Chun Xi.

Chun Xi giggled and bit into the strawberry in her hand; it was indeed delicious.

It was a rare sunny day.

While Chun Xi was airing out the quilt, she saw Lady Li come visiting.

She furrowed her brow; what was she doing here?