The maidservant is too charming. I want to help her become the queen.

The East Hall of Yinglan Pavilion.

The two sisters Xu Ming'er and Xu Yue'er were practicing martial arts in the backyard as usual, wearing a black and a gray training jacket respectively, with a green jade belt around their waists.

The afternoon sun shines through the sparse clouds and falls on the smooth stone floor, reflecting a little golden light.

Xu Ming'er, dressed in black, stood in the middle of the courtyard. He looked heroic, with sharp eyes and swift and powerful movements. He turned around and suddenly punched out. His fist made a whistling sound and hit the wooden stake in front of him hard.

Xu Yue'er was dressed in dark gray, standing in the shade between the trees. She tapped her toes lightly, and a figure passed lightly over the treetops. Her body floated up like a feather, instantly crossing a distance of several feet and blending into the mottled shade of the trees.

The two of them, one quiet and one dynamic, one hard and one gentle, complement each other perfectly and bring out the best in each other.

Hearing the knock on the door of the East Hall, the Xu sisters stopped what they were doing and looked at each other in shock, neither of them knowing who was coming.

"Don't practice yet, just follow me and open the door."

The Xu sisters came out from the backyard and walked to the East Hall together. They opened the door and saw Lu Qingqing standing outside.

"Ms. Xu, long time no see!"

Obviously, the Xu sisters were very surprised by Lu Qingqing's arrival. Lu Qingqing noticed this from their stunned expressions, so she put on her signature peach blossom eyes and bright smile, and took the initiative to greet the two sisters.

"Mr. Lu, you suddenly came to visit me today. I wonder if there is anything important?" Xu Ming'er bowed slightly and saluted, with a sense of distance and politeness in his words.

"Why? You can't come unless it's something important? We are neighbors, we should visit each other often." Lu Qingqing still had a smile on her face, and without waiting for Xu Minger's invitation, she walked towards the inner hall while talking and laughing.

She was determined to find out something from the Xu sisters today. Even if Xu Ming'er didn't welcome her, she would come uninvited and in a leisurely manner.

"Good neighbor, I'm not polite."

Lu Qingqing walked straight to the round table in the hall and sat on the small square stool on the right.

Seeing that Lu Qingqing had already entered the inner hall and sat down, Xu Ming'er had no choice but to sit on the left side of the round table. The two sat opposite each other, and the two palace maids Xu Yue'er and Erxi served behind them, one on the left and one on the right.

"Mr. Lu, since you have no important business in coming to the East Palace today, then..."

Xu Ming'er glanced behind Lu Qingqing and his eyes fell on the brocade box in Erxi's hand.

Lu Qingqing understood what she meant, then turned around and told Erxi to put the brocade box on the table.

"Actually, I came here today because I have something to give you."

After saying that, she opened the brocade box with her delicate hands. Inside the box was a finely carved white porcelain jar with a circle of beeswax sealing the mouth of the jar. It looked small and exquisite, and must have been very expensive.

"What is this?" Xu Yue'er asked.

"A few days ago, you and I were planting trees in Concubine Shu's palace. I was punished to kneel, and my knees were swollen, painful, and bleeding, and then scabs and scars formed. This is the skin beautifying and scar removal cream specially made by the Emperor at the request of the Imperial Hospital. I tried it for a while and it really worked. Not only did my skin return to its original state, but it also became extraordinarily white and smooth. Thinking of the scar on Miss Yue'er's arm, I asked the Imperial Hospital to prepare another one according to the formula."

Lu Qingqing had observed carefully and found that even though the Xu sisters practiced martial arts every day, they still had very high requirements for their appearance. Even when they were practicing, they would put on light makeup, which could not be seen unless you looked closely, but could improve their complexion very well.

Therefore, the gift prepared today should be able to touch Xu Yueer's heart, Lu Qingqing is full of confidence.

As expected, after she introduced what was in the white porcelain jar, Xu Yue'er's eyes immediately brightened up. It can be seen that she really wanted to try the effect of the skin beautifying and scar removing cream.

In comparison, Xu Ming'er, the older sister, was much calmer.

Ever since the day Lu Qingqing was promoted to a noble lady, she came to explain her relationship with Concubine Shu, and other than that, they had no more contact.

Lu Qingqing came to visit today and brought such precious ointment. I'm afraid he has other intentions towards her.

"Mr. Lu, as the saying goes, no merit, no reward. You want to give Yue'er such a valuable ointment, I'm afraid we can't afford it."

As she spoke, Xu Ming'er resolutely pushed the brocade box on the table towards Lu Qingqing, as if to draw an invisible boundary between the two of them.

Seeing that Xu Ming'er was determined, Lu Qingqing didn't want to play tricks on her anymore and pushed the brocade box towards Xu Ming'er.

"To be honest, I came here today to ask for something. I hope Miss Xu will accept this brocade box."

This time, seeing that Xu Ming'er no longer refused, she continued talking.

"As you know, I was originally a maid in the Flower Room, and I don't know much about the etiquette of the Wanshou Festival. The Wanshou Festival is approaching, and you have been a concubine longer than me. Do you know how to prepare the festival gifts for the emperor?"

Xu Ming'er shook her head helplessly, "I'm not that much earlier than you, and this is also my first time attending the Longevity Festival. If you want to ask about the preparations for the ceremony, why don't you ask the Queen?"

What Xu Ming'er said was true. She was also recommended to the emperor's side after the queen became pregnant. However, she was not as favored as Lu Qingqing, so the queen recommended Lu Qingqing instead.

Lu Qingqing was still unwilling to give up after not asking the key question, so she suddenly had an idea and changed the way she asked the question.

"The Queen is pregnant, so I can't go and disturb her. You've been with her longer than I have. Do you know what festival gifts the Concubine Shu has sent?"

Every year, the gifts for the Emperor's birthday are only presented once, at the Emperor's birthday banquet. Except for those chosen by the Emperor to keep by his side, the rest are put into the private treasury of the palace. The key to the private treasury is kept by the Empress who holds the Phoenix Seal.

Lu Qingqing was a little expectant, hoping that her indirect questioning could get some useful information from Concubine Shu.

However, when Xu Ming'er heard the word "Shufei", she immediately became alert, and her previous casual and calm demeanor disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"Why do you want to ask Concubine Shu?!"

Lu Qingqing naturally understood that one had to perform a complete act. She expected Xu Ming'er to react to Concubine Shu, so she responded slowly and calmly.

"I've heard that Concubine Shu is the most favored concubine in the palace. I'm sure the gift she prepared will be what the emperor wants. I'd like to learn from it. Besides..."

Having said that, Lu Qingqing deliberately put on a look of contempt and sarcasm, with the corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a fierce look like that of a villain.

"Besides, I have not yet avenged the transplant of the peach tree. I heard that she was released from house arrest on the birthday of the emperor and can attend the banquet. I must know myself and the enemy. The gift I prepare must be better than hers!"

Lu Qingqing had prepared two reasons, one of which sounded consistent with her status as the emperor's new favorite, and the other sounded consistent with her true thoughts of revenge. It didn't matter which one Xu Ming'er was willing to believe, as long as she finally told the concubine what the festival gift was.

After all, these two reasons are not her ultimate goal.