TPNCQ CHAPTER 8.2
A Charming Room 8.2
After nearly an hour, once the pear blossom cuffs were finished, Chen Guiren stood up, said goodbye to return to the palace.
Su Limo noticed that her palace attire was loose and no longer fit well, made from material that wasn't very warm. Her half-new cloak was of poor quality, indicating that her days in Chunxi Palace were even harder than the rumors she'd heard from Dongxue.
During the New Year, all the palaces received new clothes. Though her rank was low, she should have received at least two new palace outfits, not still wearing years-old styles.
Usually, a Guiren of her rank would have four to six maids and an equal number of eunuchs attending her, but Chen Guiren had only three maids, the youngest just fifteen. It was said she preferred to keep things simple, not needing many attendants.
This was nonsense. Palace regulations and allowances were set. More attendants meant tasks could be rotated, and more hands could help with clothes and other items. Even in Su Limo's palace, important tasks were done by Shuangjiang with the young maids assisting. With only three maids, Chen Guiren's tasks must often fall on her own shoulders.
It must be due to her lack of favor and the constant suppression by Jia Fei, leading the Internal Affairs Department to deduct her allowances.
However, her keen eye and exquisite embroidery skills surpassed even Shuangjiang's. If she focused on this craft, she might secure a better future.
Su Limo's interest in Chen Guiren grew, though she knew it wouldn't be wise to get too close.
If her palace's people started cozying up to Jingren Palace, Jia Fei would be the first to make Chen Guiren's life difficult.
After some thought, Su Limo asked Shuangjiang to look through the wardrobe. She found an old cloak, pale yellow and plain, which wouldn't be too conspicuous for daily use.
The fur lining, though compressed and shiny, might attract attention, so Su Limo had Shuangjiang remove and resew it.
Without the fur, it looked like a slightly used cloak, nothing out of the ordinary. The lining was high-quality, a blend of cotton and silk, much warmer than Chen Guiren's thin cloak.
Su Limo had Dongxue package the cloak and secretly deliver it to Chen Guiren under cover of darkness, with instructions to thank her for the silver bracelets for the Fourth Princess and she didn't need to come over to express her gratitude.
——
In the eastern wing of Chunxi Palace.
"Why did Chun Gufei send an old cloak? But it feels much thicker than my lady's," Yingchun remarked, inspecting it under the candlelight and handing it to Chen Guiren.
Chen Guiren examined the cloak and understood Su Limo's intention instantly. "For an unfavored Guiren like me, anything too fine would be too conspicuous. Chun Gufei is very considerate."
"It's getting late; I'll go prepare a brazier for you. Even in spring, the nights are still so cold," Yingchun said as she left, rubbing her hands and shivering in the night breeze.
Fortunately, her daily labor kept her body strong, but it was still hard on her lady.
The bedroom walls were cold, and the limited charcoal was saved for night use, also used to heat water and bed warmers, making it a constant struggle.
The author has something to say:
Thank you, Wangyou baobao, for the nutritional supplements~~